building a multi-functional system, first build(confused)

[JBMega]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Looking to buy parts in the next couple days BUDGET RANGE: 400-600

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Photoshop, media, gaming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor, keyboard, mouse,

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com/tigerdirect.com COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: Only preference is AMD phenom 955 be, or i5 really. Seeing as the budget is tight though I could sacrifice a graphics card for integrated, and just not worry about the gaming aspect for now, I would however like to be able to do that at some point and not have to buy a new mobo. That is probably asking a lot, which is why im so flustered by all the choices out there. aside from the processor i dont have brand preference, just something quality/affordable with decent specs.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: not sure

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would really like to be able to build the system off of an i5 or 955 be, just wondering if it can be done within budget.


CPU/mobo combo i was thinking of


ASUS M4A89GTD PRO AM3 AMD 890GX SATA 6Gb/s HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131633

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

combo costs=$300

or



Asus P7P55D LE Motherboard - Intel P55, Socket LGA1156, CrossFire, 2133MHz, DDR3
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5210440&CatId=4725

Intel Core i5 750 BX80605I5750 Processor
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4959973&CatId=4731

combo costs=$314
(would however need a video card with the intel setup)(willing to get a cheap one for the time being though)



What should I get? Remember im not set on anything at this point. i5/955 are just what im hoping to squeeze into the budget.

 

[MadAdmiral]

So you need everything on $600? I hate to point this out, but neither the i5 nor X4 955 is really in the budget if you want to do any gaming at all. If you need the OS, they're not in the budget period.

Here's about the cheapest build you can get without losing quality:

CPU: X4 955
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H $90
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
Case/PSU: Antec 300 Illusion and Earthwatts 650W $130
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $25

Total: $575. This will not play games, and if you need an OS, you're looking at having this change:

CPU: X3 425 $70
OS: Windows 7 Home 64-bit OEM $105

Total: $590.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

MadAdmiral's build is good. You could go a bit cheaper on the RAM and PSU if you need to.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT - Retail $94.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.345230 $119.98 (Antec Three Hundred Illusion + Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W PSU combo)

That would save you $30 toward the OS. MadAdmiral's RAM is faster with tighter timings, but the realworld benefit is nearly non-existent.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Only a slight problem with the case/PSU (which was just brought to my attention earlier): the PSU doesn't come with a power cord. I would imagine that buying one would cost about $10, so you might as well get the 650W combo.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Unless you have one from an old computer. I'm aware the PSU doesn't have a cable, but I have a whole box of them in my closet so I forget to mention it. That is certainly something to keep in mind if you don't have a power cable available.

 

[coldsleep]

Posted in the other thread as well, but power cords are pretty inexpensive.