New build- opinions (please) before I purchase

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chadsexington021

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Mar 8, 2010
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Hi all...!

While I have just joined this forum, I have been "lurking" on the boards for some time trying to learn as much as I can before my first build. Now, I finally have some parts picked out - can you guys take a quick look at it before I purchase?


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-2 weeks
BUDGET RANGE: $1200ish (after rebates, minus shipping)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: General usage, gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I'm open to anything really... I would order each part from a different site if it would save me money in the long run. All the parts I picked are from newegg (of course).

PARTS PREFERENCES: ATX Mid-Tower case; Intel processer

OVERCLOCKING: Yes (never done it before, but looking to mess around with it)
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Probably yes, in the future.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want some good graphics performance, but not the BEST- I hope to perform on the lower end of "high performance"... I do not need maxed out details, etc.

Now, the parts list:

*Processor + Motherboard Combo:
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.350115
~$350

*Graphics Card + RAM Combo:
XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.347216
~$290 - $20 rebate = $270

*PSU + Optical Drive Combo:
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC
LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.347546
~$112 - $30 rebate = $82

*HDD:
HITACHI Deskstar HD31000 IDK/7K (0S00163) 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145287
~$85

*CPU Cooler:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
~$35

*Monitor:
Acer H235Hbmid Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009201
~$200

*Case:
COOLER MASTER CM690 II Black Steel body / Plastic + Mesh bezel Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119215
~$80

*Speakers (need something on the louder side - the computer doubles as a stereo):
Eagle ET-AR504LR-BK 35 Watts RMS 2.1 Black Soundstage Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836183035
~$50

*Total Cost: ~$1203 (before rebates) - $50 rebates = $1153


Now, I have some questions (of course) to pose to all of you:
(1). I plan on having this computer for at least five years - I figure that when game requirements increase, I could just add another HD5770 in crossfire to give the system a boost in the graphics department - will the PSU give me enough juice to support this?

(2). See any problems with any of the parts (compatibility or otherwise)? I quadruple-checked it, but I want a second opinion.

Thanks in advance for all the help!! :D
 
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Niklas_13

Niklas_13

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Apr 12, 2009
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gkay09

gkay09

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Jul 28, 2008
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^ There are few places where you can cut short on and go with a single powerful card...
IMO your usage and your requirements doesnt seem to be too demanding and if you go the single powerful card route, am sure by the time you would need more graphics power, there will be newer cards and you can upgrade to them rather than adding 1 more slower card in Crossfire...

And also why not AMD ? If you go with AMD, you can get a more powerful card with the same kind of setup too...
And I can say for sure that for general usage and gaming, you wont notice any difference between the AMD(Phenom II X4 955) and the Intel CPUs(i5 750)...
Always go with the components that give more value for money...
 
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chadsexington021

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Mar 8, 2010
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18,510
Thanks for the feedback.

@niklas_13: I was going to go for the corsair psu, but then saw the combo deal - I will stick with the corsair.

@gkay09: I never really had experience with AMD, and looking at benchmarks, it seems the i5-750 is all around quicker than the Phenom II x4 955. I guess my main reason is that I read that the intel cpu is better at multi-tasking - I am the type that has multiple apps and windows open all at once - all while playing music in itunes haha. If I were to go with the AMD cpu you recommend, could you suggest a solid, user-friendly motherboard that would be fairly easy for an overclocking newbie to OC?
 
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chadsexington021

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Mar 8, 2010
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Well, if I can go for a more powerful gpu for approx. the same amount of money, I would not really need crossfire...

gkay09: you are a bargain-finding god... by making some of the change that you recommended, I can spend approx. the same amount of money and get a more powerful gpu.

thanks a lot for your help everyone...! I think I will stick with the i5 setup but use the combos suggested by gkay09 to get the biggest bargain (there really didnt seem like THAT much of a price difference using this setup vs. an AMD setup)
 
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gkay09

gkay09

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Jul 28, 2008
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^ Yes...but note that the AMD setup would do Crossfire and it will support the upcoming 6-Core CPUs(Though it wont matter much IMO for regular users like us - but have to accept it will be more upgradeable though)...

But then again the personal preference comes into picture...
I had given all the possible options so that you can take an informed decision...
 
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