[Solved] Strict $800... again... heh.

Greetings, again, everyone. A couple of weeks ago, I asked for help designing a first-time build... and was pleasantly surprised with the amount of replies I received (particularly from Pyscho Sykes), so I'm back again, to finish this.

For those wondering why a 100-post thread was unable to resolve my problem, I must draw your attention to the academic discount on Windows 7 which was mentioned in it. I have spent roughly a month trying to get it... but, for whatever reason (and believe me, I can't figure it out) Microsoft has not responded to my attempts.

Therefore, with a bit of extra cash, and a renewed sense of urgency (my current pc is starting to have issues), I've
come again for help (since the discounts/parts I had been counting on are now expired/out of stock).

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

(excerpt from first post from original thread):
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] time-build

Thanks again for your time, and I invite anyone with a comment/recommendation to post.

With 4GB RAM and an i5 you prefer windows 7, even if you dont realize it yet.

You are not doing that much gaming and you dont list screen resolution its hard to judge GPU requirements. For longer term GPU use a 5750 might work for you. Its cheaper, uses lots less power and has DX11. It is only 2/3rs the gaming speed of the 4870, but I'm not sure if that matters for you. it would allow you to drop down to a cheaper PSU even, though that is a great case/PSU combo you better grab while you can.

Can't give you info on that combo, but I can suggest a bit:
i5-750 Processor + EVGA P55 SLI Motherboard: $384.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.267385
G.Skill Ripjaw DDR3-1600 (CAS 9) Memory: $85.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231277
XFX ATI Radeon HD-5750: $139.99
WD Caviar Black 640GB Hard Drive + Cooler Master RC-690 Case: $99.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273732
SAMSUNG Black DVD-Burner: $25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151192
Corsair 650W Power Supply: $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005
Win7 Home Premium + Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 Keyboard and Mouse: $127.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.276396
or
Win7 Professional + Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 Keyboard and Mouse: $167.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.276399

All that puts you at either $974.9 or $1004.9, around $200 over, of course.
You could go for a lesser graphics card or power supply or memory, maybe the DVD-Burner too (though probably only if you switch to a drive), but the real money sink sits with that processor and motherboard. My first tip is to cut away the motherboard and go for something cheaper. You can get around $50 less, there, and still have a good board. The second option is to go for a lesser processor: a less advanced quad core, I suppose. In those areas, I'd first suggest this, for the motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131404 , but then I'd jump down to this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.270388 or this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.270387 . They aren't better, of course, but I must point out the below:
Cutting away the graphics card, power supply, and memory as above gets you down to $903.9, which is better, but not great. If you keep those changes and go for a lower motherboard the drop is to $868. On to the older quad cores, you can get anywhere between $974.9 and $873.9 for the good one, and $891.9 and $790.9 for the slightly lesser one. Finally, we have a winner.
I suppose that's going to be one recommendation of mine, that final one with all the drops I listed, but really, for the purposes of upgradability, I don't like it. My true suggestion is to get the ASUS motherboard I mentioned earlier, the lower-priced RAM, maybe the power supply too, but most importantly I think you need to try and get a hold of a -true- budget graphics card. That is - can you get one for free, or borrow one, or reuse what you've got now? Next to memory, graphics cards are about as upgradeable as you get.
It's a weak suggestion, I know, but that's all I can think of as a last resort.
(Unless I did my math wrong. That would be great if I did.

is up to you, i mean we can do much better than that, its just your budget wont allow it, you say $800, normally we recommend AMD system with a powerful card, but thats mostly for gaming, for rendering you need a capable processor, so the i5 is better choice, i mean is up to you and how much you willing to expend.

Anyone with advice/comments on that case/psu combo, I could really use your help.

(See 3 posts above)

That lian Li has one front and one rear fan. Cant possibly have as good airflow as the cases with more fannage. For a sub $100 case the Antec 300 illusion will beat that Lian Li in cooling.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129066
It has combos with both the TP650 and TP 750 PSUs. Get the 300 illusion, not the 300 black because the illusion includes the two front fans and the black doesnt. Only warning is the 300 wont fit an 11 inch GPU like the 5870 (might fit, but its really tight). I put a 10.5 inch 9800 GTX+ in one and there is not quite 1/2 inch left to the HDD Rails. A dremel could trim a bit off the rail and make room pretty easy if you wanted.

The 902 is better since it has filters, case fan switches mounted on the exterior and a bit better cable management but it is also more expensive (usually). The 902 has the same top as the 1200 instead of the angled top of the 900 has so many people prefer the looks of the 900 over the 902.

The 300 is bit shorter and less deep, has the same front/rear fans as the 900/902 but a smaller 140mm top fan. I have had a 900 for over a year and just bought a 300 to make a game computer for my son. When I need to make another computer for my younger son, I will probably get another 300; its a great box if you are not using extra long graphics cards.

I dont think there is enough difference in DVD writers for it to matter. Go with teh cheaper original and ignore the two reviews. One was written by Arthur Dent (read hitchikers guide to the galaxy) and the other was one that broke after warranty but is buying another. Niether looks very beleivable to me. Newegg reviews are notably bad, especially when there are only a few.

Considering I set the case fans on low and never needed to touch them I dont think thats a significant issue, but some people like to fiddle and complain about pulling the side panel off all the time to change the fans.

Probably cost you more than $30 in time and materials to put air filters into a 900. I have my 900 on top of the desk, behind my monitor so I can look inside it. It doesnt get that dusty, i just open it up and canned air it out once every couple months. If it was on the floor then filters might be a bigger deal for me. If filters are important to you, get the 902 or the 300.

Alright, here's my build as it now stands.

GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125277

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231277

DVD Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151192

HDD & OS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 22-136-098

Mobo & CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273255

Case & PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.276121

The case is still somewhat undetermined, since the difference between the 4 in question is roughly $25.00 (American).
However, as far as I can tell, only the Antec 902 has air filters.
Quick thread on case choice: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] -cases#bas

I'm also considering my original motherboard choice (an extra $20.00).

Does anyone have any thoughts on any of these points?

Thanks for bringing up that OS & HDD combo... I hadn't seen it.
For only $5 more it's definitely a good addition.

As for the motherboard, I may not be SLI/CrossFire - ing now, but I like to keep my options open.
Plus, as I plan to reuse this mobo in another build, or two, solid manufacturing is big issue.

... and in general, the more expensive motherboard lasts longer... right?

I'll keep it in mind, though, as it definitely brings the cost closer to my original budget.

Many thanks, Rokez.

Thanks for helping out, Medo.

The 4870 is ATIs biggest power hog (for a single core GPU), the 4890 and even 5870 use less power.

If you are talking about computation power, the 4870 is around 3 times as fast as a 4670. The 5770 is almost as fast and the 5850 is around twice as fast as a 4670.

Of those cases, pick the one YOU like the looks of best. They are all good airflow cases.

The 900/902 has a bit better and more adaptable airflow since there are two front fans and you can move them to any height on the front. The HAFs will be a bit quieter because the fans are bigger and I believe they have a bit better cable management.

1> Any of those cases would be a "right choice". They are all good quality with good airflow. Which matches your decor better, red or blue?

2> EVGA is a high-end motherboard manufacturer, they dont make cheap ones. ASUS makes a broader range but that motherboard is a good one. Either is going to be a good choice.

If there isnt a feature you know of on one board and not the other then no.

Alright, finishing up here... since time is running out.

Final build (barring any "last-minute changes" ):

Case & PSU (I'm still considering a Lian Li, but probably won't change)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.276117

CPU & Motherboard (considering original Evga for $20 more... but again, probably won't change)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273255

OS & Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 22-152-181

DVD Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151192

GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125277

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231277

... and now for some newbie questions (pardon my ignorance). I realize that these are VERY amateur questions, so I understand if no one wants to answer them. I don't mind google-ing for the answers.

1. I presume I need one SATA cable for every non-retail drive I buy, am I correct?

2. I presume that, in order to continue using my ethernet cables (4 pcs into the same modem) I must purchase and install a network card, correct?

3. The USB ports on the case are on the front, the motherboard's are on the back, I assume (I've forgotten a few parts of the Building a PC guide) that the mobo either faces the rear of the case, or it's ports show through the back of it?

4. I assume that I will require no other cables/screws/specialty tools, other than what I've already stated, and what is included with the products, am I correct?

Once again, I understand that these are very basic questions (and I should probably know the answers), but I'm only 80% sure of my accuracy... so please correct me if I'm wrong.

Lastly, does anyone have a final comment/critique?

ok i been off a little while, some1 said that the lian-li i provided didnt had good ariflow. although i posted a link to this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811112239
that no one seems to realize, i knew the first one was a budget case, i was trying to keep into your budget, it says 800, the case should be the lease you should be spending on, concentrate into a good Mobo and GPU, those are the main parts of a good gaming rig, anyways any of those cases will do just fine, as for your questions above lets see:
1. drives don't bring the sata cables the motherboard comes with all thats needed.
2. no the Ethernet out is in your motherboard back plate no need for a card.
3. the USb on front of the case will be conected to the USb header in the motherboard and all the fronts usb will fully operational, plus the one that come on your mobo back plate.
4. all screw etc will come with the case and motherboard you will only need a screw driver and a table for you to work comfortable.

lol, no problem mate, i don't do this to get any kind of reward, just knowing i was of assistance to you is more than enough.

feel free to send me a pm if run into any kind of trouble.