[Runcade]

Hi I am building a computer for the first time and would like some advice on my current prospects. I am looking for a step below the best options and new teachers don't make much money so I am on a tight budget of $750. I would like an i7 for future upgrade reasons but I don't think I can fit it into the budget. This is what I have pieced together from various threads and research. Please tear it apart for me if it needs it. Also I am in China for the next four months and I figure I should wait to order the parts until I get home to the US on the off chance they get cheaper with time but does anyone have any advice on whether buying some easy to transport parts in China might be cheaper?

CASE:
Antec 900 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129021 $99
I know this could be cheaper but it gets amazing reviews and I am a sucker for the look and the room it has.

MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128358 $135 - 20 rebate

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115037 $165

GPU:
SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102770 $145

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139001 $110 - 15 rebate

HD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148395 $65

RAM:
CORSAIR 4GB http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145195 $45

DVD:
LG DVD Burner http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827136152 $25

Total: $789 - 35rebate

Edited by Runcade, 26 February 2009 - 10:07 PM.

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Hi Runcade,
Looks like you have done your research, Looks like to be a great system. i have nothing to advise on that!

Ive never transported parts to China, so yes...maybe it would be best to wait until you return to order them.

[creepysound]

Hi Runcade,
Looks like you have done your research, Looks like to be a great system. i have nothing to advise on that!

Ive never transported parts to China, so yes...maybe it would be best to wait until you return to order them.

[Runcade]

I am always really paranoid about overheating issues. Will I need to buy extra fans or a nice heatsink? I don't know much about these types of things and any help would be great.

[tylerscool]

Nope not unless your house is 90 degrees all the time. More fans will only make more noise. But do you wish to do any overclocking of the CPU, or memory. If you do u need a good fan for them, or at least a heatsink for the memory

[Runcade]

Nope not unless your house is 90 degrees all the time. More fans will only make more noise. But do you wish to do any overclocking of the CPU, or memory. If you do u need a good fan for them, or at least a heatsink for the memory

I would like to OC the CPU for sure. Probably not the memory as I feel less comfortable doing that. What kind of cooling fan would you suggest for an OCed CPU?

[tylerscool]

Depends on your case size, if you have the money go for water cooling. But if you don't then get either the cooler Master V8 or V10 depending on your case size. If you can fit it go for the V10. And for the memory, as no need to really 1333 is very good. ONE more IMPORTANT thing.

Your memory is garbage!!!!!- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227406
There you go friend. Your speed was only 667 thats half what your board can support and the higher the better. Also this one comes with a heatsink for your love of cool parts.

[charge06]

on the E8400 you might be able to get away with overclocking it to 3.6 ghz, on stock heat sink, You dont have to change the voltages, I have mine at 3.6 ghz, and the temps didnt even go up. any higher and you will defanatly need after market, and above 4.0 ghz u need to watercool

this is the one i have

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835186134

artic cooling freezer 7 pro. cpu runs at 30c idle at 3.6 ghz

Edited by charge06, 02 March 2009 - 12:05 AM.

[Runcade]

Thanks for the both the tips. That memory looks great and so does the heatsink.

Is there anyplace I can go to check whether the antec 900 is large enough to house everything?

[tylerscool]

It will work with everything go with the V8 because of the smaller case but it will work. I have a micro atx- ill be getting af ull tower, but i still can use my motherboard, full sized gtx 285 psu. Youll be fine