Help: Gaming System 1.2k

[virginiaviking80]

** My build includes various parts that are not listed below. So, what I have below is right at $1200 with the other parts factored in.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: One - two days (been planning for a week)

BUDGET RANGE: $1200 with peripherals. Based on parts listed below, a budget of around $900

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Major: gaming, CAD modeling; Minor: media editing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, os, disc drive.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe if just for kicks. If it is necessary to make it work - definitely.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

Additional comments: First time building, but have planned builds before.

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Here is the build I have been able to come up with so far. Not firmly set on any of it, but I feel like I'm satisfied with everything except the CPU and motherboard combination. So the CPU and motherboard I currently have picked is just a tentative combination. I'm really looking for you guys' advice there. I'm not sure if the 2.33GHz quad core will be sufficient for gaming. I also am concerned about the importance of having DDR3 vs. DDR2 for motherboard/memory.

Note: combo deals from newegg on motherboard/cpu are preferrable

Any and all suggestions on the build are welcome.

Graphics: EVGA GTX 260 Superclocked

CPU: Intel Quad Q8200

Motherboard: EVGA 780i SLI

Power Supply: Sigma Shark 635W

Hard Drive: Western Digital Black Caviar 500GB 7200RPM 32MB

Memory: G.Skill 4GB DDR2

Computer case: Thermaltake Armor+MX

Thanks in advance.

 

[aevm]

That PSU is barely enough for one GTX 260 card, if even that. It's labeled 635W, but it only has 2 rails of 20A each and refuses to say how much combined. You want 36A at least for a PC with a single GTX 260, and I'm not at all convinced you have that with the Sigma Shark 635W. The 780i SLI motherboard is overkill because of this, because there's no way ever you will have two GTX 260 cards on that PSU.

Let's start over, shall we... First we get a quality PSU that can handle two decent gaming cards (up to GTX 275 or HD 4890): Corsair 750TX, $100. You need that indeed at your high resolution (1920x1080).

Now, decide if you want nVidia or ATI cards. ATI has an advantage these days because Crossfire (two ATI cards) works on P45 boards, which are higher quality and cheaper than 780i boards (which are needed for SLI, i.e. two nVidia cards).

For nVidia, I'd say GTX 275 ($250)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475
and that eVGA 780i you have listed already. Total $375. Add another GTX 275 later if needed.

For ATI, I'd say GA-EP45-UD3P ($115) and a single HD 4890 ($205)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830
and add a second HD 4890 later if needed.

Those setups trade blows in benchmarks, so either would be fine IMO.

If the PC is mostly for gaming, an E8400 would be better than the Q8200. The Q8200 will beat a E8400 only in Flight simulator or when compressing videos. On the other hand, if your CAD software supports quads and you use it a lot then the Q8200 is the way to go.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You can do better for $1,200.

Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202 $279.99

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365 $279.99

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381&Tpk=ocz%20platinum%20ddr3%201600%206gb $94.99 - $20.00 MIR

EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130433 $204.99 - $20.00 MIR

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=850tx $144.99 - $25.00 MIR

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=wd6401aals $74.99

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153 $24.99

Thermaltake Armor+MX VH8000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133062 $119.99 - $20.00 MIR

Total - $1,224.92 - $85.00 MIR's

Here's a couple components to consider if you need to drop the price down a bit:

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 $119.99 - $20 MIR

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 $74.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=antec%20300 $58.99

 

[kevin1212]

Totally agree with aevm's build. i7 is overkill... waste of money. Save the cash and go with the p45 crossfire board and then double the video card.

 

[virginiaviking80]

aevm: Thanks a lot for the input. I'll definitely change that power supply and go the ATI route. Its a much better value too because of the huge discounts they're running on that video card.

Shortstuff: Sorry if the budget was misleading and that I wasn't clear enough but the 1200 limit is including other hardware peripherals for the computer like monitor, keyboard, os, mouse, and disc drive. If those things are factored in there would be no way to pull off those parts for 1200 range, although I wish I could. Basically, with what I have listed the price is right at 1200 when the other unlisted peripherals are factored in.

Thanks guys!

 

[Why_Me]

aevm: Thanks a lot for the input. I'll definitely change that power supply and go the ATI route. Its a much better value too because of the huge discounts they're running on that video card.

Shortstuff: Sorry if the budget was misleading and that I wasn't clear enough but the 1200 limit is including other hardware peripherals for the computer like monitor, keyboard, os, mouse, and disc drive. If those things are factored in there would be no way to pull off those parts for 1200 range, although I wish I could. Basically, with what I have listed the price is right at 1200 when the other unlisted peripherals are factored in.

Thanks guys!

Yes you might want to change your first post for the fact it is very misleading. I would start with "Items not needed".....

 

[sahil]

two 4770s use less power than one 4890 and also outperfrom a single 4890, no? but if you are def adding a second 4890 later then i guess 4890 is the better choice