Is this a solid ~$800 build?

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Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
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I'm looking to build a new PC in a few weeks. I've posted here before requesting a build and using that information I put together this build. Is it right for the price? I do mild gaming on the PC but will be using 3d modeling/rendering software and Photoshop/Illustrator...

BFG Tech GS-550 550W Power Supply - $64.99
SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA - $25.99
COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case - $34.99
Acer X203Wbd Black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - $139.99
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - $99.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $74.99
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4850 100245L Video Card - $144.99
OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) - $65.99
ASUS M3A78-CM Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - $72.99
AMD Phenom 9950 BLACK EDITION 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 140W Quad-Core Processor - $154.99

Total - $879.90 (without shipping and tax)

the monitor is going to be a birthday gift from my family so thats $140 off of the total. so about $739.90
 
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Memory - Retail ~ $40

And use the $26 saved too getting Phenom 2 920 for $14+$26 more than the 9950.
 
i was under the assumption that the quadcore needed the ddr2-1066 ram?

hmm if not ill definitly make the switch. thanks for the advice.
 
hmm i switched the ram and added the phenom920. looks like if i switch over to the BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail i'll save $10. plus, the ASUS i had selected was a micro-atx form factor. the biostar is regular ATX.

one thing tho. looking at the Sapphire videocard, theres a combo deal for it with the Phenom940. It drops the price to about $10 more than the Phenom920.

would it be a good deal to switch to that processor? but then the Biostar mobo will go up to $100. is there a cheaper alternative?
 
I went with Black Edition WD 640 HD's (more cache)
MSI MB - Seems to support CPU and enough for USB Flash BIOS to support fully!!!!
AData Memory, Cheap and Good

DM


Sonita III with 500W PS - $45 (got over Christmas)
LG 20x DVD Sata - $22
WD 640HD Black $160 (2 of them)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
MSI DKA790GX AM2+ $125
Logitech 100 Kb/M $25
SABRENT CRW-UINB $15 (Does SDHC)
Adata 2g Memory DDR2800 $92 (8g Total)
AMD Phenom II 940 $229 (15 bucks off total used also)
MS Vista 64 Prem $99
Nero 9 Mini $45
Zalman CNPS9700 $54


DM
 
Please answer the questions in the sticky titled "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST" so that we can help you better.

Oh and ditched the BFG GS PSU. That's a low quality PSU. Swap out that GS for this PSU instead:
Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU - $65

Though if this BFG LS PSU is in stock by the time you order and around that $65 price range, then get it instead:
BFG Tech LS-550 550W PSU - $80
 
Danny Bui said:
Please answer the questions in the sticky titled "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST" so that we can help you better.

Oh and ditched the BFG GS PSU. That's a low quality PSU. Swap out that GS for this PSU instead:
Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU - $65

Though if this BFG LS PSU is in stock by the time you order and around that $65 price range, then get it instead:
BFG Tech LS-550 550W PSU - $80
Click to expand...

most of the questions were answered through my post...

Budget is about $800 (excluding the cost of the monitor)
Monitor size is 20 inches
Use of the computer is mild gaming and 3d modeling/rendering software + photoshop/illustrator
I plan on running Vista 64bit
I dont have any hardware i want to use for the build
I'm not looking for SLi, RAID or anything like that due to price contrants and the monitor size

what else would you like to know that would help out my original question?
 
You need to find out whether or not the Phenom II processors will work with the motherboard(s) that you're considering, as well as whether or not you'll need to upgrade your BIOS beforehand in order to use them.

Do you plan on overclocking with this build? If so, you may want to consider an Intel-based setup instead:

$195 - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
$80 - Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 ATX motherboard
$43 - G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 800 CL5 dual channel RAM kit

You can combine this with one of Danny Bui's PSU recommendations and the rest of your other choices.
 
alright guys thank you all very much for the help. i have finalized the build and am about to order it. i dont feel like typing up all of the parts so here are screenshots of my cart...

i went with the phenom9850 because of combo deal. im saving $50 compared to the q6600. oc'ing isnt a big factor for me as in 2-3 years is all i really need the computer to last. and i also chose the 19inch monitor because i cannot justify paying an extra $30 for 1 inch of space (the monitor in the cart is $129.99 but theres a $10 off promo code i entered at the bottom)

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Go with the 20".
1650x1050 is much better than 1440x900.
You WILL notice the difference.
 
thanks guys.

yeah i visited my local bestbuy earlier and took a look at the monitors just to compare. there is a huge difference with a 20inch compared to a 19inch. so i went with the 20in.

just ordered now. should be here by the end of the week. thanks guys!
 
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