Yet Another i5 build thread

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mikeczyz

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
290
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Web browsing, gaming (starcraft 2 when it comes out)

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
1500 bucks, this includes S&H

3) Where do you live?
St. Louis, MO

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
CPU, RAM, MOBO, Case, HD, Keyboard and Mouse, Heatsink, PSU, DVD Burner, Monitor, O/S....I DON"T need a vid card, it is being gifted to me by a friend.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Completely new build, not reusing anything

6) Will you be overclocking?
No

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
24-26 inches

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

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
I wouldn't mind crossfire of SLI support but it's not a deal breaker.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
No, I need to pick up a copy of Windows 7

Here's what I have so far:

Core i5 Proc: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215
Mobo MSI P55-CD53: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130240
RAM G.Skill 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1600: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193
CASE Antec Solo Black/Silver Steel: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129018
HD Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
Cooling COOLER MASTER Hyper 212: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
Monitor ASUS VW246H: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049
PSU Corsair CMPSU-620HX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002
DVD Burner SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

A few questions:
1. I wouldn't mind building a mini-atx system...I simply don't have any use for all of those drive bays etc. Any recs on a case and mobo combo? If I go this route, I am a little concerned about sliding in an ATI 5850 based card. Will there be room?
2. Is the Antec Solo big enough for the Cooler Master 212?
3. Am I overlooking anything here?

Thanks alot! I used your advice the last time I built a computer and things turned out really well. Let's hope that the collective can again hit a home run!
 
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Could you please list out the part names along with those links? It would make replying much easier. Unfortunately, I still haven't memorized the newegg part numbers. :( Thanks! ;)

1. Silverstone SUGO series of cases comes to mind. Check them out. Also there's a Lian-Li A05 thats pretty popular (they may be on version A06 by now, lol).
2. I believe so. I'm too lazy right now, but check the height of the 212, then check the width of the Solo.
3. Not sure yet. List out the part names and we'll see. :D
 
buy the Cpu/mobo in a combo-(save $15)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273111

Identical ram (save 2.00)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

F3 500gb $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

300 illusion / TP-650 $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265977

The antec solo doest seem as though it has sufficient airflow to me. Use the 650w power supply only if you will be going sli, otherwise you could go for a 450vx or 520hx PSU.
 
Okay, added component names.

Good advice so far, will definitely get the mobo/cpu combo and will probably downgrade to the smaller HD.
 
I am running a similar case in my workstation to the Antec SOLO, an Antec 3700BQE and airflow with my Push/Pull TRUE is a serious problem. I have a 38mm Panaflo as the exhaust and an HX750's 140mm fan right above. My Gamer is ran out of an Antec 300 with a bottom mounted PSU with low CFM Yate Loon fans and the included Antec 140mm fan and my temps are 25% lower :)

I would look at the Antec 300 or 900 personally.
 
Quick question: How is the i5's included heatsink/fan? Given that I'm not overclocking this system at all do I even need to seek third-party cooling?
 
It is fine for stock speeds but somewhat loud when the processor is loaded and at max TDP.
 
You can always pick up a 3rd party HSF later, if you don't like how loud the stock HSF gets.

Cases are personal preference, so get what you like. If you're looking for silent, the Solo is a good choice. Other good alternatives are the P183 and Sonata series cases. If you just want quiet, then the Antec Gamer series is fine, but I personally prefer the Cooler Master cases of the same budget range (Centurion 590/etc, RC 690, HAF series, Storm series, etc) since they typically offer more room and good cable management. You can always do a simple volt mod on fans if they're too loud for you.

The TP-New g suggested isn't as modular as the HX620, but the HX620 is overpriced, IMO. Though, you can't go wrong with either PSU, as they're both good quality units.

I'd definitely suggest the F3 or 7200.12 500GB or 1TB drives, since they use 500GB-platters, which make them faster than the 333GB-platter CavBlacks.
 
If your not going to over clock, I would look at i7 860 over the i5 750 CPU. It will give you more bang for the buck.

I would also drop the aftermarket CPU fan, the stock one is just fine, and I would also think about going with a smaller modular power supply (500-600W) if your not really going to go with SLI or Crossfire setup or over clock. A i7 860 and a single 5870 card, the total system power draw is under 500W.

As for building a SFF, I just built one for a little over 1000$. The case I used will handle a 5870 card as long as I remove the second fan I installed. The case I used was Silverstones SG03-B.

On Windows 7, I would go with Professional over Ultimate. It will shave another 30$ off the total price.
 
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