Possible Budget Build

[JayBee]

Hey there,

Considering upgrading my pc, just wanted to throw some specs out here and see what you guys had to say. I have: monitor, keyboard, mouse, HD, OS, CD-Drive, etc.

Here is what I'd need:

Video Card:
HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
Newegg.com - HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

PSU:
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply
Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

RAM:
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1333C9A G
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1333C9A G

MOBO:
ASUS P7P55D-E LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS P7P55D-E LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU:
Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3540
Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3540

That should be about it. How's it look?

I'd like to stay betwen $400-$500, and this is around ~$504, and then with rebates ~$440 or so.

Thanks.

[quartet-man]

At quick glance you have chosen some good parts. However, what are your uses for the machine? The processor is probably on the low side depending on what you will want to do. How old are the opticals, hard drives etc. you intend on using? Opticals are cheap and you would probably want sata with that board and likely have IDE. Is your HD sata or IDE? If it is too old, you might be risking losing your data.
If your OS is from a pre-built, you might have trouble using it.

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by quartet-man At quick glance you have chosen some good parts. However, what are your uses for the machine? The processor is probably on the low side depending on what you will want to do. How old are the opticals, hard drives etc. you intend on using? Opticals are cheap and you would probably want sata with that board and likely have IDE. Is your HD sata or IDE? If it is too old, you might be risking losing your data. If your OS is from a pre-built, you might have trouble using it.

Uses include just normal everyday use, internet, music, but I may get back into some games with a new upgraded system.

What processor would be recommended?

I may consider getting an optical as I only have one currently and it's old. As for hard drives, they are SATA, and I also have an external.

Thanks.

[Nikon]

the i3 is made for your 'everyday general use' user, and will handle light gaming fine, but if you want to get into something a little more intensive, you may wish to step it up to an i5.

[JayBee]

Which i5?

What about the Wolfdale 3.0ghz?

[David M]

Is $504 your limit? What you have now will work for everything you listed except for graphics intensive games. So you need to decide now if you want a computer that will run these games or not...or upgrade later to make your build a real gamer....which would mean getting an i-5 or better and an Nvidia 400 series or Radeon 5800 series card.

[JayBee]

I'd say my limit is $600.

[glc]

That's a very well balanced system. The i3 is fine for gaming and the 5770 is right at the bottom end of semi-serious gaming cards.

[JayBee]

If I were to 'up' one thing, should it be the video card or the cpu? As I mentioned, I'd like the price to be between $400-$600, but preferably closer to the 400-500.

Thanks.

[David M]

Definitely the graphics card. Perhaps bring it up to a 5830?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-367-_-Product

[glc]

For GAMING, the graphics card. For ALL other uses, the CPU - to an i5-760.

With that said, the 5770 is NOT THAT BAD a card - you have to remember David M is a gaming enthusiast and he runs a 5970 on a much higher end system. From Tom's Hardware regarding the 5770:

This card remains one of our price/performance favorites, and it's a very good starting point for the serious gamer.

Edited to remove an offensive statement - my apologies.

[David M]

I was giving what I thought was some legitimate advice on how to increase the processing power of his rig.

[glc]

If you do buy a stronger video card, I'd take a 6950 or GTX460 1GB over a 5830. Same price range (~$180).

On the optical, you can get a SATA DVD burner for 20 bucks or less. If your optical is not a SATA DVD burner, this is a no-brainer.

Why not just build it with the i3 and 5770 - and enjoy it? Both components can be upgraded at any time.

[JayBee]

I'm thinking if anything i'd probably just stick with the 5770, and go with the i5, but I may also stick with the 5770 and the i3.

Is that motherboard I have picked sufficient for both possible setups?

[glc]

The motherboard will take any socket 1156 processor made.

[JayBee]

Alright, and that HIS 5770 is a good card, and won't be completely outdated for a bit? I currently have a ATi 9600 128.... haha.

[glc]

As Tom's Hardware said about the 5770:

This card remains one of our price/performance favorites, and it's a very good starting point for the serious gamer.

Of course, the more you spend on a video card, the better it will game - to a point. The key to building a good system at a tight budget point is to balance it without buying potentially unreliable components. At a $500 point, you really can't go much stronger on a video card without taking away from the rest of the system. Now - if you could spend $700, you could get both a stronger CPU (to help with uses other than gaming) and a stronger video card. The next step up in video cards is the Nvidia 460GTX 1GB and the Radeon 6850. The next logical step up in CPU's is the quad core i5.

[JayBee]

Updated specs: Intel & AMD

Intel:

MOBO:
ASUS P7P55D-E LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS P7P55D-E LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Video Card:
HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Newegg.com - HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

PSU:
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified
Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

CPU:
Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760

RAM:
A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH
Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH

Aftermarket CPU Cooler:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

CD Drive:
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Newegg.com - ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

Total: $637.93 - Rebates $582.93


or


AMD:

MOBO:
ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

Video Card:
HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Newegg.com - HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

PSU:
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified
Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX

RAM:
A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH
Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH

CD Drive:
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Newegg.com - ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

Aftermarket CPU Cooler:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler
Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler

Total: $582.92 - Rebates: $527.92

The AMD system is seemingly less expensive with very similar parts. Is there much of a difference between the two systems? With cost, future proof, and performance considered which would be my better bet?

Thanks.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Do you need an aftermarket cooler?

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader Do you need an aftermarket cooler?

I read reviews on Newegg about both CPU's and people recommended aftermarket coolers, especially for the i5 as they say it's junk (the cooler).

[0bit]

If you're not going to overclock, the stock cooler is fine. Either system, I would go with the Hyper 212+ if you're going to get an aftermarket cooler.

[Nuclear Krusader]

+1, unless you're ocing, you don't need an aftermarket cooler. 'sides, those things are ugly.

[JayBee]

Alright, well.... opinions on which system would be best (cost, future proof, performance).....?

Thanks.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Well, both sockets are going to be discontinued early this year. Hard to say. Depends on what you mean by "future proof"; if it means being able to migrate to a newer processor, don't count on it. In terms of add-in cards, though, you should be fine.

I'd go with the Intel.

[JayBee]

I've been an Intel person. Never had an AMD system. So I was leaning towards the Intel system myself..

I hate technology. Buy something, and it's out of date in no time. :/

[Nuclear Krusader]

Well, you have to consider that an "obsolete" system will still work. Sure it may not be able to play the latest game with all settings insanely maxed out, but it'll still play it decently and perform other functions flawlessly as well.

Take my workstation, a Conroe that I built in January AD 2008, with it's 6 GB of RAM (2 at the time) and its 8800GT; it handled XP Pro, and Vista flawlessly, and it runs now Windows 7 Pro 64-bit (not as flawlessly, but that's because Windows is a POS); it still plays the games I like flawlessly, and I use it for professional photo editing and digital painting. It's obsolete, but still running strong, never crashes, and does what I need it to do. No need for me to build another.

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader Well, you have to consider that an "obsolete" system will still work. Sure it may not be able to play the latest game with all settings insanely maxed out, but it'll still play it decently and perform other functions flawlessly as well. Take my workstation, a Conroe that I built in January AD 2008, with it's 6 GB of RAM (2 at the time) and its 8800GT; it handled XP Pro, and Vista flawlessly, and it runs now Windows 7 Pro 64-bit (not as flawlessly, but that's because Windows is a POS); it still plays the games I like flawlessly, and I use it for professional photo editing and digital painting. It's obsolete, but still running strong, never crashes, and does what I need it to do. No need for me to build another.

Yes, that is true.

My current system is way obsolete. I have a 2.8ghz cpu, 4gig ram, ATi 9600 128. All I really do on it is normal everyday stuff; but mainly just internet browsing and music playing. No games will run on it unless they're way old.

[JayBee]

What about minor overclocking, aftermarket cooler or no? If I were to overclock, it'd be just a little, no pushing any sort of limits or anything. (talking about the i5 chip)

[0bit]

Personal opionion: Get it. Are you sure you'll be able to stop with a "just a little" overclock? What's "a little"? 3.0ghz, 3.2ghz, 3.5ghz? What happens when you hit 3.5ghz and 80ºC while barely adjusting your voltage? Is that enough or is that time to switch to an aftermarket cooler?