Tom's Guide > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > First build - $1300, buying Friday, any last suggestions?

First build - $1300, buying Friday, any last suggestions?

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - First build - $1300, buying Friday, any last suggestions?

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m0o   07-23-2008 at 07:26:22 PM

Hey,

So this is going to by my first build, for gaming and school work. I don't plan on doing crossfire, but i do plan on overclocking. Also, I have a 22" monitor. I will be buying Friday, does anybody have any last min suggestions?

Case: Coolermaster RC-690 - $60
http://www.provantage.com/cooler-r [...] OOL023.htm

CPU: Intel Q9450 - $330
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115042

Cooler: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 - $37 - $27 after mail-in
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

Retention Bracket - $7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233019

Motherboard: ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131295

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100243L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - $285
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102748

PSU: OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V - Retail - $115 - $80 after mail-in
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341002

RAM: OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - $98 - $63 after mail-in
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227267

HardDrive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218

CDROM: LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM - $27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136144

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM -$110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488

Total: $1289
After mail-in rebates: $1209

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fub4r69   07-23-2008 at 08:06:00 PM
- 0 +

It looks really nice.
I think this will turn out a very nice build. Good Luck.

Reply to fub4r69
z999   07-23-2008 at 08:17:18 PM
- 0 +

actually pretty good. I didn't think u could stick all these things on such a tight budget. but if you plan on overclocking I would recommend, add a couple of dollars for a P5Q PRO or P5Q-E.

Reply to z999
thepowerofdonuts   07-23-2008 at 08:19:26 PM
- 0 +

I have a few suggestions.
1: go with the Asus 4850. It's cheaper after rebate.
2: switch to a samsung 22x burner /w lightscribe for sata instead of IDE
3:Corsair has a single rail, 80+ certified, 750W psu for $100 after rebate, or a 650W for $80 after rebate. I'd reccomend those instead of a multi-12v rail psu.
4: The OCZ Reaper has more relaxed timing than some other ram out there. Look for ram with 4-4-4-12 timing. You can find some at around the same price by Mushkin or Corsair I think.

Reply to thepowerofdonuts
m0o   07-24-2008 at 05:45:27 AM
- 0 +

I think you meant 4870, but i switched to powercolor, same rebate, but comes with GRID, better than the game ASUS comes with. Also, i just noticed MSI has an OC version out, think its worth getting it for only a couple bucks more?

I switched the PSU to the: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail $110 - $80 after mail-in

Switched the burner to: SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM - $27

Switched the Ram to: CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX - Retail - $105 - $75 after mailin

Reply to m0o
m0o   07-24-2008 at 05:50:59 AM
- 0 +

Also, i switched the mobo to:ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $150

Reply to m0o
thepowerofdonuts   07-24-2008 at 05:59:24 AM
- 0 +

Are you sure you don't want to upgrade to the 22X dvd burner. It's sata, by Samsung, has a lightscribe, and it's only $1 more. Also, if you switched the mobo because you see yourself upgrading to two 4870's, you might consider upgrading to the 750W Corsair PSU. It's only $20 more. Just be aware that crossfire with that mobo gives you only PCIe X8 for each slot.

Reply to thepowerofdonuts
m0o   07-24-2008 at 02:34:34 PM
- 0 +

good call, ill switch the burner, and i don't plan to crossfire, z999 recommended the pq5 pro as better for overclocking, anyone else agree?

Reply to m0o
theLaminator   07-24-2008 at 06:23:35 PM
- 0 +

Well I have an ASUS Rampage Formula board that I love and it overclocks great but since you don't plan on ever going cross fire you probably shouldn't even consider it

Reply to theLaminator
m0o   07-24-2008 at 10:07:09 PM
- 0 +

anybody think i should get the OC version of the 4870? only $10 more after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127358

Reply to m0o
theLaminator   07-25-2008 at 02:41:29 PM
- 0 +

i have a factor oc 3870 and its not bad at all, might as well if thats the only difference

Reply to theLaminator
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