First Build - $ 1500ish

[VirusAX]

Hello! This is my first post and its abaout my new Build. I've read a lot (and i really mean A LOT) of benchmarks of every component I chose, and I wanted to know that I'm making the right choice.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-2 months

BUDGET RANGE: $1,600.00 before rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Video editing, Web surfing, Movie playing.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyborad, Mouse and OS (Windows 7)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com, I can consider other websites.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Mexico, I have a friend in US that can recive and send me the parts. I dont know how much this will cost me because of taxes & transporting.

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD Cpu, I'll be upgrading to Bulldozer (If my mobo allows it). Thats it, any other parts can be considered.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, in the future.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920 x 1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Performance and Futureproofing (At least 3 years with upgrades down the road)

So, these are the components I chose (This a completley new build, I dont have ANYTHING for a Desktop PC)

CPU: Phenom II 955 - $159.99
CPU heatsink: - 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 $49.99
MOBO: ASRock 880G EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - $109.99
VGA (Planning on CF or SLI in future): HIS Radeon HD 5850 1GB - $289.99 or EVGA GeForce GTX 460 1GB - $229.99 or Galaxy 70XKH3HS8GUX GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready - $279.99
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB -$74.99
CD/DVD Unit: ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - 21.99
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211409 - $86.99
Monitor: ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) - $219.99
Speakers: Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speakers - $88.99
Power Supply: XFX Black Edition P1-750B-CAG9 750W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - 129.99
Computer Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - $129.99

Grand Total: $1,072.90 No VGA, $1,362.89 with 5850, $1,302.89 with GTX 460 $1,372.89 with GTX 470

Any advice is welcome! Thanks!

Edit: Changed some components. thanks sp12.

 

[VirusAX]

Bump- I corrected the post.

 

[Twoboxer]

No comment on the cpu/mobo, since I don't do AMD. But the rest of the stuff looks pretty good.

If you like the HAF, you might check out the Cooler Master HAF X. Just google it + review for several text and video reviews.

I happened to see a highly detailed review of your chosen monitor - dunno if you found it, so here's the link:

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/asus_ms246h.htm

 

[VirusAX]

No comment on the cpu/mobo, since I don't do AMD. But the rest of the stuff looks pretty good.

If you like the HAF, you might check out the Cooler Master HAF X. Just google it + review for several text and video reviews.

I happened to see a highly detailed review of your chosen monitor - dunno if you found it, so here's the link:

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/asus_ms246h.htm

I dont think we're talking about the same monitor.
I checked out the HAF X, It has USB 3.0 on front panel and many other feautes that ARE extremely useful, do you think its worth paying 70 bucks more for it?

I also have another question, Having 3 sticks of DDR3 in a DUAL channel mobo/CPU is possible? if not, i think 4GB would suffice.

Thanks

 

[Mr Pizza]

You don't need the haf x unless you are doing 4 way sli or you just want a great case that will last through a few builds

 

[sp12]

CPU: Phenom II 955 - $159.99

I would get an X6 1055t for 40$. Just from a price/performance standpoint it makes more sense. The x6 is also a fair bit more futureproof.
CPU heatsink: ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm - $64.99

Expensive for what it is. Look into a Nactua cooler.
MOBO: ASUS M4A89TD PRO AM3 AMD 890FX - $174.99

Expensive because of the crossfire support, but that's kinda a lame feature. By the time you want to buy a new card to supplment your current one it's still 75% of release price and single-GPU card with more performance is out for about the same. You could save 70$ by dropping crossfire support for a MSI-870a-55, GA-870a-ud3p, or an Asrock 870 extreme 3.
VGA (Planning on CF or SLI in future): HIS Radeon HD 5850 1GB - $289.99 or EVGA GeForce GTX 460 1GB - $229.99

Why not a 470 for 270$? Better performance than a 5850 for less. Look on Newegg sort by lowest price.
HDD: 2x Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Caché -$74.99

Way too expensive. Get the Samsung f3 1tb for the same price, or a 2tb for only ~30$ more.
CD/DVD Unit: ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - 21.99
Memory: G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $149.99

Fine, but as it's a triple channel kit it forces AMD builds to work in 2+1 mode. I would personally get the dual channel version of the same kit. If you need more it's an easy upgrade.
Monitor: ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) - $219.99

I would spend 70$ more on a Dell u2211h or higher. IPS panels are good for builds that want longevity.

Speakers: Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speakers - $88.99
Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC - 109.99

Get the XFX black edition 750 for the same price. Silver efficiency and modular.
Computer Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - $129.99

Any advice is welcome! Thanks!

 

[VirusAX]

@sp12: Thanks for your help, I dont think that I'll spend $40 extra bucks for the X6, also i won't buy the dell you recomended, way to pricey.

But I did change the Heatsink, Mobo, HDD, Memory, Power Supply and added the 470 into the final price and Its very reasonable.

I'm almost decided, but I'll wait for another opinion just to be 100% sure!

 

[VirusAX]

Nah, I really have no doubts at this point.
I'm going to order this baby as soon as possible.
Thanks. I saved about $250~$300 bucks!

 

[VirusAX]

Best answer selected by VirusAx.