Enthusiast Build Advice

[huskerchad]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-2 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: ~$1500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Mid-level gaming, video encoding, some c++ development, general surfing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse,OS (will be using Win7 64bit), monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com, mwave.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, have had good luck in the past with ASUS mobos

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200


Here's what I'm looking at so far:

case: Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

mobo: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

gpu: DIAMOND 5850PE51G Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $304.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103085

cooler: XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler $42.96
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

psu: Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC $109.31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024

cpu: Intel Core i7-930 2.8GHz LGA 1366 Quad-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80601930 $294.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

ram: Mushkin Enhanced Redline 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 998805 $249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226121

hdd: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5 $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337

dvd: LITE-ON Black BD-COMBO SATA Model ihes108-29 $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106300

 

[snakej]

cpu: Intel Core i7-930 2.8GHz LGA 1366
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P LGA 1156

Different sockets.

get i5 750 instead with this mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.354339

and a 5870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161301&cm_re=5870-_-14-161-301-_-Product

the dark knight is a good cpu cooler but the hyper 212+ is better http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

and consider a corsair 750watt psu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=corsair_power_supply-_-17-139-006-_-Product

plus a cheaper but as big and good as the twelve hundred http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

 

[huskerchad]

Wow, snake, thanks for pointing that out. I can't believe I missed it. I edited the original post to hopefully have the right mobo this time.

On core i5/i7, I will probably go with the i7. I know it's not really worth the money in terms of price/performance, but I'm willing to spend a few extra dollars on this unless there is a really compelling reason not to. Both video encoding and c++ compiling will make pretty good use of the extra horsepower.

I will look at the other components you suggested as well, especially the case and gpu.

Thanks again.

 

[gkay09]

+1 for the i7 for your usage...And IMO the HD 5850 has enough power for a mid-level gaming at 1080p...

+1 for snake's case suggestion and CPU cooler, but IMO that CM Hyper is a better buy at sub $30 and not at the current price...
You can get the CM Hyper 212+ cheaper at amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-RR-B10-212P-G1-Universal-Heat-Pipe/dp/B002G1YPH0

And if you are going with MAF 922, then you will have to change the PSU to snake's suggestion or any other as the CP only fits 1200 and P183...

RAM - IMO if you wont be overclocking or will be overclocking to only moderate levels, then I dont see the need for those RAMs...
Get this one instead...I dont think you will notice significant difference between this one and the RAM that you have linked...
G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 CAS 7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

HDD - Definitely a better performing one -
Samsung F3 1TB - Arguably the fastest 7200RPM drive and is very efficient...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Other BD options
SAMSUNG Black
$15 off with promo code EMCYPNP49, ends 3/29
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Better rated -
LG
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136183

And do look out for combo deals...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.355680

 

[snakej]

Mid-level gaming, video encoding, some c++ development,

sorry I missed that completely, I though you wanted a gaming machine, i messed up threats, as im helping some1 with a similar budget, any how, yes the i7 930 will be of use, and +1^gkay , im not gonna repeat what he say, lol just listen to him.

 

[coldsleep]

Agree with gkay09 on the hard drive. Whatever you do, don't get the 7200.11. Either go with the Samsung Spinpoint F3s or get a Seagate 7200.12. The .11s were pretty notorious for having problems, which the .12s have not had, in addition to using 500 GB platter technology.

 

[obsidian86]

he should keep the antec 1200 since the antec cp 850 is built on an antec only cpx format and not normal atx format and the cp850 is a steal with the 1200 combo

as for a good board the the gigabyte ud3 is a great option

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423

 

[huskerchad]

Thanks gkay. You're probably right about the RAM. I really doubt I will overclock. I think you are probably right that I can knock down the gpu a bit as well. My gaming needs are nothing extraordinary.


I think I might actually have that LG BD in a HTPC that I built not long ago. It's done well so I will probably go with that.

I see a lot of recommendations for the HAF case so I will think that through as well.

 

[huskerchad]

OK, coldsleep, I have seen the light on the HD and will go with the F3. Thanks!

Obsidian, thanks for the link. I'm pretty sure that is the board I will go with.

Thanks again everyone for all the suggestions, I will update the build list and get any final comments.

 

[huskerchad]

Alright, here is my updated list based on all the great suggestions I got. Thanks again for all the feedback. Any other comments?

I'm not sure which case/psu to go with. I'm leaning towards option 2 as it's a bit cheaper, even with the combo deal on option 1.


mobo: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

gpu: DIAMOND 5850PE51G Radeon HD 5850 1GB $304.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103085

cooler: Cooler Master RR-B10-212P-G1 Hyper 212 Plus $29.72
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-RR-B10-212P-G1-Universal-Heat-Pipe/dp/B002G1YPH0

cpu: Intel Core i7-930 2.8GHz LGA 1366 BX80601930 $294.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

ram: G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7T-6GBPI - Retail $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

hdd: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

dvd: LG Black 10X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Disc Combo Model UH10LS20 LightScribe Support $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136183&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

case1: Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

psu1: Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC $109.31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024

case2: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel $99.88
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

psu2: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=corsair_power_supply-_-17-139-006-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

 

[coldsleep]

Looks good, just be aware that the Blu-ray drive won't come with any software. If you need software with it, find a retail drive (probably $20-40 more).

EDIT: It should come with driver software, it just won't come with Blu-ray software. Which may or may not be an issue for you.

 

[gkay09]

^ Good build and like coldsleep said if you want BD playback software, then get a retail drive...

And some very good deals on the graphics card...Ends 28th though...
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-585COD&title=Sapphire-Radeon-HD5850-1GB-DDR5-2DVI-HDMI-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-Video-Card-Game-Edition
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-5850RV3&title=Sapphire-Radeon-HD5850-1GB-DDR5-2DVI-HDMI-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-Video-Card
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-585TX1G&title=Sapphire-Radeon-HD5850-TOXIC-1GB-DDR5-2DVI-HDMI-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-Video-Card