[strikermed]

Hey guys, so I'm looking to do a new build sometime next year or right after a graduate 1 1/2 years... So here is what i'm looking at as a starter look, what I need from you guys is, what you think of the combination, and what power supply I am going to need to run it. If you have any suggestions on additional items I'll be happy to hear them. Let me tell you that I won't need an OS bc I have a few copies that I was lucky enough to get through my school threw computer classes, so I'm covered there. I'm looking at running Windows Vista, or the new version of windows if it is out by that time and I hear good things.

oh and if you want to add a suggestion on a case too, I would take it, I don't care the size, just worried about air flow to keep everything lasting a long time.

Here are the pieces and links (newegg):

Motherboard:
ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 DDR3 AMD 790GX ATX AMD Motherboard - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131366

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103649 (I'll probably go with a quad core, I'm sure they will have it out with the AM3 socket by then)

RAM:
CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145199 (I will probably buy 2 of these so this way I have 4 gigz spread out for dual channel)

Hard Drive:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148288

Video Card:
SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102770

Case:
Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-B Blue Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811166005 (for all the room and air flow)

PSU:
ABS Tagan BZ Series BZ700 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Patent Piperock Modular Power Supply - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817814015



I know that the build is a while away, but I would like some feedback on the build and suggestions. I usually plan to build something and the parts get cheaper later on, and I make a high end machine, with relatively new parts, so it is a cost effective build. I appreciate all the helps guys, and like always you really do help me on every build I do.

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Hi strikermed,

Well, in my opinion, you should try to research, read reviews and follow the market. In 1.5 years, all the parts you selected will be obsolete and new things will be out. Old technology doesn't always mean that they're going to be cheap, once they're EOL, most retailers don't want to take that big loss because they purchased the parts at a higher price, so most of the time, they don't lower the price.

So, looking at your build, here's a few things I would like you to take into consideration.

RAM: The RAM you picked seems so expensive, there's a few DDR3 kits around, 2x2GB or 3x2GB that costs around $80-$150.

Hard Drive: Some Seagate drives have 3 or 5 year warranty, the one you selected only comes with 3 years warranty. Western Digital is also a good one to consider, some of their products have 5 years warranty and some 3 years.

Video Card: For the same video card model, the difference with every manufacturer's product would be if its factory overclocked, price, aftermarket/stock cooler, warranty and customer support. ATI's partners doesn't have very good warranty. Most of them only come with 1-3 years warranty. Visiontek and XFX both offer lifetime warranties however XFX is more flexible to deal with, Visiontek gives you a hard time before (if they ever) they honor the warranty. HIS is another good company however they only offer 3 year warranty and I believe they're located somewhere in Asia (return rate takes months). Gigabyte and Asus are also good to deal with, not sure if they have offices in North America though.

Power Supply: This is, in my opinion, the most important part of the computer. You have to make sure its good quality from a reliable company. I suggest something from Antec, PC Power & Cooling, Silverstone, Seasonic, Corsair, etc. Corsair seems to be the most popular pick as they have very good quality for a very good price.

Hope that helps.
Kamille

[kamille316]

Hi strikermed,

Well, in my opinion, you should try to research, read reviews and follow the market. In 1.5 years, all the parts you selected will be obsolete and new things will be out. Old technology doesn't always mean that they're going to be cheap, once they're EOL, most retailers don't want to take that big loss because they purchased the parts at a higher price, so most of the time, they don't lower the price.

So, looking at your build, here's a few things I would like you to take into consideration.

RAM: The RAM you picked seems so expensive, there's a few DDR3 kits around, 2x2GB or 3x2GB that costs around $80-$150.

Hard Drive: Some Seagate drives have 3 or 5 year warranty, the one you selected only comes with 3 years warranty. Western Digital is also a good one to consider, some of their products have 5 years warranty and some 3 years.

Video Card: For the same video card model, the difference with every manufacturer's product would be if its factory overclocked, price, aftermarket/stock cooler, warranty and customer support. ATI's partners doesn't have very good warranty. Most of them only come with 1-3 years warranty. Visiontek and XFX both offer lifetime warranties however XFX is more flexible to deal with, Visiontek gives you a hard time before (if they ever) they honor the warranty. HIS is another good company however they only offer 3 year warranty and I believe they're located somewhere in Asia (return rate takes months). Gigabyte and Asus are also good to deal with, not sure if they have offices in North America though.

Power Supply: This is, in my opinion, the most important part of the computer. You have to make sure its good quality from a reliable company. I suggest something from Antec, PC Power & Cooling, Silverstone, Seasonic, Corsair, etc. Corsair seems to be the most popular pick as they have very good quality for a very good price.

Hope that helps.
Kamille

[strikermed]

Yeah it helps, I understand that the technology will change, and I'm sure I'll make a change, I like to throw ideas around and get opinions like yours. The main things that I don't know about, you answered, like what brand Video card, and PSU to get. It helps to know why people like those kind of products. And I'll take a second look at the RAM, I thought that was the cheaper of what I found.

Thanks, it did help!