I'm going to start ordering parts for my new system build. It's for a gaming PC and my budget is around $1000-$2000. Here are the parts with links to tigerdirect, but I may buy parts off ebay to save money.
Here is where to shop in canada lower prices than ncix and tigerdirect and they don't charge shipping for orders of 300$+ (for a limited time). this is where i bought my stuff.
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.
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?
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!
Message edited by BraydenW on 08-19-2008 at 02:58:19 AM
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.
Message edited by bdollar on 08-19-2008 at 04:55:37 AM
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...
------------------------------AMD64 X2 6000 + Biostar Tseries 770 + 4gb DDR2 800 G.Skill + Thermaltake WingRS case + Raidmax 530w modular PSU + 200gig internal WD HD + 250gig external WD HD + 500gig external Simpletech HDD + Belkin Wireless G PCI receiver + Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD4850
Reply to Ahslan
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!
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.
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!
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...
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
Message edited by zealotz on 05-07-2009 at 08:51:19 PM
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