Need a new PC for 1500ish??

**jseese** · 08-13-2010, 08:58 AM

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?

**jseese** · 08-13-2010, 09:11 AM

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

**OS-Wiz** · 08-13-2010, 09:51 AM

**jseese** · 08-13-2010, 11:24 AM

Any reason to want more then 4 gb of ram?

**OS-Wiz** · 08-13-2010, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by jseese

Any reason to want more then 4 gb of ram?

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.

**James** · 08-13-2010, 02:06 PM

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:

 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

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.

**jseese** · 08-13-2010, 02:34 PM

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

**James** · 08-13-2010, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by jseese

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

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.

**jseese** · 08-13-2010, 03:00 PM

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.

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?

**OS-Wiz** · 08-13-2010, 03:09 PM

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?

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)

ASUS is best! No really, I think ASUS reliability and stability is a tad better than Gigabyte.

**James** · 08-13-2010, 03:16 PM

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)

ASUS is best! No really, I think ASUS reliability and stability is a tad better than Gigabyte.

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

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?

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.

**jseese** · 08-13-2010, 04:21 PM

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)?

**OS-Wiz** · 08-13-2010, 07:38 PM

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)?

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

**richardginn** · 08-14-2010, 10:03 AM

For 1500 bucks and a gaming machine go with Intel.

**jseese** · 08-14-2010, 07:34 PM

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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