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New Build Ideas

R

RTucker

n00b
Joined
Sep 21, 2009
Messages
21
Well, I think it's time to upgrade my computer. I've been out of it for awhile but I think I have a general idea of what I'm after.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing?
Gaming, Web browsing, Watching TV Shows/HD Movies, Programming, Some Photoshop

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$400-$500; Can be flexible on tax and shipping.

3) Where do you live?
Blacksburg, VA

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.
RAM, Cooling, GPU(maybe), CPU, Mobo

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Powersupply - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC
ATI HD 4850 512 MB (maybe?)
DVD Drive and 500 gig harddrive
Case - Sunbeam Transformer

6) Will you be overclocking?
Would like to

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
24" 1900x1200

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Next month or so. Don't have to rush.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
USB 3.0 and Crossfire would be nice.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? Win 7 64bit Enterprise

I'm starting to plan this out but would like to know what you all think. I'm getting an i7-2600k from a friend who works at Intel for $150 so that leaves about $250-300 for the rest of the setup.

I currently have an ATI HD4850 and I'm wondering if I should pick up a second to crossfire or just hold off and get another video card later. I was also thinking about getting an SSD but that could be a bit later in the year. I'm not looking to put this together right away, but would like to get it done by August or so.
 
$130 - Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 Intel Z68 ATX Motherboard
$40 - G.Skill Ripjaw Series F3-10666CL9S-4GBRL 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$90 - Corsair 650TX V2 650W PSU
----
Total: $260 plus shipping

I included a new PSU because the PSU you have now is not a good quality PSU at all. When it was brand new it was only capable of 500W under the most ideal of conditions. If that PSU is over 2-3 years old, it may not even be capable of provide that 500W anymore.
 
I agree with Danny on the parts he recommended.

Regarding your video card, wait until you can afford a new one. Simply put, the 4850 isn't worth the trouble of trying to use in CrossFire; you're better off saving money for an 6950 or 6970.

I have some concerns about your case, since it uses 80mm fans for the side and top. What size is the front fan?
 
Thanks for the prompt replies.

tiraides, the front intake fan is 120mm. I could see about upgrading the case at some point later in the year as well once I see what sort of temperatures it runs.
 
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