Jekkify

First of all, let me say what you offer here is awesome - free tech support. :D

Okay. I've read all of the guides in this section, looked at the pre-configured PCs Linderman was nice enough to post, and browsed a lot of other threads in this directory. However, I'm wondering what you guys will personally think of the system I'm attempting to put together. Here are the questions from TheMatt's sticky:

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Budget: $1000, can go a tad over. But staying under this and including the display that I want is my goal. The money is coming from a summer job, and because I go away to school in the fall, getting another job is not an option.

Brands: The PC I currently have is running an AMD CPU, and I prefer Intel. Other than that, no preferences for components.

Multitasking: I'm still in school, so I will be doing a fair amount of the MS Office Suite, and I've been using Photoshop for years now, so I'll be running CS2 on the new computer.

Gaming: I don't consider myself a real gamer, however, I do play S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Oblivion, Counter-Strike: Source, and other newer titles. So basically, when I want to play games I want to play them, unlike what happens now, which is amazing amounts of lag, and not during online play either.

Calculations: No.

Overclocking: No.

Storage: I would say roughly 500 GB - 1 TB for music, applications, documents, and games.

Legacy Support: No.

Operating System: I am currently running XP, and could continue to do that, although really, I want to run Windows 7 when it comes out on the new computer.

Case: Helping with case selection would be great. I board at school, and although there are no shared rooms, I would like the case to be as quiet as possible without having to buy fans separate from the case. A nice appearance, though not flashy, bright colors aren't bad, but a black is preferred.

Accessories: I can continue to use my current keyboard and mouse.

Recycled Components: I have a pretty expensive Zalman CPU cooler on my current CPU right now that could easily be switched over, but it isn't necessary I reuse it.

Monitor: I looked at monitors on Newegg, and found one that would be perfect for me, it's listed with the components for the computer.

Stores: Not necessarily, although I prefer to buy all if not the majority of parts from one store. I like Newegg's service also.

Location: I live in the USA, Michigan.

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Here are the components I picked out, through a little internet research and the help of the guides here. PLEASE, if you see anything lacking point it out. This is the first time I'm building my own computer.

Power Supply: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...iteria=BA23198 | $141.50

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131386 | $209.99

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202 | $279.99

Videocards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102770 x2 | $189.98

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148261 | $69.99

Hard-Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319 | $79.99

Display/Monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009145 | $179.99

Total: $1146.43 -S&H

All prices are of July 1st, 2009.

One of my problems is this total, without the display it falls around $966.
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Thank you for your help.

Tyree

Go with a single quality graphics card. You will never notice the difference.
Crucial Ballistix RAM can have issues and DDR3 is still struggling.
If you are going to build an i7 (I'm far from sold on that platform) go with a quality RAM. Corsair-G.Skill-OZZ.
Never used Acer LCD's before but I have the one you have listed coming tomorrow.
I prefer Seasonic or Corsair PSU's.

Tumbleweed36

Here is a better power supply for less money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

and, for only ten dollars more, here is one even better, and it is still below the price you have.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139009

Both are cheaper than the one you selected and both are better quality. That 850 listed above is a whole lot better and the 750 as I mentioned is better than the 750 you selected.

Jekkify

What graphics card would you recommend? Something like this? (GTX 280 1 GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130427

Also, I wasn't looking just at i7 configurations, really, anything Intel that can run the games out now, and a fair majority of games in the future as well as handle Adobe Photoshop would be fine.

And tell me how the display is, :D.

Thanks

Awesome. I took the second one you listed, thanks.

Tumbleweed36

My preference is the Samsung monitors over the Acer, but I think both are fine. Too bad you could not move up to a 24" monitor, but if the budget won't permit that, do understand.

Jekkify

I think I need to do more research on the monitors. The Newegg reviews look good for the specific monitor I picked out, but maybe Google is a better place to scour for opinions on it.

linderman

I too am not sold on the actual usability of the i7 platform; games and other applications just plain dont allow the full computing power of those quads to come to bear

why spend $300.00 on a cpu which always is 50% at rest ? when the cheaper E8500 can do just as well

and future ????? dont look for much in the way of major software improvements in the next two years ........by then, the parts you paid top shelf for wont be worth half of what you will pay now.

never spend money on components that cant be fully or near fully appreciated right now!

Jekkify

o.o Linderman. Thank you. Sold on the E8500. Drool. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036

That saved me so much money. Okay, now for a new Mo-bo. Looked @ these:

ASUS P5Q-E - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131296
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128358

Personally, the Gigabyte looks like the better choice to me. What do you think?

linderman

I have been very biased the last few years; I am still an Asus lover and that asus model is a real stable powerhouse, but I am a gigabyte fanboi now and the UD3P is another real workhorse

dont overlook the UD3L either ! I dont favor dual video cards, therfore two video card slots is as useless as !@#$%^&*()_

you will find one high class video card is all the performance you will ever need for the next 18 months / 2 years and maybe longer depending on your needs.........

Jekkify

I looked at the UD3L, but the UD3P looks way better to me out of those two.

Now, as far as the graphics card goes - I need help with this one. I'm not sure what to get at all.

linderman

I have been selling these and havent heard anything other than rave reviews from the owners

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130475

Jekkify

should I bump up to the EVGA 280 for $30 more?

linderman

I dont believe you would "see" $30.00 more in performance; but maybe you would with future game expansions ? (patches / upgrades)


if you are not tight on the budget, go for it !

Jekkify

Alright. Going to re-tally all of the components again. Thanks for your help, will post the results.

Jekkify

Hate to double post, but it wouldn't let me edit the post.

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Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139009 | $139.99

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128358 | $134.99

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036 | $189.99

Graphics Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130475 | $219.99

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122 | $46.99

Hard-Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122 | $74.99

Total: $806.94
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You guys helped me cut down by ~$200. I didn't include the monitor because of right now, I can live with the one I have. However, I still need a new case. XD Going to do more looking around for that. Thanks to all of you.

linderman

cases


Antec 300 or Coolermaster Centurion

Jekkify

I just got sold on this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811103010

linderman

dont overlook the xclio wind tunnel