Summer Build: Need your suggestions!

Cheez

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Sep 23, 2007
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Well I finally decided to build myself a desktop after using the laptop for so many years. I was going to keep my budget at $1000, but decided to go with $1500. Too bad I don't have a microcenter nearby, those prices are incredible. You guys are lucky... plus the timing of my purchases aren't the greatest as the prices seems to be the same from 2009! :(

Since I donated my last desktop, I have to purchase everything including a monitor. Anyway I liked the motherboard Reflex suggested so I started there... and this is the list I came up with.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////
CPU: Intel i5 750
CPU Cooler: Prolimatech Megahalems
Motherboard: Msi P55 GD65
RAM: Corsair XMS3 4GB
HD: Samsung Spinpoint 1TB 7200RPM
DVD: Sony Nec Optiarc (Dual Layer RW/Lightscribe)
GPU: Asus DirectCU Ati HD5850
PSU: Antec Truepower 750W Blue
Case: Antec 300
Fans: 110CFM Sycthe Kaze Jyuni 120mm (1)/ 90CFM Coolermaster 120mm (3)
Network: D-link Wireless PCIe adapter
Monitor: B2230 Samsung 22''
///////////////////////////////////////////////////
Total: $1440 including Shipping w/ eGO Mall

[Edit: Updated May 21,2010]
 
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If you want a really nice case by Antec, I would recommend the P183, and yes, the 650TX is powerful enough for your build. The P183 has I believe 3 or 4 120mm fan slots, but I would still switch them out.
And as per the overclocking, a 4GHz is possible, but not guaranteed. You'd just need to read up on some guides, and you should be fine.
Any other questions will be answered if asked.
 
1. I have that ram, great stuff, runs well. Timings are a little loose, but hey it was cheap.

2. Good choice of Radeon. ASUS is good, because it has voltage control. VC=more OC.

3. For that budget I seriously suggest a Phenom X6. Call me a fanboy, but many benchmarks show it beating the i7 860

4. If you do go i7 1156, i suggest getting this Xeon:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117225&cm_re=xeon-_-19-117-225-_-Product

It is just a higher binned i5 750 with hyperthreading. Not only do you save money, but you get a chip that will run cooler and clock higher.

5. For PSU i would get this Seasonic unit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7151095&cm_re=seasonic-_-17-151-095-_-Product

Better than either of the corsairs you listed, and it is modular. It will easily run the stuff you have.


Hope that gives you some insight
 
The ~$1300 is the budget of the whole thing including the monitor. The reason for picking antec 300 was to keep the cost down, but if I can cut costs somewhere like the processor I can probably look into the p183.


Am I seeing this right? It seems like the X3440 is an i7, but with the cheaper price tag?
If this is overclockable to 4ghz using minimal voltage with hyperthreading ... why wasn't this compared against the i7s?

Intel confuses me.


ps. Reflex you get 80 internets. lol nice link.
 
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Yes the X3440 is a beast of a chip, i don't know why people buy i5/7 when it exists. The X3440 is very overclockable. Since it is a server processor, it is designed to run cool, and use less power. To do that, they make them with only the best of the chips they have.

Thanks, i like that link too.
 
Hey guys any advice on hard drives?

I want to partition Win 7 / Linux on a single drive. Or is it better to have a master and slave configuration?

I'm so behind technology, I was shocked when I saw the raid clip connectors. I'm too used to the IDE cable connectors. Then there is those SSD drives I heard about.


Oh and do you guys buy fan filters or make your own? I saw someone posting a pic of their rig using dryer sheets. I laughed at it, but if its effective... then sweet.
 
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Finalizing...

Alright I finally got my list with your suggestions...

CPU: Intel X3440 ($240)
CPU Cooler: Prolimatech Megahalems ($65)
Motherboard: Msi P55 GD65 ($150)
RAM: Corsair XMS3 4GB ($120)
HD: Samsung Spinpoint 1TB 7200RPM ($90)
DVD: Sony Nec ($30)
GPU: Asus Ati 5850 ($320)
PSU: Corsair 650HX ($130)
Case: Antec 300 ($55)
Fans: 1x 110CFM Sycthe 120mm/ 3 x 90CFM Coolermaster 120mm ($34)
Network: D-link Wireless PCIe adapter ($45)
Monitor: Samsung 22'' ($170)
------------------------------------------------------
Total: ~ $1440

I decided I liked the Antec 300, its a budget case with good air-flow (5 Fans total) and it doesn't look like its worth stealing. Two 90CFM fans at Front and one 90CFM fan at Rear. Then the stock 140mm at top and stock 120mm for the side.

The price actually came out lower, but I decided to get a modular PSU and wireless adapter which gave me $1440. Its a lot more than I was planning on, but the cost also comes from those overclock requirements...

So basically I'm paying $1440 for a potential...
4Ghz Quadcore w/ hyperthreading and an overclocked 5850 video card.


Not sure if its worth it, what do you guys think?
 
With megas, there is a good chance you will get at least 3.8GHz.

That PSU is ok, at least it is modular, but as i noted earlier, the Seasonic unit is a better choice.
 
yeah i was gonna suggest the X6 amd's im kind of an amd fan boy but when i WAS gonna build a new desktop i was looking into i7's but idk id give em a shot
 
Alright I finally got my list with your suggestions...

CPU: Intel X3440 ($240)
CPU Cooler: Prolimatech Megahalems ($65)
Motherboard: Msi P55 GD65 ($150)
RAM: Corsair XMS3 4GB ($120)
HD: Samsung Spinpoint 1TB 7200RPM ($90)
DVD: Sony Nec ($30)
GPU: Asus Ati 5850 ($320)
PSU: Corsair 650HX ($130)
Case: Antec 300 ($55)
Fans: 1x 110CFM Sycthe 120mm/ 3 x 90CFM Coolermaster 120mm ($34)
Network: D-link Wireless PCIe adapter ($45)
Monitor: Samsung 22'' ($170)
------------------------------------------------------
Total: ~ $1440

I decided I liked the Antec 300, its a budget case with good air-flow (5 Fans total) and it doesn't look like its worth stealing. Two 90CFM fans at Front and one 90CFM fan at Rear. Then the stock 140mm at top and stock 120mm for the side.

The price actually came out lower, but I decided to get a modular PSU and wireless adapter which gave me $1440. Its a lot more than I was planning on, but the cost also comes from those overclock requirements...

So basically I'm paying $1440 for a potential...
4Ghz Quadcore w/ hyperthreading and an overclocked 5850 video card.


Not sure if its worth it, what do you guys think?

Protip: move the above parts to your 1st post.
 
AMD x6 came out...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849
the not-black edition is only $200 ;)
possible mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128427

I really like what you have chosen so far, but it's your future rig :D


Yeah... I would save so much with an AMD setup... that is very true. Dang... you know if Intel just lowered their prices, I wouldn't even have to hesitate about this. I don't use too many multi-threaded apps to make me want a hexa-core, but that $200 price tag... :drool:

I have to think about this.

Anyone know which would be better for BFBC2? (AMD Hexs/Intel Quads) I heard the game makes most uses of available cores.
 

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