First time computer build - $800-$1000

[vanvan329]

Hey guys. Ive always wanted to build my own computer and now that I have some money, thats exactly what I am going to do. Im a student so this comp will be used for some word processing but I like to game a bit and like to put the settings high. Ive put together a build but im not sure if everything is compatible with one another. Help me out! Recommendations are appreciated as well.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within the next two weeks most likely

BUDGET RANGE: 800 - 1000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, internet, word processing (student)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, maybe monitor (if recommended cheaper one), speakers (2.1)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com or whatever Fry's prices are

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: whichever is better

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Whats good for gaming thats not too expensive?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Not flashy (alot of LEDs on the case) but still cool case. What kind of case should I get? (mid or full tower?)


And this is the setup that I picked out already.

* PC Case - not sure what to get just quite yet. Should I get a mid or full tower?

* Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" – 69.99

* CD-ROM Drive - ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R
- 23.99

* Processor – intel i5 650 – 179.99

* Processor Cooling Fan - Cooler Master Intel Core i5 compatible Hyper TX3 Socket 775/1156/AMD 130W 92mm "heatpipe direct contact" CPU Cooler RR-910-HTX3-G1 – 29.99

* Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 ATX Intel - 119.99

* Memory Modules – G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ – 91.99

* Power Supply - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 – 84.99

* Video Card – nvidia GeForce GTX 460 – 239.99

 

[dndhatcher]

It would be good to put it in the format suggested by the sticky at the top of the forum. Knowing budget and monitor resolution really helps when choosing parts.

 

[scione]

mhm please use This format

Although at a quick glance yes, it is all compatible although not knowing your price range, we cant make effective recommendations for alternate parts, and depending on your screen resolution you may want to pony up and grab an HD5850

 

[vanvan329]

oo sorry ill change it. i was trying to post before i left the house. well preferably around the $1000 mark which that one is just barely. ive got a monitor already (a little old, 1280X1024) but i might use my tv from time to time. i might get a new monitor if yall recommend one thats not too expensive

 

[dndhatcher]

That seems expensive for an i5 600 series cpu. I dont think the i5 760 is much more expensive and its a full quad. For your listed usage, I would save some money and go with an Athlon II x3 440 or 445 or even a Phenom II x4 955 and a motherboard like a Gigabyte 870-UD3.

Do not get a caviar blue for a boot drive. Blue is the "cool & quiet" server data drive line. You would want either a samsung F3 500, seagate 7200.12 500. The problem with WD black is there are a bunch of old, slow 500GB AALS models out there which are not nearly as fast as the new single 500GB platter drives. The WD black 1TB FAEX model has two 500GB platters and is very fast.

The 460 is a good graphics card.

I think the Antec Neo Eco 520 is a better value at $60 than the Corsair 550 at $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

Those might save you enough money to pick up a ~21 inch 1680x1050 widescreen LCD, which gives you alot more screen space for skillbars, compass, etc when gaming.

 

[scione]

Alright well heres my recommendation

AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX635WFGIBOX -$99.00

GIGABYTE GA-880GA-UD3H AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard -$109.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) -$88.99

ASUS ENGTX460/2DI/768MD5 GeForce GTX 460 -$199.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB -$59.99 (great drive)

ASUS Black 24X -$23.99

OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W -$59.99 (modular win)

[strike]Antec Three Hundred Black[/strike] -$69.95

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit -$99.99

ASUS VH222H Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P -$179.99

Total $1,041.86

notes- If the most intensive thing that your going to be doing is gaming then the Athlon X4 should be sufficient, most games only use up to 3 cores, although if your going to be doing any video editing, photoshop etc then you may want to upgrade to an i5 instead. An aftermarket cpu fan is not necessary because you say your not going to overclock it, however if you notice high temps you can always buy one later. I recommend that you A) either buy a new monitor with a higher native resolution because frankly for your current a 460 is a bit overkill, or B) downgrade the card.

Obviously the case is 90% aesthetic so you can choose your own case, I recommend a mid tower unless you plan on doing heavy upgrades down the road, then go for a larger full tower.

@dndhatcher sorry my bad

@vanvan329 Dont get the black version if you choose the antec 300, Go for illusion or another case.

 

[dndhatcher]

Thats the wrong antec 300 case model (300 black). The 300 illusion is the same price and comes with the 2 front fans installed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

 

[vanvan329]

thanks for the recommendations. I think I want to stick with the i5 but bump it up to the 750. I didnt realize how small of a cost increase it was. any other intel mobos you guys would recommend? I took yalls recs and added them into the build so this is what it looks like right now.

* PC Case – COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – 59.99

* Hard Drive - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5 – 59.99

* CD-ROM Drive - ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R
- 23.99

* Processor – intel i5 760 – 209

* Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 ATX Intel - 119.99

* Memory Modules – G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ – 91.99

* Power Supply - Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 – 59.99

* Video Card – nvidia GeForce GTX 460 – 239.99

I have yet to decide on the monitor. Im about to go over to Fry's and check out what their prices look like. Thanks for the help so far

 

[dndhatcher]

See what the i5 760 price is. Its a the newer and starts at 2.8GHz (the 750 starts at 2.66GHz).

 

[vanvan329]

its only 10 bucks more so ill do that. i didnt even know there was a 760 its not even on the intel site

 

[vanvan329]

o and fry's prices suuuucked. they barely even had any of the things on the list

 

[dndhatcher]

I find frys to be great for cheap accessories, but newegg is almost always cheaper for components even when you include shipping.