HomeBuild VS Dell VS Price under 1200

[Talen45]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Withing a month, I can wait until the right season to purchase too, but would prefer to get it soon vs later.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Video Editing, Sound Editing, Gaming, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Tiger Direct, Amazon, NewEgg or any other suggested sites. Google Shopping via google checkout.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Quality... thats all I need

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Whatever there is, I seen a lot of good deals so any suggestions I will take.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I just want something that will last a while. I have not built a PC in years, so some things might be new. I would like a graphics card that will last a while or dual ones. Basically any suggestions I am all for.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Homebuild by far.

CPU: i5-750 $195
Mobo: Asus P7P55D-E Pro $190
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
GPU: HD 5870 $398
PSU: Silverstone 750W 80+ Bronze $110 after rebate
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
Case: HAF 922 $100
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $24

Total: $1,187

 

[coldsleep]

If you do a lot more editing than gaming, you might consider the i7-860 instead of the i5-750, but it's about $80 more. That's the only change I would make to MadAdmiral's build, and only if you do a lot more editing than anything else and don't mind stretching your budget just a little bit.

 

[MadAdmiral]

You could easily drop to an HD 5850 if you need the i7-860.

I also just realized you didn't have a monitor listed. Did that need to be in the $1,200 budget? What about an OS? If both of those is yes, I need to cut about $270 from the build...

 

[Talen45]

Thanks, I am hoping that consumer prices come down a little, or start looking for cheap parts. I assume that I might have to drop 1200, how long do you feel that will last? I plan on doing some podcasts that is in the woodworks of being produced right now and want to know if there are any specific sound cards you would suggests too thanks for your input guys.

 

[MadAdmiral]

This build should should last as a gaming build for 3-4 years without upgrade. It will be top level for the other tasks for longer than that.

As far as a sound card goes, I have no idea. I typically don't recommend buying them, as onboard is already extremely good.