Building first PC

[Ant0n]

I've finally decided to build my first PC and getting ready to buy all the parts, but would like to hear any last minute thoughts and suggestions.

After 3 days of research this is what I came up with...

CPU: Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 - $205

MoBo: ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX- $180

GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit - $245

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS - $90

Case: Cooler Master RC-922M-KKN1-GP HAF 922M ATX Mid Tower Case - $90

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $110

Total: $920

I don't care much about which brand it is as long as it has a better price and/or performance.

I still have some extra cash left, so if there's something considerably better for slightly higher price, I would look into it.

Is there anything I'm forgetting? Things like HDD and CD/DVD drives I should be able to salvage from my current PC, at least I hope so.

P.S. Might be a dumb question, but can you do Crossfire with two different ATi cards? (4850 and 6870)

 

[ScrewySqrl]

1) Sandy Bridge is due out in a week. hold up until then.

2) you can crossfire different cards, but they must be from the same chipset family (so 48xx, 57xx, 68xx, etc), and will only act like two of the weaker of the pair.

 

[MadAdmiral]

First thing to point out is that Intel's new Sandy Bridge is due out in a couple of weeks. Wait to do anything until they're out.

On to my problems.

Mobo: A really crappy quality board. I'd suggest getting the Asus P7P55D-E Pro instead. It's more expensive, but quality isn't cheap.

PSU: A good choice, but the Antec Earthwatts 750W is basically the same and nearly $40 cheaper.

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x4 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 9 $110. Cheaper, and use less voltage.

Everything else looks good.

No, you can't Crossfire with drastically different cards. You can Crossfire two cards in the same family, like a 6850 and 6870, but it's not advised.

 

[joelmartinez]

Better than the Earthwatts and the Corsair is the XFX 750w best deal for the money silver 80+ certified

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003&Tpk=xfx%20750w

 

[MadAdmiral]

The XFX is a good PSU. However, the Antec 750W is $61, counting the promo code and rebate. The XFX is NOT worth nearly double the cost.

 

[Ant0n]

Alright, so SB is due Jan 9th from what I've read. By how much would the prices drop approximately?

And yeah, $130 seems a little too much for a PSU, especially since 750W is way more then I need anyways.

I'll update RAM, PSU and MoBo in original post. Although reading some reviews on newegg, quite a few people reporting it not working =/

Also, should I buy everything else now while there are still some holiday deals and get CPU when sandy bridges come out?

 

[joelmartinez]

@MadAdmiral I see your point and at that price point the Antec makes it the most desirable option
@Ant0n 110 after rebate

Wait for SB for CPU, Mobo, RAM rest you can buy now

 

[Ant0n]

Is there any difference between Sapphire, XFX, Diamond etc when it comes to GPUs?
Prices for 6870 seem to vary from $225 to $275 =/

 

[joelmartinez]

The warranties vary besides that the only difference is minimal overclocks and junk software I tend to stick with xfx and sapphire
The sapphire you chose should be good

 

[Ant0n]

Approximately how long would this set up last before I would have to worry about building a new one?

 

[MadAdmiral]

A few years. Even if you did need an upgrade, the only thing you'd need to do is drop in a second GPU, which would be fairly cheap down the road.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

yeah. This setup should be good for 2-3 years, especially if you add a second GPU in 4-6 months

BTW, Anton, that's a really good forum icon. I nearly swatted my screen at first :lol:

 

[Ant0n]

Another question, if I were to sell my current PC, how much should I ask for it?

Dell XPS 410

CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6420 @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.1GHz

GPU: ATI Radeon HD 4850

RAM: 6 GB

PSU: 375W

MoBo: 1066 MHz (cant find exact model anywhere, just says "0CT017")

HDD: 320 gb, but I'll probably would keep it since it got all my stuff on it.


Had it for 3 years, never had any viruses or any kind of problems


@ScrewySqrl

 

[MadAdmiral]

Whatever you can get for it. Put a price of around $350 and take the first offer.

 

[joelmartinez]

Depends who you sell it to if you can find an old technologically impaired person maybe you could get away with 600 dollars, when selling it all depends on the demographic.

I know it's mean but selling to less competent people means more money for you
ebay says 300 range

 

[Ant0n]

$300 is a bit lower than I expected, good thing world is full of "less" competent people >_>

 

[joelmartinez]

Next Stop Nursery Home Computer Sale expo