In serious need of a new build

[sno-twister76]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum. I am looking for some advise for a new homebuild system. My current system is way, way way out of date. Are you ready for a good laugh? I'm still running a Pentium 3 700, overclocked to 900. I built this system so long ago I can't remember when. I don't think this forum exhisted then. I know the basics of a system build, but the components, processors, etc. have changed so much.

I will need everything except a monitor, keyboard and mouse. The main focus of this PC will be Internet, word processing, Microsoft Office applications, and email. However I would like to do some gaming, mostly flight simulator and a graphics program such a Corell Draw. I would rather build the system myself, since I don't like what is available for the price from Dell and others. Besides I like DIY. I would like to keep the price around $800 including the OS. All components can be OEM. I would like to be able to upgrade components as our needs change. I know there is no ideal PC. I was thinking of starting with an Intel Core i5-750, but get lost at the motherboard. I perfer Asus, since that Is what I've used in the past along with Crucial memory. The OS would probably be Windows 7 Home, but 32 or 64 bit? Any serious input would be appreciated.

 

[sp12]

In general, a quality build base would look rougly like:

Samsung F3 1TB (75$)
Good size/high airflow case (60-100$) (Haf 922?)
4GB G.skill/quality DDR3, probably 1600 speed as you overclock (~80-100$) (ECO series?)
Win 7 Home Premium 64 OEM (100$)
Solid PSU (50-120$) (Corsiar, Antec, XFX, Seasonic)
Litescribe OD (~20$)
GTS450/HD5770/GTX460 GPU (100-200$)

And then the various mobo+CPU combos could be:

AMDX6+mobo (~300$)
P55+i5-760 (~340$)
Athlon2X4+mobo (~200$)

 

[sno-twister76]

I've done some research and have come up with the following:

1 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754 $99.99

1 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152181 $54.99

1 GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E1681312842 $119.99

1 SAPPHIRE 100296HDMI Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express
Item #: N82E16814102855 $76.99

1 Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,comes with Three Fans
Item #: N82E1681114715 $54.99

1 Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Model CT2KIT25664BA1067
Item #: N82E16820148150 $86.99

1 Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W
Item #: N82E16819115067 $199.99

1 CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139005 $89.99

Can anyone comment on my choices good or bad? Compatibility or connectivity issues? I did however forget a CD drive.

All prices do not take into account any rebates or instant savings. I came in at $763.92, there would be another $40 in rebate savings.

 

[sp12]

Ram is slow and a mediocre brand, especially for overclocking. GPU is last-gen and weak, but if your resolution/IQ requirements are low enough it could work. P55-USB3 mobo has been replaced by the P55-UD3/P.

Getting the 1TB F3 only costs you ~20$ more and nets you double the capacity+a performance boost. Heck, I'll go find you a combo deal to get it for the same price. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492764&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=

So that makes it free to get the 1TB drive over the 1/2.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600007779%20600007797%204017&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&CompareItemList=48|14-125-341^14-125-341-03%23%2C14-130-572^14-130-572-TS%2C14-102-859^14-102-859-TS%2C14-150-436^14-150-436-TS%2C14-150-447^14-150-447-TS

 

[ScrewySqrl]

since you are using a 10-year old system currently, I'd suggest a new monitor, keyboard, and mouse with that.

you definitely want a better video card than a 4670. GTS 450 (~110), HD5750 (~$120), HD 5770 (~$140), or GTX 460 (~$170 or ~$220)

Depending on your budget, that might mean an AMD system instead of a i5-7xx system.

How much can you spend?

 

[sno-twister76]

Thanks for the replies and input! Changes made to the list. I changed the video card to the Gigabyte Gforce 450 as well as the combo savings with the HD and PSU. Thanks!

My monitor (19 in. flat panel) is only a year old as well as the mouse and keyboard, so for now I think I can live with those.

Is there another MOBO that would be better suited? I'm trying to stay in the $800 range. I would like to stay with Intel. With these two changes I'm at $846 not discounting the rebates available.

What would be a better memory choice. I think I should have at least 4GB.

Again thanks for the input.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

this is better, faster, and cheaper RAM, $69.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

800 usually means you are sticking to AMD, but it can, just barely, manage an $800 intel machine

 

[sno-twister76]

Thanks. I made the RAM change. I found these two combo for MOBO / CPU that will fit in my set but somewhat flexible budget. What do you think?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.501398


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.495083

Although I did not verify the compatibility of the RAM you linked to to these motherboards.

 

[sno-twister76]

I've been doing some research to bring myself up to speed on the newer motherboards. I'm still trying to stay in the previous outlined budget, so an X58 chipset motherboard is out. I have found three that I like. They are all in the same price range. I plan on using an i5-750. I would like to know your opinions on the following:

AsRock P55 Extreme 4

Asus P7P55D-E

Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3

I'm leaning toward the Asus and AsRock boards. I like the features of the AsRock but at the same time the Asus is better known.

 

[obsidian86]

$55 rebates
promo cod on hdd $16 off w/ promo code EMCYXNW34, ends 10/4
5770 > 450

 

[sno-twister76]

Thanks for the information obsidian86, ScrewySqrl and sp12.

I think I will go with the Asus P7P55D-E motherboard. I like the USB 3.0 for future needs, the P7P55D didn't have it. Processor either the i5-750 or 760.

I seem to prefer the Gigabyte GV-N4500C-1G1 GeForce 450 over the ATI Radeon 5770, partly because the last ATI card I had came with so much bloat ware. Would there be any conflicts between the Asus motherboard and the Gigabyte Video card?

I will however use the Mushkin Enhanced Silverline.

I currently have a Samsung 1T 32meg cashe hard drive and a Corsair 650 TX power supply. I think I will use the Rosewill Challenger case. The case needs to fit inside a computer desk, so I'm limited in height.

Operating system to be Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

Additional opinions are appreciated. Nothing is set in stone, except for the drive and PS. Thanks!

 

[ScrewySqrl]

just a note: the 5770 greatly outperforms the 450. Try the 768 MB version of the GTX 460 instead of the 450.