$1200 AUD Home PC Build

[moe112]

Hey guys, I'm after some advice on my very first attempt at builing a PC. Any advice would be much appreciated.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next 2 weeks
BUDGET RANGE: AUD$1000-$1200
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Moderate gaming, watching movies, browsing the web.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: HDD, Optical Drive, Mouse, Keyboard, and Monitor.
PREFERRED WEBSITE FOR PARTS: EBay, any sites that are based in Australia.
PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference as long as it does the job.
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want an all round solid PC.

Parts I have found:
Intel i5 750 Cpu
GA P55A-UD3 Motherboard
Corsair XMS3 DHX Series (2x2GB)
XFX Radeon HD 5770 Video Card
Corsair TX-650 650W ATX Power Supply
Thermaltake V9 Case

 

[Mark Heath]

If you're willing to do pick-up then MSY's got great prices (usually the best). But their website sucks and their customer service isn't great. Still, it's what most of the aussies here use I think (including me ) http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf is the price list.

I'd recommend going for a Phenom 955 build. Also, I'd recommend swapping that case for something like a Cooler Master HAF 922, 690 II or Antec 902. If you like it and don't want to swap it, then that's fine

Could you post the prices you're getting the components for?

 

[moe112]

Here's the price list, keep in mind they are off ebay.
$560 - Intel i5 750 Cpu, GA P55A-UD3 Motherboard, Corsair XMS3 DHX Series (2x2GB) (Pack)
$225 - XFX Radeon HD 5770 Video Card
$155 - Corsair TX-650 650W ATX Power Supply
$140 - Thermaltake V9 Case

I was also considering going for an:
$525 - Intel Core i7 860 / MSi H55M-E33 / 2GB Kingston DDR3 (Pack), If i go with this set I will purchase an extra 2-4GB of Ram.
I was leaning toward the HAF 922 but that was for my personal build while this pc is for the family.

Those that I mentioned above are off ebay, but here's 1 i got off MSY.
$156 - Gigabyte P55A-UD3
$249 - Intel core i5 750
$145 - 4GB G.skill-Ripjaws 1600
$199 - 1GB HD Radeon 5770 Asus
$157 - Corsair TX-750
$140 - Thermaltake V9 Case (ebay)

 

[Mark Heath]

That stuff is more expensive than a place like MSY, so I'd recommend getting them from MSY or at least somehwere cheaper.

A bit of a guide to the pricing:

i5 750 ~$250
good mobo ~$200
5770 ~$180
Corsair TX-650 ~120
Thermaltake V9 ~$100

I'd also swap that case out. If you're looking for something that looks a bit more normal (since it's the family computer), then an Antec 300 (~$65) or Cooler Master 690 II (~$130) are good. Antec 902's good as well, but looks more like a gamer's case.

If you go MSY, then:

No OS build
$249 Intel Core i5 750
$205 Asus P7P55D-E PRO
$152 G.Skill 4GB Kit DDR3 1600 ECO
$339 HIS 1GB 5850
$119 Corsair TX-650
$66 Antec 300
$39 Cooler Master Hyper 212+
$26 2x Antec TriCool 120mm (mounted in the front of the case)

$1195 TOTAL

OS Build:
$249 Intel Core i5 750
$205 Asus P7P55D-E PRO
$152 G.Skill 4GB Kit DDR3 1600 ECO
$171 HIS 1GB 5850
$119 Corsair TX-650
$135 Antec 902
$39 Cooler Master Hyper 212+
$112 Windows 7 Home Premium

$1182 TOTAL

The Mobo is the cheapest quality mobo you can get that support both Crossfire and USB 3 + SATA 3 at the same time. Most other mobos can only do either Crossfire or USB 3 + SATA 3. (it's not cheap quality, it's quality and cheap, didn't word it very well)

Both the builds assume you'll be doing a bit of overclocking but nothing over the top (Probably ~3.5Ghz stock voltage)

 

[moe112]

I like the look of the second build but you have a 5850 for $171, I think you meant the 5770 for $171. In the first build would the 5850 be necassary once again I was considering that for my own personel build, but if it's more so suited to moderate gaming could you recommended something that is more suited to frequent gaming. Last thing would it be better if I go over budget and pick up an intel core i7? is it worth it?

 

[Mark Heath]

Yes I meant 5770 for the second build

If your main goal is gaming, with other general computer stuff as a secondary, then the 750 build is better. If you want to use the i7 and take advantage of hyperthreading + you're willing to overclock a bit more, then i7 might be what you want.

err.. is moderate gaming more or less than frequent? (I'm a bit confused by what you mean based on your last post)

 

[moe112]

By frequent gaming I mean 1-2 hours say 5 days a week, and by moderate I mean 1 hour say 2-3 days a week, and also if i was to go with the 5770 am better of with the XFX overclocked card or wont it really make a diffrence?

 

[Mark Heath]

If you're wanting a card for a bit more gaming, then the 5850 is the better choice, but the 5770 should be enough, but it depends on the games you play (could you list a few of the more taxing ones?). In terms of overclocked cards etc, an overclocked card with stock cooling is useless if you're going to overclock anyway, but if it has custom cooling, then it might be worth using. Depends on price (e.g. spending $10 for custom cooling is probably worth it, spending $150 then just go with stock)

 

[moe112]

In terms of game's FPS (Call of duty), RPG(Mass Effect2) Assassin's creed 2 some of the newer ones. with the overclocked card there is the XFX version of the 5770 http://xfxforce.com/en-gb/products/graphiccards/hd%205000series/5770.aspx, for $30 more on ebay.

 

[Mark Heath]

I'm pretty sure a 5770 should be enough then. If you want more graphics later, then you can crossfire another one

 

[moe112]

Alright I think I'll go with this setup:
$249 Intel Core i5 750
$205 Asus P7P55D-E PRO
$152 G.Skill 4GB Kit DDR3 1600 ECO
$200 HD Radeon 5770
$119 Corsair TX-650
$135 Antec 902
$39 Cooler Master Hyper 212+
$26 2x Antec TriCool 120mm (mounted in the front of the case)
$112 Windows 7 64 bit premium
Total $1237

Thanks for all your help Mark, it's much appreciated mate

 

[Mark Heath]

heheh.. ok, just remember the 902 already has 2 front intake fans, so you don't need the extras.

welcome