Thoughts on my system parts?

[haterade2009]

Hi folks, I'm about to build a new semi-budget gaming PC... These are the parts I've narrowed it down to, but I'm fully open to any and all suggestions. I'm linking everything from NewEgg, but I'm not necessarily buying everything from them (I have to pay tax unfortunately!)....

My grand TOTAL, after rebates and all, comes out to: $934

If I make any changes, I'd probably like to stay somewhat in this price range. Also, any brand/model suggestions for a 22" LCD monitor?



[Case = Antec Nine Hundred - $90] I already bought this actually at the local store.

[Processor = Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 - $276]

The above = $366.... Then the following I'd buy from NewEgg:

[CD/DVD = LG 22X DVDR Burner]

[Hard Drive = WD Caviar WD6401AALS, 640GB, 7200RPM, 32MB Cache]

[Graphics Card = EVGA GeForce GTX 260 896MB]

[Power Supply = PC Power & Cooling 610W]

[Memory = OCZ Reaper HPC, 4GB, DDR2 1066]

[Motherboard = Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P]

The above comes out to $658 for me.... So $658 + $366 = $1024, then $934 after mail-in rebates.

Ok so I think that's everything, any suggestions? And for a 22" monitor? Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[xthekidx]

Go for the UD3R mobo since you can't sli on P45. If you want to run dual gpu's down the road, then go for the 4870 1gb and get a corsair 750tx with the UD3P. Otherwise it looks pretty good. You need an OS, unless you already have one. Get this if you don't have one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

How much can you spend on the monitor? That has a big impact on the recommendation.

 

[knotknut]

GTX 260 Core 216 896MB
216 stream processing cores vs 192
$184.99 After $30.00 Mail-In Rebate With Promo Code EMCLNNT55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434
This is a better card for only $5.00 more.

See promotions
http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/latest/index-landing.aspx

Sorry, I dont know how to Code the links.

Your MB has a 1.8v Default for the Memory. Raise Memory voltage .3v in Bios to match the OCZ you picked out.

Personally I would go with DDR2 800 CL4 @ 1.8v like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

The PC Power 610W only has 2 x 6pin PCI-E connectors. It is fine for your system but you are at the limit. If you wanted to crossfire 2 ATI cards in the future you would have to buy a different PSU. Same goes if you upgraded to a card that required a 6pin/8pin connector.

22" Monitor ...too many to choose from. Sure you dont want to go to 24"
1920 x 1080 bright display 2ms
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051

 

[haterade2009]

I just found out my local shop has the Intel Core i7 920 for about $248 after taxes, I'm now thinking about that... But i'd have to find a budget X58 motherboard as well, and probably go for the cheapest possible ram, like some DDR3 1333 maybe.... And then I guess the power supply needs to be upped as well... Hmmm.

As for the monitor, I don't really have a specific budget, but probably less than $200 total. 24" is just too big for me, I've been on a 17" laptop for the past 3 years. I'm just trying to decide what resolution I want, because even this laptop is 1920x1200.

So, any thoughts? Thanks again!

 

[haterade2009]

Ok so I did some quick calculating. If I were to go the i7 route, i'd probably get the following:


[Motherboard = GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P] I think this is one of the cheapest that supports SLI... There's a cheaper version, but that doesn't seem to support SLI.

[Memory = 6gb DDR3 1333] Just picked that one out quickly, but regardless, probably something in that $100 price range.

[Power Supply = Corsair 750TX] Has enough connectors for SLI I believe, if I choose to purchase another graphics card in the future. I was also unaware that the P45 boards did not support SLI, thanks for letting me know!


So grand total, it looks to go from $934 to $1137 if switching to the i7 route. About $200 more. It leaves more room for upgrading I suppose, just not sure if that is worth $200 more? Thanks again.

 

[geofelt]

Ok so I did some quick calculating. If I were to go the i7 route, i'd probably get the following:


[Motherboard = GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P] I think this is one of the cheapest that supports SLI... There's a cheaper version, but that doesn't seem to support SLI.

[Memory = 6gb DDR3 1333] Just picked that one out quickly, but regardless, probably something in that $100 price range.

[Power Supply = Corsair 750TX] Has enough connectors for SLI I believe, if I choose to purchase another graphics card in the future. I was also unaware that the P45 boards did not support SLI, thanks for letting me know!


So grand total, it looks to go from $934 to $1137 if switching to the i7 route. About $200 more. It leaves more room for upgrading I suppose, just not sure if that is worth $200 more? Thanks again.

I think you are on the right track.
For a PSU, look at the PC P&C 750W for $90 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011
The silencer610 is also a good unit, but only $10 less.(the current units have a 6 pin and a 6/8 pin connector, newegg is a bit wrong on that)

Look at the core-216 version of the gtx260, for a small difference, it is worth it.
I would not pay much more to prepare for sli. (mobo and psu) My the time you need it, there will be a better and cheaper single card, so your best upgrade option will be to sell the old, and get the new.

 

[haterade2009]

I think you are on the right track.
For a PSU, look at the PC P&C 750W for $90 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011
The silencer610 is also a good unit, but only $10 less.(the current units have a 6 pin and a 6/8 pin connector, newegg is a bit wrong on that)

Look at the core-216 version of the gtx260, for a small difference, it is worth it.
I would not pay much more to prepare for sli. (mobo and psu) My the time you need it, there will be a better and cheaper single card, so your best upgrade option will be to sell the old, and get the new.

Thanks for the response. I'm switching to the core 216 graphics card that KnotKnut mentioned.

I guess the main question is which motherboard to go with. The Gigabyte UD3R or UD4P. Around a $60 difference, and at the moment I believe the only differences really is not SLI capable VS SLI capable.

In the future if I wanted to upgrade, you don't think adding a second (probably identical) graphics card is better than completely replacing the 1 card? Adding a second identical card will be cheaper of course, but I'd be paying more up front now. Hmm.... Not sure what to do.

Thanks again!

 

[geofelt]

Thanks for the response. I'm switching to the core 216 graphics card that KnotKnut mentioned.

I guess the main question is which motherboard to go with. The Gigabyte UD3R or UD4P. Around a $60 difference, and at the moment I believe the only differences really is not SLI capable VS SLI capable.

In the future if I wanted to upgrade, you don't think adding a second (probably identical) graphics card is better than completely replacing the 1 card? Adding a second identical card will be cheaper of course, but I'd be paying more up front now. Hmm.... Not sure what to do.

Thanks again!

Here is my thinking:
SLI/crossfire has been a poor upgrade path in the past. It should be used only by
those who will not currently be satisfied by the fastest available single vga card
which is currently the GTX295. The 4870, or GTX260-216
offer very good performance for the money now.
To get SLI. you have to spend more up front for a SLI capable mobo,a
more powerful SLI capable PSU, and better case cooling. Upgrading a single card later with a
second equal card does not get you 2x increase, it is more like 1.3x to 1.8x depending on the game, although scaling seems to be getting better.
At that time, you will still be paying top dollar for a card that is closer to
being obsolete.
It would be better to sell the old card and use the proceeds
towards a better new generation single card.

 

[haterade2009]

Thanks again for the response. Well, I just completed my purchase. I would have probably liked to give it at least another day of thought, but my probable order contained $110 of mail-in rebates that will no longer be available after tonight, good thing I noticed that just now!

So this is what I went with, hopefully it will all be compatible and everything

Grand total, after mail-in rebates: $1132


Case: Antec Nine Hundred
Processor: Intel i7 920
Hard Drive: WD Caviar 640GB, 7200RPM, 32mb cache
Power Supply: Corsair 750TX
Memory: OCZ Gold 6GB DDR 1600
CD/DVD: LG 22x DVDR Burner
Motherboard: Gigabyte UD4P
Graphics Card: EVGA GTX 260 Core 216

Now... I have to figure out which 22" monitor to go for...

 

[xthekidx]

That look like a good build, I think you will be happy with it. If you can, get this as well so you can overclock and get the best bang for you buck with that setup
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029&Tpk=S1283v
and this thermal interface:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

 

[geofelt]

That look like a good build, I think you will be happy with it. If you can, get this as well so you can overclock and get the best bang for you buck with that setup
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029&Tpk=S1283v
and this thermal interface:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

I agree.
It is much easier to install a cpu cooler initially. You need access to the back of the motherboard to do it properly, and I hate to disassemble a working pc later.
Another advantage to an oem cooler is that it will be much quieter, particularly when the cpu is under load.

 

[haterade2009]

Hmmm, yeah I think I will purchase those. It's an extra $60 total w/ shipping, but after doing some reading it looks like you recommended a quality cooler at a good price. This should help with longevity too, which is one of my goals.