[Solved] 1st build and builder advice needed

Hey all.

I'm asking advice for a first build and secondly for your thoughts related to training my 13 year old son to understand how computers work (he'll be doing the build with a friend's help).

I need everything btw.

First, I need a computer that will allow prosumer level video editing (though I'm just now starting out with Vegas Platinum 9 with this computer). Hdmi and firewire connections needed. My son would like a good gaming machine; I game a little too.

Second, my 13 yr old son will go through the build with my friend Joe. Joe's proficient at building computers, but I'm not sure if he's really up on the latest tech. The objective for my son is long term- he will be learning computers from the ground up (with hands on of course). He believes that he'll go to a tech college someday; so I'm giving him a chance to build away. He'll eventually want to build quite a system over time (but within a reasonable budget). The requirements are that he learns how things work.

I'm open to any ideas to accomplish my goals.

Budget is $1200-1400.

Thanks.

Ps Can I start with an inexpensive monitor?

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Doesnt really require understanding how computers work to assemble one. Experience with complicated Lego sets is probably of greater value.

Techmos builds by usage thread is probably a good thing to start having your son read, then make him suggest and justify each part he thinks he needs.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] w=0&nojs=0

Reply to dndhatcher

Best answer

Here's a build to get the ideas going:

Intel Core i7 860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115214

ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131405

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273249 $434.98 (CPU + motherboard combo)

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116754

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.276553 $143.94 (Case + OS combo)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] %207%204gb $89.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 $54.99

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151192 $25.99

Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371025

SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102858

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.274500 $234.94 - $20.00 MIR (PSU + GPU combo)

ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236049 $219.99

Total - $1,204.82 - $20.00 MIR

A HD5850 GPU would make a great addition if you can find one in stock long enough to buy it.

Reply to shortstuff_mt

^+1. I also just came across this extremely helpful thread by jbakerlent:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] s#t2008815

It's honestly the most amazing guide I've ever seen! STICKY!

Reply to jbl91

Man. THanks for all the links; I'll spend some time looking these over.

I like the 870 til I saw the price.

jp

Reply to jproaster

Make sure to report back and let us know how your son handled his first build!

Reply to AtomicDumpling

If I'm not mistaken, an i5 build would be cheaper than an 860 or 920. That being the case, I could put more money toward a better monitor. I could also do another rebuild with my son in a couple years; probably sell this build.

Does this make sense given that I need video editing and want pretty stellar gaming?

Thanks.

Like the jeep btw; mine is a modded 87yj.

Just found Proximon's Guide. Very awesome.

Message edited by jproaster on 11-01-2009 at 03:12:17 AM

Reply to jproaster

I think video editing will make use of hyperthreading. The advantage of the 860 and 920 over the i5 is hyperthreading. Each core on an 860 or 920 will run dual threads (4 cores/8 threads), the i5 does not hyperthread (4 cores/4 threads). For gaming there isnt often a difference, but video editing might make it worth the $70 extra for the hyperthreaded CPU.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to dndhatcher

dndhatcher wrote :

I think video editing will make use of hyperthreading. The advantage of the 860 and 920 over the i5 is hyperthreading. Each core on an 860 or 920 will run dual threads (4 cores/8 threads), the i5 does not hyperthread (4 cores/4 threads). For gaming there isnt often a difference, but video editing might make it worth the $70 extra for the hyperthreaded CPU.

+1

That's the exact reason I chose the 860 for this particular build. I always recommend the 750 for a gaming computer, but the 860 does help with video editing and other multi-threaded tasks. It's the better choice for this build IMO.

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Thanks guys for the input. I've been reading a lot more and I think I'm interested in the 920; am I right that the 920 can set my son up for for upgrades til college? - he's in 8th grade now.

If this is correct in your opinion, please help me build a computer with a mobo under $300 and the parts to stay under $1500. I'll find a cheap monitor, keyboard and mouse to get us started. I still need the firewire and hdmi for video related issues. My son will want to game strongly on a 20" + monitor (purchase later).

I've become more enthusiastic for our build after reading many guides and explanations of how computers work.

We're ready to purchase within the week I believe. My son's paying half btw. So you know he's serious.

Thanks,
john

I'm still open to the 860 though.

Reply to jproaster

We'll have to tread lightly to avoid this becoming another i7 920 vs. i7 860 thread. I, personally, prefer the 860 since it has a higher speed and more aggressive Turbo settings. The P55 chipset isn't going anywhere anytime soon, so it will be fine for upgrades for quite a while. If you still want to go with the i7 920, that's fine. Here's some suggestions for a motherboard and RAM for an LGA 1366 build:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.273296 $503.98 (i7 920 + ASUS P6T combo)

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 998659 - Retail $139.99

You can use those with the rest of the build I suggested above.

Reply to shortstuff_mt

CPU: i7 920

Motherboard: ASRock x58 Extreme
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157163

RAM: GSkill CAS7 timing DDR3-1333 (3x2GB) kit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231230

Case: Antec 300 illusion (has front fans included, the black model does not)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129066

other than those use shortstuffs build - including the note about the 5850 instead of the 5770 if possible.

*edit - shortstuff posted under me again. im too slow... :pfff:

Message edited by dndhatcher on 11-03-2009 at 12:25:28 AM

Reply to dndhatcher

I like that the mobo is not too expensive; but is this "the" board to last the next 4-5 years?

I guess that I'm having trouble identifying why one board is better than another. I've got the socket and chipset somewhat down. But why does a board cost $139 and the next $339?

Thanks for any input and I don't mind if someone can show me a link or something.

John

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to jproaster

jproaster wrote :

But why does a board cost $139 and the next $339?

Thanks for any input and I don't mind if someone can show me a link or something.

John

john im not tech-savvy like the rest of these fellas, i have just finished building my first computer though.. this AsRock x58 extreme motherboard is well worth the price. "AsRock" is actually a subsidary of "ASUS", who is the leader in motherboard construction by far.. it's kind of like the lower-end consumer target group.. probably made with somewhat cheaper capacitors, etc.. but just to back it up because not many people get to see this AsRock extreme board,

but mine works great. simple to use, very upgradable for sure. 6sata hookups for the future means your kid's going to have RAID configuration at his disposal, 24GB DDR3 RAM? definitley enough for the future! room for QUAD vga setups? heatsinks arent very intrusive on the cpu cooler, awesome features man really a cool board, beautiful, made me want to build my second one right away..

maybe very very many paychecks later!

Reply to lumpsums

Thanks for the word on the board. Now to get the final list worked out.

john

Reply to jproaster

The ASRock extreme got good reviews here at Toms and other places. It is the least expensive of the good x58 motherboards.

Reply to dndhatcher

Where from here:

Intel Core i7-920 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor

ASRock X58 Extreme ATX Intel Motherboard
(how is this mobo compared to shortstuff suggestion above)

Antec Nine Hundred Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
(has firewire in front)

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply

Sony Optiarc DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
(not in stock- Newegg)

Thoughts and suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to jproaster

jproaster wrote :

Where from here:
<stuff>

Assemble then post pics with rant about how good it is. :wahoo:

Message edited by dndhatcher on 11-04-2009 at 02:42:40 AM

Reply to dndhatcher

jproaster wrote :

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

You do NOT want to get a 32-bit OS with your system. You would have about half of your 6GB available if you use a 32-bit OS. This is the one you want:

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

Here's a combo with that OS and the Antec 900 that will save you $20:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.282580

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Ooh. Ooh. You saved me big time man.

Thank you mr shortstuff.

And may all your jeep rides be filled raucous laughter and thrills

Reply to jproaster

LOL

No problem. Good luck with the build!

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - [Solved] 1st build and builder advice needed