Balanced I5 build ~ $1000

[redman4ever]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next couple of days or wait a couple of months...depends on the feedback

BUDGET RANGE: $1000-1200 Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Downloading, video/photo editing, internet, office apps, probably some games (but not primarily used for this)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Amazon, MWave, Zipzoomfly, etc.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U.S.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel I5, probably an ASUS/Gigabyte mobo but open, ~ 24" LCD (bigger if budget allows), Midtower case.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, maybe OC to mid to High 3GHz, 4GHz if I feel ballsy
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No, thats why I'm going 1156

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Will be using this comp to send video via HDMI to a 52" HDTV. It usually stays on 24/7.

Saw the following combo on newegg and wanted ya'lls opinion. I'm not crazy about the PSU, Cas9 ram, or even the case but seems like a pretty good deal. Pair it up w/ a 5770 and 23-24" Monitor and I'm under budget. Might be able to even spring for the Intel 80GB SSD.

Second question: Should I just wait for SATA III and USB 3.0 to become more mainstream, and Fermi to come out in march to build? I'm getting anxious b/c I'm still on a Pentium IV 1.8 GHz (OC'd to 2 GHz) that has to be the slowest computer on the planet but I've had it this long so what's a few more months.

The Combo url

Individual Parts:
Case:
NZXT LEXA S LEXS - 001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

CPU:
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail

HD:
Seagate Barracuda LP ST31500541AS 1.5TB 5900 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive

RAM:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

PSU:
Rosewill Green Series RG700-S12 700W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified,Single 12V Rail,Active PFC"Compatible with Core i7, ... - Retail

Total combo price: $565.99

Alternative Build would be as follows:
Case:
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

CPU:
Same as above

HD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

RAM:
G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO - Retail

Mobo/PSU:
MOBO/PSU COMBO

-PSU = CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

-Mobo = ASUS P7P55D LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Total price for same type parts as above: $776.23

Need help w/ a monitor choice, got it narrowed down to the following:

1. ASUS VH235T-P Black 23" 5ms Widescreen Full HD 1080p LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 50000 :1 (ASCR) Built in Speakers - Retail

2. Hanns·G HH-251HPB Black 24.6" 2ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 15000:1(800:1) Built-in Speakers - Retail

3. Gateway FHD2401 Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 400 cd/m2 2000:1 - Retail

Regardless of which setup, I plan to use this Video card:
SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail

Finally, if the first combo works out, I might go with this SSD:
INTEL SSDSA2MH080G2C1 X25M 2.5in 80GB SATA II 9.5mm Solid State Drive (SSD) Solid State Drive Bulk


Thanks everybody for taking a look at my post! I would appreciate any input.

 

[redman4ever]

My last build was 7 years ago, so any advice/help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dndhatcher]

You dont want old barracudas and you dont want a 5900 RPM drive to boot on.

The Seagate 7200.12 500GB and 1TB are good new drives with 500GB platters. Older seagates also had firmware problems, I would avoid them. The Samsung F3 500GB and 1TB are also new 500GB platter drives and generally faster than the Seagate 7200.12.

I wont touch rosewills PSUs, they have earned a bad rep with their power supplies. Since you are using a 5770, you really only need a corsair 550TX (which should handle two of them) but you might go to the 650 if you will do heavy overclocking and add more drives in the future.

Cases: check out the Antec 900, Coolermaste HAF 922 and even the Antec 300 illusion. They are as cheap or cheaper than the cases you have listed and are very good air-cooling cases.

 

[tunnelrat]

processor -core i5 750 2.66 ghz

motherboard -gigabyte ga p55m ud2

ram -2x 2 gb ddr3

gpu -ati hd 5850

cabinet -cooler master cm 690 or cooler master gladiator 600

smps -corsair tx 650

hdd -segate 1tb (other brands are not available in india at least not where i live!!)

logitech keyboard mouse combo

optical drive -sony dvd writer

lcd -24 inch either lg or samsung

THIS IS A POWERFUL MONSTER !!!

 

[redman4ever]

Thanks for the advise!

I was mainly looking for storage w/ the Seagate. I plan on getting a SSD as soon w/i the next 6 mos. Looked at the Seagate 7200.12 and Samsung F3. Couldn't find a 1 TB drive Samsung F3 anywhere except: here at directron.com? Never dealt with them. What about a WD black 1 TB?

I was skeptical of the Rosewell PSU too. That sealed the deal with that. I can't find a Corsair 550TX, just a 550VX, which about the same price as a 650TX (I don't need modular cables). They're on sale at newegg right now and the difference b/t the 650TX and 750TX is only $11, so I just figured I'd be future proofing a little.

I was looking at this Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 mobo which has SATA III and USB 3.0. Any thoughts?