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Best $1500 build possible

N

Nemik8800

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 29, 2007
Messages
252
I am trying to make up the best build $1500 could ever possibly buy. I get a lot questions asking for a system in this price range lately. I've been out of the game since 2007. Basically I still have the same equation for a proper build. Find the best GPU possible, find the cheapest CPU, or best cpu combo deal, that won't bottle neck the GPU. Find cheapest ram that overclocks well (not hard with DDR3). Then Asus mobo and Corsair PSU.
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, Video editing
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$1500+- $50, yes
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
US
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.
Best combination of GPU CPU, RAM, Mobo, PSU, OD, SSD, HDD, CPU Cooler, and case.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Monitors
6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1 1920 x 1080 32in, 1 1680x1050 20in
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Now
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? etc.
RAID when I buy another SSD SATA III, Crossfire support.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes
zmd3ki.png


Code: 
Qty.	Product Description	Savings	Total Price
1	

SILVERSTONE Precision Series PS05-B Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Tool-less Installation Design Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811163168
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant

 	
$49.99
$44.99
1	

HIS H797F3G2M Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
Item #: N82E16814161399
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy

 	
$549.99
1	

AMD Gift - Dirt3 Game Coupon - OEM
Item #: N82E16800995114
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$49.99 Saving

 	
$49.99
$0.00
1	

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power ...
Item #: N82E16817139021
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$35.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card

 	
$139.99
$104.99
1	

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Item #: N82E16835100007
Return Policy: Consumable Item Refund Only Return Policy

 	
$12.98
1	

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 996770
Item #: N82E16820226095
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

 	
$42.99
1	

ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Item #: N82E16813131792
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

 	
$189.99
1	

Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 ...
Item #: N82E16819115071
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

 	
$299.99
1	

SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black 1.5Gbps Model SH-222AL/BSBS LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151252
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$19.99 Saving

 	
$19.99
$0.00
1	

ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
Item #: N82E16835118003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant

 	
$44.99
$39.99
1	

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Transfer Kit
Item #: N82E16820148448
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant

 	
$199.99
$169.99
Subtotal:	$1,455.90
 
Last edited:
Which video editing software are you going to use on that new build?

If you're going with Premiere Pro CS5.5, the GPU is not a good choice: Premiere Pro has a GPU acceleration mode that supports only nVidia GPUs. Any non-nVidia GPU, including all of the AMD Radeons, will run Premiere only in the software-only mode which can be as much as 10 to 20 times slower than the GPU acceleration mode in timeline renders.

And even if you want an AMD GPU, I would not have picked HIS because it has not only a short and bare-bones warranty, but also very indifferent customer service and support quality (meaning that they don't care).

Second, if you're going to overclock, why pick a CPU that's only limited unlocked? You know that Sandy Bridge CPUs do not like their BCLK raised by more than 5MHz above the stock 100MHz. Thus, the only way to overclock would be via the Turbo multiplier - but in the non-K i7-2600, the Turbo multiplier setting is limited to four 100MHz steps above the maximum single-core Turbo multiplier (in this case, 42x, which would have forced a quad-core clock speed of 3.9GHz to a single-core maximum of 4.2GHz). While that would work, the K CPUs are so much easier to attain a desired overclock.

Third, the Zalman cooler is no longer competitive - and is way overpriced for its performance. In fact, with only 92mm fans it is too small for effective cooling of even a moderately overclocked CPU.

Fourth, that Arctic Silver 5 requires an extremely long time to cure: 200 hours (or more than 8 days of on and off system cycling with no overclock whatsoever).
 
I concur with E4g1e's critiques. But to fill in some gaps:
1) That case isn't a good choice even if you were going for a single GPU config. At $55 shipped, it's overpriced for what is esentially is a cramped case with little to no cable managment. There are better cases out there. Gonna link from Amazon.com since Newegg is not offering free shipping on a lot of cases and have increased the price on some of them too:
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite ATX Case
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite White with Black Front Trim ATX Case
$50 - Cooler Master HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 ATX Case

Some other cases to consider:
$85 - Corsair Carbide Series 300R ATX Case
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case

2) HSF wise, I recommend this better cooling HSF instead:
$30 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156

3) Honestly, the thermal paste that comes with the Hyper 212 PLus is pretty good as is. And it does come with enough for one or two more remounts. But if you perfer a 3rd party thermal paste anyway, I recommend the following:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186038
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
+1 for dannys case suggestions and definitely for the hyper 212 plus cooler. That thing is just amazing. Absolute best bang for the buck. I went with arctic silver 5 though when I had it on my old rig.
 
E4g1e said:
Which video editing software are you going to use on that new build?

If you're going with Premiere Pro CS5.5, the GPU is not a good choice: Premiere Pro has a GPU acceleration mode that supports only nVidia GPUs. Any non-nVidia GPU, including all of the AMD Radeons, will run Premiere only in the software-only mode which can be as much as 10 to 20 times slower than the GPU acceleration mode in timeline renders.

And even if you want an AMD GPU, I would not have picked HIS because it has not only a short and bare-bones warranty, but also very indifferent customer service and support quality (meaning that they don't care).

Second, if you're going to overclock, why pick a CPU that's only limited unlocked? You know that Sandy Bridge CPUs do not like their BCLK raised by more than 5MHz above the stock 100MHz. Thus, the only way to overclock would be via the Turbo multiplier - but in the non-K i7-2600, the Turbo multiplier setting is limited to four 100MHz steps above the maximum single-core Turbo multiplier (in this case, 42x, which would have forced a quad-core clock speed of 3.9GHz to a single-core maximum of 4.2GHz). While that would work, the K CPUs are so much easier to attain a desired overclock.

Third, the Zalman cooler is no longer competitive - and is way overpriced for its performance. In fact, with only 92mm fans it is too small for effective cooling of even a moderately overclocked CPU.

Fourth, that Arctic Silver 5 requires an extremely long time to cure: 200 hours (or more than 8 days of on and off system cycling with no overclock whatsoever).
Click to expand...
I've used AS5 before never knew this! I just used the PC normally and waited a week to overclock.
I will be using Sony Vegas, 3DS Max and After Effects.
I never really liked the Zalmans I just knew it was a reputable name as I guess Thermalright is no longer around. Damn shame I can't use my Ultra 120 on the LGA 1155.

Danny Bui said:
I concur with E4g1e's critiques. But to fill in some gaps:
1) That case isn't a good choice even if you were going for a single GPU config. At $55 shipped, it's overpriced for what is esentially is a cramped case with little to no cable managment. There are better cases out there. Gonna link from Amazon.com since Newegg is not offering free shipping on a lot of cases and have increased the price on some of them too:
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite ATX Case
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite White with Black Front Trim ATX Case
$50 - Cooler Master HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 ATX Case

Some other cases to consider:
$85 - Corsair Carbide Series 300R ATX Case
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case

2) HSF wise, I recommend this better cooling HSF instead:
$30 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156

3) Honestly, the thermal paste that comes with the Hyper 212 PLus is pretty good as is. And it does come with enough for one or two more remounts. But if you perfer a 3rd party thermal paste anyway, I recommend the following:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186038
Click to expand...
I'm actually going to get a full sized case now. Just looking for something modest looking around $150. I really like that cooler, pretty much the same design as the Ultra 120.
 
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Nemik8800 said:
I've used AS5 before never knew this! I just used the PC normally and waited a week to overclock.
I will be using Sony Vegas, 3DS Max and After Effects.
I never really liked the Zalmans I just knew it was a reputable name as I guess Thermalright is no longer around. Damn shame I can't use my Ultra 120 on the LGA 1155.


I'm actually going to get a full sized case now. Just looking for something modest looking around $150. I really like that cooler, pretty much the same design as the Ultra 120.
Click to expand...

Thermalright is still around. However, Thermalright products are no longer widely sold: They either have to be ordered direct from them or from one or two authorized resellers.
 
E4g1e said:
Thermalright is still around. However, Thermalright products are no longer widely sold: They either have to be ordered direct from them or from one or two authorized resellers.
Click to expand...

Oh wow and they sell a bolt through kit for LGA 1155. That's awesome so because these heatsinks were designed for a much higher heatload than the Sandy Bridge chips.
Oh, I also switched to an i5 2600k. The i7 2600k is simply out of my price range. Also looking to save some money on a better value motherboard. I heard ASRock is okay, but do they even compare to ASUS?
 
fc1r9s.png

I think with some shopping around I can get the price down.
Perfect yet?
I've read some reviews on the case and I seem to like it however the one design flaw it has. But it's easily corrected with a $7.99 adapter.
I'm not sure about the PSU however.
 
Last edited:
It's not a great PSU, but it's not really a bad one either. For the price though, you can get the Antec 620W unit for a little less and it has more amps on the 12V rail. I think it's like $73 shipped vs $80 shipped on the one you selected. So doesn't really save a whole lot. Also Corsair has a 15% off promo going on, pretty sure that puts their 600W unit under $62 and their 650W V2 PSU around $76 shipped.

You can also save another $3 going with this ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426

This optical drive is only $18.98 shipped, so another $1 saved: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118067

That should get the subtotal back under $1500.
 
Skillz said:
It's not a great PSU, but it's not really a bad one either. For the price though, you can get the Antec 620W unit for a little less and it has more amps on the 12V rail. I think it's like $73 shipped vs $80 shipped on the one you selected. So doesn't really save a whole lot. Also Corsair has a 15% off promo going on, pretty sure that puts their 600W unit under $62 and their 650W V2 PSU around $76 shipped.

You can also save another $3 going with this ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426

This optical drive is only $18.98 shipped, so another $1 saved: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118067

That should get the subtotal back under $1500.
Click to expand...

I don't know if I could trust an Antec PSU. Pretty much a Corsair, Seasonic, Silverstone kinda guy. But other suggestions are taken. Also found a cheaper 8pin extention. At $1,501.40 lol
 
Nemik8800 said:
I don't know if I could trust an Antec PSU. Pretty much a Corsair, Seasonic, Silverstone kinda guy. But other suggestions are taken. Also found a cheaper 8pin extention. At $1,501.40 lol
Click to expand...

Not to burst your bubble, but the 620W 620C Antec unit I was recommending is actually a Seasonic S12II-520/620's with Antec's logo on the outside.
 
Unforuntately, that case does not have free shipping. As such, its real price is $170 shipped. That's $20 too much IMO for that case considering that there are quieter, better cooling, and better quality cases out there for around that price like the following:
$140 - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$166 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
$170 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case

Also note that there's a "$15 off with promo code EMCNHHB25, ends 3/5" deal going on for the 2500K on Newegg.
 
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All the Corsair cases are Mid tower and the two Silverstone cases have windows. I'm so picky lol. I just wish I could save more and get a nice Lian Li, I'm thinking of trying to find one eBay, that is actually the perfect case for me.
Basically for a case I look for
- No side window, I'm not 16 and this isn't my first build.
- No front grills, they get too dusty. Even with a filter the dust will still collect because it's behind it.
- Good sound insulation
- No LED's
- Great cable management
- Decent cooling with multiple options.

Right now that Fractal Design has all those. It has GREAT GPU cooling, but CPU cooling is not that good. CPU cooling issue is related to configuration and easily correctable by relocating HDD and SDD to bottom of the case and adding a fan to top front of the case.
It also has very good sound deading, (it weighs 40lbs alone)
It also couldn't look more modest. Only downside is that it doesn't have a removable mobo tray
 
Last edited:
Nemik8800 said:
All the Corsair cases are Mid tower and the two Silverstone cases have windows.
Click to expand...
Nemik8800 said:
Both have windows and are mid tower
Click to expand...
I wouldn't get hung up on the whether or not the case is listed as a mid-tower or full tower. Look at the measurements
20.9" x 8.7" x 19.5" - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
23.30" x 10.40" x 20.00" - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
25.31" x 8.35" x 19.80" - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
23.30" x 10.40" x 20.00" - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
25.31" x 8.35" x 19.80" - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
21.5" x 9" x 20.5" - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case

For comparison, here's the measurements for the Fractal Design Define XL and Antec P280:
22.10" x 9.13" x 22.05" - Fractal Design Define XL
22.1" x 9.1" x 20.7" - Antec P280

So in other words, not much of a difference in size.
Nemik8800 said:
I just wish I could save more and get a nice Lian Li, I'm thinking of trying to find one eBay, that is actually the perfect case for me.
Click to expand...
Which Lian Li? Not all Lian Li cases are good. And some of them are quite loud.
Nemik8800 said:
It also couldn't look more modest. Only downside is that it doesn't have a removable mobo tray
Click to expand...
The other downside is that it costs $170 shipped. Like I said earlier: the price does not match the quality, better cooling, and low noise level of other similarily priced cases out there. With that said, if not having a window is a such a huge factor for you, then go ahead and grab the XL.
 
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