Specs for my Future Gaming PC

[BraydenW]

I'm going to start ordering parts for my new system build. It's for a gaming PC and my budget is around $1000-$2000. Here are the parts with links to tigerdirect, but I may buy parts off ebay to save money.

--- ***UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 19TH***
Case
Thermaltake WingRS 101 Black Mid-Tower ATX Case with Front USB and Audio Ports
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14660AC0674&vpn=VG8000BNS&manufacture=THERMALTAKE

Case Fan
Thermaltake Silent CAT 120mm Case Fan - White
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14660AC9777&vpn=A2329&manufacture=THERMALTAKE

Power Supply
Thermaltake / ToughPower / 700-Watt / ATX / 140mm Fan / SATA Ready / SLI Ready / PFC/EPS / Power Supply (Crossfire certified)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2212308&CatId=2036

Motherboard
Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe Motherboard - AMD790FX, Socket AM2+, ATX, Audio, PCI Express 2.0, CrossFireX Ready, Gigabit LAN, S/PDIF, Firewire, USB 2.0, eSATA, RAID
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3739366&CatId=2320

CPU
AMD Phenom X4 9950 Quad Core Processor HD995ZFAGHBOX - Black Edition, 2.60GHz, 4MB Cache, 2000MHz (4000 MT/s) FSB, Agena, Quad-Core, Retail, Socket AM2+, Processor with Fan
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3956846&Sku=CP1-AM2-9950

RAM
Kingston Dual Channel HyperX 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz LL Memory (4 x 1024MB)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2176265&CatId=2264

Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB Hard Drive - 7200RPM, 32MB, SATA-300, OEM
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14120DR9680&vpn=ST3500320AS&manufacture=SEAGATE

Video Card
Diamond Radeon HD 4870 800MHZ 512MB GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI-I Xoc Black Edition Video Card
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11340BD0395&vpn=4870PE5512OC&manufacture=DIAMOND

DVD Burner
Lite-ON IHAS220-08 SuperAllwrite SATA 20x DVD Burner with Lightscribe (Retail) - 20x DVD±R Burn, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Black
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3970769&CatId=1624

Monitor
Samsung 2053BW 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor - 2ms, 1000:1 Static, 8000:1 Dynamic, DVI, VGA, Black
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3826405&CatId=12
---

What I'd like to know is What do you think of it? Is there any conflicts between parts? Will it keep cool enough? Any comments?

 

[SuicideSilence]

Looks pretty good man!

The only thing I would change is that PSU. Im not too sure on ULTRA quality.

Somthing like this would probably be better:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3806977&CatId=2534

 

[georgy]

Here is where to shop in canada lower prices than ncix and tigerdirect and they don't charge shipping for orders of 300$+ (for a limited time). this is where i bought my stuff.

http://www.directcanada.com/

 

[bdollar]

1k - 2k is a pretty big range. recommendations are completely different depending on which end you truly want to be at.

1. at that resolution i don't know that you need the 4870x2. a regular 4870 would be enough. that being said on a 2k build i would get a better monitor. 1920x1200 and stick with the x2

2. you say it is for a gaming build. i would recommend intel build.

not going into much in the way of specifics yet. I assume you are cool up to 2k but let us know for sure. it will make an impact on recommendations.

 

[shadowthor]

+1 for changing psu, since you have a big budget go with an intel build. Change hard drive to WD 640. www.infonec.com has better pricing.

 

[rodney_ws]

since you have a big budget go with an intel build.

Why not just try to change his religion while you're at it?

 

[SuicideSilence]

If the man wants to go with AMD, let him do it.

 

[bdollar]

+1 to the WD 640gb. of course i always say that.

hey it was just a thought on the intel. he can do fine with the amd build I just wanted him to know that he has options and may want to explore them.

 

[SuicideSilence]

True lol

 

[pbrigido]

I would also look into a different PSU. This is one area of the computer you don't want to skimp on. It can make a huge difference.

 

[aznguy0028]

Why not just try to change his religion while you're at it?

but building an intel system will appease the intel gods!

 

[BraydenW]

Thanks for all the replies guys, it's really great!

One of the things mentioned is a new power supply. I thought I'd use the Ultra because my case is an Ultra, but if you have some alternate suggestions for a case or PSU I'm open to change. Another suggestion was going Intel. I'm contemplating switching to Intel, but are they really better, I've heard people say AMD's are better and people say Intel's are better, are they really that much different? Which one do you think is better? Another suggestion was a different monitor. If you have any suggestions I'm open, otherwise I heard this monitor is a very good one. Thanks for the replies people and keep them coming!

Edit: I'll look into the hard drive too, but I heard Seagate's were pretty kick ass hard drives. Again, keep them replies coming as I want to make this PC kick ass. Also I neglected to mention this PC will run on Windows XP Professional.

Edit 2, Return of the Edit (gave it a cheesy sequel title): Got a new case/PSU, looking for more insight. it's Thermal take, are they better?

---
Case
Thermaltake WingRS 101 Black Mid-Tower ATX Case with Front USB and Audio Ports
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3180429&CatId=1842

Case Fan
Thermaltake Silent CAT 120mm Case Fan - White
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3180427&CatId=494

Power Supply
Thermaltake / ToughPower / 1000-Watt / ATX / 140mm Fan / SATA Ready / SLI Ready / PFC/EPS / Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3127371&CatId=2535
---

If this still isn't good, Is Power Up a good company? Another question, do I need 1000W or could I escape with 700W? Or could I run with 700W, but for better stability go for the 1000W? Again keep on replying!

 

[bdollar]

first you need to decide: closer to 1k or 2k because that is huge difference. ok now (and i apologize for the length):

it is really your preference on the monitor. i recommend going to a store and checking it out. this is a big decision because different monitors look different to people. and if you love the look of the lower res then you can save some good $. a 4870 is plenty at that lower res to do all the gaming you desire. however if you are set on the x2 then check out the higher resolution see if you think it is worth the $$ ( i personally think it looks quite a bit better) and then you can take full advantage of your beefy video card.

i have always been pretty neutral when it comes to amd vs intel. just like i have been on video cards. up until this 4000 series i typically recommended nvidia cards recently. but from what i see in the benches and the prices of the 4000 series i think it is the best for your money.

so intel vs. amd. i really think the intel cpu's are good right now. you can get an x48 mobo which will work well with the 4870 or x2 and allow you to add another later if you ever feel the need. and then you can make the dual core vs. quad core choice. there are some good arguments for both. personally I think it depends on $$. you can have a great build either way so price out the other stuff and see where you sit. that will determine where you can go. because i would take a higher ghz dual core instead of a real low quad core. but if you have enough to get a good quad core that may be the way to go. sorry to be so on the fence on that one.

hdd: seagates are good there is nothing wrong if that is the choice you make. it is just the 640gb wd right now is priced great. what you get in space for that price is very good and it performs very well. but if 500gb is more than enough you won't be upset with the seagate.

power supply: someone can post the link but the best thing to do is get a brand that is certified to do crossfire. you don't want to mess around by going low end on PSU that can cause lots of problems. as far as watts it depends on your plans. if you decide on the x2 and think you are going to crossfire down the road that will require more than no crossfire or 4870 that will be crossfired later.

sorry for the novel.

 

[mark $]

The monitor won't be using the 4870x2 at any sort of level. I would just get a single 4870 and a 22" monitor or at least a 26" if you want the 4870x2.

 

[ahslan]

I got the old WingRS case and I absolutely love it...great space, great airflow and great quality...I do think the power supply you picked out is a little overboard for your build...at good 750w or so would do...

 

[BraydenW]

As for my price range. I'd like too keep it at around $1000 but will go up to $2000 to get the extra performance. Kinda like get a good system, but save the money where possible. I think I'll stick with my monitor and cheap out on the video card as I'm really not a huge fan of the big 22''+ screens, it just makes you have to look around more. I'd like to stick with the AMD Quad Core, but may take the advice and go with nVidia. My previous Ultra PSU was Crossfire compliant, but I'll look for another one that is, one thing I'd like to do is keep the case/PSU the same brand, but I don't like the clear-sided cases. I'll follow all these tips and make an update to my first post with the new parts. Thank you and keep them replies coming! It's great!

 

[bdollar]

for sure down grade the gpu then. that isn't cheaping out. you are still spending good money to maximize the games to fit your screen. it is the smart thing to do. on that screen if you were to get an x2 the only purpose it would serve would be to tell people you have an 4870x2.

 

[BraydenW]

So A friend of mine has a degree in computer science, I'm not sure quite how this applies to my predicament here, but he recommends AMD over Intel. I've not sure if his degree makes him any more reliable in this situation, but I think I'll stick with his advice and go for the AMD Phenom X4 9950 Black Edition. As for all your replies it has helped me a ton in terms that I got a more reliable Case/PSU, I'm not outperforming my monitor with my video card and saving money doing so, and I've got advice from people and know a new site where I can find some parts. My next question is will my system keep cool enough with just a CPU fan, PSU fan, and a Case fan (plus thermal paste on the CPU). Also, is there any other parts I may need to get this system running (as far as cables and what not). Thank you again for all the replies. I'm really satisfied with this community. Keep them coming!

 

[ahslan]

well your friend probably simply prefers amd over intel...it really has nothing to do with his computer science degree...lol

Because you're not gonna be OCing, the stock heatsink and fan will do just fine...and having that case fan will help cool the system adequately enough...

since you're gonna be getting a 20"...the HD4850 is the obvious choice...

 

[zealotz]

well your friend probably simply prefers amd over intel...it really has nothing to do with his computer science degree...lol

Because you're not gonna be OCing, the stock heatsink and fan will do just fine...and having that case fan will help cool the system adequately enough...

since you're gonna be getting a 20"...the HD4850 is the obvious choice...

Hmmmm! Sorry I don’t get it, why HD 4850 compare to HD 4870 can you explain further? Because I’m planning to build a gaming pc too almost the same as his gaming build