Budget build?

[Simmons222]

Approximate Purchase Date: The next few weeks (whenever I can sell my current iMac).

Budget Range: 600-800 (Before rebates).

System Usage from Most to Least Important: I usually have all of the following open and switch between them:
Chrome
Garageband (would be a Hackintosh and I use Garageband for music production with my MIDI keyboard and guitar with 1/4" to 1/8" adapter)
DrJava (programming)
Rosetta Stone

Then I also do light gaming (maybe Fallout 3, Team Fortress 2, and Starcraft 2), and DVD ripping every now and again to have a digital copy of my movie collection. Sometimes I do video editing in iMovie to manage my personally-filmed home video collection.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: Anything Hackintosh compatible (Intel processor!)

Overclocking: Maybe? I'm kind of a noob at that kind of stuff, and I really don't have a use for it.

SLI or Crossfire: No, one GPU will do just fine.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 (and preferably something that is good for dual-monitors, which I would eventually upgrade to.)

Additional Comments: This may sound a little lame, but I like cases with lots of LEDs and stuff. I made out a build that I think looks good, but I would like to reduce as much off the price as possible without sacrificing too much performance. Here it is:


Monitor ($180 ($20 MIR):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=xeeyodhfmpd4

Video card ($65 ($15 MIR)):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102930

CD/DVD Burner ($21):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Case ($60 ($10 MIR)):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

Wireless ($20):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704045

RAM ($55):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

HD ($55):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148764&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3899435&SID=skim1402X558040X2edccdb97a43bced3b6e5800f55644cb

PSU ($58):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371047&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=j14zy4ew08ci

CPU / MOBO COMBO ($320 ($20 MIR)):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660241&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3899435&SID=skim1402X558040X6067b9f248bad74e6a73ee3c8462a8aa

TOTAL: $834
AFTER MIB: $769




Thanks guys!,
Simmons

 

[wintermint]

1) Asus VH236H Black 23 $180 or $160 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059
Reason: You will save money here because it's free shipping

2) Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-520 520W $60 b4 10% off promo [7/31]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371047

Reason: You should really get the newer Antec because they are more power efficient. The promo will soon be over; you can go for the Earthwatts 500W for $55 if you want to. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035

3) Samsung Spinpoint F3 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Reason: Simply better performance for the money.

4) 1600MHz ram instead of 1333MHz because 1600MHz is the sweet spot for Sandy Bridge processors. The drop point is at the 1333MHz but I don't think it should affect you as much as you would think. If you don't want to spend an extra $10 or so on 1600MHz then don't fret and stick with your RAM.

 

[Simmons222]

1) Asus VH236H Black 23 $180 or $160 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059
Reason: You will save money here because it's free shipping

2) Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-520 520W $60 b4 10% off promo [7/31]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371047

Reason: You should really get the newer Antec because they are more power efficient. The promo will soon be over; you can go for the Earthwatts 500W for $55 if you want to. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035

3) Samsung Spinpoint F3 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Reason: Simply better performance for the money.

4) 1600MHz ram instead of 1333MHz because 1600MHz is the sweet spot for Sandy Bridge processors. The drop point is at the 1333MHz but I don't think it should affect you as much as you would think. If you don't want to spend an extra $10 or so on 1600MHz then don't fret and stick with your RAM.

Thanks! I edited my build, but I didn't include the HD. The number of DOA's people get in the reviews make me nervous. From what I saw on Newegg, that RAM was 1600MHz, but I changed it to the X series anyways because it was designed mainly for Sandy Bridge.

 

[wintermint]

Thanks! I edited my build, but I didn't include the HD. The number of DOA's people get in the reviews make me nervous. From what I saw on Newegg, that RAM was 1600MHz, but I changed it to the X series anyways because it was designed mainly for Sandy Bridge.

Glad I was able to help you out. I think pretty much all RAM works regardless if it's compatible with your motherboard and fits the standard. The designed mainly for Sandy Bridge is most likely a marketing gimmick. I have a corsair set designed for core i5/i7 and I'm using AMD haha. No probs yet.