PC Build for <1500

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jterp7

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 12, 2004
Messages
458
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

Gaming, Movie watching, web browsing, needs to handle L4D or CS at 1080P

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

preferably 1500 or less, but I'm fairly flexible

3) Where do you live?

US

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.

Bro recommended a Q6600 for value/performance, as silent/small case as reasonably possible since it will sit on my desk a galant (I have a 10" sub, ps3 and miscellaneous under my desk). Do I need more than 4gb of RAM? I heard the 4870S 1gb ddr5 is a good deal right now but I've been out of the PC game for a while since picking up my W3J

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

My external drives are the only thing reusable from my notebook setup, except maybe my HP amp.

6) Will you be overclocking?

Probably not unless it can save me significant cash (i.e. buying a proc 200 less), I'm not trying to break any records.

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?

Samsung 4066F, 40" 1080P lcd which unfortunately is limited to 1080P then 1280x1024 and down at 4:3 resolutions. Do any 4870S cards have HDMI out or will I just have to use a conversion cable?

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

Between now and early next year

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

FW/esata to keep my options for external storage open
 
Sorry... been busy... holiday season. I was hoping someone was going to save me some typing, lol, but I guess I have time right now. ;) This should get you started...

$260 - MSI R4870 Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 ($25 MIR)
$185 - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core
$115 - Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ($15 MIR)
$40 - G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
$70 - WD Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA300
$67 - Seasonic SS-500ES 500W 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC
$60 - Cooler Master Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black ATX Mid Tower
$23 - Samsung 20X DVD±RW with LightScribe Black SATA Model TS-H653N
==============
$820 + tax and shipping - any MIRs

If you plan on OC'ing, pickup these, too:
$32 - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
$9 - XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit
$4 - Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound

If you want a small form factor system, then tiraides or someone else can jump in and tweak that build accordingly. ;) The issue would be with the vidcard, though... most cards for your monitor are very large, so a SFF system may not be your best choice.

If you don't do anything intensive that would make use of the quad, then people are going to recommend an E8400 over the Q6600.

While the HD4870 1GB is good, I think the GTX280 or even the HD4870X2 would be better, since there is obviously more room in your budget.
 
Looks good. I would step it up a notch and slap in a 4850x2. If you so choose you still have some money left over to even pop in a 4870x2. But, this 4850x2 for $310 is a pretty good and $200 cheaper than a 4870x2

CPU/Mobo (Combo Deal) - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600(2.4ghz) + Asus P5Q Pro($15 MIR) both for $295
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.147992

Ram - 4 gig G. Skills DDR2 800 for $40 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Computer Case - Coolermaster Centurion 590 for $60 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152

PSU - Silverstone ST70F 700W (Modular) for $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256045

Video Card - Sapphire Radeon HD 4850X2 for $310($30 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809

HDD - WD 6400AAKS 640gig for $70 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Optical - SAMSUNG Black 22X Sata DVD burner for $25 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

O/S - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit OEM for $100 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Heatsink - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle for $29($10 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Retention Bracket - XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 for $8.50 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

Total: $1,037
 
is there a good reason not to go for the 45nm designs at this point?

Also for the case, I'd like to go as quiet as reasonably possible and the only moderately sized case with huge fans I'm seeing is the antec 900. Any problems with having a bottom mounted PSU (I haven't dealt with desktops for about 3-4 years now)
 
The Yorkfields are only up to 15% faster w/ apps that utilize SSE4.1 over the Kentsfields, plus they're priced quite high. The only one moderately priced is the Q8200, but its has a very low multiplier (sux for OC'ing). Its too bad they discontinued the Q9450... it should have been pushed down to the Q6600's spot by now if they'd kept it.

The Antec 900 is louder than the CM RC-590, plus it has free shipping and is much cheaper -- an overall better deal than the Antec. You'll need to add some Yate Loon 120mm low or med. speed fans from PTS or Jab-tech to either case (if going Antec, replace the loud tricools), BTW.

I'd go for the 700W Silverstone that HG suggested over the PC P&C... $100 without the hassle of rebates, and way more power than you need. The only problem that may arise with a bottom mounted PSU is that the cables may not reach. However, I believe the cables of all the suggested PSUs are long enough for either the RC-590 or the 900. Alternatively, the Antec 300 would save you some cash, but it doesn't have free shipping right now. I'd go with the CM over the Antec... I just don't like that series of cases... personally (too flimsy, gets too dusty inside, terrible cable management).
 
A few questions:

Is the rifle HS only necessary for OCing? In the case of the cooler master, the description talks of a tool less design, is it much easier to work with than the 900? RAM wise, is 4gb the new minimum and is it necessary to use Vista 64bit to take advantage of the RAM as well as making use of quad core?

There also seems to be controversy about how much power the 500mW Blue proton actually has, is the $9 usb stick version just as effective?
 
A good aftermarket CPU cooler, like the Xigmatek HDT-S1283, cools better and runs quieter than the stock HSF that comes with the processors. They're essential for overclocking, as most of the stock HSFs out now can't even handle a mild overclock properly.

A "tool-less" design does make assembly easier, but it depends on the case design. But I personally don't believe that it alone should be the main consideration to determine which case to get.

2GB of RAM is still the minimum you should get for a 32-bit operating system (yes, even Vista). We've been recommending 4GB because it's much cheaper now than it was to get 2GB a year or two ago. Because of the 4GB system memory limitation in 32-bit operating systems, you need a 64-bit operating system in order to take full advantage of your RAM.

Actually, if you have the room for one, I recommend getting a PCI card, as it is more reliable and more consistent than a comparative USB adapter. However, I don't know enough about the Blue Proton to make a proper assessment of it.
 
which pci card would you recommend? Also, which of the new 1TB HDs are of the 3platter variety (and not the 4 or 5 of the old design)
 
I remember hearing some bad things about the old F1s, but at the same time its 30% less than the WD Black (though I've had great experience with WD thus far)

Still undecided on cases, I was at microcenter and compared the antec 300 (40), CM 590 (70), and the antec 900 (80), and now looking at some lower end lian li's since my bro has a full tower lian li. I guess something hopefully less than 100 w/ aluminum, tool-less/thumbscrews, rubber mounts for HD, and 120mm fans so I have the option for setting them as low as possible.

on vid cards, for performance to price does the 4870 1gb beat the GTX 260?
 
the Readon 4870 does not take a performace hit with AA/AF on from what i heard plus the 4870 is cheap then the 260. but its a personal choice. plus the 4870 use's DDR5 while the 260 use's DDR3.
 
HardwareGuru said:
Looks good. I would step it up a notch and slap in a 4850x2. If you so choose you still have some money left over to even pop in a 4870x2. But, this 4850x2 for $310 is a pretty good and $200 cheaper than a 4870x2

CPU/Mobo (Combo Deal) - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600(2.4ghz) + Asus P5Q Pro($15 MIR) both for $295
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.147992

Ram - 4 gig G. Skills DDR2 800 for $40 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Computer Case - Coolermaster Centurion 590 for $60 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152

PSU - Silverstone ST70F 700W (Modular) for $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256045

Video Card - Sapphire Radeon HD 4850X2 for $310($30 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809

HDD - WD 6400AAKS 640gig for $70 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Optical - SAMSUNG Black 22X Sata DVD burner for $25 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

O/S - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit OEM for $100 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Heatsink - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle for $29($10 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Retention Bracket - XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 for $8.50 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

Total: $1,037
Click to expand...

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but this is basically perfect for what I wanted to build.

I have two questions though:
1. I need/want an optical S/PDIF out connection, so I figured I'd just switch out the Asus MB for the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 that enginurd suggested, good idea?

2. Now that the 4850x2 went up in price a bit, do you still recommend it?
 
Can't go wrong with either board, but I don't think the gigabyte has a combo savings deal as the Asus does -- but you can double check that.
 
..just noticed now lol but what is the purpose of the bolt through kit/retention bracket?
 
The bolt-thru kit and/or retention bracket makes mounting the CPU cooler easier, as each kit uses screws (instead of the push-pins that come with the CPU cooler) to mount everything with. Both kits, when used, also keep the CPU cooler secured on the motherboard, reducing the likelihood that it will come off. We often recommend it for most large heatsinks as many people have had problems (in the past) with mounting and/or stability.
 
-_- last time I messed with a desktop at all was around 4-5 years ago, and back then I remember my bro having issues with push pins on one of his builds. Course there was no rifle back then (i think).
 
after some thought, I think I will wait until after christmas/new years to buy since I am not in immediate need. Maybe I'm just hoping for more price drops, or deals since I am bleeding from all the christmas shopping
 
I think I've decided to switch to the evga 55nm 260 (worth $10 more for OC?), but the egg appears to be out for now. One thing that does bother me is this one review on the newer 55nm (not evga build) that shows a smaller HS resulting in equivalent temps, and actually more power used under load, though apparently OCs are still easy to achieve.

Antec 900 (from MC)
79.99

The rest from the egg:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Combo
299.98

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
36.99

XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail
8.49

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
99.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
39.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
5.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
119.99

evga GTX 260 55nm
254.99 (will be waiting on this)

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
119.99 (x2)


w/ shipping (and tax for MC purchase) comes to about ~$1212.

I'm still undecided on wireless and someone previously suggested an internal card (as opposed to the much touted Blue Proton w/ associated controversy about its actual power). Any recommendations?
 
I suggest getting some thermal compound that doesn't require a curing time, like the Arctic Cooling MX-2 or the Tuniq TX-2.

Likewise, if you're only using one video card, save some money by going with a different power supply. The Cooler Master Real Power Pro 650W power supply is available for $80 shipped, and it has more than enough power (45A on its combined 12V rails) for the GTX 260.

I normally recommend either a Linksys or a D-Link wireless card (based on my personal experience with both brands), but if you don't want to spend the money, Gigabyte makes a cheap 802.11g card.
 
jterp7 said:
hows this card?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315041
Click to expand...

I can't say. Then again, I haven't heard many people say that they've had any problems with the Gigabyte PCI adapter.

jterp7 said:
As I get closer to buying, I'm rethinking OCing to get more life out of the processor. Is the P5Q pro of the gigabyte mentioned on other threads better for OCing in that case?
Click to expand...

The P5Q Pro and/or any of the Gigabyte motherboards will be fine for overclocking. Since there are many factors in play, I wouldn't consider one board to be better at overclocking than the others.

Copyright said:
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-750...ply-corsair-tx-cmpsu/q/loc/101/206178325.html

89.99 for 750W Corsair after rebates (free shipping).
Click to expand...

This might just be me, but I'd rather save $30-$40 up front than wait a few months on a $20 rebate check. While the TX750 is more powerful than the RS-650 (60A vs. 45A on the 12V rails), the RS-650 is more than enough power for one GTX 260.

However, if the OP changes his mind and goes with the HD4850X2, then by all means, go for the TX750.
 
Copyright said:
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-750...ply-corsair-tx-cmpsu/q/loc/101/206178325.html

89.99 for 750W Corsair after rebates (free shipping).

I am not a fan of the Antec 900 case. I actually prefer the 300 version over it. That quad will do 3.2ghz+ easily if its a G0. Looks like a solid build.
Click to expand...
Really? I checked out the 300 at MC last week and it was tiny. Not sure how well the xigmatek and 260 would do.

on the PSU I'll pay a bit more rather than save a few bucks now if it means reliability and possibility of using it in the future with another build or if i decide to SLI (though doubtful). Plus my bro has one (and he's fairly picky about his PSUs). His build is actually not to different from mine, albeit with 5 HDs.

On the wireless card it seems from my google search that a few people have had issues w/ adapters in vista 64, so when you say that the gigabyte worked for people, were they on vista 64? I'm strangely tempted by a few of those draft n cards out there for future proofing but they seem to have their issues too. I just want something with WPA2 with good power that has a reliable connection.

Additionally, I am now considering a q9550 instead since some have said it OCs better due to being 45nm and has more L2 cache. Would I need to jump to 1066 RAM in this case?
 
Personally, I recommend getting a PCI adapter from either D-Link or Linksys. The thing about Draft-N is that the standard still hasn't been officially ratified, so there's the possibility that the current adapters and routers won't work with the official standard. However, in various benchmarks, they often outperform 802.11g cards in range and bandwidth.

You don't need DDR2 1066 RAM for overclocking the Q9550, but there is a 4GB kit available for $50 shipped.
 
with MC's 229 deal on the 920 i7 I may jump on that, (just missed the 280 deal earlier today argh)
what are good mobos for it that allow for stable OCing possibly in the future and G.skill still the choice for ddr3 ram, i suppose i'd jump to 6gb too.
 
jterp7 said:
with MC's 229 deal on the 920 i7 I may jump on that, (just missed the 280 deal earlier today argh)
what are good mobos for it that allow for stable OCing possibly in the future and G.skill still the choice for ddr3 ram, i suppose i'd jump to 6gb too.
Click to expand...

Good X58 mobo choices:
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5 Intel X58 ATX Motherboard - $300
Asus P6T Deluxe Intel X58 Motherboard - $300

RAM wise, yes G.Skill is still a good choice:
G.Skill F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ 3 x 2GB DDR3 1333 RAM - $145
G.Skill F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ 3 x 2GB DDR3 1600 RAM - $175
 
I agree, $230 for an i7.920 is a killer deal. Its just too bad that the boards and RAM or so high-priced -- well, too bad for me, personally, lol. Then again, I did pay $230 for some DDR2-800 1GB sticks back when Core2Duos first came out, lol (but the board and chip were well under that; DS3 was on sale for like $105 and the E6400 was on special at Fry's for like $180 or something like that).
 
I7 920 for 229.00
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0300438
ex58-ud3r for 209.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 144.00 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231223&Tpk=(F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ
antec three hundred 59.99 20 bucks average shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
Antec EA650 650W ATX12V 79.99 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
WD6400AAKS 640GB 74.99 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
SAMSUNG Black 22X 25.99 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171
EVGA 896-P3-1265-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 259.99 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130398

anybody think around 1150 this is kinda pushing it?
 
Sathsayin said:
... anybody think around 1150 this is kinda pushing it?
Click to expand...

pushing what? I'd want more than 4 DIMM slots, though, so I wouldn't recommend that board unless you were strapped for cash (in which case, why are you getting an i7? :p).
 
So one week later I've decided on a FT01 for the case, which is a huge change, but I decided to choose a quality case that I can keep for a while.

With the price drops I'm picking between the 9550 and the 9650 now. I'm also now contemplating a modular supply to keep the interior clean since it has a window, but with the supposed buzzing problems of the seasonic corsairs I'm all ears for decent 600W+ modular PS recommendations.

for gpu i'm still picking the cheapest between 4870 1gb and 260, which is the reference HIS 4870 at the moment. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161247

I wish I ordered the Iceq4 etc. version when it was 271, but with all the nvidia > amd going on in the video card forum, I think I might lean toward a 260 if the price was closer.
 
It looks like the reference HIS 4870 @225 w/ free ship is the cheapest of the 4870/260 right now..any others I'm not seeing here (buy.com/mwave/tiger?)
 
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