$1200 Build - Suggestions?

[rowdypixel]

I'm finally in the market for a new PC (yay!), and I'd like to build my first desktop. Here's a quick rundown of what I want from it.

Uses: Development, light gaming, and typical everyday activities.
Budget: $1200.
-----------------------------------------
(Newegg Wishlist Link)

Case
Antec Three Hundred - $70

Power Supply
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W - $105

Motherboard
ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 - $135

Optical Drive
LITE-ON LH-20A1S 20x DVD Burner - $25

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB - $100

Video Card
VisionTek 900241 Radeon HD 4850 512MB - $200

Memory
2x G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $160

Cooling
ZALMAN CNPS9500 - $50
Antec 75001 80mm Case Fan - $8

Processor
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - $200

Operating System
Vista SP1 x64 OEM - $100

Total: $1,196.66 (after adding shipping, a USB hub and some thermal paste)

Stuff I have
Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse, Wireless Card, and Speakers
-----------------------------------------

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions?

 

[tiraides]

For just a bit more, you could purchase the much better Corsair TX750... get it from either Provantage or Buy.com.

May I ask why you're getting 8GB of RAM? In most instances you don't really need more than 4GB.

Consider getting the Samsung SH-S203B instead. It runs much quieter than the Lite-On LH-20A1S.

There are better CPU coolers than the CNPS9500. For around the same cost, you could buy the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 and its retention bracket. (Use NewEgg code HARDOCP6230FS at checkout in order to get free shipping on the bracket.) And you won't need to buy any additional thermal compound with the HDT-S1283.

 

[onedestinazn2]

get the asus 4850 and the asus mobo that is combo'd with it

 

[rowdypixel]

May I ask why you're getting 8GB of RAM? In most instances you don't really need more than 4GB.

Mostly for futureproofing. I'd like to run a few VMs, but this, and getting a Q9450 instead of the Q6600 have been my two biggest problems. I'm just too indecisive.
Thanks for the suggestions. Here's the updated parts list:

Case
Antec Three Hundred - $70

Power Supply
Corsair TX 750W ATX 12V Power Supply - CMPSU-750TX - $100

Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - $135

Optical Drive
Samsung SH-S203B - $30

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB - $100

Video Card
ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB - $200

Memory
2x G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $160

Cooling
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 + retention bracket - $45
Antec 75001 80mm Case Fan - $8

Processor
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - $200

Operating System
Vista SP1 x64 OEM - $100

Total: $1,169 (after adding shipping and a USB hub)

 

[cjvdh]

Stuff looks good man.

Def. go Quad Core.

 

[rowdypixel]

Def. go Quad Core.

I was never going to do anything else. I would only buy a new dual core if I planned on a lot of gaming, and I'm not a very intense (or frequent) gamer.

 

[paulsav]

Looks good so far, but yea for for the quad core.

 

[engiNURD]

Ditch that Antec 80mm case fan... it has no place in your chosen case. The Antec 300 uses 120mm and 140mm fans. Replace the Tri-Cools with Yate Loon medium or low speed 120mm fans from jab-tech.com. If you need the 80mm fan for something else, then get a Yate Loon one instead, again, from jab-tech. The 120mm fans are $5 or less, each, and the 80mm fan is $2 each. Yate Loon fans push more air while being more quiet than the Antec fans.

8GB would be great if you run a bunch of VMs.

 

[rowdypixel]

Ditch that Antec 80mm case fan... it has no place in your chosen case. The Antec 300 uses 120mm and 140mm fans.

...that was stupid of me. Thanks for pointing it out.

8GB would be great if you run a bunch of VMs.

No question about that, I was just unsure if I would be able to squeeze it in.

One other question about 8GB - I've read the overclocking is a bit harder when you have four sticks of RAM. Is this a significant difference, or would I be better off going for the 2x4GB sticks instead?

 

[tiraides]

It's way cheaper to go with 4x2GB sticks.

Overclocking is harder because having all four RAM slots filled increases the stress on the motherboard's MCH. However, how much that affects your overclocking varies from person to person.

 

[rowdypixel]

It's way cheaper to go with 4x2GB sticks.

Overclocking is harder because having all four RAM slots filled increases the stress on the motherboard's MCH. However, how much that affects your overclocking varies from person to person.

If I get it with the instant rebate, it's only a $30 difference. I'll probably go with the 4x2GB though - it fits in my budget better than the 2x4GB sticks.

Here's my complete parts list.

Case
Antec Three Hundred - $70

Power Supply
Corsair TX 750W ATX 12V Power Supply - CMPSU-750TX - $100

Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - $135

Optical Drive
Samsung SH-S203B - $30

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB - $100

Video Card
ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB - $200

Memory
2x G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $160

Cooling
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 + retention bracket - $45
Yate Loon 140mm Case Fan - D14SM-12 - $7
YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SM-12 - $4

Processor
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - $200

Operating System
Vista SP1 x64 OEM - $100

Total: $1,177 (after adding shipping and a USB hub)

 

[tiraides]

Get the 4GB CL5 kit instead.

Use the NewEgg promotion code HARDOCP6230FS at check-out to get free shipping on the Xigmatek mounting bracket.

 

[engiNURD]

btw, i think that code is for the HSF, not the mounting bracket.

 

[rowdypixel]

Get the 4GB CL5 kit instead

Thanks. With that addition, here's the latest revision.

Case
Antec Three Hundred - $70

Power Supply
Corsair TX 750W ATX 12V Power Supply - CMPSU-750TX - $100

Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - $135

Optical Drive
Samsung SH-S203B - $30

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB - $100

Video Card
ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB - $200

Memory
2x G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $170

Cooling
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 + retention bracket - $45
Yate Loon 140mm Case Fan - D14SM-12 - $7
YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SM-12 - $4

Processor
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - $200

Operating System
Vista SP1 x64 OEM - $100

Total: $1,167 (the reason price went down this time is that I found a USB hub lying around, so that is out of the total)

If this build looks good, I just need to wait for my next paycheck to come in so I can actually afford this beast.

 

[engiNURD]

Looks good.

If this build looks good, I just need to wait for my next paycheck to come in so I can actually afford this beast.

CC FTW!

 

[vick1000]

Very close to my new build...

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1319344

 

[rowdypixel]

CC FTW!

ARRRRGH! You're not helping with the wait!

Very close to my new build...

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1319344

I see you are a man of excellent taste.