Need Review/Advice on 1st Build

[Guest]

Hi all,

I'm currently working on my first system build. I want to create a mid-high end gaming system/media system, and I've researched and here's what I've come up with:

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 AM3 AMD 890GX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

LG UH10LS20 Blu-ray Disc Combo Internal SATA 10x SuperMulti Blue LightScribe

XFX HD-587X-ZNFV Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

XFX P1-650X-CAG9 650W ATX12V 2.2 / ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power ...

Total comes to $1,164.91.
I'd like to make that total $1000, as I set that as my limit. What could I remove/downgrade in order to make that price cut without greatly compromising my system's quality. Downgrade the CPU to a Athlon II? Not sure, any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

~Jim

 

[WR2]

The XFX HD 5870 and XFX PSU are the combo deal right?
Already have a HDD you're going to carry forward?

Going with the X3 435 and your M4A89GTD gives you a chance at ending up with a X4 955 and saves ~$75. And if you don't get lucky and get the 4th core unlocked and stable it's not a bad combo anyway.

About the only way I see to slip under your budget is going with a HD 5850 and the X3 435/440.

 

[WR2]

Antec Three Hundred Illusion case $55 drops the cost another $35. Still a good gaming case.

 

[nathanbarlow]

you dont need a Mobo with HDMI - your GFX card should have this. You can find a mobo model w/o HDMI with the features you want like USB3, SATA. Might drop the price more.

Case - get a cheap one - its whats inside the case that counts. Upgrade the case at a later date, when you have spare moolah. Or get a nice case second hand off ebay/etc cheaper.

If you want to OverClock the CPU and RAM (since you're buying stuff that is OC-able) you will need to look into cooling. ie CPU heatsink+fan and case fans.

 

[nathanbarlow]

or skip the Win7 disc *shifty eyes*

(disclaimer - i mean use an old win version)

 

[Guest]

I changed the case to an Antec Illusion and I'm going to gamble with the X3 435.
I have $40 left to drop from my price. Your point is definitely a good one nathanbarlow, I'd be fine dropping my mobo to a less beefed up version. I'd like it to have USB3 and SATA capabilities, the ability to unlock my X3 435's fourth core, and I'd like it to be 6 core compatible so that I can eventually upgrade my CPU when I get more dough. What mobo would you recommend?

Thanks a lot for the help,
~Jim

 

[WR2]

If you can drop the Blu-Ray drive you could still fit the HD 5870 option in the planned budget.
How locked in is the Blu-Ray requirement? You could always add that in later.

 

[Guest]

Okay, changed it up again. Thanks for the windows 7 tip ;P...I am a college student and I can get a copy for $25. So...crossed that off the list. I do have an HDD that I'll be carrying over from my last PC.

Here's what I'm looking at now:

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX

LG UH10LS20 Blu-ray Disc Combo Internal SATA 10x SuperMulti Blue LightScribe

XFX HD-587X-ZNFV Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

XFX P1-650X-CAG9 650W ATX12V 2.2 / ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power ...

Total: $974 + Windows 7

What do you think? Well balanced and eventually upgradeable?

 

[Guest]

Best answer selected by cejames.

 

[WR2]

I say that qualifies as well balanced.
Don't think you'd need any upgrades except maybe a video card refresh 18-24 months out.
Nice job.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all of the help WR2 and Timop, greatly appreciated. I'm looking forward to getting these parts and putting my rig together!

Best of luck,
~Jim

 

[WR2]

Can you squeeze in a CPU cooler? @ Provantage CM Hyper 212+ $21.13

 

[Guest]

I think I can handle that, it'd definitely take some stress off of my system. Good idea, thanks!