Desktop build <= $1400, need (lots of) advice?

[Moody216]

First off, this isn't really going to be a "Homebuilt" computer. I'm just looking for good enough specs to give to this electronics store (SmartBuy) and they're going to build it for me.

Two reasons:
1. I have no idea how to build one and am a total computer noob.
2. I live in Jordan and i don't know if these websites you guys use to order parts actually ship to my country, and even if they did.. well.. there's some trust issues

Anyway, on to the good stuff:

Approximate Purchase Date: Preferably this month.

Budget Range: 1000JDs, so that's approx 1400$

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Programming (Need it to support Directx11. And yes, i do realize the irony), Graphics Modelling and Gaming (MMOs).

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse and speakers.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Now this might be a bit of a problem, so just go by average prices?

Country of Origin: Jordan.. You might probably need to look this one up

Parts Preferences: N/A

Overclocking: Uhm.. ok

SLI or Crossfire: I'm not sure.. depends on your GPU suggestion i guess?

Monitor Resolution: Nothing too big, nothing too small?

Additional Comments: I apologize for the lack of helpful information, i really have no clue! I did however do some research:

CPU: i7-880 sounds good (according to the charts at least) I also found this one:
Intel Core i7-2600K @ 3.40GHz

Graphics card: GeForce GTX 480 or is it overkill? maybe GeForce GTX 285?

RAM: do you think 6GB DD3 is good or more/less? (Don't know any brands though...)

OS: Windows 7. No idea which edition though..

Also please note, i don't know if my budget is good enough for a case + monitor.. is it?

 

[WR2]

Hello Moody216;

Country of Origin: Jordan.. You might probably need to look this one up

Nah... that's just the left of Kentucky, isn't it?

Approximate Purchase Date: Preferably this month.

Might be a bit of problem with that schedule.
There is an issue/problem at the moment with P67 motherboards.
Intel Identifies Cougar Point Chipset Error, Halts Shipments

Does your SmartBuy store have an online catalog for us to look at?

 

[Moody216]

Jordan is a country mate.

And they do have a website, but nothing about parts. They buy the parts and are shipped here so just go with your average prices?

As for the motherboards, i guess i'm gunna have to wait.

 

[WR2]

Wha? Jordan isn't next to Kentucky?

 

[Moody216]

Well, there IS a jordan, Indiana according to wikipedia.. But i'm talking about the country Jordan.. Right next to Israel.

 

[WR2]

Where is Isreal?

 

[Moody216]

Am i being trolled here?

 

[WR2]

Back on topic......here is a list of several possible build suggestions:
Recommended Builds by Usage also gives some recommendations on peripherals items like keyboard, mouse and monitor.

The one I recommend to you is the Gamer: $1,102.90
* CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
* MOBO: ASUS P8P67 PRO LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Intel Motherboard
* RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBXM
* HSF: COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible Hyper N 520 RR-920-N520-GP 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
* HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
* PSU: XFX Black Edition P1-750B-CAG9 750W ATX12V v2.2 / ESP12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular ...
* GPU: EVGA 012-P3-1472-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) SuperClocked 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ...
* DVD: SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support
* Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
* Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

 

[WR2]

Only slightly... but you were the one who hinted we might not know where Jordan is located.

 

[Moody216]

Only slightly... but you were the one who hinted we might not know where Jordan is located.

Touche.

Thanks for the link and suggestion, i'll look into it

 

[Moody216]

I have a question though, how come the i7-2600K and the i5-2500K are so cheap considering they outperform a lot of the (much pricier) CPUs here?

 

[WR2]

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh! if more people keep asking that question Intel is SURE to raise the price.
It really is a good bargain, isn't it?

 

[WR2]

If you want a good, easy way to see just how much better they are... visit this benchmark tool @ AnandTech

 

[Moody216]

Hehe yeah. Has to be a catch though

 

[WR2]

Here are the THG charts. I just realized they've been updated with the Sandy Bridge CPUs

 

[andyman30]

I personally feel that a 1gb GTX 460x2 in SLI is the best bang for your buck you can get right now, if thats the price range youre trying to hit