First time building a computer, any pointers is much appreciated

[Suruyaa]

Hello all,

I'm debating between an AMD or Intel build. Here's a list of the specs of each build.

Intel Build:

HDD: Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM SATA - 94.99
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU 650TX 650W – 99.99
MOBO: ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard – 169.99
CPU+RAM (Combo Deal): Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz 130W Quad-Core Processor + CORSAIR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) – 399.98
GPU+OS: MSI GeForce GTX 275 + Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit –324.98
Case: Antec 900 (I read it comes with great cooling) - 99.99

Total: ~1200
Grand Total: (Including Monitor, tax, shipping, etc...) ~1800

AMD Build:

HDD: Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM SATA - 94.99
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU 650TX 650W – 99.99
MOBO + CPU (Combo Deal): AMD Phenom II X4 965 + MSi 790FX-GD70 AM3 - 384.99
RAM: G.SKILL 6GB (2x3GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) – 124.99
GPU+OS: - 294.99
Case: Antec 900 - 99.99

Total: ~1100
Grand Total: ~1700

I'm looking for a gaming PC but can also multitask as well, as I use current computer (laptop) often to do work. Unfortunately, my laptop is 3 years old and has slowed down quite a lot. I'm also looking for shave off some money off the Grand Totals above with suggestions. I guess some questions that I would like to ask are:

CPU: I would like the keep the i7 core on the intel build. Is the Phenom II X4 965 worth the price or should I go with the 955?

GPU:Is the GTX 275 much better than 4890? Would the GTX 275 be more compatible with the Intel or AMD?

PSU + HDD: Is 640W sufficient for the builds? Is 1TB going overboard?

I have no experience with OC'ing. Does OC'ing damage your parts to a great extent? I'd prefer not to OC at all but wouldn't mind tweaking a bit for a faster speed.

Any advice would be great. Thanks!

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

CPU: I would like the keep the i7 core on the intel build. Is the Phenom II X4 965 worth the price or should I go with the 955?

No, but the Core i5 with a P55 chipset will be WELL worth the money, more so than your choices.

Everything else if good. Some people might suggest a full sized case, though thats not really necessary.

GPU:Is the GTX 275 much better than 4890? Would the GTX 275 be more compatible with the Intel or AMD?

Their about the same. For a build priced this high, I would go with a high quality brand like XFX or Evga for NVidia, and XFX, Saphire, or Visiontec for ATI.

PSU + HDD: Is 640W sufficient for the builds? Is 1TB going overboard?

Its good, the corsair 650 is a great powersupply.

And I believe some version of Vista 64 offers free upgrade to Windows 7 64, keep that in mind for later.

 

[Suruyaa]

If I go with the i5 core, then I would need a different MOBO correct? Since the i5 core has a different socket type? Or is the LGA 1156 socket type compatible with the 1366 socket type?

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

If I go with the i5 core, then I would need a different MOBO correct? Since the i5 core has a different socket type? Or is the LGA 1156 socket type compatible with the 1366 socket type?

Yes, a cheaper one too.

Intel Core i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

 

[Suruyaa]

Thanks! Would a Vista-compatible sound card carry over to Windows 7?

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Thanks! Would a Vista-compatible sound card carry over to Windows 7?

Yeah probably, but I don't know how many sound card manufactures have official Windows 7 support. Of course, that will change when Windows 7 comes out, you get the option of a free upgrade.

What sound card are you thinking?

 

[Suruyaa]

Well, the Antec 900 doesn't have an onboard sound card so the cards I looked at that were compatible and what i think are decent are:

Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer - 94.99
Creative Audigy SE 7.1 - 34.99 (I'm leaning towards this though I'd have to download a driver from creative)
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 - 59.99

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Creative drivers don't like Vista...thats all I can tell you.

Well, the Antec 900 doesn't have an onboard sound card so the cards I looked at that were compatible and what i think are decent are:

Cases don't have sound, integrated sound comes from the motherboard, and any P55 motherboard will have integrated sound.

 

[Suruyaa]

Ahh, so there is no need to get a sound card then?

 

[Ritwik7]

The i5 build would be great at a price / performance ratio.

No need to get a sound card for now. Especially if you get the Gigabyte board HK mentioned. It has an optical output, so if you want you may also connect your PC to a high fidelity receiver.