Need a new PC for 1500ish??

Here my situation, I have built PC's in the past and am looking to upgrade. My budget is 1500.00. Here are my requirements:

- Decent size widescreen monitor

- I play some games (mostly flight sims) so it needs to have a good VC as I like to have all the options turned on

- I do some photo editing with PS and office tasks (ecxel, word, etc.)

- I would like to have a RAID 1 setup as I am always worried about hardware failure so I want to have a failsafe.

- need at least 750gb storage for music, videos, pics, etc.. (prefer 1tb)

- Need OS (WIN7)

- Needs to be stable (prefer no major OC'ing)

- Needs to last me 3 years (I know electronics are dated quicker but looking for a decent long term solution :))

- If I am buying I prefer Newegg :)

Can you guys spec me something. I also was looking at Dell and HP for a PNP option but I am not sure that is the best option either. Ideas?

Also, I don't need a super fancy case, I am fairly simple but I do need easy to access USB ports if possible.

LIAN LI PC-7B http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112099

ASUS P7P55D-E http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131620

Intel Core i5-750 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB (2 x 2GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226092

SPARKLE SXX460768D5NM GeForce GTX 460 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187112

SAMSUNG 2494SW Glossy Black 24" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001338

Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371015

2 x Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284

Any reason to want more then 4 gb of ram?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jseese

Any reason to want more then 4 gb of ram?

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Most Gamers wouldn't need any more. Now if you plan to do something like video/audio editing, rendering huge 3d maps, etc, then sure; you could do two 4GB sticks for 8GB or 4 sticks of 4GB for 16GB, but most 1156 mobos can only handle 8GB.

I would suggest this case. Lian-Li Lancool PC-K7B. I've got two of them now, and I love them for several features. Including the dual 120mm intake fans on the front, which balance nicely with the 120mm exhaust + a decent PSU with 120-140mm fan.

For a monitor, I'd recommend the Dell U2311H. They can be had for around $240 or less. 23" 1080p (16:9 1920x1080) IPS panel. Great quality panels. We have about 2 dozen at work.

Quick build:

Code:

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CPU: i3-540 3.06GHz dual core w/ HT
 RAM: 4GB DDR3-1333 G.Skill
 VID: 1GB HD5770 Sapphire
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H
 SSD: OCZ Vertex 30GB (boot/OS drive)
 HDD: 2x WD Green 2TB hdd's
 ODD: 22x Lite-ON DVD-RW
CASE: Lancool PC-K7B
 PSU: Enermax 720w Modular 80+ PSU
  OS: Win7 Pro x64 OEM
 MON: Dell U2311H

Total with shipping: ~$1410

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Reasoning behind CPU and GPU. Honestly, at $125 and $150 respectively, these will easily be updated in your time frame, and should be "good enough" if you decide not to do so for a few years.

*P.S. I don't know how firm your budget is, but if you really want to push that $1500 envelope, definitely get another 4GB of RAM (2x2GB kit). 8GB is definitely worth it in my opinion, but then again i do video encoding, virtual machines, etc. on my system.

Thanks for the ideas, is the verdict to go with Intel over AMD?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jseese

Thanks for the ideas, is the verdict to go with Intel over AMD?

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I would say yes. Intel still takes the performance/watt and performance/$ crowns in the mid-high end. If you go extremely cheap, AMD will win out, but mostly because Intel isn't playing in that arena anymore.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by James

I would suggest this case. Lian-Li Lancool PC-K7B. I've got two of them now, and I love them for several features. Including the dual 120mm intake fans on the front, which balance nicely with the 120mm exhaust + a decent PSU with 120-140mm fan.

For a monitor, I'd recommend the Dell U2311H. They can be had for around $240 or less. 23" 1080p (16:9 1920x1080) IPS panel with LED backlight. Great quality panels. We have about 2 dozen at work.

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I looked at that monitor and I didn't see anything on Dells site about backlighting and also with an 8ms rating, is gaming an issue? Do you play any games on yours?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jseese

I looked at that monitor and I didn't see anything on Dells site about backlighting and also with an 8ms rating, is gaming an issue? Do you play any games on yours?

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I've the Dell U2711 IPS panel monitor and input lag IS NOT an issue, nor response time. Plays HL2, JC2, UT3, Avatar just fine. I like the viewing angles an IPS monitor provides and the greater color pallet will jump out at you. If an IPS monitor fits in your budget they are truly worth it.

Ignore that Gigabyte fanboy (James) :D ASUS is best! No really, I think ASUS reliability and stability is a tad better than Gigabyte.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OS-Wiz

I've the Dell U2711 IPS panel monitor and input lag IS NOT an issue, nor response time. Plays HL2, JC2, UT3, Avatar just fine. I like the viewing angles an IPS monitor provides and the greater color pallet will jump out at you. If an IPS monitor fits in your budget they are truly worth it.

Ignore that Gigabyte fanboy (James) :D ASUS is best! No really, I think ASUS reliability and stability is a tad better than Gigabyte.

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lol I can't really argue, considering my sig. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jseese

I looked at that monitor and I didn't see anything on Dells site about backlighting and also with an 8ms rating, is gaming an issue? Do you play any games on yours?

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Sorry, you are correct, it's not the LED backlit one. Corrected my previous post. However, it does have Displayport, which is a nice feature. Not necessarily needed, but nice. Especially for when those dreams of eyefinity invade your head. :p

Thanks guys for the help I have been poking on the Dell site all day and their moniotrs get great reviews. Look back at the earlier post do you guys have any recommdations for the other hardware (CPU, VC, MB, Mem)?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jseese

Thanks guys for the help I have been poking on the Dell site all day and their moniotrs get great reviews. Look back at the earlier post do you guys have any recommdations for the other hardware (CPU, VC, MB, Mem)?

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LOL, scroll up ... personally, my list is much, much better than James' :D

For 1500 bucks and a gaming machine go with Intel.

OS- What about thise MB in your build: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-407-_-Product

Has a good rebate and I think it is a step up from your build. Also what about going up to a 480 VC, is it worth the $ if I am willing to bump my budget?

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$89.99


ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor Built-in Speakers
Item #:N82E16824236049
Return Policy: Monitor Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
$249.99
$219.99


Lian Li PC-7B plus II Black Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811112099
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
-$10.00 Combo
$199.98
$179.98



SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 100290SR Eyefinity 6 Edition Video Card
Item #: N82E16814102888
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy

Intel Core i5-750 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
-$35.00 Instant
-$35.00 Combo
$719.98
$649.98


Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$209.98
$159.98


CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory
Item #: N82E16820145262
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

ASUS P7P55D EVO ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131407
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$349.98
$314.98


Grand Total: $1,614.90

For this kind of cash am I beeter looking at bumping to the Intel i7?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jseese

OS- What about thise MB in your build: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-407-_-Product

Has a good rebate and I think it is a step up from your build. Also what about going up to a 480 VC, is it worth the $ if I am willing to bump my budget?

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Yes, I like the layout of that mobo, good choice. The 480 will force you into a higher wattage PSU too, consider the Corsair HX850.

EDIT: <<Grand Total: $1,614.90 For this kind of cash am I beeter looking at bumping to the Intel i7? >>

You'd probably have to add another 200-$300 to that cost. I don't recommend an ATI card -- problem drivers plaque those cards, always has.

10-4 I will stick to Nvidia. Is that Corsair memeory good? I was trying to work the combo deals but not sure if I am really saving or not.

How about this?


ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD w/Speakers
Item #:N82E16824236052
Return Policy: Monitor Standard Return Policy
-$40.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$229.99
$189.99
2
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$179.98
1
Intel Core i5-750 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy




Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
-$10.00 Combo
$299.98
$284.98
1
Lian Li PC-7B plus II Black Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811112099
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy




ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Item #: N82E16827135204
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
-$22.00 Combo
$121.98
$89.98
1
ASUS GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) ENGTX470/2DI/1280MD5 Video Card
Item #: N82E16814121372
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy




CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-850HX 850W Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139011
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$80.00 Instant
-$50.00 Combo
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$539.98
$409.98
1
GIFT StarCraft2 - FREE Trial Version Game coupon
Item #:N82E16800999244
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$59.99
1
ASUS P7P55D EVO ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131407
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy




CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory
Item #: N82E16820145262
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$349.98
$314.98
Grand Total: $1,469.89

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jseese

How about this?


ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD w/Speakers
Item #:N82E16824236052
Return Policy: Monitor Standard Return Policy
-$40.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$229.99
$189.99
2
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$179.98
1
Intel Core i5-750 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy




Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
-$10.00 Combo
$299.98
$284.98
1
Lian Li PC-7B plus II Black Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811112099
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy




ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Item #: N82E16827135204
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
-$22.00 Combo
$121.98
$89.98
1
ASUS GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) ENGTX470/2DI/1280MD5 Video Card
Item #: N82E16814121372
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy




CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-850HX 850W Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139011
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$80.00 Instant
-$50.00 Combo
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$539.98
$409.98
1
GIFT StarCraft2 - FREE Trial Version Game coupon
Item #:N82E16800999244
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$59.99
1
ASUS P7P55D EVO ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131407
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy




CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory
Item #: N82E16820145262
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$349.98
$314.98
Grand Total: $1,469.89

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RAM is fine, time to order.

Thanks, order being placed tommorrow. I may hit you up with any questions on MB settings :) Hopefully I will get it all before next weekend.

Also, do I need to have a floppy drive to install a RAID 1 on Win7? I haven't setup a RAID setup in a long time but remember needing one at some point.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jseese

Also, do I need to have a floppy drive to install a RAID 1 on Win7? I haven't setup a RAID setup in a long time but remember needing one at some point.

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Thankfully, Win7 supports loading drivers from USB thumb drives, etc. :)

No more floppies needed.

All my Hardware comes in tomorrow and the case Friday :):):):)