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$900-$1000 new i5 Gaming Build for newbie

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - $900-$1000 new i5 Gaming Build for newbie

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Week of Thanksgiving (2 weeks from now)

BUDGET RANGE: $1000 (before rebates). There's about $90 or so in flexibility currently.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, like everyone else on the planet.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor*, Mouse, Keyboard
*Willing to upgrade my monitor, though I will have to get back to you guys on what it is.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel, though I'm not really that choosy.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, though for now I'd like to build it before I mess with overclocking. One rock at a time.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Someone explain to me what it is D:

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Will get back to you.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I've never built a computer before. Would prefer something that's not going to require me to be really good to build. ><
Also, I think all of it works together but don't make too much fun of me if I made some silly "oh this doesn't works" mistake. =(

----------------------------------------------

Processor:
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115215

Motherboard:
ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131405

RAM:
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145263

Graphics Card
POWERCOLOR AX4890 1GBD5 Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131167

Power Supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005

Case:
APEVIA X-SUPRA G-Type X-SUPRAG-BL Black / Blue SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811144218

Hard Drive:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148433

Optical Drive:
Sony Optiarc Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1678A - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Right now it's at... around $910. Looking forward to any advice you guys can give me- if there are any parts that spending a few bucks more can increase the longevity and/or compatibility of this machine, that'd be amazing.

Thanks in advance =)

Message quoted 2 times
Message edited by Dragongem on 11-12-2009 at 05:28:10 PM

Add a reply

Dragongem wrote :

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Someone explain to me what it is D:

Graphics Card
POWERCOLOR AX4890 1GBD5 Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131167

Crossfire is basically bridging two graphic cards together.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] sfire-faqs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATI_CrossFire

I think it will allow you to get two (2) lower quality cards that would actually work better than the one you picked out...

and it looks like your MOBO would support them

never done it so I can't give any hands-on advice about it.

Message edited by polarbear_tc on 11-12-2009 at 05:40:41 PM

Reply to polarbear_tc

You can get enough out of a P7P55D, which is cheaper (unless you're heavily into overclocking).

The Samsung Spinpoint F3 offers better performance at a lower cost.

If you can manage, try to get a 5850 graphics card. Performance is far greater, but at a lower power consumption and heat as well.

Can anyone tell me something about Apevia? Never heard of that brand. For safety, get an Antec case, they're the top in value for money.

Reply to Silmarunya

I wanted to ask a quick question about the Samsung F3s... Are they significantly better then WD Blacks? I have 6 WD Blacks queued for order, but you're not the only one that mentioned to swap out for the F3s

Message edited by polarbear_tc on 11-12-2009 at 06:39:58 PM

Reply to polarbear_tc

The Caviar Black is a great HDD and it will do nicely. However, the F3 is cheaper, faster and equally reliable. Is the difference large enough to swap them out? I don't think so. But if you're buying a new pc today, I'd buy the Samsungs.

Reply to Silmarunya

Here's the drive that we're suggesting changing to:

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20f3%201tb $84.99

You also don't want an IDE DVD burner for a new build. SATA is the only way to go.

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product $29.99

Here's a combo deal for the motherboard and RAM you picked:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.287000

What OS will you be using? You'll want a 64-bit OS to take full advantage of your 4GB of RAM.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116754 $109.99

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to shortstuff_mt

I would also recommend a samsung spinpoint i have had mine for 3 years and still going strong touch wood!

------------------------------ Saving up for new ipod touch cant wait
Reply to admin123

With that budget, you're going to be a lot happier if you go AMD. You can pick up an X4 955 for $175, there are some VERY nice combo deals on Newegg with that processor, and you can get away with a cheaper ASUS AMD motherboard because you'll be going single GPU and you won't be overclocking much.

That'll save you the coin to upgrade to a Radeon HD 5850. I just built a similar rig for $1050 (including 9.25% TN sales tax!) while spending twice as much on the case and adding an after-market CPU cooler. I did go with slower RAM timings to save $25.

You'll need to place the order for a 5850 now, though. Supposedly the supply problems will sort themselves out in the next few weeks, but you'll want to get your spot in the backorder line now. Buy from Amazon; they won't charge you until they fulfill, they have the lowest price and you can always cancel if you find one elsewhere first.

Another tip: I just bought that PSU from Best Buy for $85. If you spend $100 (before S/H & tax) this week with them using Paypal, they'll put $20 back into your PayPal account. That's more reliable than Newegg's mail-order rebate.

Yes, Intel makes stronger processors. But in your price range, the best price/performance combination is to skimp on the processor and board a bit in order to max out your GPU performance. The difference isn't that great until you start overclocking, and you won't be doing heavy O/Cing with that case and PSU.

Also, one more vote for the Samsung. I've had to replace two Western Digital drives in the last ten years (old one in a Gateway and an early Raptor), and Seagate's quality control isn't what it was.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Martin Alvito on 11-13-2009 at 07:50:54 AM

Reply to Martin Alvito

Martin Alvito wrote :

Also, one more vote for the Samsung. I've had to replace two Western Digital drives in the last ten years (old one in a Gateway and an early Raptor), and Seagate's quality control isn't what it was.

I've replaced 5 Seagates (barracuda 7200.10) and 1 WD Caviar SE (awful HDD) in the past 3 years

besides that one, I've never had any serious problems with WDs either... I'm convinced Seagates are horrible

I now vote for F3s too

Reply to polarbear_tc

shortstuff_mt wrote :

Noted and changed the hard drive and optical drive. Much thanks!

I'll be using Windows 7- I'm getting a copy soon as a gift. =)

My monitor is a 1280x1024.

Reply to Dragongem

Dragongem wrote :

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Week of Thanksgiving (2 weeks from now)

Graphics Card
POWERCOLOR AX4890 1GBD5 Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131167

Power Supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005

Thanks in advance =)

Dragongem,

SLI/Crossifre are simply propriety technologies of NVidia and ATI allowing more than one GPU card to work together. There are a number of articles that discuss how load is shared and where it is most effective.

My observation in your rig is if you use two 4890's in Crossfire you will not have enough power connectors. That card requires a 2*6pin connector for each card and that 650W supply only has 2 x 6(+2)pin connectors.
You can learn more about different power connectors here:
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuc [...] ctors.html

If you plan on using 2 graphics cards I recommend you spend a few extra dollars and get the larger power supply that provides 4*6pins connectors. Here is an example that may work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139009

Also keep in mind there is an Amps requirement for each graphics card, but again a larger PSU will solve that too.

Good luck.

Message edited by Freeon on 11-16-2009 at 03:53:36 AM

Reply to Freeon

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - $900-$1000 new i5 Gaming Build for newbie