Need Advice on New Computer for Around $900

[sirnooblet]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ( Begining of next week March 01, 2010 ) BUDGET RANGE: ( Around $900) Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: ( gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (keyboard, mouse, monitor-have a 23" LCD, speakers, case- have a "Thermaltake armor series VH6000SWA Super Tower" )

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: ( newegg.com, tigerdirect.com ) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: ( United States of America)

PARTS PREFERENCES: ( Thinking of using AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition ( but open to suggestions), motherboard no clue as to which to use,. )

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, if I learn how to. SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: ( 1600x1200 )

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: ( Will be 1st computer I build by myself (major noobie), want to throw window-7 on it. Will be used to play World of Warcraft, Diablo 3 etc..)

 

[osu43130]

Are you planning on upgrading your monitor in the near future? Reason I ask because if you are not upgrading you will only need a 5770 instead of a 5850.

 

[MadAdmiral]

CPU: X4 955 $161
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $140
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $20
OS (if needed): Windows 7 $105
PSU/GPU: Antec 650W and HD 5770 $230 after rebate

Tota: $826 (after rebate).

If you plan on upgrading to a 1900x monitor soon, make the following changes:

CPU/Mobo: X4 620 and Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $197
GPU/PSU: Antec Earthwatts 750W and HD 5850 $375 after rebate.

Total: $891 after rebate.

I'd really like to fit the HD 5870 in there for a 1900x resolution, but it's just not possible. If you had an extra $88 and switched to the X3 425, it's possible...

 

[sirnooblet]

Are you planning on upgrading your monitor in the near future? Reason I ask because if you are not upgrading you will only need a 5770 instead of a 5850.

I'm open to upgrading the monitor, thanks for posting.

 

[sirnooblet]

CPU: X4 955 $161
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $140
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $20
OS (if needed): Windows 7 $105
PSU/GPU: Antec 650W and HD 5770 $230 after rebate

Tota: $826 (after rebate).

If you plan on upgrading to a 1900x monitor soon, make the following changes:

CPU/Mobo: X3 425 and Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $197
GPU/PSU: Antec Earthwatts 750W and HD 5850 $375 after rebate.

Total: $867 after rebate.

I'd really like to fit the HD 5870 in there for a 1900x resolution, but it's just not possible. If you had an extra $88, it's possible...

Thanks MadAdmiral!

Posts like this gives me the ground work on what to choose from.

 

[sirnooblet]

Best answer selected by sirnooblet.

 

[osu43130]

Dont think you can do much better then MadAdmirals build. If you are not going to get a monitor in the near future you could go with an i5 build with a 5770 as well and then when you get a new monitor get a second 5770 and Xfire.

However i5 with a 5770 will be closer to the 900 mark then the 955.

 

[sirnooblet]

CPU: X4 955 $161
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $140
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $20
OS (if needed): Windows 7 $105
PSU/GPU: Antec 650W and HD 5770 $230 after rebate

Tota: $826 (after rebate).

If you plan on upgrading to a 1900x monitor soon, make the following changes:

CPU/Mobo: X4 620 and Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $197
GPU/PSU: Antec Earthwatts 750W and HD 5850 $375 after rebate.

Total: $891 after rebate.

I'd really like to fit the HD 5870 in there for a 1900x resolution, but it's just not possible. If you had an extra $88 and switched to the X3 425, it's possible...

Question,

Since I have no idea on how to adjust the bios, would another RAM be better to buy even if it cost a little more?
And if so what would you think would be good?

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7= $115


Pros: For everyone with a decent AMD motherboard and not terrified of entering BIOS to adjust settings this memory delivers more then advertised. Right now it is delivering 7-8-7-18 timings set at 1.65 volts (within the memories stated operating range of 1.6-1.65 volts at a speed of 1666 Mhz. I have not tried to squeeze this memory for any higher output...yet. Another big bonus with this memory is it runs at 1.6-1.65 volts and not the 1.9-1.95 blazing hot voltage of other high performance memory.

Cons: This chip is optimized and advertised for Intell i7 so it is not surprising that AMD motherboard BIOS does not initialize this RAM properly. If memory serves the first settings I got were as 1333 speed latencies of 11 at 1.5 volts. You have to make your own adjustments in BIOS for AMD boards. This is a con for inexperienced builders not comfortable with adjusting BIOS settings. It's not a fault of the chip however, it state clearly that it is designed for the new Intel high end chips.

 

[MadAdmiral]

No, since you'll need to know how to change things in BIOS anyway. It's a fundamental part of building a PC. There are many, many tutorials and guides about the different settings and what they mean. Start reading up on it, as improper RAM settings is probably the most common issue people ask about on here (look at any thread about "freezing" or "my build's slow" or "random restarts" or the like), and can be easily remedied by learning a little bit about what your doing.

Most of the "designed for the Core i5/i7" statements are mostly just maketing anyway. I can tell you that I have very similar sticks from G.Skill that say the same thing and I didn't have to change anything in BIOS. I think it's hit or miss depending on the board and the BIOS version.

 

[sirnooblet]

Thanks MadAdmiral for the quick response, I'll take your advice and start reading up on resetting bios today.

 

[MadAdmiral]

It's not so much as resetting the BIOS. If you googled that, you'd get a lot of info about how to change the BIOS version.

I would start by finding the manual to the specific motherboard online and reading through it. That will give a good amount of knowledge specific to your build.

It also wouldn't hurt to start to find some guides on building PCs and read through them. The sticky here is one of my favorites and is pretty recent.