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Help me with my custom build, almost done!

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blakehanson   05-13-2009 at 08:21:57 PM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next week or so.

Budget: <$800

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, movies, internet, home work

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse


PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, cheapest

PARTS PREFERENCES: Too new to be picky about this stuff

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Prob not

MONITOR RESOLUTION: all of the above

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
This is my first build. I am very new with everything. Ive done research to figure out stuff on my own but can only go so far. THANKs FOR YOUR HELP.

Also, Im just trying to build this comp up for gaming and movies.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heres what ive picked out so far:

BFG Tech LS SERIES LS-550 550W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.8 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified ... - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817702008

PNY VCG981024GXEB GeForce 9800 GT 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133243

Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136098

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136098


LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136152

Now, for the next 3 (cpu, motherboard, and ram) I need help deciding between two differant set ups which would be faster/better overall.

The first set up: Set up "A"

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 DDR3 AMD 790GX ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 813131366R


AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX945FBGIBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103675

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103675

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3RPR13334GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227293

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227293

The total for everything above comes out to about: $690 with shipping

Set up "B"

AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103471

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128387



So, which two would be better? Also, i need a monitor for around $100. Maybe a widescreen 19 inch monitor. Any suggestions?

Also, for OS I plan on downloading Windows 7.

And please let me know if any parts are not compatiblie or wont run correctly so i might change those.

Thanks for all help!!!

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Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   05-13-2009 at 08:29:44 PM
- 0 +

The build is off to a decent start. Both of the motherboards you picked are crossfire capable, so I would swap the 9800GT for a 4770. You should also get a different HD. That HD is a slow, older model. Here's my suggestions:

SAPPHIRE 100277L Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102835 $104.99

WESTERN DIGITAL WD3200AAKS 320GB SATA 7200 RPM 16MB Hard Drive Bulk
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] t=celebros $51.99

I would stick with the DDR3 setup.

This monitor only costs $10 more than some other 19" monitors and has a 1680 x 1050 resolution instead of the 1440 x 900 that most 19" monitors have:

Acer X193W+BD Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2000:1 (ACM) - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824009127 $119.99

Reply to shortstuff_mt
blakehanson   05-13-2009 at 08:43:56 PM
- 0 +

Great suggestions!

I dont plan on using crossfire for a while (at least a year) do you still recommend using the 4770?

Also, on the 4770 will the 512mb matter? I was always told to aim for 1 gig of memory for video card?

Now, with what you recomended and the rest of the parts i put together would you feel it would be able to handle WINDOWS 7 and play most games really well with room for some extra??

What do you think?

Reply to blakehanson
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   05-13-2009 at 08:47:53 PM
- 0 +

The 4770 easily beats the 9800GT. In fact, the 4770 is very close to the performance of a 9800GTX+. Here's a review where you can compare the 4770 to the 9800GT:

 

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3553

 


Edit: Yes, that system will run Windows 7 just fine. I wouldn't worry about the 512MB of GPU ram either, especially at the resolution you plan on running at.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by shortstuff_mt on 05-13-2009 at 08:48:56 PM
Reply to shortstuff_mt
blakehanson   05-13-2009 at 08:54:56 PM
- 0 +

shortstuff_mt wrote :

The 4770 easily beats the 9800GT. In fact, the 4770 is very close to the performance of a 9800GTX+. Here's a review where you can compare the 4770 to the 9800GT:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3553


Edit: Yes, that system will run Windows 7 just fine. I wouldn't worry about the 512MB of GPU ram either, especially at the resolution you plan on running at.



All I needed to hear! Thanks for the advice.

I plan on making those adjustments.

Another thing, kinda off subject...

My dad and I have been building this together. He kinda thinks that buying a computer already built might be a good option. So, im wondering for the price of everything above comes out to about $770 with shipping.

Is there any computer already built (from any company) that will be around the same price with everything including monitor that will be an equal competition??


Message edited by blakehanson on 05-13-2009 at 08:57:25 PM
Reply to blakehanson
blakehanson   05-13-2009 at 08:55:50 PM
- 0 +

Also, do the wire/cables for everything come with each individual item? OR do they need to be bought seperate?

Thanks!

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to blakehanson
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   05-13-2009 at 08:56:31 PM
- 0 +

No, you won't find any pre-built computers that will match the bang-for-buck of this build.

Reply to shortstuff_mt
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   05-13-2009 at 08:57:20 PM
- 0 +

blakehanson wrote :

Also, do the wire/cables for everything come with each individual item? OR do they need to be bought seperate?

Thanks!


The motherboard should come with the SATA cables. You shouldn't have to worry about buying any wires/cables separately.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to shortstuff_mt
blakehanson   05-13-2009 at 08:59:36 PM
- 0 +

shortstuff_mt wrote :

The motherboard should come with the SATA cables. You shouldn't have to worry about buying any wires/cables separately.



Thats what I was thinking. And I didnt think any other prebuild computer would match this one.

Thanks alot for all your help! You kinda helped me seal the deal, so to speak!

I should be question satisfied, hopfully. lol!

Have a good one and thanks again!

Reply to blakehanson
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   05-13-2009 at 09:06:54 PM
- 0 +

No problem, that's what we're here for. :)

Good luck!

Reply to shortstuff_mt
blakehanson   05-13-2009 at 09:23:46 PM
- 0 +

Im back.

Is it possible to get the one that is pictured in this article.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3553

Thanks!

Reply to blakehanson
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   05-13-2009 at 09:44:27 PM
- 0 +

I haven't seen any with that cooler at any of the main US retail sites. :( I also wish they would release models with that cooler. It seems more efficient than the models currently available since it exhausts the heat out the back of the case.

Reply to shortstuff_mt
blakehanson   05-14-2009 at 03:33:37 AM
- 0 +

Ok, so i just saw this cpu for only 20 dollas more. Do you guys think I should use this cpu instead of the one i have posted up above?

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103674

And will this new cpu work with the motherboard up above?

Also, What are the advantages of having a faster cpu for game play. Rather than having a better video card?(which i believe the 4770 is a good one, right?)

Thanks!

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by blakehanson on 05-14-2009 at 03:35:55 AM
Reply to blakehanson
Bronze Home Brew badge gkay09   05-14-2009 at 03:20:48 PM
- 0 +

blakehanson wrote :

Ok, so i just saw this cpu for only 20 dollas more. Do you guys think I should use this cpu instead of the one i have posted up above?

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103674

And will this new cpu work with the motherboard up above?

Also, What are the advantages of having a faster cpu for game play. Rather than having a better video card?(which i believe the 4770 is a good one, right?)

Thanks!


Oh yes it will and it is the Flagship AMD CPU, it has an unlocked multiplier that means easier and better overclock and it runs at 3.2GHz...

Reply to gkay09
blakehanson   05-14-2009 at 06:55:52 PM
- 0 +

Hello again everyone!

For this build im using a case i alreadt have. What im wondering is is there any cables, wires, any screws, or anything at all that wont come with each part that im going to need to purchase seperate for installing this computer?? Please give me a list.

Thanks alot!

Reply to blakehanson
blakehanson   05-14-2009 at 08:07:38 PM
- 0 +

any advice on the wires, cables, screws or such needed for a new build?

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by blakehanson on 05-14-2009 at 08:08:45 PM
Reply to blakehanson
drunknmunkys   05-14-2009 at 08:54:49 PM
- 0 +

blakehanson wrote :

any advice on the wires, cables, screws or such needed for a new build?



Everything you need should some with the parts. Screws and cables etc come with the mobo. The only thing would be if you wanted extra ties for cable management or something of that nature. (Zip ties!)

Reply to drunknmunkys
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