I5 Build <$1,000 - Sanity Check

[dysfixal]

I’m calling on the community once again to make sure my new build makes sense. This PC will replace my wife’s painfully outdated machine. Any comments are greatly appreciated, and I could definitely use some input on the Monitor (I have a Samsung 226bw and love it) and the Hard Drive (I would normally get a Spinpoint F3, but they’re sold out until 12/29). Thank you.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: this week BUDGET RANGE: <$1,000 before rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Work, internet

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Only a mouse and speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg or other reliable sites

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, 23”+ name brand monitor

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Depends, probably 1680x1050 or greater

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is a work PC, so the tower should be mid-ATX and have a relatively subdued design.

Parts:
Microcenter purchase…
CPU: Intel Corporation Core i5 750 Processor Boxed – $149.99

All others are Newegg…
Monitor: SAMSUNG 2343BWX High Glossy Black 23" 5ms 16:9 Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail - $199.99

Mobo: ASUS P7P55 LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $119.99

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM - Retail - $109.99

Case & PSU: Antec Two Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail &
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail - $109.94 Combo

OS & Graphics: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM &
SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Video ... - Retail - $158.98 Combo

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $54.99

DVD RW: Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM - $26.99

Keyboard: Logitech Pro 2000 Black Cordless Standard Keyboard - Retail - $29.99

Total: $972.16 before MIR

 

[MadAdmiral]

Good build, but a couple of suggestions.

RAM: There's a good set of G.Skill Eco DDR3 1333 sticks that are $11 cheaper and will be just as good.

HDD: If it comes back in stock, the Samsung Spinpoint F3 is one of the best HDD available. It's the same price, and might be available on other sites. That said, the Seagate is a good substitute.

Really minor changes.

EDIT: Added links.

 

[Guest]

your build is great and couldn't really find many better deals on anything

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.297959

might want to look at that though, this vid card might have an easier time supporting that great monitor.

 

[dysfixal]

Thanks for the quick feedback.

MadAdmiral, thanks for the tip on the RAM. As for the F3, that would be my preference, but I haven't found one for an equivalent price elsewhere. I'll look again.

ares1214, unfortunately that would put me a bit over my budget, which I'm very much beholden to. Thanks though.

I do wonder if the monitor is a bit of overkill. I want something that's 23"+, but I worry that the recommended resolution will make things too small for her to deal with (maybe I'm just being paranoid?). Thoughts?

 

[Guest]

for normal use, no the monitor wont be overwhelming for the vid card, but for just about anything else like gaming video editing, or anything else slightly demanding in the video department might be too much. You might want to look at a normal 1920x1080 to lessen the load, but the monitor is very good. I might be wrong as im a bit paranoid too

 

[woozyM]

Good build while checking the system on newegg this popped out:

GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3L LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128406

about the same mobo spec as the asus for 10$ less.

 

[foolycooly]

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SATA-Hard-Drive-HD502HJ/dp/B002J65AHQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260833106&sr=8-3

for the spinpoint f3...same price, free shipping.

 

[gebbz]

wish I lived near a microcenter

 

[dysfixal]

I don't (I'm in Oregon), but my mom does (Kansas), and she's coming out for Christmas =]

 

[EXT64]

Maybe I am missing something, but why the Low Profile Video card? The case is not a narrow one, so wouldn't something like this work better:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102843

 

[EXT64]

Nevermind, I see it includes the full slot bracket as well.

 

[dysfixal]

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SATA-Hard-Drive-HD502HJ/dp/B002J65AHQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260833106&sr=8-3

for the spinpoint f3...same price, free shipping.

Thanks for this! On a side note, it's been a while since I've seen an episode of your namesake.

 

[EXT64]

Good find. The stock on the F3's is really low. When I got my 1TB one, it had just been manufactured a few weeks before, so they are selling them as soon as they are made. It is a shame you couldn't get it through Newegg though, as for my last purchase they really upped their shipping material. My order now came with good ole packing peanuts, the Samsung drive came in a plastic box (with mounting screws) and my WD drive and Ram were in a second cardboard box. I was very impressed with their packing care.

 

[vznoobie12]

Here's a a good alternative to your current monitor choice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254045&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL121509&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL121509-_-MonitorsLCDFlatPanel-_-LP2B-_-24254045

Obviously not as reputable as samsung, but they make reliable monitors. Res is a bit lower @ 1920x1080, but its $30 cheaper and has free shipping.