First time builder that needs help!

[ecrinal2]

I am looking to build my first PC and am in some need of some help...I want to spend under $1,000 and want the computer to perform fast and look good...I also want to make sure that what I am looking at will all work together well!

Motherboard: Intel BOXDH55HC LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor: Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor

Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9

Graphic Card: XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

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

Disc Drive: ITE-ON Black 24X DVD R 8X DVD RW 8X DVD R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW SATA CD/DVD Burner

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Case: NZXT M59 - 001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Please let me know if this would all go together properly and work well or of any suggestions you have. Thanks!

 

[MadAdmiral]

Might want to follow the guidelines from the link in my signature. We need to know what you want to do with the PC.

Couple of general notes first:

RAM: Those are very expensive sticks for what you get. Switch them for the G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 ones.

HDD/PSU: WD is bad choice right now. Get a Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB. Combo with OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W for $95 after rebate

CPU/Mobo: The i3/H55 is meant to be used in an HTPC. Trying to use for anything else is a bad idea. If this is an HTPC, you don't need the HD 5770.

If this is for gaming, here's a couple of decent changes:

CPU: X3 425 $72
Mobo: Asus M4A79XTD EVO $110 after rebate
GPU: Now you might be able to afford an HD 5850 for $290.

You might want to check my math, but with all these changes, I believe it's $3 less than what you've got above.

 

[ecrinal2]

hey thanks for giving me some pointers I thought I would reply on what I wanted the computer to do so you could perhaps give me some more pointers!.....I want the computer mostly for speed with internet browsing, itunes, and running applications....I don't play many video games...the ones I do play are the old starcraft and diablo 2 so old games....so i guess you could say its more of an office computer and not as much as a hardcore gaming computer. If you have anymore pointers on how I could save some money and accomplish this it would be great!

 

[ecrinal2]

hey sorry to bother you agian but I checking some stuff out and made a few more changes along with your suggestions how would this perform?

Power Supply:
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail

Hard Drive:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Mother Board:
ASUS M4A78T-E ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

CPU:
AMD Athlon II X3 425 Rana 2.7GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor Model ADX425WFGIBOX - Retail

Graphics Card:
HIS H585F1GDG Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card ... - Retail

Memory:
OCZ AMD Black Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3BE1600C8LV4GK

Disc Drive:
LITE-ON 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model iHAP122-04 - OEM

 

[MadAdmiral]

Since it's not a gaming build, I'd downgrade the HD 5850 to an HD 5770.

Then you can up the CPU from the X3 425 to one of the higher X4s.

I wouldn't get the OCZ RAM. OCZ is notoriously for having compatibility issues. I'd stick with the G.Skill's I pointed to.

That optical drive uses the older IDE interface. You should get a SATA model. They're usually about the same price.

 

[ecrinal2]

hey would the, G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 memory sticks be able to run with the Asus M4A79XTD EVO motherboard you pointed out?...cause I was look at the G.Skill features and it said "Compatible with Dual Channel Intel Core i5 CPU for P55 chipset motherboard and Dual Channel Core i7 CPU for P55 chipset motherboard".....I just want to play it safe and make sure it will work....and by the way im taking your advice on upgrading the cpu and downgrading from the higher graphics card

 

[ecrinal2]

hey would the, G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 memory sticks be able to run with the Asus M4A79XTD EVO motherboard you pointed out?...cause I was look at the G.Skill features and it said "Compatible with Dual Channel Intel Core i5 CPU for P55 chipset motherboard and Dual Channel Core i7 CPU for P55 chipset motherboard".....I just want to play it safe and make sure it will work....and by the way im taking your advice on upgrading the cpu and downgrading from the higher graphics card

 

[MadAdmiral]

Yes. It's a marketing thing that they say the work with i5/i7.

 

[ecrinal2]

hey i just wanted to say thanks for your help i saw your thread on how to ask to build a new comp. and i will keep that in mind next time but i just wanted to show you the build one more time i took your advice and changed the optical and graphic card along with upgrading the cpu but kept the g.skills memory. So here it is let me know what you think:

Motherboard: $119.99 newegg.com
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

CPU: $149.99 newegg.com
AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX945WFGIBOX - Retail

Power Supply and Hard Drive Combo: $124.98 newegg.com
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Memory: $114.99 newegg.com
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM - Retail

Graphics Card: $169.99 newegg.com
SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail

Disc Drive: $26.99 newegg.com
Sony Optiarc DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model AD-7241S-0B LightScribe Support - OEM

Case: $59.99 tigerdirect.com
NZXT M59-001BK M59 Gaming Mid Tower Case - ATX, mATX, Baby AT, Black


and my monitors best resolution is 1920x1080 i believe that graphic card should be able to work, is this correct?

 

[MadAdmiral]

Looks good. The 5770 is a little weak for the resolution, but the next step up is $290 (HD 5850). You can always add a second one later.

 

[r_manic]

Best answer selected by r_manic.