Non-Gaming build, Advice needed

[ShadowHeart26]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: End of August

BUDGET RANGE: $1000 +/- $200

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: 1080p playback, Streaming video, Photo editing, Storage, Surfing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Partial to ATI

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want speed and lots of it. I've fixed many computers over the years and have grown quite impatient with slow computers. I do not want any type of choppy audio/video playback or have the computer come to a crawl while I happen to be downloading.

 

[sp12]

AMD 1055t 200$
4GB G.skill eco series 1.35 volt 92$
Case: your choice, I like the Antec Illusion 300 or the HAS 9XX series 50-150$ If you're looking for a small build you can go smaller.
SSD: Corsair force 50gb 150$
HD: Samsung f3 1tb 75$ OR: WD green drive 2tb 110$ Possibly both of depending on your photo editing needs.
PSU: Any silver/gold efficiency between 400 and 650 watts: ~80-150$
OD: any 20$ sata lightscribe model OR 60$ bluray reader OR 100$ bluray burner

Depending on the intensity of the streaming/server duties, the 30$ Intel PCIe NIC might be worth it.

Now, there's two schools of thought for nongaming builds and vidcards. One is that if you ever want to play a game at some point, an integrated would not cut it. Integrated would be lower power and without the cost of a GPU however.\

So I recommend either:

ASrock 870 Extreme 3 and a ATI 5770/5670 ~180-230$

OR

Asrock 880G extreme 3 (make sure it's the version with the 850SB): 110$

 

[ShadowHeart26]

AMD 1055t 200$
4GB G.skill eco series 1.35 volt 92$
Case: your choice, I like the Antec Illusion 300 or the HAS 9XX series 50-150$ If you're looking for a small build you can go smaller.
SSD: Corsair force 50gb 150$
HD: Samsung f3 1tb 75$ OR: WD green drive 2tb 110$ Possibly both of depending on your photo editing needs.
PSU: Any silver/gold efficiency between 400 and 650 watts: ~80-150$
OD: any 20$ sata lightscribe model OR 60$ bluray reader OR 100$ bluray burner

Depending on the intensity of the streaming/server duties, the 30$ Intel PCIe NIC might be worth it.

Now, there's two schools of thought for nongaming builds and vidcards. One is that if you ever want to play a game at some point, an integrated would not cut it. Integrated would be lower power and without the cost of a GPU however.\

So I recommend either:

ASrock 870 Extreme 3 and a ATI 5770/5670 ~180-230$

OR

Asrock 880G extreme 3 (make sure it's the version with the 850SB): 110$

I would definitely go for dedicated GPU. How are my options for possible upgrades in the future with this setup? Is it worth the extra $100 to step up to a 1090? Does anybody have an Intel build for comparison's sake?

 

[sp12]

1090T: 50% more expensive for a 12$ clockspeed boost. I don't think so at all.

Upgrades:

Another 4GB of ram.
Second 5770 in the 870 board for crossfire. (650+ watt PSU needed)
New single GPU in either board. (650 watt PSU needed)
Potentially a bulldozer CPU when those come out next year.
Intel nic if you don't get it initially.

An intel build would be basically identical, but would have an i5-760 (same price), a P55a-UD3p or similar mobo (~30$ more), and would HAVE to have a dedicated GPU.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/147?vs=109

1055t is generally a better productivity CPU, while the i5 is a better gaming CPU. Neither has a huge advantage over the other except for the i5 in games and the x6 in encoding/some benchmarks.

 

[ShadowHeart26]

Thanks for the ideas. With the 1055 as a starting point, I can look more into the different types of memory and motherboards. Any suggestions from others would be welcomed.

 

[ShadowHeart26]

Here's what I have. What does everybody think?

GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - $109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128443

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275

Intel X25-V SSDSA2MP040G2R5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167025

Samsung SH-S243N DVD burner
Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GP - $73 combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.466987

AMD Phenom II X6 1055T
SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100283VX-2L Radeon HD 5770 - $330 combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.442696

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - $145 combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.466028

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758


Total: $987 not including rebates


Some concerns I have is motherboard/memory compatibility since it is virtually impossible for the motherboard manufacturer to test all memory out there. Also, I am not sure about 32-bit vs 64-bit windows. I also just realized my board has only 2 SATA 3.0 slots and I have 3 in my build... so would I just be able to plug one of them in a SATA 6.0 slot?

I know the PSU is a little overkill, but it's cheaper or as cheap as other PSUs in the 450-550W range after rebate.

Is there anything I am missing or I should include? Thanks for looking.

 

[ShadowHeart26]

bump

 

[sp12]

Memory should be compatible, especially if you're not overclocking. I would get 64-bit windows for sure.

Yes you could plug them into the sata 6 plugs, in fact that would probably give higher performance as those are off of the 850SB.

Unless someone else has any major objections I think it looks good. I'd wait for one or two other thumbs up, but I can't see any issues.