Under $1000 Fast system build help please

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hy_tek

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Nov 30, 2008
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I have been out of the loop for a couple years since my last build. I am getting the bug to build another system to replace E8400 CPU based system I now have. Here are the particulars of my present rig. I would prefer to stay with Intel CPU's

PC P&C 750 watt Silencer PSU : Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P Mobo : Intel E8400 Core Duo 3.0 GHZ : Corsair XMS TWIN2X4096-8500C5: Sapphire HD4850 GPU 512Meg : LG 22x SATA DVD-RAM burner : WD 640gig Black HDD : 2 x WD 120Gb IDE HDD : 3.5" IDE Floppy drive : Antec Performance Plus 1080 Case : 3-80mm Antec case fans

Here are my needs:

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
General usage. A little video editing not much. Surfing and general office programs. Downloading from the internet. Would like to have the capability of playing games on occasion but not at the highest level. I do some photo editing but not intensely.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I would like to stay under $1000 after rebates preferably lower including tax and shipping.
3) Where do you live?
USA , Chicago area
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
I need everything but the monitor. I have a HP2207 monitor. Would like an i7-920 based system if doable. For the case I was thinking Antec 900 or COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP ($60 after rebate for both cases at Newegg)
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
PC P&C 750 watt Silencer PSU possibly for new build and then swap that out for a cheaper PSU for my present system which is overpowered.
6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes some but not extreme
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
22" -1680x1050...Do not plan on going larger than 24 inch.
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? etc.
I do not need RAID or Crossfire. Firewire and onboard audio and ethernet are all I need.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
I need a new OS for a new computer. 64bit most likely Windows 7


I would prefer to stay Intel based but what I am really looking for is a substantial increase in performance over my present system. If I can do that with AMD then so be it.

Any help will be appreciated I have been out of the loop too long to make objective decisions on present day hardware even though I have done lots of research.
 
Simply put, a new CPU, mobo, and RAM would not provide the performance increase you're looking for. With your usage scenario, you're really not gonna notice a diffence between a Core i7 920 and your E8400 that would justify the costs. Just use that money towards better video card like the HD 4890 or HD 5850. Get an Intel Intel X-25M G2 SSD for faster load times. Those two upgrades would be more of a notceiable performance improvement than the Core i7 route.
 
Danny's right, if you don't want to play at the highest levels I don't see why you're bothering to upgrade at all. For what you want to do, I don't really see the point in you upgrading. The only real upgrade you'd need at this point would be the 5850, with the SSD being optional, but the good thing is when you find yourself wanting to do more intensive things with your computer, you'll already have the 5850 and a SSD to build around, and you'd probably be able to buy the latest tech at that future point in time because you didn't spend the money on doing so now.

Think about that at least.
 
Thank you both for taking the time to reply to my questions. A 160GB X-25 M2 SSD clocks in at a hefty $400. Rather steep in my opinion. So from what I am getting from you is that my GPU is the slow point of my system. Is this correct?

I am actually looking to do a second system since we need more than 2 computers in my home. I have an older Dell dimension 4500 as a backup that just seems to not be cutting it as it gets slower and slower. My main computer is actually fast enough for me and I haven't even really overclocked it yet. I have a stock Intel Cooler on my E8400 and have only overclocked it a small amount. I suppose I should be investing in a decent CPU cooler for my E8400.

Thanks for your responses once again I will look into upgrading the GPU.
 
hy_tek said:
Thank you both for taking the time to reply to my questions. A 160GB X-25 M2 SSD clocks in at a hefty $400. Rather steep in my opinion. So from what I am getting from you is that my GPU is the slow point of my system. Is this correct?

I am actually looking to do a second system since we need more than 2 computers in my home. I have an older Dell dimension 4500 as a backup that just seems to not be cutting it as it gets slower and slower. My main computer is actually fast enough for me and I haven't even really overclocked it yet. I have a stock Intel Cooler on my E8400 and have only overclocked it a small amount. I suppose I should be investing in a decent CPU cooler for my E8400.

Thanks for your responses once again I will look into upgrading the GPU.
Click to expand...

Well the 80GB is more reasonably priced-ish. But yeah, the GPU is the second slowest part of PC in your case. The first is the hard drive.

For a second system, it would be a better use of your money to just build a cheap system rather than build a mid-range system that you would not notice a difference in. Yes more than likely whoever is using the Dell Dimension 4500 will notice a huge performance between that and your main rig now. But you can achieve the same effect with just building another system for cheap and just upgrading the GPU. And maybe a SSD of some sorts if within your budget.

And yes you could easily build a cheapy system for around $315:
http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1034965777&postcount=4

Maybe $400 if adding a video card for gaming but still a good buy nonetheless.
 
Another note that most people gloss over or just miss completely, IF you decide to get the Intel SSD, and IF you decide to upgrade the firmware on it, make SURE you give it a few days or a week or 2 after new firmware comes out so that you'll know what risks you're taking by upgrading the firmware, some people reported dead SSD's after upgrading to a newer revision of the firmware for the Intel SSD's.

Caveat Emptor.

Something to think about, you can build that second computer, add a terabyte hard drive to it, allow it to be used as a secondary computer BUT allow it to also act as a file server or HTPC, so you'd get more use out of it if it's truly nothing more than a secondary PC.

It'll really show it's value if it acts in such a role. Think about that as well.

BTW, I do understand where you're coming from wanting to upgrade to the latest tech, but a good rule to remember is to hold off on upgrading untill you can't hold off anymore, THEN upgrade in full. The reason you don't need to upgrade in full right now is cause your needs don't demand it, you'd just be throwing your money away. For gaming, you're good, since there's almost no games out right now that even come close to taking advantage of some of the powerhouse rigs members of this forum have. If I can play most games on High on my Gateway 7811 FX laptop, then your rig should be able to do that and more with that 5850 in there, since the graphics card is usually the PC part that outlives it's usefulness first. Also make sure that card will fit in your case, it's a little bit on the long side.
 
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