New PC...please help

[letmein]

Guys I will be building a new computer very soon. I have a few doubts about it. Please help me put together a build. Budget is 55-65k.

1) Main need is web surfing, torrenting, watching movies (DivX mostly) and some light gaming. Not looking to max out Crysis, but I want to play games at acceptable framerates. Games like Halo 2, Far Cry,

2) I’ve shortlisted some components. Please suggest the rest and any changes. I’ve basically got this build from online, I don’t know if it’s good. And please list the prices if possible.

Case/PSU: Antec 300. Does it come with a PSU? Is it enough for my build?
Motherboard: No idea
Processor: Inter Core2Duo. But which one? And is it worth going for a Quad Core?
RAM: Is 4GB DDR2 good? Or is it worth going for 6GB DDR3?
Graphics Card: I prefer an Nvidia card. Is the 9800 GTX+ good?
Hard Drive: 500GB WD Black
Monitor: Samsung 22”/24” What model no.?
Speakers: Already have a Creative 2.1 set.
DVD Writer: Samsung/Lite-on Drive?
Keyboard/Mouse: Should I go for a standard wired set? Is wireless worth it? And are gaming keyboards/mice like the G7 and G15 worth it?
UPS: Luminous 1KW?

I will not be overclocking any components. And please suggest components that will run cool. You know how hot it can get in the summers in India. Will I need a cooling system?

Finally, any good shops in Nehru Place which will have this stuff and won’t cheat me?

Thanks

[jeetu]

A 300W Antec Psu will kill your system with that GFX card. You should opt for 650W , Antec, Cooler Master (real Power Pro only) or Corsair. This will cost around 6,000 Rs.
SMS International at Nehru Place is a good place to start.

Recently I assembled my PC. Its a low-mig gaming PC but cheap.
Cpu- Dual Core E5200 (2.5 Ghz) - 3000 Rs [45 nm so good power saver and overclocker]
Gigabyte G31-ES2l - 2200 Rs. [Cheapest m/b with decent overclocking abality]
Kingston 2b Ram DDr2 800 Value- 1050 Rs
Western Digital - 500 Gb hard disk - 2700 Rs. (5 yrs warranty from home)
Leadtek S-Fan pipe 9600 GT Extreme . - 5500 Rs (Only if you need a graphic Card for gaming).
Cooler Master Real Power Pro 460 W - 3500 Rs (Expensive but saves Power and provide reliablity).
Navtech - 701 Cabinet. 1900 Rs. (1200 mm Side and Rear fan (Blue Led) with transparent side. Excellent built quality with LCD scren in front with 4 USB ports) Yo7u can go for cheaper Cabinets.
Sams8ung DVD writer 1050 Rs.
Monitor LG 1941WS - 6800 RS.
Creative 5.1 speakers - 3,500 rs
Total cost around 28 K. I can play crysis at mid setting without any issue.

[jeetu]

Double Posted.

[otpsurvive]

The alternative to what you’ve said on the AMD side is the Phenom II X2 550 on a 780G based board paired with a Radeon HD 4470 or 4850. Here’s my justification:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/25...3-9800gtx-4850

[letmein]

Hey jeetu, thanks a lot for your reply. I couldn't reply back as my internet was not working.

I'm in doubt about the following components. Guys, please let me know what I should go for.

CPU -- Core 2 Duo E7500 2.93GHz @ 6.9k
But Core 2 Duo E7400 2.8GHz is at 5.6k. Is the E7500 worth the increase in price?

Graphic Card -- Palit 9800GT 1GB GDDR3 @ 7.1k but again, the Palit 9800GT 512MB GDDR3 is at 6.1k. Worth the extra 1,000?

RAM -- G.Skill F2-6400 CL4D - 4GBPI @ 4k or should I go for G.Skill F2-8800 CL5D - 4GBPI @ 4.4k

Still need a compatible Motherboard and Case.

One thing I want to know, is that do the cases from Antec or Cooler Master come with Power Supplies? And will I need a cooling system for my build

Thanks.

[desiibond]

both CPU and GPU are stale. X2 550 + HD4850 will beat the crap out of it!!!

[Cilus]

My suggestion is go for an AMD rig. At ur budget it will give you better performance than any Intel Rig
Processor: Phenom II X2 550 3.1GHz B.E. @ 5.4k
M/B : Biostar TA790GX @5.1k
RAM :Kingston 4GB(2x2) GB DDR2 800MHz RAM @ 2k
HDD :Seagate 1TB with 32MB cache@4.3k
GFX card :Sapphire HD4850 1GB GDDR3 @ 7.6k (better performer than 9800GT)
KB/Mouse:Microsoft combo @0.6k
PSU :Zebronics 600W Pro @ 4.4k
Cabinet :Zebronics Krish@1.4k
DVDWR :Liteon Sata @1k

For Monitor and other staff , Jeetu's suggestion seems good.

The above mentioned config is far better from any C2D based mobo in the price range.
Phenom X2 550 is better performer than C2D8400. The M/B is a future proof solution since it is having the latest AMD790 chipset. Although u r not an overclocker, u can easily over clock ur system smoothly using AMD overdrive (A very simple GUI from AMD, can overclock ur PC by dragging some bar, no need to go to BIOS)
4850 is better than 9800GT in any time and the extra 512MB buffer really helps u to play Crisis at Middle/high setting.

[ssk_the_gr8]

+1 for cilus's config

[acewin]

@jeetu, he was talking about antec 300 cabinet 55-65k is nice budget.

Monitor: Samsung 22”/24” What model no.?

certainly a 24 inch. Few models for the choice.
Dell S2409 Full HD. price check with Dell and .....(.... for some person who is ordering in bulk from Dell, he is giving it in 12.5K shipped, if booked through him in the bulk order details you can search or check comp@ddict, he can tell.

Beside this Dell has closed normal 24 inch models(1920x1200 ones)
few other models Samsung 2233SW or Dell S2209 price in range of 10.5K
Dell S2409**(if the price you are getting is good and you do not have trouble in warranty n all if u r buying through Phoenix, if not this then the below 2, wont say which one betwee them as they are equally good))
Dell S2209
Samsung 2233SW

Speakers already ruled out

gfx card
Palit GTX260 896MB GDDR3 SONIC @ 11k **
Palit GTS250 512MB GDDR3 @ 7.4k
Palit GTS250 1GB GDDR3 @ 8.9k
PSU
Corsair VX450W @ 3.9k
Corsair VX550W @ 5.8k**(you want good gpu so get better PSU, not that VX450 is not good but m suggesting something which will come out better for future addons too)
Cabinet Cooler Master Elite 330/334 whichever u get in good price varies 1.8-2.5K
about cabinets coming with PSU is optional, if want PSU they will give u a bundle from same company.

as u want in intel why not a quad core.
Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz @ 12.4k**
Core 2 Quad Q8400 2.66GHz @ 9.9K
if not then e7500 is a bad buy, get E7400

Motherboards, as u like to go with nVidia, so no crossfire, so m not necessarily giving any crossfire board all these board are in 7K range
gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L**
asus P5QL-E/P5QL Pro

if wanna buy separate keyboard and mice and keep check for gaming.
Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 @ 0.9k(keyboard)**
Logitech MX518 Laser @ 1.4k(laser mice)(wont suggest between these two mice decide yourself, both are from good brands and very good)
Razer Salmosa @ 1.9k(laser mice)

keyboards/mice like the G7 and G15 worth it?

products of like these are costlier and you should be likes of professional gamer or, someone gaming all day round or ........... more comments, i have put laser mouse from logitech and razer which are quiet good, infact very good in their price offering.
Like the design of MS 2000 keyboard, and will be good. go for wired, they are good, I do not find wireless one so much good for priced gaming(consider them mostly for show-off)

HDD as much you want.
Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB SATA HDD @ 5k thats the price quoted in comp@ddict's latest price list.
also check out Black series HDD(you were considering 500GB) which is better(prices I do not know)

Burner Samsun(**)/Sony SATA burner(wont suggest lite-on) price almost same for sony samsung SATA

RAM corsair 4GB bundle.(single 2GB stick u can get in 1.5K around
if you want DDR3 remember you will have to buy DDR3 supporting board, which in case of intel are costlier.
Corsair TWIN 2x2048-6400 4GB 800MHz CL5 @ 3.3k

In the end, I am checking the config again and putting ** for recommended items

UPS: Luminous 1KW? -- Price I do not know and neither can comment on it

now adding as per my post
12.4(Q9500) + 7.2K(gigabyte UD3L) + 3.3K(corsair RAM sticks) + gfx 11K + monitor(12.5-15K) + ~2K cabinet + PSU 5.8K + 2.5-5K(HDD) + UPS whatever the price be


putting all DDR3 prices from comp@ddict's thread
Transcend 2GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM @ 2k
2 GB Zion DDR3 1333MHz @ 2.9k
Corsair TWIN 3X2048-1333C9 2GB Kit 1333MHz DDR3 @ 3.6k
Corsair TW3X4G-1600C9DHX 4GB Kit 1600MHz DDR3 @ 8.5k

Corsair TR3X1G-1333 XMS3 C9 3GB Kit @ 4.5k
OCZ Core i7 Edition 3x1GB DDR3 1333MHz CL7 @ 5k
Corsair TR3X2G-1333 XMS3 C9 6GB Kit @ 7.8k
Corsair TR3X2G-1600 XMS3 C9 6GB Kit @ 8.6k

any furthur suggestion on the basis of thread starter's comment, and will suggest DDR3 board only if u want,

if really interested in DDR3 ram solution then my suggestion is do not buy now. wait for better offerings to come in the coming months, as AMD 785G is getting released in Q3
and same for i5 proccy from intel

[letmein]

Acewin, thanks for your awesome reply, really helped me a lot. Going for the Dell monitor as you recommended (also read Shadowfax praising it in another thread). Thanks once again.

Cilus, I'm not going for and ATI build as I have had some bad experiences with them.

So here's my final build. Please just look it over once guys and see if everything looks OK. I know, this is the third time I'm asking, but I need to be sure before making such a huge investment.

Case -- Cooler Master Elite 334 -- 2,500
DVD Drive -- Samsung DVD Writer -- 1,050
Graphics Card -- Palit GTS 250 1GB -- 8,900
Hard Drive -- 500 GB Western Digital Black -- 2,700
Keyboard -- Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 -- 900
Monitor -- Dell S2409W Full HD -- 12,500
Motherboard -- Gigabyte UD3L -- 7,200
Mouse -- Razer Salmosa -- 1,900
Processor -- Intel Q9500 -- 12,400
PSU -- Corsair VX 550 Watts -- 5,800
RAM -- Corsair 2GB DDR2 * 2 -- 3,000
UPS -- N/A

Total
58,850


Now finally, there are still a few doubts I have

1) About the monitor -- In this post
http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/show...5&postcount=10
Shadowfax recommends a GTX 260 for best experience. Is the 250 enough? I know it's a bit weaker than the 260, but will it make enough difference.

2) Just want to make sure, is the 550 watt power supply sufficient for all these components?

3) Will I need a sound card? Majority of my music is in MP3 with some FLAC, and I have a 2.1 speaker set (don't know if that makes any difference)

4) Will I need water cooling or anything? I would like to avoid all this if possible.

5) Majority of my movies right now are 700MB DivX Rips, will they look fine on the 24"?

6) Finally, how big a UPS do I need? The PSU is 550W, so will a 800W UPS be sufficient? (only Monitor and Internet Plug will be in the UPS along with the main cord from the CPU, Speakers will be in a separate wall switch.)


Thanks again guys!

[desiibond]

In gaming and multitasking, Phenom II X4 955 coupled with DDR2 and 790FX/GX will be lot lot faster than Q9450.

in GPU, PowerColor HD4870 is available for 9.5k I think and is lot faster than GTS250 and does justice to 24" display and quadcore processor.

no need for watercooling

what 2.1 speaker set do you have

550W 80 PLUS certified PSU should be enough

700MB divx rips should be ok on a FullHD 24" display

you need a 1100VA UPS to get a 20 minute backup.

[furious_gamer]

As desiibond said, dont go for GTS250. For a 24" display, it doesnt help anyways.

Get a HD4870 if it available for 9.7k, Or else if the mobo you specified have two PCI-e slot, then leave the GTS250 and later add another one. It'll beat even the GTX280(as said by my friend).
If not, then get a GTX260 216SP, it'll justify for the display.

[acewin]

also get a nice 2.1 channel speaker, not some junk, and dont take the dell monitor's price to be exact, you need to check the person who is selling in that price or contact dell's sale for it.

and that is Q9550 guys, Q9450 has been lifted from market long back.
nyhow current charm is amd phenom II or core i7, but you cannot think of using this monster rig for downloading continous 4-5 hours like that.

get an ultra cheap side system for downloading, which costs u max 10K or less with celeron and all.

[desiibond]

or just use AMD Cool'n'Quiet to reduce processor speed when not on full load.

[acewin]

so can it be done regularly, and how much difference it makes, suppose I reduce the speed halving it.

[desiibond]

you just keep it on and the app/BIOS-setting takes care of pulling out only what is needed from processor and yes, it works all the time. You need not reduce speed manually.

[emmarbee]

@desiibond - 700mb divx/xvid (dvd source) doesn't look okay on 24" - it looks like CRAP. 1.36gb DIVX/XVID (DVD source) might look okay on 24".

1.36 gb X264 (bluray/ HD source) looks awesome on 24" when viewed from above 4/5 feet distance.

@letmein - you should also consider Dell 2209WA - Not only because of the excellent e-IPS PANEL but also for the lower resolution that helps in gaming! I'm not sure about the difference in viewing a 1080p video in a 1080p monitor and 720p monitor. In fact, I'm gonna start a thread on this myself

[acewin]

u r wrong buddy, 1.36 also got normal res you cant say in that. avi files(divx/xvid) can range from low to 720p easily.
only x264 or mkv's are ones with 720p and their size too varies starting from 700Mb, its on the ripper, how good he is and how can he store.

anyhow it wont look any crappy on 24" as it looks on 22", e-IPS panel is good, but IMO if its only for watching movies then naah never, why because spending equal to IPS panels of bigger size you get LCD TVs which are Full HD and have HDMI port which helps running with the PC,
as desi said HD4870 or better cards will show decent performance on 24"

[bippukt]

I can't understand why you are going for this config - for this budget, he could have a really good system. GTS 250 is waste for a 55k budget, IMHO. 24" will demand more than a GTS 250. My cousin's 1440X900 is pretty happy with it.

Also, I suggest a mouse from personal experience - as you are already going for a 1.9k mouse, why not go for a Razer Death Adder mouse. You will need an excellent mousepad - I suggest Razer Mantis Control (not Razer Mantis Speed). Both combined should cost around 4500. If you play a lot of action/RPG games, this combo is awesome, I can tell you that. But you will need a big table because the mouse pad is quite large.

[letmein]

****, I'm more confused now than ever.

Didn't want to go for an AMD/ATI build, but now that everyone is insisting, I'll go for a 4870 1GB. comp@ddict's thread lists PowerColour HD4870 1GB GDDR5 at 11k.
Will the same mobo work? And is Intel-ATi rig good or not?

I'll see for how much I can get the Dell S2409W, if I find it for less than 13k, I'll take it, else I'll go for the 22"

I also read that the Intel i5 is being released in September.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/21/i...bringing-core/

Now in more of a delimma whether to buy now or hold off till September for the i5 or the i7 (if prices go down)

but you cannot think of using this monster rig for downloading continous 4-5 hours like that.

Why not?

what 2.1 speaker set do you have

Creative SBS A300

bippukt, I don't think if a mouse warrants 5k , I'm already a bit over budget.

[acewin]

my concern was power consumption, desibond cleared in his post

Originally Posted by desiibond

you just keep it on and the app/BIOS-setting takes care of pulling out only what is needed from processor and yes, it works all the time. You need not reduce speed manually.

I have one which had come with my desk, the amount you are paying up, in that u can easily get good speakers, thats what I meant.

If you decide with AMD config, then just wait for 785G boards to come, and if intel then wait for i5 to come up, lets see whats the package intel offers.

[desiibond]

core i5 is gonna cost more than 10k atleast so forget about it.

[acewin]

also, m mostly suggesting wait because 785G boards prices is expected to be lesser than current AM3 boards prices.

he is already on for a proccy pricing more than 10K right!!

[desiibond]

Ah okay. still, Phenom II + 785G will outperform core i5 with ease.

[Shadowfax2009]

Letmein Bro

at 65K U can have a rocking system that can do pretty well in gaming. I agree with most of your final choices. Here are some of mine suggestions......

1. At your price point without doubt AMD is the system to go.
2. It would be difficult to make the system with DDR3 ram (except, if U are ready to take a bit risk .... more later)

3. Case -- Cooler Master Elite 334 -- 2,500 (Go for any big case...from market ....Coolermaster doesnt mater at such low end .... iBall has a big case at 1700/- , Make a deal with the shopkeeper to reduce 200 bucks if U don't take the bundled SMPS. Or sell it on any old parts shop! All cheapo cases are same.Just hunt for something as big as possible ..... )

4. DVD Drive -- Samsung DVD Writer -- 1,050

5. Graphics Card -- Palit GTS 250 1GB -- 8,900 (Never.... GTS 250 is same as 9800gtx/gtx+ available at ~ 7K, You can even flash the bios of the gfx card and make it a 250. ) Get a Ati Radion 4870 with 1gb DDR5 ram, with eyes closed. At 11K its a steal. Or Get a 4890 at 14K

Hard Drive -- 500 GB Western Digital Black -- 2,700 ...OK

Keyboard -- Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 -- 900 (I would suggest Logitech at 450 bucks)

Monitor -- Dell S2409W Full HD -- 12,500 (Ok )

Motherboard -- Gigabyte UD3L -- 7,200 ( Biostar TA790GXB A3 @ 6.5k .... U might not even have heard the name but its rocking. Or any good Gigabyte AM2+ board if Ucan find....Even AMD 780 Series would do, Because U are going to overclock only moderately if at all)

Mouse -- Razer Salmosa -- 1,900 (No No ....... Logitech Mx 518 at 1500/-)

Processor -- Intel Q9500 -- 12,400 (NEVER, ....... GO FOR AMD PHENOMII 940 at 10K)

PSU -- Corsair VX 550 Watts -- 5,800 (OKish .... Even Coolermaster 650 watt Pro would do .... but doesnt leave scope for upgrading to SLI or CFX ~ 3,500/-)

RAM -- Corsair 2GB DDR2 * 2 -- 3,000 (Very Good)

UPS -- N/A (APC 650kva @ 3000/-)

Total
57,800

To make it future proof

Phenom II 955 + 3000/-
Transcend 2GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM @ 2k -1000/- (RAM prices will rapidle come down in next 6 months)

MSI 790FX-GD70 790FX/SB750 AM3 @ 11.8k + 5000/-

Ie 7000/- extra = 64,800/-

What more do you want ..... this is a bliss box at present .... ENJOY

[desiibond]

@shadowfax, regarding point 2:

this is why it is better to wait for 785G motherboard that use AM3 socket and DDR3 RAM and are considered a worthy option. With them just around the corner (also come with HD4200 onboard), it's better to wait

[bippukt]

Originally Posted by desiibond

@shadowfax, regarding point 2:

this is why it is better to wait for 785G motherboard that use AM3 socket and DDR3 RAM and are considered a worthy option. With them just around the corner (also come with HD4200 onboard), it's better to wait

Hmm...that sounds sweet to me as I will be upgrading my PC as well. I would wait if it were at all possible.

As for the mouse, go for what Shadowfax says. I still insist that if you are going to spend 1900 on Razer mouse, better spend a few more and get the Death Adder. You can only understand when you have used it

Also, I didn't hear you talk about a mouse pad. A good mouse will not live up to its full potential without a good mouse pad. You don't have to spend 1400 on a mouse pad, though. A few hundred bucks would net you a decent one. Of course, if you don't play shooting games where aim matters, all this is academic

[desiibond]

mousepad:

i saw Steeleseries mousepads for some 700 to 800 bucks in SP Road.

else

get a decent mouse and a Microsoft XBOX 360 controller for windows (1000 bucks maybe)

[TheHumanBot]

i will say wait till i7 new updates will be out soon from intel

[desiibond]

few i7's are coming for LGA1156 X38 motherboards. But again they will be costlier than i7 920

if you want i7, you better get i7 920 or 940 with X58 now as Intel is going to stop their production.