Help me choose parts for my pc build
 

Ok guys, ive been planning to get a new computer for a few months already but im just so confused at what parts i should get but im pretty set on geting an i7 though.

Requirements
-I want it to last me a a minimum of 4 years
-Watch HD videos
-Have inputs i might need in the future
-As quiet as it can get.
-Must be i7
-No OC
-6 gigs of ram
-1tb for hdd
-$150 or less for video card

Pretty much. im planning to spend big on the motherboard and processor and cheap out on things that i can upgrade later. My budget will be around 1600.

I'll have more input later, but first for $1600 you don't really need to cheap on anything.

Also how many gigs of ram, it just says gigs.

Do you want to include a monitor as well? what size?

It would be informative to know what you are going to be doing with this rig. Its notable that you didn't say you would be gaming. To watch HD movies, the cheapest computer you can buy will do. I suspect this build will consist more of what you want than need. It's almost impossible to predict computing needs 4 years out.

$1600 is a good budget for just a tower. I'm sure most ppl here dont spend that on their whole computer.

I'd wait till Q1 2010 when they release the 32nm i5 on the 1156 socket. Since 1156 is at the start of its cycle, you can upgrade the processor to the best cpu you can find on 1156 2-3 years down the road if you really need to.

Sorry guys. Should have mentioned 1600 with monitor included. Planning to get a 23". Asides from what I mentioned I I'll mostly be just surfing the net and playing flash games.
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1600 for a computer playing flash games!?!?! you can get one for like 500 dollars doing that and still run HD videos

for the price you can get a decent computer now and save the money for a new one 4 years later

+1

Spend 800 now and 800 two years from now and you will have a better computer in 4 years.

You don't need 6 gigs of RAM to run firefox and flash games. Like they said, drop $800 now and $800 later on, $1600 now is pointless.

if you want to go big on the processor
wait a few more months for the intel i9 to come out. 6 cores =)
should be running on the 1366 socket and x58 chipset

LOL

$1600 to play Facebook flash games. Like everyone said, $500 is plenty to get a rig to that'll play HD videos + flash games.

$1600 would get you a pretty decent gaming rig.

2 Gigs of RAM is plenty for viewing HD movies, 4 gigs would be even better, 6 gigs would just be plain overkill.

i guess that 1600 was a little too much but from looking at the prices for the i7 and motherboards, they already added up to 600 so i was just leaving room for the rest plus the monitor. anyways 800 is the new budget then.

get urself a nice quad core or even a c2d and pair it up with an hd video card with 4gb of ram and your good to go
this setup will last u for years

In the lower budget range I would recommened an AMD CPU. They have great performance for the price and many have the ability to unlock additional cores.

I suggest you go read up a bit on what you want and then bring it back here and we'll make some suggestions on what you should change.

This is a good site to learn and look at similar builds: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/new-builds/

OK...here's the real question.

Do you really want a i7 because you think that's what you need to accomplish what you're using it for?

Or do you just want it because you have $1600 to blow and want to spend it?

Because, in case you haven't noticed from the previous replies, an i7 setup for surfing, flash games, and movies is waaaayyyyy more than you need. That's like buying a dump truck to move a shoe rack.

Based on your needs, you want a basic dual-core setup...even that's a bit more than you need, but its probably the best bang for the buck right now.

I just built a C2D setup for a friend for $417 taxes-in (no monitor)
2.93GHz, 2GB RAM, 500GB HDD, threw Windows7 on it and it runs like a champ.

The reason I wanted an i7 in the first place is because I wanted this pc to last as long as possible. Not just to do what I mentioned. I had no intention of having to build another pc within the next year or 2. In terms of the price budget, I get a rebate at work which is 20% of the cost or up to a max of 350. I guess I'll just stick with the 800 budget.
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that setup Eclypz posted will easily last several years, you could most likely run that for 4+ years with only needing a reformat unless your needs drastically change.

Here's something more in the middle:

Case: Antec 300 ($65)
CPU: Intel Core i5 750 ($250)
Mobo: Gigabyte P55-UD3R ($150)
RAM: 4GB G.SKILL F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH Ripjaws ($120)
Video Card: HD 4890 ($180)
HDD: WD Caviar Black 1TB ($110)
DVD: anything around $25
PSU: Corsair VX550 ($100)
Monitor: Samsung 2343BWX 23IN ($200)

Total: $1200

That's a pretty awesome build that will do a lot more than what you need it for and comes well under your stated budget. You could save a bit on the video card and get a 4870, get a slightly cheaper 640GB HDD, and cheaper RAM which would all knock off about $100. Plus you could definitely save money by timing your purchases and price matching using pricecanada.ca

you're only kidding yourself if you think the more you spend now = the longer it will last.

does a $100,000 car last longer than a $20,000 car? no.

As long as your needs don't increase, a basic dual core setup will last.

the ncix weekly sale just started.. you could probably pick up all the parts you need from there

http://www.ncix.com/promo/promosale....superholiday09

thanks for the input, i found this:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...s&promoid=1030

EDIT:
looked through the sale ncix is having and put this together. let me know if i should change or add something.

Processor, motherboard, and ram:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...0&promoid=1030
DVD Writer
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...7&promoid=1030
Case:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...4&promoid=1030
HDD:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...6&promoid=1030
Video Card:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=41845
PSU:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...4&promoid=1030
Monitor:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...g&promoid=1030

NCIX sales are great. Pretty funny that they put up the exact parts i suggested. I guess it shows it's a pretty popular combo.

Spec-wise the RAM is similar to the Ripjaws (similar CAS latency with lower voltage).

There are also some decent PSUs on sale this week.

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=21...ufacture=Antec imo, since ure getting another psu anyways.
or this from expc http://expc.ca/i-10291-Cooler_Master_HAF922.html

Looks good and great choice on PSU that's the same one I'm using on my other rig. Just a couple things:

1. Pick a different case. That one comes with a PSU that I wouldn't recommend using for your setup. You can spend a lot less and get a better looking/functioning case. Also I hate top mounted PSUs, it's a poor design.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...c&promoid=1030 <-- on sale
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...T&promoid=1030 <-- on sale
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...e=COOLERMASTER
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...e=COOLERMASTER <-- My favourite but more expensive.

2. Spend $5 more and get a SATA DVD writer.

3. The Caviar Green HDD are great for storage but aren't recommended for primary use (OS and programs). While it has lower power consumption it also underclocks the speed to preserve power. Ultimately you won't notice the speed difference but still I would recommend:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...e&promoid=1030 <-- on sale
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=31...20Digital%20WD <-- personal favourite

4. That's a great monitor but is $100 more than the nearly as good alternate. if you wanna can swing the extra money it's probably worth it but this one is great too:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...2&promoid=1030

are there any cases with a conservative look that has a side glass?