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$800-$1000 Build

T

timg1281

n00b
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Messages
12
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Photoshop, web development, media streaming to PS3/Xbox, web browsing, light gaming (nothing FPS for the most part), possibly some video editing one day although I'm not 100% sure on that point.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Around $800 - $1000 although I'd prefer to spend less (tax/shipping excluded). I can go a little above budget as well if there is a good reason.

3) Where do you live?
Western NY


4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.

CPU
Motherboard
RAM
Case
Video Card
Monitors (would like dual monitor setup)
Optical Drive
Hard Drive
Power Supply

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Keyboard and mouse

6) Will you be overclocking?
No

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
20" - 24" LCD. Currently have a 19" CRT so something slightly bigger is all I'm looking for at a reasonable price.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Next month or two.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.
Nothing in particular.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I do not. Looking to install Win 7.


I ran across this setup (http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1036607204&postcount=3) but thought it might be overkill for my needs as I primarily do my gaming on consoles. I'd also like the PC to run fairly quiet.. my current one (built around 6 years ago) sounds like a jet engine.
 
timg1281 said:
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
20" - 24" LCD. Currently have a 19" CRT so something slightly bigger is all I'm looking for at a reasonable price.
Click to expand...
What resolution do you run that 19 inch CRT at? 1280x1024? 1600x1200?.

When you say bigger do you mean in terms of size, resolution or both? nearly all economical LCDs are 1920x1080 so if you are used to 1600x1200 you will be losing vertical resolution for horizontal resoloution (you will be gaining total pixels but only marginally and a wider monitor means more space wasted on title bars etc).
 
I run the 19" at 1280x1024. Looks like my 2 LCDs at work run at that same res. (pair of 19" Samsung SyncMaster 191T's)

In terms of bigger, I was thinking size for the most part. Although I'd go for a better quality 20" LCD vs. a not so great 24".
 
So no chance of you being able to buy this month, huh?

If so, then please come back in the second week of January and ask for build help again. A lot of our build lists uses Newegg combo deals to save cash, get faster parts for the same cash or both. Unfortunately those expire at the end of the month. As such if you truly want to save money and such, then your best bet is to ask again in the second week of January as we should know what Newegg combo deals are out then.

But for a sample build if you were buying before the 31st:
$245 - AMD Phenom II X6 1055T CPU + Asus M4A87TD/USB3 AMD 870A ATX Motherboard Combo
$95 - G.Skill Ripjaws F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$110 - Palit NE5S450SF1101 GeForce GTS 450 1GB PCI-E Video Card
$70 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$22 - LG GH22NS50B DVD Burner
$70 - Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W PSU
$280 - 2 x Acer G235HAbd Black 23" Widescreen LCD Monitor
$60 - Cooler Master HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 ATX Case
---
Total: $952 shipped


Now as for the monitors, what's more important to you? Productivity or accurate color representation since you're doing photoshop work? I ask because for the same costs as those two monitors, you can get a single IPS panel monitor:
$286 - NEC EA231WMI-BK 23" Widescreen LCD Monitor

Generally for Photoshop work and for those who need accurate color representation, an IPS monitor is generally recommended.

Then again dual monitors does help productivity.
 
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Thanks for the help Danny. I'll have to check the finances after all the xmas shopping but ordering before the 31st is potentially possible.
 
timg1281 said:
Thanks for the help Danny. I'll have to check the finances after all the xmas shopping but ordering before the 31st is potentially possible.
Click to expand...
Yeah if anything, at least just get the CPU + motherboard combo before the 31st. The rest of the parts can wait till next month when you have the cash for it.
 
It looks like the original combo you listed isn't available anymore. Is there another one you'd recommend?
 
timg1281 said:
It looks like the original combo you listed isn't available anymore. Is there another one you'd recommend?
Click to expand...

Crap I posted the wrong link. Check that post again. Updated it with the correct CPU + mobo combo.

Though here it is just in case:
$245 - AMD Phenom II X6 1055T CPU + Asus M4A87TD/USB3 AMD 870A ATX Motherboard Combo
 
Thanks again for the help, I bit the bullet and ordered this morning. The power supply you suggested was out so I picked another one, same with the dvd burner. Ended up with a SeaSonic X650 power supply, an Asus dvd burner and I went with the NEC monitor after doing some reading.
 
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