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Final Build Advice(<$1000)

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eric513   05-06-2009 at 01:32:57 AM

This is a remake of a previous thread, special thanks to nerrawg for helping me get to this point.
Heres the current setup :

EDIT-May be replacing the current xigmatek cooler with a xigmatek dark knight cooler, only a 10 dollar increase.Ideas?

Case - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021
$99.99

Motherboard/Processor Combo - AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor
BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.190736
$259.98

PSU - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005
$99.99

Video Card - *2x* HIS Hightech H477F512P Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161279
$200

RAM - OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227267
$57

Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218
$48

Cooling – XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003
Cooling fan(Same one that comes with Antec 900)
Arctic Silver Thermal Compound
$30/$13/$9 respectively

CD/DVD Drive - LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136152
$25

This totals to about $810 after shipping and rebates. Looking for some more advice as well as overclockability of the current setup. Thanks!


Message edited by eric513 on 05-06-2009 at 03:01:44 AM
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xthekidx   05-06-2009 at 02:05:56 AM
- 0 +

Looks very good, although I would get the WD6401AALS drive instead, and MX-2 thermal compound and DDR2 1066 ram. You don't really need that PSU, you could go with the 550VX and still have plenty of power. You should expect to be able to OC to at least 3.6ghz, quite possibly to 3.8 or so.

 

Another option would be to go with the X3 720, which frees up some funds for better GPU's, like dual 4850's or even 4870's. What resolution will you be playing at?


Message edited by xthekidx on 05-06-2009 at 02:07:56 AM
------------------------------ Asus P6T & i7 920 @ 3.6ghz
GTX 260 Core 216
6gb 1443MHZ 7-7-7-18 1T OCZ Platinum
CM RC-690, CM V8 HSF
Reply to xthekidx
Gin Fushicho   05-06-2009 at 02:15:29 AM
- 0 +

I only have one thing to suggest , Since your getting 2 video cards an a quad core , you should probably get a tower that has more cooling , and is probably bigger.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811103010

Thats the one I use I've had it for 3 weeks and still havnt put the back 120mm fan in it , it cools all of my parts even sometimes brings my cores down to 21C and once to 19C in my 70F room.

Reply to Gin Fushicho
eric513   05-06-2009 at 02:16:52 AM
- 0 +

1280x1024

I was thinking of the X3, but they both have combo deals, and there's really not much of a price gap between the two. Maybe $40 at most, but definitely not enough to improve significantly on the video card.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by eric513 on 05-06-2009 at 02:32:52 AM
Reply to eric513
xthekidx   05-06-2009 at 02:30:20 AM
- 0 +

The ninehundred has fine cooling.

 

At that resolution, one 4770 would be enough. If you think you will get a bigger monitor though then you should think about upgrade options.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by xthekidx on 05-06-2009 at 02:31:46 AM
------------------------------ Asus P6T & i7 920 @ 3.6ghz
GTX 260 Core 216
6gb 1443MHZ 7-7-7-18 1T OCZ Platinum
CM RC-690, CM V8 HSF
Reply to xthekidx
eric513   05-06-2009 at 02:43:04 AM
- 0 +

Alright, thanks for the advice! Anything else?


Message edited by eric513 on 05-06-2009 at 02:44:43 AM
Reply to eric513
xthekidx   05-06-2009 at 02:51:29 AM
- 0 +

Not really. Make sure you run a 64bit OS so you get all your ram. Since you really don't need a second GPU and you are under budget as is, you might consider getting other improvements for your system like a second HDD for raid 0 or something like that. Or maybe keep the basic setup you have but get this CPU/MB instead (won't hurt gaming performance): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.190734 and then get a nice 22" monitor, like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236050 (once you try a larger monitor you will never want to go back, sell that other monitor you have on craigslist or something). 2x 4770's would look very nice on that monitor :)


Message edited by xthekidx on 05-06-2009 at 02:52:27 AM
------------------------------ Asus P6T & i7 920 @ 3.6ghz
GTX 260 Core 216
6gb 1443MHZ 7-7-7-18 1T OCZ Platinum
CM RC-690, CM V8 HSF
Reply to xthekidx
Gin Fushicho   05-06-2009 at 02:58:51 AM
- 0 +

xthekidx wrote :

The ninehundred has fine cooling.

At that resolution, one 4770 would be enough. If you think you will get a bigger monitor though then you should think about upgrade options.



Well then the advice I have for this guy.... Dont cut your hands while putting the board in. Mid towers hurt.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to Gin Fushicho
eric513   05-06-2009 at 03:00:12 AM
- 0 +

Lol I'll keep that in mind =D. Keep the comments coming!

Reply to eric513
Gin Fushicho   05-06-2009 at 03:01:38 AM
- 0 +

He is right about the Hard drive for SURE , get a Seagate , or something else , Seagate has a lifetime warranty though. ;)

Reply to Gin Fushicho
Gin Fushicho   05-06-2009 at 05:22:41 AM
- 0 +

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148373

For 10 bucks more cuz of the promo code you can get 1TB drive. ith lifetime warrenty and samsung approved parts of course. ;)

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to Gin Fushicho
xthekidx   05-06-2009 at 05:46:50 AM
- 0 +

Gin Fushicho wrote :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148373

 

For 10 bucks more cuz of the promo code you can get 1TB drive. ith lifetime warrenty and samsung approved parts of course. ;)


lol Look at the reviews of that product you just recommended. They are cheap for a reason. Compare that to the reviews for WD6401AALS or WD1001FALS. Seagate drives are terrible and should be avoided at all costs until they work out their firmware issues...assuming informed people like myself don't bankrupt them first. Even the .12 drives have their problems. If you are interested in a review of them, you can read this: http://techreport.com/articles.x/16472/12

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by xthekidx on 05-06-2009 at 06:01:40 AM
------------------------------ Asus P6T & i7 920 @ 3.6ghz
GTX 260 Core 216
6gb 1443MHZ 7-7-7-18 1T OCZ Platinum
CM RC-690, CM V8 HSF
Reply to xthekidx
migs008   05-06-2009 at 06:07:05 AM
- 0 +

Sorry for bumping but hey xthekidx could you read your private messages. pls and ty

Reply to migs008
Gin Fushicho   05-06-2009 at 06:07:28 AM
- 0 +

xthekidx wrote :

lol Look at the reviews of that product you just recommended. They are cheap for a reason. Compare that to the reviews for WD6401AALS or WD1001FALS. Seagate drives are terrible and should be avoided at all costs until they work out their firmware issues...assuming informed people like myself don't bankrupt them first. Even the .12 drives have their problems. If you are interested in a review of them, you can read this: http://techreport.com/articles.x/16472/12



Okay, I do gotta agree with you on that one in particular, but all of the seagates I have run really fast... and have a lifetime warrenty. *shrugs* I guess as long as what he's getting is 7200rpm it shouldnt matter. I'm not a HDD freak I jsut like it to work with at least 7200rpm and have a nice warrenty.

Reply to Gin Fushicho
macabre215   05-06-2009 at 06:10:35 AM
- 0 +

Gin Fushicho wrote :

Well then the advice I have for this guy.... Dont cut your hands while putting the board in. Mid towers hurt.




My NZXT Apollo makes me look like I just had a knife fight, so I would have to agree with you there.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ AMD 5400+BE @3.3GHz
Abit KN9 SLi 570n
eVGA 8800GT
Mushkin 4GB DDR2 800
Reply to macabre215
macabre215   05-06-2009 at 06:13:22 AM
- 0 +

eric513 wrote :

1280x1024

I was thinking of the X3, but they both have combo deals, and there's really not much of a price gap between the two. Maybe $40 at most, but definitely not enough to improve significantly on the video card.



That resolution is a waste to do crossfire with. Either just buy one 4770 or spend a little more on a 4850.


------------------------------ AMD 5400+BE @3.3GHz
Abit KN9 SLi 570n
eVGA 8800GT
Mushkin 4GB DDR2 800
Reply to macabre215
xthekidx   05-06-2009 at 06:15:37 AM
- 0 +

macabre215 wrote :

My NZXT Apollo makes me look like I just had a knife fight, so I would have to agree with you there.


I have never cut myself working on a PC...on all sizes of towers. I don't understand how you do it.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Asus P6T & i7 920 @ 3.6ghz
GTX 260 Core 216
6gb 1443MHZ 7-7-7-18 1T OCZ Platinum
CM RC-690, CM V8 HSF
Reply to xthekidx
Gin Fushicho   05-06-2009 at 06:27:13 AM
- 0 +

xthekidx wrote :

I have never cut myself working on a PC...on all sizes of towers. I don't understand how you do it.



Its the magic of my family's clumsiness , and the fact that I like to tocuh all the edgs of the MOBO , and my scerwdriver is too big. =(

Reply to Gin Fushicho
mansalim   05-08-2009 at 06:40:48 AM
- 0 +

at least you can tell how many pc youve built by counting your scars. :P

Reply to mansalim
Gin Fushicho   05-08-2009 at 03:38:01 PM
- 0 +

*facepalm* Unfortunately.

Reply to Gin Fushicho
nerrawg   05-11-2009 at 10:55:39 PM
- 0 +

Just gonna give you that update I promised: the 4770 and linux - they are compatible - here is a review:
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?p [...] 4770&num=1

Have you decided on your build yet?

Reply to nerrawg
eric513   05-13-2009 at 04:56:49 AM
- 0 +

Yeah, the setup up top is what I bought (and built yesterday :D). I decided against linux for now, my friend just burned me a windows 7 RC disc so thats what I'll be running until the trial runs out. Today I started on overclocking, got the processor to 3.5GHz so far..

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to eric513
Gin Fushicho   05-13-2009 at 05:00:27 AM
- 0 +

eric513 wrote :

Yeah, the setup up top is what I bought (and built yesterday :D). I decided against linux for now, my friend just burned me a windows 7 RC disc so thats what I'll be running until the trial runs out. Today I started on overclocking, got the processor to 3.5GHz so far..



*facepalm* You... dont even wait to "burn in" your parts?

Reply to Gin Fushicho
nerrawg   05-13-2009 at 05:01:14 AM
- 0 +

Awesome dude - cool to hear! Keep us informed on how windows 7 turns out

Reply to nerrawg
eric513   05-13-2009 at 06:04:37 AM
- 0 +

Will do! Here's the overclocking thread if you want to check it out
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] p#t1800141

Reply to eric513
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