Newb blundering through first desktop build (i5 $1-1.2k)

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP

BUDGET RANGE: 1k to 1.2k after rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gamin', light math software, office, etc.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, dvd drive

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg/any reliable company with cheaper prices

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES:

OVERCLOCKING: No reason not to

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe in the future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

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I'm looking for help on compatability and just general hardware decisions. This is my first desktop ever so I'm pretty clueless. If there is an incredibly obvious bad choice, waaay too expensive choice, underutilized choice, something that can be cheaply upgraded, or something else along those lines please criticize me. I can take it...I promise.

Here's my newegg wishlist...

CPU:
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail $200

GPU:
XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $150

OR

SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail $260

Is this new card worth the extra $$$?
There is a chance that down the road I will crossfire two cards once prices go down.

MOBO:
ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $170

RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK $85

PSU:
Thermaltake Purepower W0121RU 600W ATX12V V2.0 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply - Retail $83

Can get this in a bundle with the HDD for a total 115 bucks off.

HDD:
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $230

Case:
NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $70

CPU Cooling:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - Retail $30

Definitely want to overclock, but I have no idea what sort of cooling unit I need to get.

_________________________

Total = $900 to $1000

On a side note, the Where the Wild Things Are trailer just came on TV...this movie looks freakin magical.

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I would scratch the velocirapter..a alittle on the high side of you budget but you could fit at $50 500gb hd and an 80gb Intel SSD.

Intel X25-M Mainstream - $230(after MIR)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] y_10010790

Unless your going to get a high end cooler I would recommend a slightly cheaper MB.
Check out frostytech.com

CPU for $10 cheaper:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] y_10011084

Look on ewiz and newgg for combo deals to save a few bucks.

Message edited by cory1234 on 10-14-2009 at 07:10:35 AM

------------------------------ Q6600 @ 9x333, 500gb barracuda 7200.10
Gigabye DS3R P35, Evga 8800 gt
4x1gb Super Talent 800 3-3-4-8, OCZ 850w, Win 7 64

Reply to cory1234

Thanks for the reply.

With regards to the HDD, is the SDD really that much better? There is a pretty good deal on that HDD, so if I went with an SDD, I'd end up paying ~$200 more on the computer.

If I were to go for a cheaper MB, what would you recommend? Or would it just be better for performance to upgrade the cooler?

What do you guys think I should do for the video card? Is the upgrade worth the extra 100 bones?

Reply to sdchapma

I would wate on a SSD dirve, you wont see the speed in games.

This is my spec i would recommend for the money

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$109.98 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 2 for raid 0
($54.99 each)

Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail
Item #: N82E16835154003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$2.00 Instant $6.99
$4.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835154003

Cooler Master Intel Core i5 compatible Hyper TX3 Socket 775/1156/AMD 130W 92mm "heatpipe direct contact" CPU Cooler RR-910-HTX3-GP - Retail
Item #: N82E16835103064
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$19.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103064

Antec Twelve Hundred 750 Blue Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case 750W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129063
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
-$80.00 Combo $479.98
$369.98 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273737

GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128400
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231279
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Combo $264.98
$244.98 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.264218
Subtotal: $749.92 + 379.99 for a HD5870 http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] st=froogle

1129.91

------------------------------ P55-UD4P / i5 750 @ 3.6 180X20 / GSkill 1600 @ 1420 7-7-7-22 / WD Black 640 / HD 5850 / Corsair 750 / Win 7
Reply to niklas_13

I would NOT get that POS Thermaltake PSU. The little red voltage switch on the back is a dead giveaway that it's an old PSU with no active PFC. The new 7200RPM drives are just as fast or faster than the VelociRaptor drives. These components would be better options and save you money.

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $109.99 - $10 MIR

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $54.99

I also wouldn't get a 92mm cooler. Step up to a 120mm cooler.

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail $29.99

Don't forget to use this combo for your CPU + motherboard and save $20.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273251

You can get DDR3 1600 CAS 7 RAM for $10 more.

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail $94.99

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to shortstuff_mt

shortstuff_mt wrote :

I would NOT get that POS Thermaltake PSU. The little red voltage switch on the back is a dead giveaway that it's an old PSU with no active PFC. The new 7200RPM drives are just as fast or faster than the VelociRaptor drives. These components would be better options and save you money.

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $109.99 - $10 MIR

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $54.99

I also wouldn't get a 92mm cooler. Step up to a 120mm cooler.

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail $29.99

Don't forget to use this combo for your CPU + motherboard and save $20.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273251

You can get DDR3 1600 CAS 7 RAM for $10 more.

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail $94.99

The hyper 212+ is a good cooler for a cheap price.

Here is a good comparison: veliociraptor vs ssd

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/s [...] =3631&p=20

------------------------------ Q6600 @ 9x333, 500gb barracuda 7200.10
Gigabye DS3R P35, Evga 8800 gt
4x1gb Super Talent 800 3-3-4-8, OCZ 850w, Win 7 64

Reply to cory1234

for hard drive get the western digital 640Gb drive for $75... great reviews and 5 year warranty.

go with the gigabyte UD4P mobo

upgrade your processor to the i7 860

upgrade your graphics card to at least a 4890 if not a 5850. saphire and asus are good brands. i definitely wouldnt settle for a 4870 at that resolution.

an Antec 300 will suit your needs, and its only $60

zigmatek rifle heatsink/fan

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to snurp85

snurp85 wrote :

for hard drive get the western digital 640Gb drive for $75... great reviews and 5 year warranty.

go with the gigabyte UD4P mobo

upgrade your processor to the i7 860

upgrade your graphics card to at least a 4890 if not a 5850. saphire and asus are good brands. i definitely wouldnt settle for a 4870 at that resolution.

an Antec 300 will suit your needs, and its only $60

zigmatek rifle heatsink/fan

I would get the 5850.. I would not upgrade to the i7 860, the i5 provides practically the same performance unless your using hyperthreading apps.

------------------------------ Q6600 @ 9x333, 500gb barracuda 7200.10
Gigabye DS3R P35, Evga 8800 gt
4x1gb Super Talent 800 3-3-4-8, OCZ 850w, Win 7 64

Reply to cory1234

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