Advice on new build

[pudg777]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: in the next week

BUDGET RANGE: $800-1000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: surfing the internet, school work, gaming (starcraft 2, half-life)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: operating system (im getting windows 7 64-bit), mouse, keyboard

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: either newegg or tigerdirect

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Don't know which would be the best bang for the buck

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Don't know anything about these (I'd like to keep the build part simple)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I need a monitor as well but have been suggested this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050&Tpk=Asus%20VW224U%2022%22%20LCD, which has a recommended resolution of 1680 x 1050. I am open to suggestions on other monitors though.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I really dont need and wouldnt use a huge hard drive. (I have been using a 50 gb one for the past 6 years) so i was thinking of going with a 512 gb hd. Id like at least 4 gigs RAM, I have no clue which direction to go in terms of graphics cards. Id like a best bang for the buck system. Appreciate any help you can offer, specifically whether or not i should go with an intel i5 build or sticking with athlon.

thanks

 

[MadAdmiral]

Is the monitor's cost out of this budget?

Assuming it is:

CPU/Mobo: Phenom II X4 955 and Asus M4A79XTD EVO Newegg combo for $256 after rebate
RAM: Corsair XMS3 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $110
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB $55. You won't save much with a smaller one, and this is extremely fast.
Case: HAF 922 $90 (free shipping w/ a promo code)
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $20
GPU: HD 5770 $155 after rebate
PSU: SeaSonic 850W 80 Plus Silver $110. Overkill, but high quality, very high efficiency and pretty cheap. A 650W one is $100...

Total: $796.

 

[osu43130]

Im sure the pros will be buy soon but maybe something like this...


955 BE and ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 225

500 GB Spin point F3 55

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB 110

OCZ Stealthstream 700 and Lite on DVD Drive 97

HD5850 GPU 299

Then just add a Case maybe.

Haf 922 90

Total before tax/SH = 866

***EDIT One of them beat me anyways....lol

 

[pudg777]

thanks for your advice.

the 800-1000 budget was meant to include the monitor... even so I'd still be right around a grand with the build listed.

 

[MadAdmiral]

I went a little more budget end. The main difference (besides the 5850) is the quality of the PSU. The one I pointed to is quite possibly one of the best, and OCZ is decent, but only as a budget unit.

The 5850 should be in the build if you can afford the extra $150.

 

[pudg777]

I dont think id be able to get the 5850 and still stay under 1000 like i had hoped, especially since i also need a monitor.

Does the mobo allow for upgrading later by adding another gpu if i wanted to a couple years down the road?

 

[osu43130]

If you switch to the Antec 300 Illusion then you can get the monitor you want and the 5850. Assuming your go with the OCZ PSU instead of the Seasonic. But your call.

Antec 300 Illusion $60

Puts you under 1000.

But the Seasonic PSU Listed above and the 922 are both better.

And to answer your question you can add another 5770 down the road with that Mobo.

 

[Onus]

Mad Admiral's build's mobo can do x8,x8 Crossfire.
If you are willing to forego Crossfire (someone please post that link to the Steam survey showing only a tiny percentage of their gamers actually using multiple GPUs), you can use a 500W Antec Earthwatts PSU for $70; that might allow enough room in your budget for a HD5850.

 

[pudg777]

I've been trying to do some research and with the monitor I have been thinking about getting (ASUS VW224U, 22", 1680x1050, http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewProduct.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050) it seems to me like the HD5850 would be a little overkill at that resolution. If the card is that much better than then HD5770 I would consider making room in my budget for it, but for twice the price ($300 compared to $150) it would have to be significantly better.

thanks again for everyones help

 

[Onus]

You're welcome. For the games and resolution you've listed, I think the HD5770 would be fine.

 

[DarkMantle]

If you want to run just 1 video card and stay on the cheap side of the budget with quality parts, try this suggestion:

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS - $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 + AMD Phenom II X4 955BE Combo - $308.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.314268

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 - $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD Writer Black SATA - $28.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor - $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050

Total: $897.91 / 847.91 after $50 MIR

*I haven't use that Corsair Memory MadAdmiral suggested so i'm not sure if it is compatible with this Gigabyte Motherboard, i know the G.Skill Ripjaws are. They do look pretty nice for that price though.

Good luck.

 

[pudg777]

Here is what I ended up getting, thanks to all for their help/opinions!

Dell S2209W 22" monitor (1900x1200)
HAF 922
Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB
OCZ ModXstream Pro 700watt
XFX Radeon HD 5770
AMD Phenom II X4 955
G.SKILL ripjaw Series 4 GB (2x2GB)
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO
Sony Optical Drive
Windows 7 Home edition

Total $1002.85

I'll let ya'll know how the build goes next week!