APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: In the next month
BUDGET RANGE: $800-$1000 Before Rebates for the machine (i.e. not including OS, monitor, speakers, mouse, or keyboard)
Around $1200 including the above.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Multimedia (i.e. Internet, word processing, movies, music)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Completely new computer, all parts are required.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I trust Newegg.com but if other websites come recommended I'll look into them.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US
PARTS PREFERENCES: Not looking for a killer screen, 19-20" would be ideal.
OVERCLOCKING: I don't intend to starting out but might after a few months.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not initially but possibly as an upgrade.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900, 1600x1200, or 1680x1050
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Right, this is my first time building a computer and I've heard quite a few horror stories about DOA parts, incompatibilities, and cheap PSUs burning out so I'd appreciate it if people could double check my build before I start ordering parts. Any other advice for a first-time builder would be welcome as well.
I'm planning on this computer lasting 3-4 years, if not more. I'm not attached to running games at the highest graphics by the end of that lifespan--the goal is to be able to run new/intensive games (Bioshock, Crysis, Source games, etc.) at mid to high graphics right now and be able to run games that come out in the following years at low to mid graphics. In general I have a few questions:
■AMD Phenom IIx4 955 or Intel i5-750?
Is it worth the extra $40 or so to go with the Intel?
■Is the Radeon 5770 powerful enough to deliver the lifespan I want?
I'd prefer to avoid the Radeon 4890 because of its power draw and heat output but I'm not sure if it's worth giving up the performance. Likewise the 5850 is a bit out of my price range but again, I can be convinced otherwise.
■What kind of power supply do I need?
I would guess that a 500W power supply might be close to my needs but I honestly have no experience in this area so I'm looking to you guys.
■Do I have any bottlenecks?
Fairly self-explanatory
■Suggestions for the case?
I was thinking either the NZXT Lexa S (for style and included fans) or the NZXT Hush (for style and quiet running) but I'm open to other suggestions.
Here are my tentative Intel and an AMD builds:
AMD Build
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770
Motherboard: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
Hard Disk Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Optical Disk Drive: Sony Optiarc Black 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe LightScribe Support
Case: NZXT Lexa S
Power Supply: ?
Sub-total: $740 without rebates, combos, or the power supply
Intel Build
Processor: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz
GPU: Same as above.
Motherboard: ASUS P7P55D LE LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM: Same as above.
Hard Disk Drive: Same as above.
Optical Disk Drive: Same as above.
Case: Same as above.
Power Supply: ?
Sub-total: $785 without rebates, combos, or the power supply
BUDGET RANGE: $800-$1000 Before Rebates for the machine (i.e. not including OS, monitor, speakers, mouse, or keyboard)
Around $1200 including the above.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Multimedia (i.e. Internet, word processing, movies, music)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Completely new computer, all parts are required.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I trust Newegg.com but if other websites come recommended I'll look into them.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US
PARTS PREFERENCES: Not looking for a killer screen, 19-20" would be ideal.
OVERCLOCKING: I don't intend to starting out but might after a few months.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not initially but possibly as an upgrade.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900, 1600x1200, or 1680x1050
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Right, this is my first time building a computer and I've heard quite a few horror stories about DOA parts, incompatibilities, and cheap PSUs burning out so I'd appreciate it if people could double check my build before I start ordering parts. Any other advice for a first-time builder would be welcome as well.
I'm planning on this computer lasting 3-4 years, if not more. I'm not attached to running games at the highest graphics by the end of that lifespan--the goal is to be able to run new/intensive games (Bioshock, Crysis, Source games, etc.) at mid to high graphics right now and be able to run games that come out in the following years at low to mid graphics. In general I have a few questions:
■AMD Phenom IIx4 955 or Intel i5-750?
Is it worth the extra $40 or so to go with the Intel?
■Is the Radeon 5770 powerful enough to deliver the lifespan I want?
I'd prefer to avoid the Radeon 4890 because of its power draw and heat output but I'm not sure if it's worth giving up the performance. Likewise the 5850 is a bit out of my price range but again, I can be convinced otherwise.
■What kind of power supply do I need?
I would guess that a 500W power supply might be close to my needs but I honestly have no experience in this area so I'm looking to you guys.
■Do I have any bottlenecks?
Fairly self-explanatory
■Suggestions for the case?
I was thinking either the NZXT Lexa S (for style and included fans) or the NZXT Hush (for style and quiet running) but I'm open to other suggestions.
Here are my tentative Intel and an AMD builds:
AMD Build
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770
Motherboard: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
Hard Disk Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Optical Disk Drive: Sony Optiarc Black 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe LightScribe Support
Case: NZXT Lexa S
Power Supply: ?
Sub-total: $740 without rebates, combos, or the power supply
Intel Build
Processor: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz
GPU: Same as above.
Motherboard: ASUS P7P55D LE LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM: Same as above.
Hard Disk Drive: Same as above.
Optical Disk Drive: Same as above.
Case: Same as above.
Power Supply: ?
Sub-total: $785 without rebates, combos, or the power supply
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