My first build in over 10 years...mostly non-gaming.

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Skooby

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (Within the next two months) BUDGET RANGE: ($900-$1200 After Rebates)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (Downloading movies/music, editing home video, browsing internet, regular pc stuff with word/excel,access, possible minor gaming in another year when i'm done with school)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (Everything required)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (newegg.com, tigerdirect.com, any others reccommended) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: (United States)

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type (Intel CPU)

OVERCLOCKING: (Maybe) SLI OR CROSSFIRE: (Maybe)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (Don't know)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: (Would like for it to be fast and quiet and not run hot)

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CPU – i7-860: $200
INTEL
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317378

MOBO – LGA 1156: $143
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
SATA 3.0, USB 3.0, 3x USB power
GIGABYTE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412&Tpk=GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA

GPU – ATI Radeon HD 4650: $60
Gigabyte Radeon HD 4650 Video Card - 1GB DDR2, PCI Express 2.0, CrossFireX, Dual-Link DVI, VGA, HDMI
GIGABYTE
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4843026&CatId=3670

CASE W/460W POWER SUPPLY: $80
& 120MM FAN
Cooler Master Elite 330 Black ATX Mid-Tower Case & Cooler Master Extreme Power 460W Power Supply & Ultra Performance 120mm Case Fan Bundle
Cooler Master
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5078750&CatId=1509

HDD - 320GB: $73
*Main Drive*
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200KSRTL 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

HDD - 500GB: $65
*Music/Movies/Etc.*
Western Digital WD5001AALS Caviar Black Hard Drive - 500GB, 7200 rpm, 32MB, SATA-3G
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4914330&CatId=139

RAM - 4GB (2 x 2GB) $110
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...260&cm_re=2_x_4gb_ddr3-_-20-145-260-_-Product

DVD Burner – $29
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe LightScribe Support - OEM
SONY
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032

Operating System – Windows 7: $105
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4&cm_re="Home_premium"-_-32-116-754-_-Product

Monitor – 21.5” HD: $160
ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 12000 : 1) Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051

Keyboard and mouse combo: $30
Microsoft Business Hardware Pack Keyboard and Mouse Combo
MICROSOFT
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1597497&CatId=1482

Fan & Heatsink: $38
*Get an extra fan??*
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Total: $1,093

Critique away. Do I need the extra fan & heatsink? I was hesistant on my GPU and HDD picks.

My first build in over ten years. My dad doesn't think I can do it...i'm going to prove his ass wrong.
 
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vanekl

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You crazy kids. Prove his ass wrong!

You don't need a new fan/heatsink unless you overclock or game. Periodically monitor your temps; if they consistently get above 45+/- celcius while doing light work then address the potential thermal problem at that time.

If you attend a major university you can get Win7 cheaper at the campus library with a student discount.

And, if you don't mind me saying, I would have bought a laptop if I were still in college. That way I could bring it with me to the library or student union or coffee shop.
 
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JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

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Case and PSU is a weak combo...wouldn't go less than
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129064

HD's....both are rather slow compared to current tech. A single 1 TB drive w/ 500 GB platters would serve you much better.

Check out the performance charts and pick whatever 500 GB per platter drive performs best under your usage patterns. The WD Black 2 TB is a good choice but at smaller capacities, you are limited to the Seagate 7200.12 or the Spinpoint F3. The 7200.12 excels in gaming, multimedia and pictures whereas the F3 wins at music and movie maker. See the comparisons here (copy past link in manually, link won't work in forum):

(http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-3.5-desktop-hard-drive-charts/compare,1006.html?prod[2371]=on&prod[2770]=on)

Look at the tests that reflect your usage and choose accordingly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

MoBo - Asus's implementation of USB 3 is superior
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/usb-3.0-performance,2490.html

ASUS P7P55D-E Pro ($189)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

KB / Mouse - Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 100 ($30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126041
 
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Skooby

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Thanks, i'll check for Win7 deals. I won't get the heat sink then either.
I might get a laptop as well at some point. But I want a desktop for my home.


I was always advised to get two harddrives, one specifically for downloading. Are you saying that is not neccessary?

Did my case selection suck that bad lol? Almost a $100 difference. I guess my main concern with any case is will all of my parts fit. I'm wondering if all of my selections are compatible as well. I believe they are though. But I don't really like the design of this one. With where my pc will be going I don't think i'll be able to get to the usb ports. The entire top portion for the most part will be a pain to get to the way my desk is designed. Do you have another suggesstion?

Thanks for responding.
 
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Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith

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In light of your "Video Editing" requirement ...
... Video editing is (by far) the most demanding task your system will perform ... SO

1) What Camcorder(s) do you currently own ? Model/Format
2) Will you own an HD camcorder, in the next 5 years ? (guessing "yes") ...
3) Do you think you may own a professional (up to $6K) or Prosumer camcorder ??
4) Do you see yourself spending more than $1200 on a camcorder, in 5 yrs ??
5) How many hours of usable/raw/unedited footage have you shot, thus far ???
6) How many minutes of complete (output for distribution) video produced so far?
7) Do you wan't to burn Blu-Ray Full HD? (in the coming yrs)?
8) What is the format of the footage that you have already shot (own/possess)?
9) How many minutes of finished video projects do you hope to produce/month?
10) How many people do you expect to burn discs for, if you do a great video ??
11) What sorts of formats, venues, media, volume, do you expect to output?
12) Do you expect to produce any porn? (Just kidding ! )

Give us a paragraph, just in your own words, of what you see yourself doing with what quality (bitrate/codecs) of video ???

= Al =
 
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Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith

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Here I go, again, messing with another "addict".


Well, *I* think that any AMD or INTEL or APPLE, which has enough "compute power", is enough.

Saint? Why would you even say that when he has not even clarified what he even means by "video editing".

We can safely assume he ain't doin' no 4K (format) feature films but, there is a huge difference /range in bitrates between DV-25/SD (less than a few Mbits/sec) and consumer HD (5Mbits up to 27Mbits) and prosumer HD (up to 100Mbit Intra-frame)

Also, the output format (and quality choice for output) makes a huge diff ... just two examples ...

EX1: You shoot in DV-25 and do simple cut-edits and reduce it to 320x240 Variable Bit Rate / Single-Pass / Medium Quality @ 24fps

EX2: I just shot 5 min in HDV(25Mbit/s) and rendered to a .wmf as 1920x1080 30p/fps / Constant Bit Rate / 2-pass / Highest Quality ...
With my old P4/3.2c(Northwood) and rendering to a diff drive, it STILL took my system 07:40:xx to render that short/raw segment (sans FX) !

Now, I want a REAL pro camcorder and it does up to 100Mb/s ... I would like to do some 20min~1hr prjx with titles, FX, etc ....
... You now KNOW why I want a 1366/920 and a gaggle of SSDs!

If our client, here, is just uploading 5 min of Hi-8/VHS footage and crunching it down for You-Toob well, he'll do fine with a mainstream system, tho HT and extra 3-ch ram would surely help. If he is makin' Blu-Rays, to mail to a large family, at X-mas, he gonna want a Faster SATA burner, not an ATA combo drive, etc.

Okay, didn't mean to "over-share"

= Al =
 
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Skooby

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1) Sony Handycam/HDR-CX100
2) This camcorder is HD.
3) No
4) No
5) I recently got it so not much. I'd say about 10 hours.
6) Don't know
7) Yes. Eventually I will get a Blu-Ray burner.
8) Shot it in HD but can only burn in DVD.
9) No projects. Just lots of home videos. Got 8 nieces and nephews, they are all young. I want to get them on video. Plus family reunions, vacations, etc.
10) Family, friends, no exact number
11) Don't know
12) If it pays enough!


I know I'm probably going overkill with my pc and I'd be better off buying one. But I want to build one. I want to say I built my own computer lol. I actually have before, but it was over a decade ago.

I know I could also build it for $200-$300 cheaper for my needs. But I have no problem spending a little extra dough if it'll get me better parts. Some say you shouldn't future proof your system, but i'm going all in (well at least up to my budget lol).
 
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Alvin Smith

Alvin Smith

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Great Answers ! Perfect! You are most definately "in the ball park"

Your camera records it's highest quality at 16Mbits/sec (mid consumer grade).
*** Remember this bitrate because it is probably not published in your CRX docs !!
Knowing your max bitrate will help you render (efficiently), at best quality.

I would honestly like to see a power supply in the 550W-650W Range ... Really, I see 500W as an absolute min (with safety overhead). Maybe something in a silver rated PSU and (personally, at least) maybe not a CoolerMaster.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&N=2010090007&PropertyCodeValue=548%3A8287%2C2958%3A19208%2C551%3A40850%2C551%3A8415%2C551%3A8416%2C551%3A29618%2C551%3A22570%2C551%3A8417&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=False&Order=RATING

I think you will be glad if you do "this"(see link) ... Or, even something a little bit better. I also think you are cutting yourself short, if you don't.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102869

Finally, Drives. A 1TB performance drive is very affordable, faster, much better for media and editing. Trick: Split it into 4x 250GB partitions. Use the first (outer/faster) partition for video capture, editing and project space. You can dump the first partition to a secondary partition as a project backup, too.

Your boot drive is fine. BUT, for your purposes, I am recommending this , for content.
There are cheaper drives, that are as good, for $15 less, but they are currently out of stock.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284


 
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Skooby

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Okay fellas...this is my absolute final decision. This is my final build. Thanks everyone for your help. I'm going over the amount I originally set out but I don't care at this point lol. This is what I'm getting.

*CPU – i7-860: $260 Already purchased.

*MOBO – LGA 1156: $143
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
SATA 3.0, USB 3.0, 3x USB power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412&Tpk=GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA

*GPU – ATI Radeon HD 5670: $122
SAPPHIRE 100289L Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102869

*CASE - COOLER MASTER Storm Scout: $80 (With $10 rebate)
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196&Tpk=cooler master storm scout

*PSU & HDD Combo - Corsair 650W 80+ certified & Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB: $160 (After $20 rebate)
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.341076

*RAM - 4GB (2 x 2GB) $110
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...260&cm_re=2_x_4gb_ddr3-_-20-145-260-_-Product

DVD Burner – $29
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe LightScribe Support - OEM
SONY
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032

*Operating System – Windows 7:???? Still looking for a deal for a full version. No upgrade, No OEM
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

*Monitor – 21.5” HD: $177 (With $10 rebate)
ASUS VH222H Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor Built in Speakers 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR20000:1) w/ SPDIF out - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236053

Keyboard and mouse combo: $40
Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 100 Black 102 Normal Keys RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126041

Card reader with 3.5 Floppy: $41
Rosewill RCR-FD400 74-in-1 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 Card Reader w/ Floppy Drive - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223111
 
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JackNaylorPE

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My only caution is the crippled USB 3 and SATA II on the Gigabyte MoBo.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/usb-3.0-performance,2490-2.html

Gigabyte’s P55A-UD4P cuts costs by using the processor’s PCIe 2.0 connections to host its high-bandwidth controllers. Two of the primary graphics card’s 16 PCIe lanes supply its USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0 Gb/s controllers, and Gigabyte disables six more lanes to make the upper slot an effective x8 interface. The USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0 Gb/s controllers revert to the chipset’s 2.5 GT/s lanes whenever two graphics cards are installed, to preserve the x8 transfers each graphics card needs for optimal CrossFire or SLI performance.

Thus, users with a single graphics card must sacrifice half of its peak bandwidth to enable 5.0 Gb transfers to the USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0 Gb/s controllers, while those with two cards must live with 2.5 Gb/s bandwidth limits on USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0 Gb/s controllers. Neither of these sacrifices is huge or even noticeable on most of today’s hardware, yet anyone trying to future-proof their system could be left cold.
 
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RemdA

RemdA

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final thingy:
1. i would not go with keyboard/mouse wireless in the in-expensive range. they pretty much suck (opinion only) i would get a wired one for that price or a really good wireless one...

2. i also would go with the asus mobo.

3.are u using a wireless internet? if yes ur forgettin the wireless card.


btw awesome analizys for the whole thing...
 
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