Decision making regarding components

[WebbieMonster]

Alright, so I need help on pulling down the price for my first build. Can't really decide what parts to get.

Anyway,
1. I'm willing to overspend about $50 with a strong reason provided for why should I get the suggested part.
2. The budget of mine would be roughly around $1200.
3. This build would mainly be used for gaming, web surfing, streaming, video editing and possibly programming depending on the course I take in the future.
4. If possible, provide the link to the price list.
5. I'll be building it around the end of November.
6. No water cooling.
7. For the case, I'd prefer a mid-tower case with maximum air flow, preferably with the fans included with the case.
8. Windows 7 or Windows 8?

And here's the part list.
CPU: i5-4570 / i5-4670
Motherboard: MSI B85M-G43
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz
CPU cooler: Deepcool Gamaxx 400
Storage: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue HDD 7200RPM
Video card: Palit GTX760 2GB / Palit GTX760 2GB Jetstream
Power supply: FSP Raider 550W 80+ Silver
Optical drive: Just a cheap one for OS installation
Case: Phantom 410 / CM Storm Scout II / CM Storm Enforcer

Made from both Tradepac's and Best Buy's list. About $1227.

 

[iKoori]

4570 good enough.

Remove cooler and its <1200. You don't need the cooler.

Windows 7 or 8 depends on your preference.

 

[WebbieMonster]

Regarding the Windows 8 part, would there be any compatibility issues?

Will the stock cooler hit anywhere above 70 then?

 

[iKoori]

I'm using Win8.1 now, I don't have any compatibility issues with all the programs I used.

Stock cooler on gaming load usually 60-70 bah. My bro comp using stock cooler only 50-60 during gaming. (i5 3470)

 

[Mythmaker]

Where's the SSD?

OS installation can be done via usb nowadays.

 

[WebbieMonster]

Where's the SSD?

OS installation can be done via usb nowadays.

How? Converting it into ISO?

 

[shadow84]

How? Converting it into ISO?

Using thumbdrive and booting it from it. You only need a 4Gb thumbdrive.

Read the 1st post. Sean's Windows 7 Install & Optimization Guide for SSDs & HDDs

With this, you can remove optical drive from your rig. In the event that you really need it in future, ie. cant get drivers from website, etc, can still get an external dvd drive. At least can share with other coms as well..

SSD is a must if you can fit into your budget. It will make your experience much better, not in terms of gaming, but in terms of fluidity of windows, etc.

 

[WebbieMonster]

I'm assuming I'll still need the original product key even when I follow the post?

Regarding the SSD, any recommendations then?

 

[iKoori]

TS, if you don't have a USB thumbdrive I sugget getting an Optical drive.


Best performance for bang would be Plextor M5P (128gb/256gb)

If want pure performance have to pay a premium, I would recommend Samsung 840 Pro 256GB and above.

 

[Takechan]

Considering that you can take out the Deepcool cooler & optical drive, you might just be able to fit an SSD (128GB) within budget but you'd most probably need to top up abit. Remember to bargain..

Then again, it's purely optional but highly recommended especially for your kind of work.

 

[WebbieMonster]

TS, if you don't have a USB thumbdrive I sugget getting an Optical drive.


Best performance for bang would be Plextor M5P (128gb/256gb)

If want pure performance have to pay a premium, I would recommend Samsung 840 Pro 256GB and above.

I don't have the original copy of the OS either. So I guess I'll just get an optical drive with the OS copy?

 

[WebbieMonster]

Considering that you can take out the Deepcool cooler & optical drive, you might just be able to fit an SSD (128GB) within budget but you'd most probably need to top up abit. Remember to bargain..

Then again, it's purely optional but highly recommended especially for your kind of work.

So, where can you find the cheapest SSD around?

 

[Ark Law]

TS, if you don't have a USB thumbdrive I sugget getting an Optical .

A 16GB thumbdrive cost less than any $20 DVDRW out there...so why even bother getting an optical drive lol

 

[shadow84]

All you need is the product key, no need for the cd.. just dl the iso from the link, follow the steps, and you got yourself a usb bootdrive.

Cant be whole house no thumbdrive? After you are done, jus reformat it normally back to NTFS and your thumbdrive is good as new and back to normal.

Recommended ssd would be plextor m5p xtreme 128gb. make sure its the extreme, and not the old M5pro.

8gb thumbdrive cost $8.. more cost effective than optical drive... just remember not to get those usb3.0, as new com w/o drivers cant read it.

 

[iKoori]

A 16GB thumbdrive cost less than any $20 DVDRW out there...so why even bother getting an optical drive lol

Music? Old DVD/CD that TS could watch or something liddat? It all still TS's preference what. What I did was suggesting not forcing.

 

[iKoori]

I don't have the original copy of the OS either. So I guess I'll just get an optical drive with the OS copy?

You will need to buy OS, Optical optional if you don't use it except installing windows and drivers. (Can use another comp to download onto a HDD/Thumbdrive or smth)

 

[WebbieMonster]

All you need is the product key, no need for the cd.. just dl the iso from the link, follow the steps, and you got yourself a usb bootdrive.

Cant be whole house no thumbdrive? After you are done, jus reformat it normally back to NTFS and your thumbdrive is good as new and back to normal.

Recommended ssd would be plextor m5p xtreme 128gb. make sure its the extreme, and not the old M5pro.

8gb thumbdrive cost $8.. more cost effective than optical drive... just remember not to get those usb3.0, as new com w/o drivers cant read it.

Yea, the problem is I don't have the product key.

 

[shadow84]

Yea, the problem is I don't have the product key.

Then, have to buy lor.... try searching in hwz/vr-zone marketplace for cheap deals on wins. I got mine for $90 previously from a closing-down shop sale, quite a good deal.

 

[WebbieMonster]

Then, have to buy lor....

So I should buy a copy and then use the USB installation method?

 

[shadow84]

So I should buy a copy and then use the USB installation method?

Ask yourself, are you gonna use the ODD in future, after using it for installing OS? Such as you buying DVD and watching from it, ripping music from cd???

As for me, product keys from games can be redeemed on steam/origin, and drivers can be dl-ed from brand website... So, my ODD will be practically useless after installing OS. Thus, i decided not to get.