Budget work/gaming build $800

[shiznit770]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next few months(no rush, looking for best value) BUDGET RANGE: $600-800 After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: multi-tasking Visual Studio, Expression Blend, Gimp, Gaming, streamripping

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: tigerdirect COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: none

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x1200 (probably less for games)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I will be using windows 7 ultimate and dual monitors. I'd like to choose a motherboard/cpu that will support future upgrades.

CPU/MB: GIGABYTE GA-770TA-UD3 / AMD x4 955 black = $228
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.353083&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB = $115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB = $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395&cm_re=7200.12-_-22-148-395-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB = $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-873-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

CASE/PSU: ANTEC case / Antec Earthwatts 650W PSU = $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.345228&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Current Total : $678

I'm open to changes on these, just what I found with a bit of research/shopping. Thanks for any responses.

Andy

 

[MadAdmiral]

I'm just going to go ahead and say that's really bad.

CPU/Mobo: X4 955 and Gigabyte Gigabyte GA-770TA-UD3 $228 after rebate. A much, much, much better board. Not to mention it has USB 3/SATA III support.
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115. Faster, higher quality RAM. You also don't need 8 GB.
GPU: HD 5770 $150 after rebate
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
Case/PSU: Antec 300 Illusion and Earthwatts 650W $125. Higher quality case, higher quality PSU. I wouldn't touch Coolermaster units.
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $24
HSF (if OC): Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus $35

Total: $732

 

[banthracis]

HD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500gb or Seagate 7200.12 500gb for $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395&cm_re=7200.12-_-22-148-395-_-Product

GPU: a 5770 will satisfy all your needs $149.99 atm.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-873-_-Product

The HD's aren't on Tigerdirect and the GPU is $25 more expensive there.

Tigerdirect doesn't exactly have the best variety or pricing on hardware components.

I recommend going with an OCZ PSU such as this $45 600W one, after promo code.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017&cm_re=ocz_power_supply-_-17-341-017-_-Product

Rest is fine, but you'll find better prices and choices on newegg. Also might wanna consider USB 3.0 MOBO for a workstation. It makes backups a lot easier.

 

[shiznit770]

I'm just going to go ahead and say that's really bad.

CPU/Mobo: X4 955 and Gigabyte Gigabyte GA-770TA-UD3 $228 after rebate. A much, much, much better board. Not to mention it has USB 3/SATA III support.
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115. Faster, higher quality RAM. You also don't need 8 GB.
GPU: HD 5770 $150 after rebate
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
Case/PSU: Antec 300 Illusion and Earthwatts 650W $125. Higher quality case, higher quality PSU. I wouldn't touch Coolermaster units.
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $24
HSF (if OC): Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus $35

Total: $732

Thanks for the reply. I'm hesitant to go with 4gb as I currently push my current system's limits with 3gb (though it is much slower). My multi tasking needs are what I'd really like to fullfill in this new system. That means having multiple instances of the above applications running and usually a game running in windowed mode.

 

[shiznit770]

HD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500gb or Seagate 7200.12 500gb for $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395&cm_re=7200.12-_-22-148-395-_-Product

GPU: a 5770 will satisfy all your needs $149.99 atm.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-873-_-Product

The HD's aren't on Tigerdirect and the GPU is $25 more expensive there.

Tigerdirect doesn't exactly have the best variety or pricing on hardware components.

I recommend going with an OCZ PSU such as this $45 600W one, after promo code.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017&cm_re=ocz_power_supply-_-17-341-017-_-Product

Rest is fine, but you'll find better prices and choices on newegg. Also might wanna consider USB 3.0 MOBO for a workstation. It makes backups a lot easier.

Thanks for the suggestions, it looks like its going to be the HD 5770 for my gpu. I knew I would catch some flack for putting Tiger as my preferred site, but I did it since I can get a 5-20% discount and avoid shipping costs. Though its looking more and more like I can get comparable pricing and much better selection at newegg.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Another thing to remember is what OS you're using. With a new build, I would highly recommend getting Windows 7, which uses a lot less RAM than Vista or XP (or at least it seems like it).

I would get 4 GB to start and add another kit if you need more.

 

[shiznit770]

Best answer selected by shiznit770.

 

[Onus]

I never got to see the original parts, but MadAdmiral's build looks good. I wouldn't buy Coolermaster either; I'm guessing that was on your original list.