computer specs

You don't have a processor listed (even though you have a speed up there), and the RAM you're using is incompatible with that motherboard. You want DDR3 (1333), not DDR2. Also, get *at least* 4GB. You'll be able to find DDR3 in packs of 3, but just get two since you're using the 1156 which only has a dual-channel memory controller, thus making three sticks rather pointless (unless you bought two sets of 3, which is where it starts getting expensive..).

If you plan on playing games, get whatever Corei5 is in the sweet spot at the moment. I don't know which one that is because I don't really keep up with Intel.

If you can afford it, you may as well go with a Radeon HD5850. They're more expensive but are newer, faster, use less power, and (from what I've heard) don't sound like leaf-blowers when their fan kicks in. You also want a card with 1GB of video RAM; you aren't saving much with 512 and it will be crippling at higher resolutions.

I didn't really look at your case(s?) or anything else, but the brand names you chose are dependable so I'll assume they're okay for what you're building.

 

As far as I can tell, everything looks good. Instead of the HD4870, you might want to look at the HD5770. I don't think it's much more expensive (if at all). It's slightly less powerful than the 4870 due to choked memory bandwidth, but it probably won't be noticeable and you'll still get the reduced power consumption and noise level. You still want a video card with 1GB of RAM, though, as it's more or less the standard now.

I don't know if noise is a big concern to you or not, and if it isn't then you might want the 4870. I can't stand noisy computers, though, and I'm a bit of an energy hippie so I probably wouldn't get the 4870 at this point. My friend might be giving me his, though, and if that's the case I can't say I'd turn something like that down.

 

Odd. I'm looking on Newegg and there's a $10 price difference between the two series of cards, and sometimes less. If you were going to get this stuff from a store, I recommend you reconsider. Ordering online is usually cheaper.

If you can't get the HD5770 for a reasonable price (and you should be able to), the HD4870 is still a fine, and technically faster card. The amount of RAM on the card is the more important issue here.

 

The 5750 isn't worth it. You're paying more for less.

Man, I feel for you, because these prices are terrible. It says Singapore, so I'm guessing you're there or somewhere close by. I don't know what the conversion rate or normal prices for computer parts over there, but if this is anything close to USD you're getting ripped off.

I understand wanting to make the best of your situation, though. What resolution does your monitor support? If it's 1680x1050 or below, you'd probably be fine with a 512mb card. I like to think ahead, but if you don't plan on using anything larger than what you have now, then you may as well save some money and get a card with 512mb.

 

How are you using a computer without a monitor?

 

Well, when/if you build this PC, get a monitor with a resolution of 1680x1050 or less and you'll be fine with a 512mb video card.

I'm off to watch cartoons now. Toodles.

 

What motherboard are you getting? I don't think you listed it.

 

I ask that because I seriously recommend the: Gigabyte P55M-UD2

The i5 750 is a great CPU when it's overclocked and the UD2 can pretty much overclock it to 4.0Ghz very easily and stay stable. A lot of the magazines and websites I frequent really recommend this set up, you just get so much processing power for the money this way. Granted, you'd have to buy a decent heatsink (Titan Fenrir, ftw). It's an m-ATX like the intel one and it's virtually the same price. That CPU with that RAM and that motherboard, you've got an awesome system.

 

Okay the H55M-UD2H is part of the new H55 1156 chipset which was released for the Core i3's which came out recently. It basically adds the integrated GPU functionality that comes with the core i3. According to some reviews, H55M UD2 and the normal UD2 are identical otherwise. But they say, the original UD2 seems happier when overclocked. If the H55 version is quite a bit cheaper, I would get that. But if it's not much cheaper then I'd still get the original UD2.

The cooler, I think is very good value but I think it doesn't cool that great. I'd spend a tiny bit more and get the latest Arctic Cooler or a Gelid Tranquillo, which is quite new and nearly matches the Fenrir. But is cheaper. But the cooler you mentioned seems fine otherwise.