Ordering tomorrow, awaiting green light. :)

[Bran187]

As the title says i will be ordering all the parts to my computer tomorrow. In an earlier thread i posted what parts i was thinking about and later revised it. Well now i have my final revisions and i was hoping some of you would look over it just to makes sure everything is compatible. My first build, so im just a bit overcautious. I really don't want to have 700 bucks go to waste just because i overlooked one thing. lol

So i live in the USA, and i will be ordering from newegg.

Primary use will be gaming and school (studying graphic design)

I have 0 intentions to overclock.

I will be using my 32inch tv as my monitor and playing games at either 1280x720 or 1366x768. So not a very demanding resolution compared to others that are out there.

I have a keyboard mouse and was going to use an old Emachines tower for my build but decided that a new tower would be a better call so i ordered this baby....

Apex Vortex 3620 Gaming Mid ATX Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154098

That is already ordered and in transit. I thought long and hard before i bought it and after balancing a few variables (price, looks, size, features, ratings) it was the case i settled on.

So now for the parts i will be ordering tomorrow (assuming you guys give me the green light)

Mobo- Asus M5A97
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131767

CPU- AMD Phenom ii X4 955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103999

GPU- XFX 6870 1gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150521

RAM- 2x2 4gb Gskill DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

PSU- Corsair 600 Watt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

HDD- Hitachi 500gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145299

OD- Sony DVD ROM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031

OS- Windows Home Premium 64bit OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Thats about it. The total comes to $703 usd after shipping. Right at my budget. I am happy with it, have spent alot of time thinking about it, and its just a matter of clicking order tomorrow after work.

So you guys, do i have a green light to order tomorrow?

Thanks in advance to any replies and thanks for putting up with my posts. I just spent 3 hours watching videos on computer assembly and im just itching to build my own.

 

[Raiddinn]

Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT51264BA160A

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148421

$ 40

I think you should change your RAM to this.

but otherwise the setup looks fine.

 

[jgutz2006]

I would agree with the RAM upgrade, you did pick out a 64bit OS so you will be able to utilize this, Its the cheapest modification i could see with the most impact

 

[Bran187]

The smaller amount of ram is temporary, i also intend to upgrade to a blu ray drive and ssd. A part or two at a time as i have the money. The parts that i replace are then going to be used on a second build that i plan on building for my younger brother. Kinda like recycling. lol

Thank you for your responses. I just wanted a few other sets of eyes to look over it before i purchase.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Raiddinn]

RAM is not a good thing to label as temporary.

You should get a solid set with the board and intend to never change it for the life of the board.

My philosophy anyway.

 

[Onus]

For better performance now and a better CPU upgrade path, I'd choose:

Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120
Model #:BX80623I32120
Item #:N82E16819115077
$139.99 -$20.00 Instant $119.99

ASRock H61ICAFE LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:H61ICAFE
Item #:N82E16813157246
$69.99 $69.99
Subtotal: $189.98

Especially with 0 intention to overclock, this will be a stronger system. Another thing to consider, unless you are planning on a monitor upgrade, drop the GPU back to a HD6770 or HD6790. The $60 you'd save getting this HD6770: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161387 would let you get a Core i5 CPU.
The 600W Corsair is fine, or get the 500W Antec Earthwatts, now available for $58 (and there's a rebate, if you play that game and win). I've always liked Earthwatts PSUs; they are strong, silent, stable, and efficient.

Edit: I've always liked G.Skill RAM, but for a mere $12 more, I'd get 8GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424

 

[DXRick]

FYI - The latest $600 SBM build ($700 with Win 7) will blow that AMD build out of the water.

 

[Bran187]

FYI - The latest $600 SBM build ($700 with Win 7) will blow that AMD build out of the water.

This one?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i5-overclock-performance-gaming,3097.html

I could do that set up, but with my xfx over the saphire (same price) and use the extra 30 bucks that i dont have to spend on a case to upgrade my ram to 8gb.

What do you guys think about that build as opposed to my current amd build?

 

[Onus]

Absolutely. In fact, due to your low resolution, you could save more money by getting a HD6850 or HD6790. A lot of us are hoping to win that machine...

Edit: Just be aware that you aren't going to find the hard drive for $50 now either. Also, if you get a lesser GPU, you won't need to use any adapters on the PSU.

 

[Bran187]

No plans to sacrifice gpu strength as i want the option to play at higher res down the road.

But i have another question would that antec 430w really be able to handle a 2400, my xfx dual fan 6870 and 8gb ram? Seems like i'd be cutting it close.

 

[Bran187]

Well im off to work. I will consult you guys one more time before i buy later tonight. Thanks for all of your input.

 

[Raiddinn]

Antec PSUs are capable of going over their specified wattage unlike the vast majority of PSU brands which can't even hit their specified wattage.

In any event, yes it can do a 2400, a 6850, and 8gbs of RAM.

Full system wattage should only approach 300w.

 

[Onus]

If you can spare another $13, I'd probably get the 500W Earthwatts instead. It has two PCIE power cables, so you won't need to use adapters. It will also run in a much more efficient part of its range, and run cooler, so the effects of capacitor aging (accelerated by heat) will be less and the PSU will last longer.

 

[Bran187]

EDIT: Never mind just realized its an open box and im not taking my chances.

 

[jonnyavg]

I would agree with the RAM upgrade, you did pick out a 64bit OS so you will be able to utilize this, Its the cheapest modification i could see with the most impact

Yesss, Minnesota Wild fan! I live in Boston, but my fav player Mikko Koivu plays for the Wild.

 

[Bran187]

Best answer selected by Bran187.

 

[Onus]

Thanks. What did you decide? Good luck with your build.

 

[Bran187]

I actually ended up getting the AMD build. I found a way to get the price down signifigantly (like around 80 bucks)...

so my final build...

Apex Vortex Case
Asus M5a97 mobo
Phenom ii x4 955
XFX 6870 Dual Fan Edition
Hitachi 500gb
Sony DVD Drive
8gb Gskill 2x4gb config
600w Corsair (has 2 pcie power cables for my 6870)
Windows 7 64bit

I got the price down to about 620 before rebates, and it will be about 580 after rebates. That is the ONLY reason i went with the AMD build.

But thanks for all you guys help, i know an i5 would have been more powerfull but im confident this setup will more then meet my gaming needs.

 

[Onus]

Ok, on a tight budget it is still difficult to beat AMD, especially if you want decent mobo features. Have fun with it.