Ben's Computer Fest -- Help me build one please :c

[indyjones]

I need to know whether this is a good choice for building a computer.  I spent a long time talking with my dad, and he told me it was more worth creating a new desktop than getting a laptop for various reasons.  Here are some of the main things I was thinking of adding:

-CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2500 Processor (6M Cache, 3.30 GHz)
 - http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=52209

-Motherboard: ASUS P7H55-M PRO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131623

-Video Card: GeForce GT 440
 - http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-geforce-gt-440-us.html

-DDR3 RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3
 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345

-Tower Option 1: Cooler Master HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Chassis Mid Tower
 - http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=805594943

-Tower Option 2: Antec Three Hundred Black Mid-Tower
 - http://stores.tomshardware.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=70765480

I am totally expecting IcyGamma to give his input, but I want as many opinions on what I should/shouldn't get.  If there is something crappy there, please replace it with something better of equal or lesser value (monetary).  Keep in mind it's late, and I may have missed some obvious cool stuff.


The total price for the computer at this point is around $600.00 USD.

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[SeventhSandwich]

Processor slot type: 1155

Motherboard slot type: 1156

I'm not sure if they are compatible, but I'd look that up to be safe.

[indyjones]

Processor slot type: 1155

Motherboard slot type: 1156

I'm not sure if they are compatible, but I'd look that up to be safe.

Will do.

[devildogelite]

Can't use that motherboard with that cpu, the gpu is rather weak, if you were to get a 2nd gen intel cpu go for a k series and finally theres no power supply or hdd.

If you were to go for a k series you should invest in some better cooling for it

[indyjones]

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=52210 ?

[Righteous One]

Yeah, those definitely aren't compatible. No real reason to go the K series especially if this is your first build

Go with the 2400 instead of the 2500. There is not real performance increase between the two. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

That graphics card is honestly pretty terrible; there's no reason in even buying it. What's your budget for the whole system?

This probably the best deal you could get for a motherboard. It has anything that would future-proof it for a while
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138296

That would also allow you to get a MATX case (The HAF 922 is HUGE. It's actually only a tad smaller than my full-tower...). This is probably one of the best cases around for under $100. It's small, feature-packed, and has very impressive cooling. Just because it is smaller than the other cases you chose doesn't mean that you will generally lose space. You could still run sli and crossfire with it so there really is no downside.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146065

As for ram use this... The smurf blue corsair ram would like pretty silly in there and these have a pretty decent rating and are dirt-cheap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231323

[Righteous One]

I didn't see that budget part... If your budget is only $600 you shouldn't be investing in a sandy-bridge processor. If you bought one you would only have $300 to spend on the other components which leave the rest of them pretty stuffty.

[devildogelite]

Yeah, those definitely aren't compatible. No real reason to go the K series especially if this is your first build

Go with the 2400 instead of the 2500. There is not real performance increase between the two. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

Everytime I see a computer build thread I guess I expect them to be able to overclock which is probably unlikely

[indyjones]

I didn't see that budget part... If your budget is only $600 you shouldn't be investing in a sandy-bridge processor. If you bought one you would only have $300 to spend on the other components which leave the rest of them pretty stuffty.

It's $600, but I will be gaining a few hundred more on April 22.  I can always add more features then.