Who wants to help me build my first machine? *Multi Use*

slytx

Distinguished
Jan 8, 2010
24
0
18,510
Like the title says, this is going to be my first build. Im creating this post not to have anyone tell me what I want, but rather tell me what I need. Dont get me wrong as I am not a "new" computer user, but have been relying on my 3 year old HP Pavilion laptop for everything and have been out of the game with all the new hardware out there. However, Im coming into a need for some more powerful computing, video editing. Along with this new computer Ill be purchasing an AVCHD camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF200. Its been awhile since I did any gaming, but I plan on playing some of the up to date games as well as classics. So in all this new computer will be able to fully support:

HD Video Editing (in Sony Vegas)

Modern gaming

Photoshop editing/Cinema4d

Media center

Basic general use

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: February 10th BUDGET RANGE: $1100

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: AVCHD Video editing, gaming, browsing and basic use

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Motherboard (Biostar TP55), CPU (Intel core i7 860), Mouse, OS (Windows 7)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com, others if a great deal is to be had

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Good ol' USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: To be discussed

OVERCLOCKING: No (right away, anyways) OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I am seeking input on this!

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I am looking for good recommendations on Case, PSU, RAM, and Monitor


As you can see I already have the processor and mother board. I got a pretty good deal at Fry's for $262 after $20 rebate.

My main priority is to have this system as a powerful machine to handle the large AVCHD files it will be handling. Im no professional, and am quite novice with the software but have gotten into this some what recently. Im a quick learner and although my videos to date could all be done in Windows movie maker, I anticipate pushing out some pretty techy editing.

Considering my interest in imagery, I feel a solid Display is in order and I wouldnt feel bad about sinking some $$$ into it. However, since Im yet to determine the rest of components for my build, Im not sure how much I can put into the monitor. As for the resolution, I cant say for sure. Is maxiumum resolution going to allow for maximum viewing quality?

With the CPU and Mobo purchased for $262, thats leaves me with about $840 for the rest. Im also certain the Radeon HD5770 is going to suit me well with its price and performance, but am not totally set on that if DX11 really will offer that much more and mean I will be upgrading before too long.
 
Solution
You can check out these...

Monitor - Yes in a way having a high resolution monitor will allow for viewing images/ videos at high resolution - hence higher quality...
1080p is the way to go...
-With webcam if you want one...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236048
Regular one -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236074

HDD - 1TB Samsung F3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

DVD
Lite-ON
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

RAM -
Corsair
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260

CASE - This is a very good case at a good price...But remember to add 1 more 120MM fan at the rear...
$10 off w/ promo code EMCLMMN49...
You can check out these...

Monitor - Yes in a way having a high resolution monitor will allow for viewing images/ videos at high resolution - hence higher quality...
1080p is the way to go...
-With webcam if you want one...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236048
Regular one -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236074

HDD - 1TB Samsung F3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

DVD
Lite-ON
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

RAM -
Corsair
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260

CASE - This is a very good case at a good price...But remember to add 1 more 120MM fan at the rear...
$10 off w/ promo code EMCLMMN49, ends 1/18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185058
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200028

PSU -
OCZ Mod 500W - Modular and efficient...and 500W would suffice for your setup...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

Graphics card -
HIS 5770
$10 off with promo code VGA181, ends 1/15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317

Total - ~$700...
As you have about $140 left, you can check out the SSDs for the boot drive...they will give nearly instant access to apps and OS loading and shutdown will be noticeably faster...
Intel X25-V SSDSA2MP040G2R5 2.5" 40GB - For OS and some apps...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167025&cm_re=intel_40GB-_-20-167-025-_-Product
 
Solution
^ For that price, that is a very good option...But that resolution is not a regular one though but nothing major to worry about...
And in newer games you may have to turn down the settings for a smoother gameplay as the HD 5770 might not be powerful enough at that resolution...but surely the games will be playable at slightly lower settings...
 

slytx

Distinguished
Jan 8, 2010
24
0
18,510
Isnt it possible that I set the resolution to a lower one when playing games? Ive never watched a movie at such resolution and am wondering what itll look like? My current laptop has a glossy screen and gets MAD glare, Im not too sure if I would like another glossy panel for this new computer. Im gonna do some research on the net regarding opinions on that. Heres a real face-palm of a question, think the websites sale expiration will be invalid after the next two hours if it lists expiration as 1/13/10??
 

slytx

Distinguished
Jan 8, 2010
24
0
18,510
Hehe yes, I am big on the doing my home work before purchasing thing. The only reason Ive already bought the motherboard and processor already is because of the sale it was on. Same with this monitor.

I glanced at some youtube videos of reviewing Glossy vs matte. This computer will be used in the environment of my bedroom where I can ensure theres no natural light coming in. We have curtains over the windows 90% of the time. Would you have experience comparing a glossy vs matte screen in terms of true color display? I would like to avoid blur and washing out, but also want to make sure Im seeing true colors. Much reading to be done.
 
^ The Glossy screens have more vibrant colors and are brighter that the Matte ones...if you could remove the glare factor, then the glossy are the better ones...
And seeing that you can ensure natural light wont interfere with your screen viewing, the glossy screens is better suited...
Matte is better when using Outdoors(w.r.t laptops screens) and when you cant cut out the glare...
I personally use a Glossy screen and can see the difference between the matte one and mine (No glare here...)

But if you choose Glossy screen, be ready to clean your monitor regularly as it is very susceptible to dust and smudges...

And continue to research till you are satisfied with your chosen option...
 

slytx

Distinguished
Jan 8, 2010
24
0
18,510
I am very undecided on the monitor that I am going to get. On one hand I think the Dell 2309 would be superb with its glossy screen and high resolution (And great price). However, Im also concerned that the higher then normal resolution on a 23" screen will make text too hard to read, and games not play as well. Will I really benefit that much in viewing quality with such a high resolution?
 

slytx

Distinguished
Jan 8, 2010
24
0
18,510
Moving on now, I am within 8 days of buying and time to really wrap all of this up. So far, this is what im going with:

MONITOR:
HP w2338h Black 23" 5ms Full HD 1080P HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176109

OPTICAL -
LG Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Combo LG Blu-ray Reader
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136162

CASE - This a toss up between:
http://cgi.ebay.com/XION-Solaris-Silver-Blue-Mid-Tower-Computer-Case-ATX_W0QQitemZ390096294688QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad38d1320#ht_2559wt_939

or

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066&cm_re=antec-_-11-129-066-_-Product

PSU -
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

CPU - (already purchased)
Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214&cm_re=i7_860-_-19-115-214-_-Product

MOBO - (already purchased)
BIOSTAR TP55 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138161&cm_re=tp55-_-13-138-161-_-Product

This leaves me with decisions to make regarding the RAM, Video card and hard drive.

RAM: I am not the most informed about the differences about DDR3 on a 1156 mother board but recently read it may be a better decision to go with 4GB then 6. However also considering one of my main uses is going to be editing in Vegas, and a lot of h264 encoding would I benefit from having 6gb? Like stated before some of the editing is going to be pretty techy and this is one of my main system focuses.

GPU: I think the 5770 is just about the best bang for the buck out there. But I have two concerns; 1) Running games at 1920x1080 and 2)Hardware acceleration when it comes to Encoding. So far I have only really researched CUDA and as of right now Im not sure if any of my software will be taking advantage of it. Am I really going to be that crippled with the 5770 at 1920x1080? Am I missing out by not getting a CUDA capable Nvidia?

HDD: So im undecided between the Samsung Spintpoint F3 and the Barrcuda 7200.12. I guess once again im looking for the best bang for the buck on a 1TB.

Im totally open to suggestions regarding the RAM, GPU, and HDD as well as any of my other selected components.
 
Here are some options...

1. RAM
.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

2. Monitor - Why nt any of these ? they are cheaper and as good...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009179

3. HDD - Definetly the F3s they are better...

4. GPU - ATI is set to launch the HD 5830s...they are as fast as the HD 4890s and DirectX 11...It should retail around $200-$230...that would better suit that resolution...

5. Check this case + PSU combo...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.335364
or this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.330949
 

slytx

Distinguished
Jan 8, 2010
24
0
18,510


1. Im adding that RAM to my shopping cart.

2. About the HP monitor. My dad is actually ordering it for me from HP, hes a field technician and gets discounts on all HP products. Plus, its got glossy screen.

3. F3 it is.

4. I previously did not know anything about the 5830. If it is released within the next 10-14 days and available then I may end up getting it. If not, Im fine going with the 5770 for now and will wait a year or so to upgrade when prices drop on the other cards. Are there any rumors I dont know about that are saying the 5830 will be released within days?
 
^ Yes HD 5830 was to be launched by Jan end but there were some issues so they got delayed to Feb 5...So everything goes fine, then the card should be available by the time you want to buy it...
And as for the HP screen, even I like the Glossy screens and I personally use one but it is a smaller screen though...And it is very good...SO if you will be getting discounts, then that should be fine...