New PC Build -- Need advice

[Shuk]

Hi all,

I want to build a new computer with a preferred budget of $700-$800. After browsing this forum for some time now, I came up with a list of parts that I think would provide a sufficient system for my needs. However, I'm definitely not an expert when it comes to hardware, so I would greatly appreciate your feedback to the below components.

What I need the computer for:
I want a computer that allows me to play some games (e.g. WoW, some strategy games). I usually don't play the newest "3D Action Shooters", so I shouldn't need too much gaming power I would think. Besides gaming, I'm using some software development applications (IDE, application server, database) and common applications such as office, browser, IM, email, etc.

Other things that are important to me:
I would like my computer to run as quiet as possible (I realize that with my budget this might be hard). I don't mind a low fan or if the noise goes up during gaming. But at least for the time when doing normal work (not graphically demanding), I would like it to be somewhat quiet.
I don't have any experience with overclocking at all, but if it is easy to do with my system (or by doing some changes) I guess I would give it a try.

The components:

Case:
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

GPU:
[strike]SAPPHIRE 100259L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810[/strike]

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx

CPU:
I selected a dual core since I didn't think my needs justify a quad core. But again, I don't know much about CPUs, so your feedback and suggestions are very welcome.
Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

Memory:
G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-4GBPI-B - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

DVD Player/Burner:
LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS122-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106287

CPU Cooler:
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Other:
[strike]ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020[/strike]

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007


Total cost so far: $811

Your help is greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

Shuk

 

[fullmetall]

Do you plan to crossfire later on?

Case: the RC-690 would be a really good buy for the build.

If you dont plan to crossfire, Look into the UD3R Gigabyte, same as the UD3P just has 1 pci- x16 2.0 slot.

Whats your Total of the whole rig?

 

[fullmetall]

Rings you up to a little over 700 with all these, you can easily get the hd4870 1gb.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151027
Seasonic 550w

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
Corsair 550w

 

[Shuk]

Thanks for your reply, Fullmetall!

I'm not planning on crossfire at the moment but I would keep it in mind as a future option in case I require more power for graphics.

The total cost with everything listed so far and the RC-690 case is a little bit over $700.

Thanks,
Shuk

 

[Shuk]

Just noticed that you posted again before my previous reply. Thanks for the recommendations! I replaced my previous PSU with

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

and the video card with:
SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

Total cost are now $740, which would be a nice price if there aren't any further improvements anyone suggests.

Thanks!

 

[fullmetall]

ok, so your up to around $740ish im thinking, if you do it in a future option, that particular psu wouldnt have enough pci-e connectors. Multirailed +12v = 4 12v rails, 2 rails would go to each card the other 2 would go to the other components, If its a higher wattage(800-1000w) and a little more railage, then i would go with multi but, you will only need something that has a fair amount and enough pci-e connectors to support both cards or your going to end up getting a convertor for 1 card.


Sorry everything kinda migrates to other components but, trying to get something to fit your needs.

You DO want to keep an open crossfire for the future right?

so a single rail psu would do u just fine since its a crossfire for future.

each card will need 2xpci-e 6pin connectors so that will be a 4x 6-pin to fit your budget.

right now that psu is at 89.99 witha rebate right.

so with a little more you can get a 750tx which will fit your budget im sure. it sits at $114.99

$114.99 minus the $89.99, about $25-$30 more. so your save there.

 

[fullmetall]

Heres another to fit your needs and a pretty quiet pc power cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

 

[fullmetall]

Heres another to fit your needs and a pretty quiet pc power cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

 

[fullmetall]

Sorry, both those messages are the same.

Now, Doing all this on an E5200, I dont want to bottle neck your system so, once you have the time to buy a new card. Look into CPU's again as well as the crossfire.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

+1 to the 750W PSU's since the rest of the system is capable of crossfire. The 550vx is a nice PSU, but won't work for crossfire 4870 1GB cards. I'd get either the 750tx or PC Power & Cooling 750W PSU suggested above so you're system is ready to drop another GPU in when its needed without having to upgrade any other hardware.

 

[Shuk]

Thank you guys,

I will follow your advice and go with another PSU then. Which one of the two you suggested is better?

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx

or

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

I noticed that the Corsair has 4 x 6+2Pin PCI-E Connectors while the PC Power & Cooling has 2 x 6Pin, 2 x 6+2Pin PCI-E Connectors.

Is one better than the other?

Thanks,
Shuk

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Both PSU's are great choices. Flip a coin.

 

[fullmetall]

The 2x6pin +2: if you get a 4870 x2 it will need a pci-e 6/8 pin so the +2 allows the 8pin to evolve.

but, still works with 2 seperate gpu's.

the pc power would probably be the best bet money wise.

 

[Shuk]

Thanks! After rebate both PSU come down to $99. I will probably go with the Corsair then, simply because it is black

What do you guys think about the CPU and if I need an extra cooling unit or not?

Thanks!
Shuk

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I would give overclocking a try since your motherboard and CPU are both very capable of overclocking. This cooler cools very well and comes with a backplate:

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $39.99

 

[fullmetall]

If you plan to oc, which a E5200 can easily do since it is a 12.5x multiplier.

Look at the S1283. Would recommend IF getting this cooler, get the bracket mount instead of using the stock mount it comes with, the pushpins make it a fight between you and getting them placed right, plus, if transfering your tower, they can vibrate out of place so, get the seperate bracket for the cooler.

and Arctic Silver 5 compound.

 

[fullmetall]

Beat me to it shortstuff lol.

 

[Shuk]

Ok, I added that to the build. Could you give me a link to this bracket mount?

And a dumb question: how do I overclock that thing?

Do you have any further suggestions?

Thanks,
Shuk

 

[fullmetall]

Ill give u a heads up when i get home, left work early./

 

[shortstuff_mt]

There's a whole overclocking section of the forums that I would start checking out.

If you are using the Xigmatek Dark Knight, you don't need to purchase the back plate separately since it comes with it.

 

[Shuk]

If you are using the Xigmatek Dark Knight, you don't need to purchase the back plate separately since it comes with it.

Perfect, didn't realize that.

I read a little bit in the overclocking section and found some good posts. Still, I'm wondering if there is a guide or something that explains the overclocking specifially for the CPU and MOBO I selected. Since I have never overclocked before, I'm kinda scared to grill the system But I will figure it out somehow.

Thanks to you guys, the build looks pretty good to me know and is just within my preferred budget. If there isn't anything else I should consider changing or updating, I will probably go with it.

Thanks a lot!

Shuk

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I would try a Google search for your motherboard and CPU to find specific info on overclocking that combo.

 

[fullmetall]

Yeep, Oc'ing is different for every brand. I have Biostar so i couldn't exactly tell you what will be on the screen,

You can Youtube that particular board and watch an overclock or google search

 

[Shuk]

A video would be great. I will see what I can find. If anyone reads this and has experience with my particular components, please let me know!

Thank you all,
Shuk