So having entered college with just a netbook last year, I've been itching to get a computer after seeing everyone but me playing starcraft 2. This summer I've finally scrounged up the money and the time to build mine!
This gaming/general use PC should cost around 1500, as I don't have any peripherals included. I live in Illinois and have a Fry's nearby. I don't have any preferences, except toward future-proofing, and I'll only OC when my system isn't getting the job done performance-wise.
Case: Antec P183
MB: GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3
CPU: i5 750
Ram: 4GB G.SKILL Ripjaws
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U2311H (1920*1080)
Video: ATI 5830
HDD : Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB
Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite
Mouse: Already Own
Disk Reader: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA
Power: COOLER MASTER Silent Pro 700W
Headphones:Sennheiser HD555
Reasoning:
This build was influenced heavily by Anandtech's 1700 build two weeks ago.
Case: My case choice was based on how the P183 looked, and not on any airflow/noise determinants. I just like PC doors. ^_^
MB: The motherboard was one of the cheapest 1156 boards I could find that also supported USB 3.0, and it is rated fairly well. The fact that there is no SLI or Crossfire support is moot, as I don't plan on it anytime soon.
CPU: Almost everything I've read tells me to go i5 at this time, and I don't see any reason not to.
RAM: Taken directly out of AT's system buyer's guide article, I've read that there no reason currently to go past 4 GB for gaming and that different timings, in the end, don't have much effect on performance.
Monitor: Dell's got some great deals floating around, and I thought this would be a great time to pick up my first IPS for a decent $240. Don't have much to say here, it's dell and apparently they're known for good monitors.
Video card: Originally I planned on getting a 5770, but after seeing Tom's charts I realized I wanted a bit more performance at 1080p. I also plan on buying another, smaller monitor over the summer so that extra performance can help me read AT's forums while I pwn in TF2.
HDD : I wanted the harddrive with the best dollar per GB ratio, and this one was it. I probably will never use the entire thing, but damn what a great value!
Power Supply: A modular supply is important to me, but after wanting the Corsair TX/HX series, my thinking is that I can shave off a couple dollars by buying this one at the $90 price point.
The particular questions I have are:
1. I have no clue whether or not I should be getting a 5830 or sticking with the 5770. I want the extra performance, but is it too little for $~80? I am going to be getting another monitor later this summer.
2. Dell's got the 23' U2311 for 240 and the 24' ST2410 for 190. I know it's because the U2311 is an e-IPS, so my question is whether or not it's worth it when I'm downgrading by an inch. Keep in mind I'm only going to be gaming/interneting.
3. SSD? I don't really care about load times and all that jazz but I've read so many good things about them. Have they matured enough?
Thanks for responding, I'm planning on biting the bullet this week!
Edit: Oh I already have windows 7, university engineering program ftw!
This gaming/general use PC should cost around 1500, as I don't have any peripherals included. I live in Illinois and have a Fry's nearby. I don't have any preferences, except toward future-proofing, and I'll only OC when my system isn't getting the job done performance-wise.
Case: Antec P183
MB: GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3
CPU: i5 750
Ram: 4GB G.SKILL Ripjaws
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U2311H (1920*1080)
Video: ATI 5830
HDD : Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB
Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite
Mouse: Already Own
Disk Reader: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA
Power: COOLER MASTER Silent Pro 700W
Headphones:Sennheiser HD555
Reasoning:
This build was influenced heavily by Anandtech's 1700 build two weeks ago.
Case: My case choice was based on how the P183 looked, and not on any airflow/noise determinants. I just like PC doors. ^_^
MB: The motherboard was one of the cheapest 1156 boards I could find that also supported USB 3.0, and it is rated fairly well. The fact that there is no SLI or Crossfire support is moot, as I don't plan on it anytime soon.
CPU: Almost everything I've read tells me to go i5 at this time, and I don't see any reason not to.
RAM: Taken directly out of AT's system buyer's guide article, I've read that there no reason currently to go past 4 GB for gaming and that different timings, in the end, don't have much effect on performance.
Monitor: Dell's got some great deals floating around, and I thought this would be a great time to pick up my first IPS for a decent $240. Don't have much to say here, it's dell and apparently they're known for good monitors.
Video card: Originally I planned on getting a 5770, but after seeing Tom's charts I realized I wanted a bit more performance at 1080p. I also plan on buying another, smaller monitor over the summer so that extra performance can help me read AT's forums while I pwn in TF2.
HDD : I wanted the harddrive with the best dollar per GB ratio, and this one was it. I probably will never use the entire thing, but damn what a great value!
Power Supply: A modular supply is important to me, but after wanting the Corsair TX/HX series, my thinking is that I can shave off a couple dollars by buying this one at the $90 price point.
The particular questions I have are:
1. I have no clue whether or not I should be getting a 5830 or sticking with the 5770. I want the extra performance, but is it too little for $~80? I am going to be getting another monitor later this summer.
2. Dell's got the 23' U2311 for 240 and the 24' ST2410 for 190. I know it's because the U2311 is an e-IPS, so my question is whether or not it's worth it when I'm downgrading by an inch. Keep in mind I'm only going to be gaming/interneting.
3. SSD? I don't really care about load times and all that jazz but I've read so many good things about them. Have they matured enough?
Thanks for responding, I'm planning on biting the bullet this week!
Edit: Oh I already have windows 7, university engineering program ftw!
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