Suggestions on Building a PC

[muskie32]

Hi everybody,
I am rather new to building a pc. I am looking at building my first one.
So here is a list of components i have looked at:

CPU
Case
HDD
CPU Fan
Video Card
Mobo
Windows 7 OS
Optical Drive
RAM




1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
High Def. Video Editing, Photoshop CS5, And bridge, Light gaming (But i still want it to be game ready)

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$800-$1100
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

none


5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

None

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I will probably not do over clocking (but i still want it OC ready!)

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
n/a (but i want it to be ready for a high setting)

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
1-2 months from now

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.
Ok :sneaky:



Another Question is:
What about water cooling? Is it worth it?
Will i need more RAM? Like 8-12 GB? Will it improve the speed by alot?
Better Video card?
Different CPU? Intel of AMD? Is i7 Worth it?

Thanks for all your help

-Isaac

 

[muskie32]

Oh and another thing is i was thinking of getting a SSD just for applications/programs
What is better one of those Raptor drives by WD or a SSD?

 

[fffblackmage]

Another Question is:
What about water cooling? Is it worth it?

Depends if you think it's worth it. Pros include better temps for better OCing and quieter. Cons include regular maintenance and risk of leaks. I suppose if you have to ask, it's not worth it.

Will i need more RAM? Like 8-12 GB? Will it improve the speed by alot?

I think 4GB is enough. More doesn't make the system any faster, if you're not actually utilizing it.

Better Video card?

Depends. You didn't mention what resolution you'll be gaming at. For 1080p though, the 5770 is adequate in most cases.

Different CPU? Intel of AMD? Is i7 Worth it?

The PhII X4 955 you linked is $150 and the mobo you chose is about $130. Alternatively, the i5-760 is $170 at microcenter and a P55 mobo with USB3 and SATA3 can be as low as $125 on newegg. I'd go with the Intel cpu in this case.[/QUOTE]

Oh and another thing is i was thinking of getting a SSD just for applications/programs
What is better one of those Raptor drives by WD or a SSD?

An SSD is way better. There's a tradeoff though. For the same price, the SSD is faster, but you could get more capacity with the raptor.

I found that 60GB is enough space for me to install my OS plus all my programs, excluding any games. Games and anything else goes into a normal HDD.


Hmm.... you're missing a power supply...

I'm also not a big fan of the Antec 600. The 300 Illusion is $5 cheaper with FS and looks a lot nicer. Up to you though.

 

[betasub]

You may get responses more quickly if you type out part names, rather than forcing helpful ATFers to chase down links to newegg (possibly affecting dynamic pricing?).

 

[mfenn]

You may get responses more quickly if you type out part names, rather than forcing helpful ATFers to chase down links to newegg (possibly affecting dynamic pricing?).

:thumbsup:

 

[mfenn]

That mobo is way too expensive for your needs. The M4A87TD/USB3 can be had in a combo with the 955.

The RAM is also a bit overpriced. This G.Skill is cheaper and just as good.

 

[muskie32]

Thanks for your help everyone

oh and yes i guess i did miss the PSU.

What is a good one?

And @ betasub:
I wanted to get a case with a side window.. idk it looks cool
But whatever is better i guess..?

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for your help everyone

oh and yes i guess i did miss the PSU.

What is a good one?

And @ betasub:
I wanted to get a case with a side window.. idk it looks cool
But whatever is better i guess..?

Since you're going for a 5770, the 430CX ($40 AR) will be all the power that you need.

 

[muskie32]

Since you're going for a 5770, the 430CX ($40 AR) will be all the power that you need.

But,
If i wanted to crossfire or get more HDD's would it be enough?

I was thinking a 650 or 750W PSU...

And what about this case the 'COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Black'

Also,
i think i have narrowed the posible video cards down to these 3.
SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750

XFX HD-577X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770

HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT)

What is the best one? Or are none the best one for the price? If so what is? my price range on a video card is $0-$145

Thanks
-Isaac

 

[MisterDonut]

I'd shell out a little more for the GTX460 since you can still fit it in your budget. With the cheaper 955 + mobo combo and a cheaper RAM kit, you can squeeze out enough to still fit your budget. As for the PSU, I don't know if you can still find the Corsair TX650 for $52 AR...

 

[muskie32]

I'd shell out a little more for the GTX460

what GTX460 would you get
And with a card like that is it overkill at all? :$

 

[mfenn]

Modern HDD's actually draw very little power. More would not stress a 430CX at all.

Another 5770 might. Mid-range Crossfire is a dumb idea though, so I wouldn't even consider it. A 650W+ PSU would not be doing you any favors in that build. The efficiency would be in the toilet because you would be running at such a low load percentage.

 

[muskie32]

Modern HDD's actually draw very little power. More would not stress a 430CX at all.

Another 5770 might. Mid-range Crossfire is a dumb idea though, so I wouldn't even consider it. A 650W+ PSU would not be doing you any favors in that build. The efficiency would be in the toilet because you would be running at such a low load percentage.

So would a 500-550W be enough for OC'ing and add ons

 

[mfenn]

So would a 500-550W be enough for OC'ing and add ons

Yes

 

[muskie32]

Ok Thanks!

 

[muskie32]

What is more important. a six core processor? (AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Thuban 2.8GHz)
And 8 GB's of RAM

Or a better video card?
Such as...
Galaxy 60XGH6HS3HML GeForce GTX 460
Palit NE5X460SF1102 GeForce GTX 460
MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5/OC GeForce GTX 460
ZOTAC AMP! ZT-40403-10P GeForce GTX 460

And for video cards like these what size PSu would i need..?
500W, 550W, 600W, ect...

Thanks for all your Help!
-Isaac

 

[ronopp]

I own the 932 case......you will never need a new one as you can put everything including the kitchen sink in it!!!

 

[mfenn]

What is more important. a six core processor? (AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Thuban 2.8GHz)
And 8 GB's of RAM

Or a better video card?
Such as...
Galaxy 60XGH6HS3HML GeForce GTX 460
Palit NE5X460SF1102 GeForce GTX 460
MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5/OC GeForce GTX 460
ZOTAC AMP! ZT-40403-10P GeForce GTX 460

And for video cards like these what size PSu would i need..?
500W, 550W, 600W, ect...

Thanks for all your Help!
-Isaac

Completely depends. For light gaming, the 5770 is more than enough.

If you're working with big files and regularly run out of memory, going to 8GB is more important. If you don't then the 6-core will be better.

 

[muskie32]

Completely depends. For light gaming, the 5770 is more than enough.

If you're working with big files and regularly run out of memory, going to 8GB is more important. If you don't then the 6-core will be better.

Oh,
i ment the 6 core and the 8 gigs for ram together instead for a better video card

 

[Sp12]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.482997

Epic combo deal. Free game+20$ off a 1055t?

 

[mfenn]

Oh,
i ment the 6 core and the 8 gigs for ram together instead for a better video card

Well, in that case I would go with the CPU+RAM considering that productivity is your focus.

 

[muskie32]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.482997

Epic combo deal. Free game+20$ off a 1055t?

That is Epic

 

[muskie32]

Which of there mobo/cpu combos are the best?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.500630

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.500626

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.509800

Or Should i get this combo and buy a separate mobo?

Such as ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 AMD Motherboard


Thanks again...

-Isaac

 

[fffblackmage]

Which of there mobo/cpu combos are the best?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.500630

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.500626

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.509800

Or Should i get this combo and buy a separate mobo?

Such as ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 AMD Motherboard


Thanks again...

-Isaac

I would stick with AMD chipsets instead of considering nVidia's chipsets. The 890GX/870 is newer and has SATA3 and USB3. I'd probably go with the 870.

 

[muskie32]

Ok,
After going over countless components i think i have it narrowed down to this:


$100 mobo (ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 AMD Motherboard)

Or this mobo GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard



$177 CPU (AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Thuban 2.8GHz)

$75 Case

$159 RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)

$64 1 TB HDD HITACHI Deskstar

$139 SSD Choice # 1 Choice #2 Kingston SSDNow V Series or OCZ Agility 2

$30 CPU cooler Cooler Master RR-B10-212P-G1 Hyper 212 Plus


$139 HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770

$139 Windows 7 PRO 64 Bit System Builder 1pk
$3 Arctic Silver Compound

$30 Tool Kit Belkin 36-Piece Demagnatized Computer Tool Kit

$20 Optical Drive SATA DVD Burner - Bulk LightScribe Support - OEM

$79 OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply (I will find a use for the video card somewhere... i just thought it was a good deal.. )

The total cost comes to about $985.00 + shipping.

*1. Are all the components compatible?
*2. are they a a good deal? Are there better deals?
*3. Will this be a good system for Heavy use in Photoshop CS5, Lightroom2, HD-video editing, and some gaming?


Thanks for all your help!
-Isaac
:whiste::whiste::whiste: