granpa

Distinguished
Apr 2, 2010
3
0
18,510
Hello,

I’m gonna admit this early that I’m a noob. I’ll be transferring my old desktop system to my kids’ room. This would be my first build and I need your suggestions to complete the wish list. Thank you so much in advance.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: in 2 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: $1300 After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Video editing, VPN, Internet, MS-Office. So far, I am using PowerDirector and will purchase Sony Vegas, Premiere Elements in the coming months. In about a year, I intend to use Adobe Premiere, After Effects, etc.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, amazon.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: i7-860 - I don’t game and wanted to take advantage of Hyper Threading, so I went back and forth with the 860 and 920. With another major purchase coming up, the i7-860+P55 option seems affordable to my budget (and perhaps to my electric bill).

OVERCLOCKING: Yes.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (e.g.: 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200): Depends on the recommended monitor.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: A quiet PC would be great.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please feel free to critique my initial list. If there’s an alternative product that performs the same (or better) and costs less, I’d be very grateful.


Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor à 279.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214&cm_re=i7-860-_-19-115-214-_-Product

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard w/ USB 3.0 & SATA 6 Gb/s à 169.99 after $15 MiR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409&Tpk=p55aud4p


Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply à 44.99 after $25 MiR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007&Tpk=Antec%20earthwatts%20EA500%20500W


COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case à 89.98+19.98 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders – OEM à 99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_64-_-32-116-754-_-Product

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive à 89.99+7.28 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=F3%20HD103SJ%201TB


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM à 119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&Tpk=F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM

Should I be worried if the above RAM isn’t included in the Qualified Vendors List?
http://www.giga-byte.com/FileList/MemorySupport/mb_memory_ga-p55a-ud4p.pdf

else..

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ à 106.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193&cm_re=F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ-_-20-231-193-_-Product

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler à 34.99+7.56 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=B10-212P-G1

LG Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD Burner à 22.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177&Tpk=LG%20Black%2024X%20SATA%20DVD

SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card à 134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102859&Tpk=100284L%20Radeon%20HD%205750%201GB%20128-bit

ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 20000 :1 (ASCR) Built-in Speakers à 179.99 after $20 MiR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059&cm_re=full_hd_monitor-_-24-236-059-_-Product

 

tecmo34

Administrator
Moderator
1) You will be okay with your RAM choice.

2) I would go with a Sapphire 5670 build for your needs. It has more than enough power for a non-gamer build.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102869

3) The Cooler Master HAF 922 is a great case but overkill for your uses. I would think about dropping down to the Antec 300 Illusion and purchase the combo with the Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W PSU. Great case and PSU for the price and IMO better options for how you plan to use your PC.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.359996
 

kelfen

Distinguished
Apr 27, 2008
690
0
18,990
I have HAF 922; its amazing being able to put wheels on it. I would get it just cuz it save you the headache with cable management and having the extra room is just convenient while building
 

granpa

Distinguished
Apr 2, 2010
3
0
18,510
tecmo34, I appreciate your prompt response. Will definitely go with the Sapphire 5670. Awesome step-by-step guide btw esp for first time builders like myself. Will make a hardcopy soon.

Thanks also for looking into the PSU+case combo. I failed to mention that in a year's time (when I'm ready for Premiere and have the extra cash), I will splurge on a 64GB SSD (for OS+Apps) and another Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB (in RAID 1).

Will the 430W (or 500W) PSU be enough?

----------

kelfen, I was (and still am) smitten by that case. Thanks for the input (and justification hehe!)

----------

Got a few more questions:

1. Any thoughts on why I should buy at Newegg instead of Amazon?

2. Just confirming if the CM Hyper 212+ is sufficient for 3 - 3.3GHz overclocks at stock voltage and 3.8GHz with additional voltage?

Thanks.

----------

I forgot to include:

Rosewill RCR-IC002 74-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port / Extra silver face plate --> 15.99+2.99 shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223109&Tpk=Rosewill%20Rcr-ic002%2074-in-1%20USB%202.0%203.5%22
 

tecmo34

Administrator
Moderator
If you are planning to add more & more components, you would probably be safer with the Antec EarthWatts EA-500 PSU. The EA-430D is strong enough current plans but may limit you with later expansions.

If like & want the HAF 922, by all means get the case you like and want. A case is one of those components that the decision is solely up to the buyer. We can make recommendations, such as the Antec 300 Illusion, but you need to buy what you want since you are the one that has to look at it everyday :)
 

granpa

Distinguished
Apr 2, 2010
3
0
18,510
obsidian86, thanks so much for your assurance.

tecmo34, I will continue to evaluate the case of the case (hehe!). I'm normally one who chooses needs vs wants so the collective wisdom of experienced users will have to be seriously considered.

Thanks again for the replies, everyone!