First time build, Intel Core i5-750, <$1100, request build advice

schallh1

Distinguished
Oct 10, 2009
7
0
18,510
Hi, I would appreciate the community reviewing my choices for my very first build. The parts that I could use the most advice on are the Mobo, PSU, and maybe optical drive (although I will welcome all opinions).


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Around Oct. 22 (I just want to clean install Win 7 on it) BUDGET RANGE: <$1100 After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Working at home (VNCs), gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, maybe keyboard, mouse, and speakers. Although I may look into a better wireless mouse/keyboard combo later

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, but can use others. I do have a Micro Center not far away COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES:

1. COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail (I already have this, just bought it)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197
-- $99

2. CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
-- $89.99 - $20 MIR

-or-

CORSAIR CMPSU-650HX 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012
-- $139.99

3. Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215
-- $199.99

4. ASUS P7P55D LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131404
-- $149.99

-or-

ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131405
-- $169.99

5. COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
-- $29.99

6. G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
-- $85.99

7. ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/1GD3/A Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail (or something similar)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121325
-- $119.99 - $20 MIR

8. SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM (maybe 2x of these, not sure if I want to do a Raid 1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
-- $79.99

9. Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030
-- $31.99

10. Windows 7 Pro Student edition (full copy), already pre-ordered through calling MS Store - $33


Total: $921 - $40 MIR if I get lower cost PSU and Mobo.


OVERCLOCKING: Maybe (not at first), if I do I probably won't do any over-volting (I haven't OC-ed before). SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (definitely not at first, but at least want option to later)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

This build is an upgrade from my current P4 2.6 Ghz Dell. Getting long in the tooth.

I'm just going with a Radeon HD 4850 vid card for now since I will later get a HD 5850 (maybe in 4-6 months) and move the 4850 into a budget build I will be doing about then. The 5850 will have to come down in price by almost 50% and then I'd consider doing a Crossfire setup. For the 4850, would like one that's quiet and more power efficient.

Does my PSU have enough wattage for what I want? Is it worth it to go modular?

For Mobo, I don't think I'll need SLI, I probably stick to ATI vid cards. I would like eSata or Firewire since I use external drives for backup.

As for optical drive, I'm not sure I'll use LightScribe. Just want it to be quiet and work well.


--10/12 edit, got my Win 7 questions answered
 

sonic-boom

Distinguished
Oct 9, 2009
821
0
19,010
It has been discussed on these forums that the upgrade is actually the full version but it MAY require a XP/Vista key after installation. Also, a post on here said they called MS Store and go the full version for $37 w/ .edu email. Also, Univs may let you download a free copy of Win 7 pro through MSDN AA.
http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/software/windows-7.aspx
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/f...ote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0[/url Edit: spelling
 

schallh1

Distinguished
Oct 10, 2009
7
0
18,510
Thanks for the info on Win 7. I think I'll call the MS Store tomorrow to ask to get a full version of Win 7 Pro x64. If only it were 9 years ago I could get Win 7 through MSDNAA, but I don't have my CSE account anymore.

On another note, does anyone have any comments on my Mobo, PSU, or other choices?
 

schallh1

Distinguished
Oct 10, 2009
7
0
18,510
I think I'm going to tweak my build to use these options:

Mobo:

GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128400


PSU (I like the semi-modular design and also like going to 750W, more room for system adds. Also a lot cheaper than the Corsair HX650):

Antec TruePower New TP-750 Blue 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022


RAM (better timings, and I have room in my budget):

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279


And I may just wait for the ATI 57xx series to come out, although I need to read up on some previews if I can find any. Hopefully they are lower power than 4850 (at least at idle).