First Time System Builder

[cdriver24]

I am looking to build a system for the first time. Not into gaming but want a desktop system that will last at least 3-4 years. Do mostly Excel, Access, CS4 with web design and programming with Visual Studio. What is the best CPU for my needs an I7 or Core 2 Quad and do I need ddr3?

Thanks
Steve

 

[mavanhel]

See the link in my signature for any meaningful help. We need more information.

 

[dndhatcher]

An Athlon II x4 system is probably the best price/performance choice for your needs. Core2 is now dead and replaced by the new i3 and i5 CPUs so you dont want to go there as parts will become hard to find.

 

[cdriver24]

Thanks for the input. I have never had any experience even using an AMD chip and will probably stick with and Intel. I guess I will have to do some more research. I had been looking at the barebones kits from Tiger and Newegg and was thinking of going with that for the first time as to not have to try and match up all the right components. Do not want to make an expensive mistake.

Thanks
Steve

 

[shortstuff_mt]

That's what this forum is here for. If you follow mavanhel's advice and edit your post to include the information in the "How to ask for new build advice" sticky at the top of the forum we can help build you the best system at your budget and for your intended use. We can certainly do better than the barebones systems pieced together by retailers.

 

[cdriver24]

Thanks for the help. I must say that after reading a great deal of posts and articles I am now totally confused.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next 2 months
BUDGET RANGE: 500-600
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Excel, Access, CS4 with web design and programming with Visual Studio.


PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Wherever it is cheaper.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type Mid tower/Intel CPU
OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

Looking to purchase just a motherboard/CPU/Memory/Case with Power supply and fans

Thanks
Steve

 

[MadAdmiral]

CPU: Phenom II X4 955 BE Combo with motherboard on Newegg $256 after rebate

Mobo: Asus M4A79XTD EVO

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $110

Case/PSU: Newegg combo: HAF 922 and OCZ StealthXStream 700W $110 after rebate

Total: $476. Could stick in some more RAM if necessary.

 

[coldsleep]

I have never had any experience even using an AMD chip and will probably stick with and Intel.

There's not really any difference once you get beyond specs. Putting an AMD chip onto a motherboard is functionally the same as putting an Intel chip onto a motherboard, no reason to be scared away from using one or the other.

Right now, AMD has better price/performance at the lower price ranges, and most sub-$700-800 builds benefit from going with AMD chips.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Going off of what cold had to say, there isn't really any reason to go for Intel's lower priced CPUs. All of them are on an extinct socket, and are nowhere near the performance of AMD's full line.

Right now, AMD is dominating the low-end CPU market, while Intel is dominating the high-end side.

The cheapest Intel CPU worth buying right now is the i5-750 at $200. It's boards are slightly more expensive than the AMD boards too. It's possible for you to fit it into your budget, but it won't be as upgradable.

 

[cdriver24]

Thank you everyone for all the help. It is always nice to find people that are willing to offer their expertise to the novice. I am not a person that will upgrade a machine for a long time. I do not do any gaming so to always have the latest and fastest is not that important to me I just want a machine I can live with for 3-4 years before building a new one.

 

[cdriver24]

I have updated what I was looking at and was thinking of this setup

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813128375
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$198.99
$188.99
1

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920

Intel Core i7-920 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819115202
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$288.99
2

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231303
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$219.98
1

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817341019
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
-$30.00 Combo
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$209.97
$149.97

Took some ideas from MadAdmiral and added some of my own.

 

[MadAdmiral]

For $20 more, you could get the same board, just with USB 3.0/SATA 6 GBps ports.

GA-X58A-UD3R $210

 

[dndhatcher]

to always have the latest and fastest is not that important to me

Yet you picked the latest and fastest (i7 920)

You will need some form of graphics card, there is no onboard video on x58 motherboards. For non-gaming purposes an inexpensive ($50 or less) card will be fine.

You could save money going with a Phenom II x4 955 and an AM3 motherboard with onboard 4200 or 3300 video and still have a great machine.

 

[cdriver24]

Best answer selected by cdriver24.