Budget i5 build. BUYING TOMORROW (First time builder)

[pmaz]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: TOMORROW

BUDGET RANGE: No more than 800ish. Try and keep it at cheap as possible cause I am a poor college student.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, surfing the internet, schoolwork, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: OS for 29.99 (already purchased)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: the core i5 and the 5770 graphics card i think im pretty set on

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe if someone wants to teach a noob or show me where I can learn

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Probably not cause im poor

MONITOR RESOLUTION: not sure. I need a monitor too.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: would like it quiet but still want good performance


Ok, this is my first build ever and after a few months of debating i feel that now is a good time to build.
Here is what I have so far:

CPU: Core i5 750
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0317379

GA-P55-UD3R Socket 1156 P55 ATX Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0317214

RAM: 4GB DDR3-1600 (PC-12800) Gold Low Voltage CL8 Memory Kit (Two 2GB Memory Modules)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0317775

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive and
Case: COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273732

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
PSU: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.275101

Total: about 730.00 w/shipping and before rebates

I still need a cheap but still decent monitor, keyboard, and mouse and maybe speakers.

Any advice is welcome!!!

 

[mortonww]

How cheap of a monitor? I have this: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-2343BWX-23-Inch-LCD-Monitor/dp/B001N0H8YW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1256346202&sr=8-1

and it rocks. Not really an expert on monitors, but if this one fits your price range I would recommend it from personal experience.

Also, the Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB is a faster hard drive than the one you have spec'd. Don't know how important that is to you over getting that combo deal, but it's worth mentioning.

 

[pmaz]

what about this monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236067
or this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009157

 

[build]

Cheaper motherboard http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0318192

The 5770 is currently not worth buying as the cheaper 4870 outperforms it. A 500W PSU will be enough for a single 4870/5770.

XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB
+
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W
Combo Price: $194.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.264833

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333mhz - $89.99 <-- Cheaper and tighter timings
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

With all that savings, you should be able to get a better monitor . I'd recommend one with a resolution of 1680x1050. Also, you didn't list a DVD drive.

 

[pmaz]

I am trying to make this future proof and have read that direct x 11 is going to be A LOT better so thats why i was leaning toward the 5770. I play a lot of steam games like l4d and tf2. I also like games like fallout and oblivion.

I do like the new motherboard you found and will use that one instead.

 

[pmaz]

Here is an update on my build so far:

Core i5
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317379

GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128405

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

Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014

Logitech 967740-0403 Black USB Standard Internet 350 USB Keyboard - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126012

Logitech SBF-96 Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Mouse - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104026

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273732

SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.275101

Total 775 before rebates.

Also, my friend found an old lcd monitor i can buy for 100 bucks so I don't need one anymore.
the resolution is 1680 x 1050

 

[jbakerlent]

I would switch to this PSU

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=550%20vx

If you do go with the UD2 (which I think is a great board) do keep in mind that it is Micro-ATX.

 

[pmaz]

what about this board?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138161

 

[pmaz]

never mind. The Gigabyte looks way better spec/review wise

Also, I'm buying tomorrow and I think that that PSU is sold out.

 

[jbakerlent]

Oops, sorry about the PSU, check this one out instead
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

If you are looking for a good non-crossfire ATX board, here's one, but again the UD2 is fine
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3L LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128406&cm_re=p55_motherboard-_-13-128-406-_-Product

 

[pmaz]

Thanks for all your help. It looks like the RAM that build recomended is not on gigabytes memory support list. I found this that was on it. How much slower is it than the other ram?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231180

 

[jbakerlent]

The OCZ RAM will work with with either board, however the G.Skill will not be noticeably slower.

 

[pmaz]

Ok. Awesome. Thanks for all your help. I really like that combo deal with my video card. Is it really a bad PSU or am i better off getting a separate PSU and GPU?

 

[jbakerlent]

The stealthxsteam is actually far better than the modxstream, you'll be fine with it.
Stealth
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?/power_supply/ocz_stealthxstream_600_watt_psu/5
Mod
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2008/11/12/ocz_700w_modxstream_pro_power_supply/

 

[pmaz]

Awesome! Last question! (I think) what about my cd/dvd burner. I don't have any screws or anything, does that matter?

 

[jbakerlent]

You'll just need a few small screws and between the ODD (even though it's OEM it might come with some screws) and the mobo, you'll have it covered.