First build ever - $1,000 budget

[ab2013]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Will be ordering parts by weekend

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Programming (engineering stuff), homework, perhaps some gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: n/a

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Ewiz, TigerDirect, Micro Center

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel

OVERCLOCKING: None

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Doesn't matter

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have never ever built a computer before and i'm soo excited.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you


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Parts

CPU:
Intel Core i7-860 processor ($229.99)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317378

Mobo: (its up in the air still, open for suggestions)
ASRock P55 Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ($104.99 AR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157171

GPU:
HIS ATI Radeon HD4890 1GB DDR5 VGA/DVI/HDMI PCI-Express Video Card ($159.09)
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=HIS-489_1G

Memory:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM - Retail ($69.99 x 2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ($59.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136298

Heat Sink:
Using stock cooler

CD/DVD Drive:
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM ($25.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

PSU:
OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail ($39.99 AR, already on order)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

Case:
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($59.99 AR, already on order)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Monitor, Keyboard Combo:
Samsung 2333SW 23-inch Widescreen Black Flat Panel LCD Monitor
Logitech Cordless Desktop MK 300 Black 102 Normal Keys RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse - Retail ($169.99 AC, Dell Small Biz, already on order)

This is my very first build, and I am very excited. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions you guys can offer. I would like to start ordering parts soooon

 

[jeep11]

I'd go with a 5850 or a 5770, get a better mobo and ditch the 8 gigs of ram.

 

[Prescott_666]

You say "PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel". If you've got your heart set on an I7 and that's what will make you happy, go ahead and get the 820, it's a good processor, and much cheaper than a 920.

I would get an AM3 quad processor and a 790 motherboard. More bang for the buck.

I'd get the 8gb of ram if I felt like I had the money (on my most recent build I got 4gb, I'll get more later).

I agree with getting the 5000 series GPU. You want this to last for awhile. Even if you build a new system in a year ot two, you will still want something you can sell.

I got the Antec Nine Hundred case. It was my second choice, I'd have rather had the Coller Master HAF 932, but I didn't want to spend the money. I also didn't get a $40.00 mail in rebate on the Antec.

 

[ab2013]

What would be a better mobo?

The 4890 does have better performance than a 5770, but the 5770 is about $10 (not much) more and does support DX 11. I was also looking at nVidia's GTS 250 or GTX 260.

5850 costs too much imo. It's over $120 more than the 4890 at current prices.

 

[ab2013]

Good deal or bad deal?

Final build:

CPU:
Intel Core i7-860 processor ($229.99)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0317378

Mobo: (its up in the air still, open for suggestions)
Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3L ATX Motherboard ($104.99 AR @ MicroCenter, Black Friday deal)

GPU:
896MB BFG Tech nVidia GeForce GTX 260 MAXCORE OC PCI-Express Video Card ($139.99 AR, in-store Black Friday special @ Micro Center)

Sound Card:
Sound Blaster Audigy SE PCI Sound Card ($29.99)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0310207

Memory:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM - Retail ($69.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231275

... may still add a CORSAIR XMS3 2GB DDR3-1333 (PC-10666) CL9 Memory Kit (Two 1GB Memory Modules) ($44.99 AR)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0263432

HDD:
Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Green SATA Intellipower 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive WD10EADS ($69.99, Black Friday special)
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Intellipower-Desktop-WD10EADS/dp/B001IEZX3G

Heat Sink:
Using stock cooler - no overclocking intended

CD/DVD Drive:
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM ($25.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827118030

PSU:
OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail ($39.99 AR, already on order)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341022

Case:
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($59.99 AR, already on order)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

Monitor, Keyboard Combo:
Samsung 2333SW 23-inch Widescreen Black Flat Panel LCD Monitor
Logitech Cordless Desktop MK 300 Black 102 Normal Keys RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse - Retail ($169.99 AC, Dell Small Biz, already on order)

Total = $940.90