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First build, need someone to look it over.

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AmericanPegasus   06-02-2009 at 03:15:03 AM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:2 weeks

BUDGET RANGE:Up to 800 or so.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, maybe folding at home

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE: Newegg. Unless it's a really good deal, I don't really want to go anywhere else.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Ehh, none but we'll get into that latter

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, not right away though SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Crossfire

MONITOR RESOLUTION:1280x1024

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Probably get a 1080p monitor in realitvely near future

PARTS PICKED OUT SO FAR..

You can look at the wish list here:http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=13594288

MOTHERBOARD:

GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128384
PRICE:139.99

VIDEO CARD(One thing I'm not sure about, I don't know if I should go 260 core 216):

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/Prod [...] 6814102801
189.99

CPU:

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
189.99

HDD:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148395
59.99

CASE:

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156063
79.99

DVD BURNER:

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 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136152
23.99

RAM:

OCZ Fatal1ty Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227364
49.99

PSU:

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007
69.99

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Bronze Home Brew badge tecmo34   06-02-2009 at 03:57:19 AM
- 0 +

Recommendations:

Case: COOLER MASTER RC-690... It is $10 cheaper and a better case.

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W... It is an extra $40 but allows for more future growth with your system without buying a new PSU.

I would stick with the HD 4870, so you can Crossfire down the road when you have additional money. I'm not a huge fan of Seagate Hard Drives but I've heard the 7200.12 are improved over the 7200.11's that had all of the issues. Everything else looks good too me.

Edited: Second look at your list, I noticed it doesn't show a CPU Cooler. You'll want to look into adding one with the buy or down the road, so you can overclock and provide better cooling to your CPU.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by tecmo34 on 06-02-2009 at 04:00:17 AM
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AmericanPegasus   06-02-2009 at 04:36:20 AM
- 0 +

Well how much better is that case then the one I have picked out, because I'm currently like the RAIDMAX and if there isn't any outstanding problems with it, I'd like to keep it.

Reply to AmericanPegasus
g3force   06-02-2009 at 05:15:06 AM
- 0 +

tecmo34 wrote :

Recommendations:

Case: COOLER MASTER RC-690... It is $10 cheaper and a better case.

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W... It is an extra $40 but allows for more future growth with your system without buying a new PSU.

I would stick with the HD 4870, so you can Crossfire down the road when you have additional money. I'm not a huge fan of Seagate Hard Drives but I've heard the 7200.12 are improved over the 7200.11's that had all of the issues. Everything else looks good too me.

Edited: Second look at your list, I noticed it doesn't show a CPU Cooler. You'll want to look into adding one with the buy or down the road, so you can overclock and provide better cooling to your CPU.


"Better" is a opinion when it comes to cases. I always advocate going for the case that looks best to a specific person.
+1 to your 4870 and PSU suggestions. However, a single 4870 will easily drive a 1280x1024 resolution monitor. If your going to stick with that resolution, I suggest you use the Antec PSU and a single 4870.

A CPU cooler isn't needed if you don't plan on overclocking.

Message quoted 1 times
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Bronze Home Brew badge tecmo34   06-02-2009 at 12:48:48 PM
- 0 +

AmericanPegasus.... After doing some more research on your case, it isn't that bad of a case. One thing I've noticed in some of the reviews is, watch intalling some of the "bigger" 3rd party CPU coolers with the motherboard tray down. People have complained their isn't enough clearance to close the tray with the CPU cooler installed, so they have to install with the tray up.

I would have to agree with g3force that if you like the case, that is truly all that maters. You are the one who has to see & use the case daily. When I built my 2nd build, a lot of people suggested the HAF 932 but I don't like the looks of the case and liked the Antec 1200's looks, which is why I got it over the HAF 932.

------------------------------ Recommended Builds by Usage
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Bronze Home Brew badge gkay09   06-02-2009 at 01:12:47 PM
- 0 +

Hi...
Its a good build...but here are few suggestions that you can consider...

1. Change the RAM to this...It is better...Check the reviews
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

2. Change the mobo to the 790X if you dont require the onboard video...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128387

3. Change the PSU to this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371015

Graphics card - 2x 4850, Just about $18 more but would easily outperform the 4870 1GB at 1080p resolution...And that 650W PSU can easily handle 4850 crossfire...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161259

Reply to gkay09
Bronze Home Brew badge Why_Me   06-02-2009 at 01:28:21 PM
- 0 +

g3force wrote :

"Better" is a opinion when it comes to cases. I always advocate going for the case that looks best to a specific person.
+1 to your 4870 and PSU suggestions. However, a single 4870 will easily drive a 1280x1024 resolution monitor. If your going to stick with that resolution, I suggest you use the Antec PSU and a single 4870.

A CPU cooler isn't needed if you don't plan on overclocking.



Just because something looks nice does not mean it's better. That Cooler Master 690 is twice the case as that Raidmax. Quality construction, cooling/ventilation, room.


Message edited by Why_Me on 06-02-2009 at 01:29:32 PM
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