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<$1500 Build

bbranigin

Weaksauce
Joined
Jan 22, 2009
Messages
110
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
all of the above? my user habbits are variable to say the least but mostly photoshop and hd movie watching and hopefully gaming as time permits
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
<1500
3) Where do you live?
Nevada
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
cpu,gpu,ram,case,hdd,disk drive,psu,mobo
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
peripherals mostly (filco blue click keyboard, g5 mouse, my precious 2490wuxi, bx5a reference speakers, ibasso d10 amp+shure srh840's (not relavent but I like to show off :p)
6) Will you be overclocking?
if I feel like it? i might if I get bored
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
already own a 2490wuxi by nec
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
next 2 months
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
firewire would be nice and crossfire in the future
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
msdnaa win7 x64 free4me

Going to be used for various things mainly just looking to make sure the components are actually compatible and balanced (I've been out of the desktop scene for about 5 years)

Mainly concerned as to whether the motherboard is too much...
I know I don't have a soundcard, going to be using an ibasso d10 via USB

Tips and Alternatives for <$1500 are appreciated

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0Bx-thUEHiFEdOGE0MzJmMDYtZjA5NC00MDkxLTlmYWMtNTVhOTkwMGUxNGRk&hl=en

*just saw post requirements with questions to answer, adding now so don't delete please :p
 
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Definitely get the G.Skill RAM over the A-Data RAM since the max voltage of the A-Data RAM is at 1.75V, which exceeds the max RAM voltage for Core i series CPUs. The G.Skill has a max voltage of 1.5V so it would be safer to use in your system than the A-Data.

Motherboard wise, spending more than $160 on a P55 mobo is not that smart of an idea IMO since it cuts into the price range of the better X58 motherboards. In addition, it defeats the purpose of the entire platform: to be a mainstreamed priced platform. So in other words, that mobo is overkill and over priced for the platform IMO. With that mobo and CPU in your list, you're only $55 away from the following setup:
$485 - Intel Core i7-930 CPU + Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R X58 ATX Motherboard Combo

RAM wise, while 4GB of RAM will work, the optimal setup for a Coer i7/X58 route is in triples:
$170 - G.Skill F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ 3 x 2GB DDR3 1600 RAM

That should still be within your $1500 budget but now you have a better system for Photoshop work due to the extra RAM and you now have full x16/x16 Crossfire.
 
Ok. Now will you actually be burning Blu-ray discs?

Oh and I see that you upgraded to the 80GB SSD. Nice :)
 
hehe, probably not going to be burning but for 15 USD more I get burning and better access time so :p

And yeah, noticed the speed differences and it was in budget - I want this pc up and playing pac-man in < 2 seconds :p
 
Sweet, added a mini PCIe wireless card. Will be ordering as soon as Newegg refunds my original i5 rig which I promptly cancelled thanks to the i7 deal. Thanks for all the input guys! (If you have suggestions or a new deal pops up before Wednesday let me know :)

Also, anyone looking for a used gaming notebook should check the fs/ft forum :p
 
parts are stuck in a shipping crate 10 miles away - delivery monday...they won't let me pick up at the facility :(
 
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