Core i5 build help

S

Steelers501

New Member
Hey everyone,

I am looking to build a core i5 computer and would like everyone's opinions/suggestions. I am fairly new to this so any help would be greatly appreciated. I would like to keep the price down as much as possible, so when you see links to a bunch of different websites for different parts it is only for that reason :D

Processor: http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317379

Motherboard: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011376

Power supply: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10009333&ps=ps=weekly_10009333

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121329

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211409

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147135

DVD: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010832

Basically, I would like to keep the price down as much as possible while still building a strong reliable machine. I do not play very many games, so the need for a good GPU is not high, but I also do not want to get a "bad" video card. Overall, the price of this machine in total is looking to cost about $650+tax and shipping. I do not really want to go above that, but if I have bad parts that I can upgrade, I will definitely look to do that. Also, if I have something that I went overboard with please let me know. I checked the compatibility of everything, and it seems as if they all work together, but if they do not please tell me.

On a side note, I read people saying it is best to get a CPU cooler because the Intel ones are not great. Is this needed or just recommended?

Thank you for the help, I appreciate it.
 
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Most of your component choices look good. I think there may be some problems with the motherboard model you selected. Take a look at this model:

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Motherboard - $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412

OCZ DDR3 memory is poor quality from what I have read. Avoid it. Do you have a Windows installation disk? If not you will need one. You also forgot to put a DVD optical drive in your parts list.

Take a look at this SAMSUNG SH-S223B DVD optical drive:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010832

Intel processor heatsinks are not good quality. I would at least buy third party screws to secure the heatsink to the motherboard. The push pins Intel provides with their processors are lacking in quality.

Take a look at this mounting kit with screws:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233038&cm_re=core_i5-_-35-233-038-_-Product
 
Thank you very much for the help 2048Megabytes. I do have a copy of Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, so that is taken care of. I will stay away from OCZ memory too, but is the other memory I had good, or I should look for something else? I figured that you get what you pay for, but thought there was a chance of it being good memory :D I have been looking through this site to see the other i5 builds people have made and I saw in a thread that someone recommended this motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157172

I think I will go with your choice because I read Gigabyte is good quality and have heard very little about this board but I figured it was worth it to ask how this board compares?

Also, is it better just to buy an aftermarket cooler for the Intel chip rather than the brackets? The way I look at it is that it may be better to fix the problem, rather than try and put a band aid on it with the bracket but I could be wrong.

Thank you once again for the help, I appreciate it.

EDIT: I found this cooler as I was searching through different threads for information. Is it worth it to buy this one, or should I try and find a better one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
 
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The A-DATA DDR3 1600 random access memory looks okay quality that you have chosen. I have never dealt with the type of heatsink you are looking at but it looks to be decent quality. My only concern is if you will need brackets to brace it on the case. The weight of it could warp the motherboard after a while.
 
Thanks again for the reply. Looks as if I am going to go with either that memory or this memory. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193 I am also considering on going with this Video Card over the one I have listed http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125277 as it looks like it is a "better" card for the same money.

I must have misunderstood you when you recommended the mounting brackets. I thought you meant I needed it only if I was planning on using the Intel cooler, but I am going to order it either way now. Thanks again for the help.
 
The G.Skill RAM is great quality memory. The second video card you are looking at is better. Please post again on this same thread again when you get your system together. Pictures of your new rig would be sweet too.
 
One last question and I promise I will stop bothering you guys :)

I just want to make sure that I am getting the best machine for the money I am paying.

I know cases don't always mean much, but I was looking through newegg and saw one that may be a little better than the one I have posted above (mainly more fans so I am assuming better cooling). Would this case be better than the one I have? Or should I just pick whichever one looks cooler? :P

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156063


Thank you once again for the help.
 
Looks good. I'd recommend a CM Storm Scout, CM Storm Sniper, the HAF 922 or the antec 900. all are great cases.
 
I would just go with the first case you selected in my opinion. I think the Rosewill case is adequate and cheaper than the RAIDmax case.
 
Jet said:
Check out the Antec 300 for your case--it's cheap, quality, and has great airflow.
Click to expand...

Front panel air filter cleans out easy too. I just did mine yesterday for the first time - and it was like cleaning out a dryer filter. Unsnap the cover and remove clips - and you get a big felt/dust pad that goes right into the garbage can :good:
 
Thanks for the help once again guys. I just checked out the Antec 300 and it looks like a great case so I will go with that.

Jet, is Samsung a good quality HD company? I only ask because I though Western Digital was top of the line, but if you think this HD will be better I will definitely go with this one. The difference in space doesn't bother me at all because I won't use 500GB, but I heard bad things about Samsung Hard Drives.

Thanks again guys.
 
Thanks 2048. That's my only real problem with the Samsung. I heard that those brands you listed above are the best for reliability and I can't have something that will die on me in the future.
 
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