New Build - Need Some Assistance

[theLION]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Basic tasks such as web surfing, email, working with MS Office. Will also be used for listening to mp3s and watching videos. Some gaming and video editing will be had although nothing hardcore.

2. What YOUR budget is.
$600-$720

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
No preference - whatever get's the job done.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
DVD Burner
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
No overclocking.

8. What resolution will you be using?
1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Anytime now.

X. Do you need to purchase any software?
None

I haven't kept up with computer hardware in a while and I need a new computer now. The ones I have now are really old and dying - it's time for a new build.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Ken g6]

"Some gaming will be had" - what games, at what quality? That's about all you need discrete video for, so that determines a lot of your build.

 

[theLION]

"Some gaming will be had" - what games, at what quality? That's about all you need discrete video for, so that determines a lot of your build.

Sorry, didn't think about those details. The games I've played lately are Team Fortress 2 and Microsoft Flight. I usually always try to play with the highest quality my video card allows.

I guess for additional info in regards to video editing, I use Sony Vegas 9.

Hope this helps.

 

[Puppies04]

Sorry, didn't think about those details. The games I've played lately are Team Fortress 2 and Microsoft Flight. I usually always try to play with the highest quality my video card allows.

I guess for additional info in regards to video editing, I use Sony Vegas 9.

Hope this helps.

As you are asking for advice about potentially buying a new video card the bolded part of your quote could do with a little clarification. Do you expect/want to play with all settings turned up to 11 @1080p or will you be happy with medium/low settings. This will make a big difference to your build especially with a budget like yours.

 

[lehtv]

Also, what do you consider playable minimum fps?

 

[Ken g6]

Here's an outline of a build:

CPU: I3-2120 $125
Mobo: ASRock B75M $60
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 8GB $34 AP, ends today!
GPU: Gigabyte 7850 2GB $210 AR
SSD : Crucial M4 128GB $102
HDD : 2TB Seagate 7200RPM $120
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 $40
Total: $691

That video card may be excessive. I don't know since you didn't answer the questions above.

Vegas 9 can't be accelerated by any video card. If you were using it more I'd look for a faster CPU. Vegas 11 supports about all of them, but appears to cost more than this video card.

 

[mfenn]

Nice build Ken. :thumbsup: Given the way the OP's responses are going, it might turn out that he'd be better off with an i5-3450 and a GTX 560 for about the same overall expenditure.

 

[theLION]

As far as gaming, medium/low setting is fine - I definitely don't mind. As for playable minimum fps, I would say 30fps.

 

[lehtv]

With your requirements you could back down to a HD7770 for half the cost

 

[mfenn]

With your requirements you could back down to a HD7770 for half the cost

The least expensive 7770 that I saw was $110 AR. I dunno if that is worth it when compared with a ~$130 GTX 560.

 

[lehtv]

Yeah, GTX 560 is probably the better deal.

Let's see what performance/$ we get before and after rebate:

Performance
First, 560 is the 0.9 * 560 Ti
560 Ti = 7770 * 1.42
560 = 7770 * 1.42 * 0.9 = 7770 * 1.28

Price
MSI 7770 = $125 ($110 AR)
EVGA 560 SC = $160 ($130 AR) = 7770 * 1.28 (7770 * 1.18 AR)

Same performance per cost before rebate.
Better performance per cost after rebate.
7770 consumes less power and requires only one 6-pin connector.