Advice on 1st Build - buying really soon!

anon2034

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Jun 12, 2011
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18,510
Hi everyone, this will be my first gaming (light) build and I'd like to get some opinions. In particular, I'd like this to be as inexpensive as possible, so anywhere I can "trim the fat" without sacrificing quality would be helpful. Thanks for viewing.

Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime this week

Budget Range: Final cost: less than $900.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Not my main pc but I am building for some gaming (I play a lot of WoW) and Oblivion. Also, Netflix online viewing and other video streaming.

Parts Not Required: Don't need monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg &/or Amazon

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: I'd like the new intel SnB but if y'all think AMD will work fine based on my needs, then I'm cool with looking into that.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Basically just need a WoW computer with the possibility to play some of the latest games on occasion. Also, I listen to a lot of lossless music on my comps, so I've included a pretty decent sound card--that and online video.


Here is my current shopping cart from Newegg:

CPU/MoBo combo: i5-2400 w/ GIGABYTE GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 -- $325
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.654393

Graphics: MSI R5770 - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127490

Memory: GS Ripjaws 4gb - $43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231313

PSU: Antec 650w -- $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

Case: Antec 900 - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Soundcard: Omega Claro - $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271002

HDD - Spinpoint - $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

DVD Burner: Lite-On - $21
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Total: ~$914

Well, thanks for looking and any advice you can offer.
 
Agree, if you can get a 6850 for the same price as a 5770 then you should definitely do that.

The Antec 900 is a good case, but maybe if you want to save some money consider either the
Cooler Master HAF 912 $60 ($10 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

or the Xigmatek Utgard $60 ($15 shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815007 (windowed version - there is also a version with mesh on the side panel)

Hopefully you are aware that the EA Green 650W doesn't come with a power cord to plug it into the wall, so you'll need to buy one or get one from elsewhere.
 

anon2034

Distinguished
Jun 12, 2011
10
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18,510
Thanks for the input guys. I didn't know that about the EA PSU! lol. I have made some adjustments, what do you all think?

MB: ASRock P67 EXTREME4 - $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229

CPU: intel i5 2400 - $158 w/ tax at local Microcenter

Graphics: SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 - $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 - $90

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaw G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) - $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275&cm_re=g.skill_ripjaws_series_4gb_%282_x_2gb%29_240-pin_ddr3-_-20-231-275-_-Product

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 - $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Finally, the case: I am torn between the Antec 900 vs CM Haf 922 -- both retail for about $100 before rebates... what do you all think? Since I'm a noob, I wanted a roomy case that will allow me to install everything with ease but allow for decent cable management without modding myself, i.e. holes and space behind mb. Which of these cases would be best? Give that, is there any significant difference between the two?

Total: ~$785 before rebates

Thanks, I really appreciate y'alls time!

 
Don't get the old Corsair 650TX, there is a newer better version which is the same price.

This is better seeing as it's modular and is about the same price:
XFX 650W XXX Edition 80Plus Bronze Modular $89 ($20 rebate, $4 shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207007

If you don't mind spending a bit more then I would go for this:
Lepa G700-MA 700W 80Plus Gold Modular $100 ($6 shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194084

Plenty of people have shown tidy builds using the HAF 922. The HAF is also much bigger than the 900, so it definitely fits two of your criteria. Not to say that the Antec would be difficult to build in or keep tidy, however I've never seen pics of the 900 with cable management holes, I have heard that they were updated with these at one point, but haven't seen any evidence for myself of it. The 902 V3 however definitely has cable mangement holes, so if you're prepared to pay the extra (or find it somewhere cheap) then you could get that.