$800 i5 build

xeroq

May 26, 2010 6:21:19 AM

This is my first build. (I have built computers for others but I finally have enough money to build one for myself

)

I'm running a Dell Optiplex GX270 with 1 GB of Ram and a Geforce 7600 GS and honestly, I'm at the point where I want to throw it out the window.

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Hopefully this week, if not, then in the next few weeks.

BUDGET RANGE: $800 (After taxes and shipping)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (Music, Games, Movies, Surfing the net)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor (Samsung SyncMaster 2333HD), DVD-Drive, Speakers, OS)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel (EDIT: Will not settle for AMD, sorry.)

OVERCLOCKING: Not at the moment, maybe in the future when my computer becomes outdated.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Nah

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would like the PC to be somewhat quiet. Can go $20 over budget. I will not be upgrading this computer. When the time comes, I will just build a whole new one.

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Here are the parts that I have chosen:

Combo: $234.98 (Power Supply & Processor)

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 $59.99
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 $194.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Combo:$121.94 (Case & Hard Drive)

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $61.95
HITACHI Deskstar HD31000 IDK/7K (0S00163) 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $79.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Combo:$264.98 (Ram & Video Card)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM $109.99
XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $164.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Motherboard: $115.99

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $129.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Grand Total: $825.25 (After taxes and shipping)

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I think my build is excellent but I have a few questions:

1. Should I stick with DDR2 ram or upgrade to DDR3? Does it matter since I'm only using dual-channel? How much of a performance boost would I get if I switched over to DDR3? Now that I think about it, the board says it supports DDR3. I've read that ram is backwards compatible so hence why I chose DDR2. (Plus, the combo deal was pretty good!

)

2. I was thinking about saving a few bucks and going with this power supply:

Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V V2.2 Intel Core i7 Compliant Dual 80mm Fans Full Cable Sleevings Power Supply $36.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I used eXtreme Power Supply Calculator to calculate how many watts my computer would use and I got 300 watts. So, should I stick with the Antec or save a few bucks and go with the thermaltake?

3. Is everything compatible? (Everything should be compatible to my knowledge)

4. Any other recommendations?

Thank you for your time.

More about : 800 build

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Wolygon

May 26, 2010 8:14:05 AM

1. By 'sticking' with DDR2 you mean you have some or you are going to buy it instead of DDR3. DDR2 is hardly any cheaper then DDR3 so don't BUY DDR2. Also 1156 does not support DDR2, so you would have to go with an AM2+ build to use your existing DDR2 if you have some.

2. I'm thinking these are the same dreaded Thermaltake 430W PSU's so I would not be getting it... Do a search on them. (If this is a different one from what I am thinking then sorry).

[EDIT]
Yes I was right here is the review: (Note at the top it says "which is also known by other names like W0070, TR2-430W")
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/printpage/332

3. Yes...

4. Phenom II. i5's 1156 socket will receive NO more CPUs therefore it cannot be upgraded past the i7 860. This is not to good if you are looking to upgrade in a few years. However if you go with an AMD Phenom II build, which would suit your needs well, then you would be able to upgrade your processor later on without replacing your whole system.

Therefore I think a Phenom II would be a better choice.

Hope that helps.

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asteldian

May 26, 2010 8:34:38 AM

DDR2 is not compatible with the i5 motherboards.
If you plan on your machine lasting 3 years I would not worry about upgradibility for the processor, so the Intel would be fine. Otherwise, Punk is right, the AMD will be more upgradable (and cheaper)
Intel build:

i5 750 - $194.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Asus P7P55D-E PRO - $189.99 (6gb/s, 3.0 USB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

G Skill 4GB 2x2GB RAM - $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Powercolor 5770 - $149.99 ($134.99 with rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500gb 7200RPM 16MB Cache - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Silverstone 500W - $54.99 (+$5.99 shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 - $49.99 $9.99 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

AnyDVD drive - $20

Total:
$840.91
Total with Rebate: $825.91

So this is close to your budget, the motherboard has the latest tech and is XFire able, you can buy a cheaper mobo if you like.

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Wolygon

May 26, 2010 8:46:13 AM

...but

With a Phenom II build the overall cost of the computer will be a fair bit less. Still keeping performance at the same level considering the low powered HD 5770.

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xeroq

May 26, 2010 9:05:39 AM

@ asteldian

I updated my post. I'm going to stick with the cheaper motherboard.

Thank you for pointing out the DDR2 incompability with i5.

@ the_punkinato

Yes, the Phenom II's could make the overall cost of the computer less, but I'd prefer the i5 for music production.

Anyways, I edited my parts. Let me know what you guys think of it.

BTW, I do not plan to upgrade for awhile. So whatever I buy, I'm sticking with for the next 5 years.

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Lmeow

May 26, 2010 9:18:36 AM

Good choices, although I'd go with the ASUS P7P55D-E LX or GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3R. I don't understand why you need an i5 750 for music production - a Phenom II X6 1055T would be a better choice for the same price if the music program you use is able to use more than four cores, and for a motherboards, a very decent one is the GIGABYTE GA-770TA-UD3 with SATA III and USB 3.0 for $84.99 after $10 rebate IIRC - you could use the same G.SKILL DDR3 RAM if you want to.

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xeroq

May 26, 2010 9:43:48 AM

Lmeow said:

Good choices, although I'd go with the ASUS P7P55D-E LX or GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3R. I don't understand why you need an i5 750 for music production - a Phenom II X6 1055T would be a better choice for the same price if the music program you use is able to use more than four cores, and for a motherboards, a very decent one is the GIGABYTE GA-770TA-UD3 with SATA III and USB 3.0 for $84.99 after $10 rebate IIRC - you could use the same G.SKILL DDR3 RAM if you want to.

I thought about the AMD Phenom II X6 but when I looked at the benchmarks for it, I just wasn't satisfied enough.

Anyways thanks for helping me out with the motherboard. I decided to go with the Gigabyte one that you recommended.

I edited my build.

Thanks to all of you for helping me. I've decided to buy the parts on friday.

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