Needs advice regarding pc parts

[sergiogarcia9]

Hello Sf.
I am building a desktop next year, which will be my first build

So i need some advice with the parts
I really want this pc to stay within 700-800 USD.
This is the parts i've decided on getting so far:


Case: NZXT Tempest Midi Tower Black
Ram: 6 or 8 gb of ddr2 memory (Not decided which manufacturer yet )
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 705e 2.5GHz 65W Box AM3/2+


Thanks in advance

 

[ignatzatsonic]

First things first:

What will be your primary tasks with this PC, in as much detail as possible???

No need to spend 200 on a video card if you don't game

No need to get 4 TB of storage if you don't have a lot of video and music files

No need to get expensive RAM if you won't overclock.

No need to get large amounts of RAM for most users.

No need to get a mid tower case if you have only a couple of HDs and 1 DVD drive.

Good advice: stay with major brands on critical components (mobo, RAM, PSU)

Will you use onboard sound--more than adequate for most users.

No need to get a motherboard with a lot of features if you won't overclock.

Will you need to buy additional programs as part of your budget?

Does your budget include a new monitor/KB/mouse?

Give us more detail.

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Mostly graphics editing with Photoshop etc. Maybe also video editing, and i would like it to be able to play some nice games on it (Like GTA IV, Grid etc).
I really would like a lot of storage so there is room for video, music, documents, apps and pictures/graphics
The budget doesnt include keyboard, mouse, monitor, OS or apps
As i already got a mouse, keyboard and a 32" Monitor i can use
Also i doubt i will be overclocking

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I am not in the AMD loop, so I will defer to others there.

How much storage--do you anticipate 2 HDs or one?

Good mobo brands: Asus, Gigabyte, MSI; no need to get fancy if you won't overclock

Good HD brands: Western Digital, Samsung, Seagate

Good PSUs: Corsair, Seasonic. some from Antec; most likely 500 to 550 watts max.

Good RAM: Crucial, Corsair, Kingston; standard speed is fine if you won't overclock.

Will you overclock?

Do you need a soundcard?

Do you anticipate using 2 video cards for gaming?

 

[sergiogarcia9]

No i wont overclock.

Only planning on a single GFX card

2 HHD's min.

I would like to at least got 2 tb total
Onboard sound will do

 

[nate42nd]

I would go with DDR3 memory. It's nearing the same price as DDR2 and is a little better and uses lower voltage.

You would not gain much but enough to do it with DDR3. IMO

Good luck

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Isnt DDR3 more expensive than DDR2? And most motherboards are DDR2 only?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Sergio:

I'm not AMD qualified, but in all likelihood, your mobo takes either DDR2 or DDR3--not both. You have to find out which. Choose your mobo first. It likely will not boot with the wrong type, so be sure.

Drives: are you thinking smallish for boot drive and largish for secondary--or identical drives of the same size? You can get 1 TB for under 100. I just bought a 1.5 green WD for 100.

Try to find a supported RAM document for whatever mobo you decide on. You have to build your parts around the chosen mobo and they can be very cranky about RAM, particularly regarding voltage.

I don't think you will have any problems with your budget, particularly since you will not overclock and will use onboard sound.

What is the total for the case and processor you have chosen?

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Sergio:

I'm not AMD qualified, but in all likelihood, your mobo takes either DDR2 or DDR3--not both. You have to find out which. Choose your mobo first. It likely will not boot with the wrong type, so be sure.

Drives: are you thinking smallish for boot drive and largish for secondary--or identical drives of the same size? You can get 1 TB for under 100. I just bought a 1.5 green WD for 100.

Try to find a supported RAM document for whatever mobo you decide on. You have to build your parts around the chosen mobo and they can be very cranky about RAM, particularly regarding voltage.

I don't think you will have any problems with your budget, particularly since you will not overclock and will use onboard sound.

What is the total for the case and processor you have chosen?

Around 300 USD. (1530 DKK)

I am thinking of a 500 gb for the OS, and then a 1 tb for graphics, movies etc.

Can you reccoment any motherboards that will work nicely with the procressor and will work with either 6 or 8 GB ram installed?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I am very weak on AMD processors and mobos. I can help you out in any other respect.

Suggest you pound google with your processor name and see what comes up.

Lots of AMD geeks here:

AMD Processors Forums

Figure 50 or 60 for a 500 gig drive and 90 or so for a 1 TB. That puts you at 450, and you need PSU, mobo, and RAM from that.

I think that is a pretty high-powered AMD processor, so figure 100 for PSU, that's 550.

6 gigs regular DDR 3 about 160?

8 gigs regular DDR 2 maybe 200?

Might be a tight fit for your budget. You still need a mobo and wild guess there is 160.

You could also read reviews for your processor at New Egg and see what mobo and RAM those guys are using. Take those reviews as a broad indicator---some of the buyers are neophytes.

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Now, what video card should i choose? :huh: I think that is the one thing that mind ruin my budget

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Or perhaps i should choose another processor and/or case? :huh:

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Yeah, forgot about that. Looks like your budget is shot if you want a "gamer" video card.

I don't game and spent under $50. You can spend $400 and up if you want, depending on how obsessed you are with the cutting edge. It will be cutting edge for a month or two. High RPM fans, heat, noise, etc. You tolerate that if you game.

You should toss in maybe $30 to $50 for some thermal compound (Arctic Silver typically) and a couple of good chassis fans.

If you will be gaming significantly on a high powered video card, you may run a little on the hot side, so your fans may need to be spin faster--otherwise you could go low noise low RPM on fans. You should figure one exhaust fan in the rear and quite possibly a similar fan on the front side.

If you don't overclock, you can probably get away with the standard AMD processor heatsink--whatever that is. I'm not even sure they come with one like Intel.

 

[sergiogarcia9]

Maybe i should stick to graphics editing instead of gaming, since i already got a 360 which i can use for that :huh:

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Well, yeah on the other CPU and case. I figured from your comments that you were locked in for reasons of your own, which is fine.

If not, then Intel CPU is the choice. For your budget look at Newegg for Intel "i5" or "i7" processors that are in the 700, 800, or 900 number series. These would be "socket 1156" or "socket 1366". These 700 and 800s are only a couple of months old and are powerhouses.

I think they all use DDR3.

Case is personal preference. Try to buy one WITHOUT a power supply if you can. Standard power supplies can be shaky. Good case brands generally: Antec, Coolermaster. You will need ATX or micro ATX, depending on your mobo choice.

 

[sergiogarcia9]

I have looked at the i5 but it seems expensive. About 220 USD And i hear that the mobo's for it is expensive as well :huh:

 

[ignatzatsonic]

i5 motherboards are cheaper than i7. Look at Newegg. You can get i5 motherboards down to $100.

Look at Asus, Intel, Gigabyte, MSI. You don't need a $200 board if you won't overclock.

i3 is another choice. They are slower and may not yet be out?? The i3 processors are in the 500 number series.

 

[sergiogarcia9]

I've had a look online.

Intel Core i5 Lynnfield 2.66 = 1.273,00 DKK (250 USD)
Intel DP55WG mATX Socket1156 NIC Bulk = 635 DDK (125 USD)


:huh:
I might go for that

 

[Xzaviar]

MOBO and Proc

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-M790X-UD4P This MOBO will take DDR3 and it seams to make a fair difference.

Proc: AMD Phenom XII 550 Black Edition.

With this combination you can unlock the four cores in the processor. This will give you a 4 core 3.1Ghz proc for about $100.00 and $100.00 for the MOBO.

I recommend this because the money savings over buying a 3 or 4 core proc can be put into other components.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I don't know anything about Denmark prices.

In the USA:

Lynnfield 750, i5, socket 1156, quad core; 200
Case: 60
PSU: 70
6 gigs DDR 3 160
Mobo 150
Midrange video card 150
Fans, etc: 40

That is 830.

Add hard drives.

Shave off RAM, CPU, video card as needed to meet your budget.