help me build a fast/reliable desktop for $1k

BOOSTFTW · 01-27-2010, 05:25 PM

Hey guys, I'm trying to help my sister build a fast and reliable desktop since her laptop always freezes on her (including one time when she couldn't turn in her online midterm). She doesn't play games or anything, just the usual web surfing and the occasional photo/video editting so her main focus is something that is super fast and reliable (and maybe an above average graphics card). Budget is around 1k. Hope you guys can help! Thanks

UltimateBMW · 01-28-2010, 09:56 AM

Here you go. Core2 Quad CPU, 8GB DDR2 800 ram, ATI 5850 GPU.

I picked a Core 2 system because of the cheaper motherboard and ram costs. There are also other places to shave more money out of it, like to get a cheaper case, maybe alittle less of a Power supply. I forgot to add a sound card, but SB Audigy cards only cost $25 on newegg so not a big deal. Integrated sound might even be enough now, I haven't used it in a while though. Remember that this is only 1 option of many, and you might even fair well in just buying a i7 machine for like $600-$700 then dropping in a discrete GPU of your choice.

The breakdown:
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22NP20 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827136144
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$23.99

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129066
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$69.99
$59.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136283
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$79.99

SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102857
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$10.00 Instant
$309.99
$299.99

Rosewill Green Series RG700-S12 700W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified,Single 12V Rail,Active PFC"Compatible with Core i7, ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817182191
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$30.00 Instant
$99.99
$69.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231122
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$171.98
($85.99 each)

ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131232
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$119.99
$99.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q8400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115057
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$169.99
Subtotal: $975.91

vgame64 · 01-28-2010, 01:18 PM

Spot on Ultimate.

JME · 01-28-2010, 03:27 PM

Honestly, a Macbook (as a student) will cost her about 950 +tax, and it will do everything she needs, never freeze and be portable.

As for a system, I would go along the lines of Ultimate's idea, but drop in a cheaper v-card and a quieter box. Check for mobo/CPU and Case/Power supply combos, cause you can shave off a lot of cash if you are not looking for the best item for each slot and are willing to compromise a bit. Unless you are building a gaming rig you can really shave off a lot of money by not being nickel and dimed on each part.

Does she have a copy of windows to install, or will she need an OEM copy?

01-27-2010, 05:25 PM	#1
BOOSTFTW Enlisted Member 68 Rep 44 Posts Drives: E90 335i e36 m3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SD/Bay Area iTrader: (0)	help me build a fast/reliable desktop for $1k Hey guys, I'm trying to help my sister build a fast and reliable desktop since her laptop always freezes on her (including one time when she couldn't turn in her online midterm). She doesn't play games or anything, just the usual web surfing and the occasional photo/video editting so her main focus is something that is super fast and reliable (and maybe an above average graphics card). Budget is around 1k. Hope you guys can help! Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-28-2010, 09:56 AM	#2
UltimateBMW Brigadier General 423 Rep 3,287 Posts Drives: MP4 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South iTrader: (0)	Here you go. Core2 Quad CPU, 8GB DDR2 800 ram, ATI 5850 GPU. I picked a Core 2 system because of the cheaper motherboard and ram costs. There are also other places to shave more money out of it, like to get a cheaper case, maybe alittle less of a Power supply. I forgot to add a sound card, but SB Audigy cards only cost $25 on newegg so not a big deal. Integrated sound might even be enough now, I haven't used it in a while though. Remember that this is only 1 option of many, and you might even fair well in just buying a i7 machine for like $600-$700 then dropping in a discrete GPU of your choice. The breakdown: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22NP20 - OEM Item #: N82E16827136144 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy Protect Your Investment (expand for options) $23.99 Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811129066 Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy -$10.00 Instant $69.99 $59.99 Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive -Bare Drive Item #: N82E16822136283 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $79.99 SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail Item #: N82E16814102857 Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy Protect Your Investment (expand for options) -$10.00 Instant $309.99 $299.99 Rosewill Green Series RG700-S12 700W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified,Single 12V Rail,Active PFC"Compatible with Core i7, ... - Retail Item #: N82E16817182191 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy Protect Your Investment (expand for options) -$30.00 Instant $99.99 $69.99 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail Item #: N82E16820231122 Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy $171.98 ($85.99 each) ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Item #: N82E16813131232 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$20.00 Instant $15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card $119.99 $99.99 Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q8400 - Retail Item #: N82E16819115057 Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy $169.99 Subtotal: $975.91 __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2010, 01:18 PM	#3
vgame64 Colonel 143 Rep 2,479 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	Spot on Ultimate. __________________ Car:2008 E90 335i \| BSM \| ZPP \| ZSP \| 6AT Paddles \| Black Leather \| Dark Burl Walnut \| Heated Seats Mods: (All OEM) \| BMW Performance CF Splitters \| BMW Blackline Taillights \| BMW Rear Deck Spoiler \| BMW Performance Auto Shift Knob and Alcantara Boot \| BMW Black Dakota Leather Split Folding Armrest \| BMW Euro Fog Light Switch \| BMW Style 193M Wheels \| BMW Performance Gloss Black Kidney Grills \| BMW Front Clear Bra \| BMW Performance Steering Wheel (non-elec)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-28-2010, 03:27 PM	#4
JME Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 239 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	Honestly, a Macbook (as a student) will cost her about 950 +tax, and it will do everything she needs, never freeze and be portable. As for a system, I would go along the lines of Ultimate's idea, but drop in a cheaper v-card and a quieter box. Check for mobo/CPU and Case/Power supply combos, cause you can shave off a lot of cash if you are not looking for the best item for each slot and are willing to compromise a bit. Unless you are building a gaming rig you can really shave off a lot of money by not being nickel and dimed on each part. Does she have a copy of windows to install, or will she need an OEM copy?
	Appreciate 0 Quote