New system build

[drkknght145]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: yesterday lol
Budget: trying to stay below 700, but if its a huge performance gain above what i have below would be willing to consider.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: hard drives, cd drives

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com



OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes


I am looking for some help to see if anyone can tell me if this build would all be compatible. I am trying to build a gaming rig and stay under $700. I already have Hard drives, mouse, keyboard, monitor. I also have a different case i will be using if the psu isnt to hard to remove. Im open to suggestions for better parts as well.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119047

GPU: XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359

PSU: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

 

[tecmo34]

What is your other case & your PSU?... They might not be worth using in the new build.

What is making you want to build a new system from your current system... Basically what can't it do that you want it to do? Also... it might be helpful to k ow what you are working with currently as well.

Your components you listed are fine... I would recommend at least a 750w PSU if you plan to crossfire your 4890, though.

 

[drkknght145]

i wouldnt be using the PSU, just the case, which i know will work fine. I currently have a pentium D 2.8, had it almost 4 years and is definately showing its age. and i figure this build will last for awhile without needing OC or crossfire?

 

[mlcloud]

Hi. Tecmo34 asked a very good question: what do you plan to do with this computer? It's not a very good idea to build computers willy-nilly.

I'll clear up what Tecmo34 wanted to know.

a) What games will you be playing?
b) What resolution(s) will you be playing them at?
c) What sort of settings do you want in these games (highest? medium? anything visually acceptable?)
d) Is multi-tasking important to you? As in, is it important that you're able to extract gigabytes of files from winrar while playing a video game with this system? Or is gaming the true priority here?

Why do we need to know these things? Well, it affects primarily your CPU and GPU choices, but also maybe your hard drive/RAM choices. I doubt the latter bit, but still, we can help you more if you let us know what you need to do.

 

[drkknght145]

a) new games, such as the new Star wars and star trek MMO's
b) 1680x1050 or 1440x900
c) as high as i can
D) and yes, multi tasking is important

I did quite a bit of research on the x4 940 and that motherboard and it seems to be a good choice, this is just my first build and i would like this computer to last me about 3 yrs.

 

[tecmo34]

Mlcloud... Thank you for clearing up what I was trying to ask...

After seeing what you are running, I would recommend you upgrade your HDD in this build & maybe even your DVD drive.

 

[drkknght145]

oh i am definately going to soon, girlfriend just gave me her CC for my birthday and said dont go over 700.....

 

[rockyjohn]

What's her phone number?
Does she like bats?

 

[tecmo34]

I know what you mean rockyjohn... I never had a girlfriend do that for me.... My wife did let me spend my money (well according to her... Hers) to build my two PC's.

Okay back to the build.... If you are going to use your case than I would drop your listed case from your build and add a Western Digital Black 640GB HDD to your build. I still recommend switching out your PSU to one of these... http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001459%2040000058%20113142558&name=701%20-%20800W&SpeTabStoreType=0

At your current resolution you will not need to Crossfire the 4890 any time soon. It will have more than enough juice to max out your games. You could most likely get away with a 4850 in your build and still be fine.

 

[drkknght145]

now if i wasnt going to overclock or anything like that would you still recommend i get a new PSU? Can you also explain your reasoning for getting a corsair instead of the one i selected? is it just a more reliable company or?

 

[drkknght145]

also for $10 more the 4890 looks far superior then the 4850 as far as core clock and memory clock?

 

[tecmo34]

now if i wasnt going to overclock or anything like that would you still recommend i get a new PSU? Can you also explain your reasoning for getting a corsair instead of the one i selected? is it just a more reliable company or?

No... Your first PSU would be fine. I listed Corsair for you setting up the 4890 in crossfire, which you would need 750w or higher to be on the safe side. OCZ is a good PSU company (specially since they own PC Power&Cooling).

With that little of price difference, I would stick with the 4890.

 

[drkknght145]

if im not planning on OC or crossfire should i go with a lower psu all together? i chose that one cuz it has the 6 and 8 pin connectors the gpu needs