New Build- Double check info and precedure

[tmro]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week

BUDGET RANGE: (example: US$600-$800)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming (MMO, FPS, Flight Sim), surfing the internet, watching movies, some CAD work

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS (I have XP professional, I may keep this, but not sure, any advice would be appreciated)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (examples: newegg.com)

PARTS PREFERENCES: I am partial to AMD, Asus and Nvidia, they have never let me down. I like the Radeon card though

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes an upgrade potential for next year

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is a new build. My last machine was an AMD FX53 which just died last week. (5 yrs wow)

From that system, I have a Lien Li P60 case, an Antec TruePower 550W power supply, and a Pinoeer DVD/DVR

These are the components I am thinking of using.

CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

MOBO
ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131363

RAM
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P16004GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227297

HD
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

GRAPHICS CARD
XFX HD-487A-ZHFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Total with combos and shipping =$869.94

(1) Does this configuration seem right? I want to start with a good CPU and MOBO combo, so I have a good upgrade path. Is there anything I am missing?

(2) can I use my old Antec TruPower 550w with this system and will it support crossfire? Should I upgrade at this point?

(3) Can I go with this video card instead? XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337

(4) and if I wanted to go with Nvidia, what would the best MOBO combo be?

(5) I want to use my Lien Li Case. Will it all fit?


Thank you in advance for your help

Tom

 

[tecmo34]

(1) Does this configuration seem right? I want to start with a good CPU and MOBO combo, so I have a good upgrade path. Is there anything I am missing? I would look at this combo for the CPU & MOBO to save you money... http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212581. Everything else looks good to me.

(2) can I use my old Antec TruPower 550w with this system and will it support crossfire? Should I upgrade at this point? If you want to Crossfire, I would go with the Corsair PSU you listed. I don't think the TruPower 550w will be able to handle two 4870's.

(3) Can I go with this video card instead? XFX HD-485X-YDFC Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150337 You can but the 4870 is a better video card.

(4) and if I wanted to go with Nvidia, what would the best MOBO combo be? Tough question... If you want to run a single GPU, it will work fine on the MOBO you listed. If you want to run in SLI, I would recommend going with an Core i7 build, since the general feeling is the Nvidia boards are not the best. If you do want to go with AMD / Nvidia... Replace your MOBO with this... ASUS M4N82 Deluxe AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 980a SLI AMD Motherboard - Retail, which supports DDR2 memory over DDR3.

(5) I want to use my Lien Li Case. Will it all fit? Yes...

 

[shortstuff_mt]

1) Yes, you have picked good components. I'm assuming you're using this combo for the CPU and motherboard?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212581

2) You could use the Antec PSU to power the system with a single 4870, but it would not power 4870's in crossfire.

3) You could go with whatever GPU you wanted, but the performance difference between a 4870 1GB and 4850 512MB is considerable. I'd stick with the 4870.

4) If you're wanting to leave the option open for SLI in the future, the only option for a motherboard would be a sub-par Nforce chipset motherboard. You'll rarely see anyone around here suggest a Nforce motherboard because of reliability and stability issues.

5) Is this your current case?
LIAN LI ARMORSUIT PC-P60 Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112160
If that is your case, all these components should fit just fine. Notice that one reviewer said he had an i7 build with a GTX 295 in that case.


Edit: tecmo34 beat me to it! You'll notice that our answers are very similar.

 

[tmro]

Thanks for the support guys.

CASE: My Lian Li (misspelled before sorry) is an older p-60 Mid tower case. I purchased it in 2000. Im not sure if the dimensions listed are the same, The last motherboard I had in it was an ASUS SK8V which fit. Will this still work?

Motherboard. I like the board I picked. it gets great reviews and I have no problem using my radeon card. What I am trying to ask, is if this board will support either a Radeon or Geforce card in either SLI or Crossfire configuration? And if ity will what Nvidia card would you suggest?

Power supply. If I go with a single card, either Radeon or Geforce, I might use my existing PSU. If I go with the double I will get a new PSU. Might as well buy it now I think the answer to this is yes.

Also I am taking advantage of the Combo deals thank you.

Final question. Is there a procedure I can look up and follow. Its been 5 years since I built a computer with my friend, and he is not around so I will need all the help I can get. Is there a tech service I can call for help if I need it? ( this may be a dumb question)

Tom

 

[hunter315]

The only chipsets you can do SLI on are nVidia chipsets which arent great and the x58 chipset which requires an i7 build. If you are getting a 790FX board to get an nVidia card is a waste of money as you cant use the 790fx for crossfire like its meant. There are some tutorials and videos online but if you just follow the manual it will get you through it easily, just be aware that the heatsink on the 955 requires alot of force to get on. Also with that combo that they both posted it will cover the cost difference to upgrade to a 4890 which is significantly better than the 4870 or 4850.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The only chipsets you can do SLI on are nVidia chipsets which arent great and the x58 chipset which requires an i7 build. If you are getting a 790FX board to get an nVidia card is a waste of money as you cant use the 790fx for crossfire like its meant. There are some tutorials and videos online but if you just follow the manual it will get you through it easily, just be aware that the heatsink on the 955 requires alot of force to get on. Also with that combo that they both posted it will cover the cost difference to upgrade to a 4890 which is significantly better than the 4870 or 4850.

+1

790FX boards do not support SLI and is a VERY silly combination with an Nvidia card unless you like wasting money. If you really want an Nvidia GPU you might as well go with a motherboard like this because the extra 16x PCI-E 2 slot on the 790FX board is just there for decoration at that point:

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392&Tpk=gigabyte%20sb710 $79.99

An ATI GPU makes much more sense for this build.

 

[tecmo34]

^+1 hunter315

Here is a good Tom's article on putting a PC together... http://www.tomshardware.com/review_print.php?p1=1382 it is a little dated but still holds true... IMO

 

[tmro]

Thanks for all the input.

I will stay with my listed configuration, and but another card later in the year and set up a Crossfire. I will get the more powerful PSU as well.


Tom

 

[tmro]

Last 2 questions.


(1) Stock Cooler or not? I'm thinking about this because I am building into a midtower all aluminum case with no windows and 80mm fans. If so can you recommend one that would in my case

(2) should I get a sound card? I just remember from my last build.

 

[hunter315]

nah the sound card on the asus board is pretty good, not top of the line but its onboard so you dont expect super sound quality, it supports HDA and doesnt have much noise. As for the stock cooler, its should be fine since you dont plan to overclock.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The stock cooler will work fine at stock speeds. That's what it was designed to do.

Modern motherboards come with good on-board sound, so there's no need for a separate sound card.


Edit: hunter315 beat me to it. I must type too slow!

 

[tmro]

My Ram is not available at newegg. what would be the best substitute?

RAM
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P16004GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227297

 

[shortstuff_mt]

OCZ Flex EX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Ehanced Bandwidth Desktop Memory Model OCZ3FXE1600EB4GK - Retail $89.99

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS34G1600LLK - Retail $94.99

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996601 - Retail $112.99

 

[tmro]

Final Configuration

Case (not sure) may save some money and stay with the old midtower Lian Li P-60

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

CPU

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

Motherboard

ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Xtreme Phase for AM3 CPU w/ DDR3 support, TurboV

Memory

OCZ Flex EX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Ehanced Bandwidth Desktop Memory Model OCZ3FXE1600EB4GK - Retail

PSU

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail

Graphics Card

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 4870 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

HDD

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

OS

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I wouldn't get the 2GB version of the 4870. You can save $45 by going with the 1GB version.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=SAPPHIRE+Vapor-X+Radeon+HD+4870&x=0&y=0

 

[tmro]

Thanks will this one work as well?

XFX HD-487A-ZHFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Free Battleforge and Stormrise w/ purchase, ends 8/31

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394


Tom

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I prefer the coolers on the Sapphire cards, but the XFX cards have a better warranty. Either card would work fine.

 

[tmro]

Will this work, I think the answer is yes. Just checking.

SAPPHIRE VAPOR-X 100269VXL Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Tom

 

[shortstuff_mt]

It's a very nice card, but I'm not convinced it's worth an extra $70.

 

[tmro]

Some of my Combos at Newegg changed. This is my new configuration.

CPU and Ram

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G16004GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.207090

Motherboard and Graphics card

ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
ASUS EAH4870 DK/HTDI/1GD5 Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.211975

PSU

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Case

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

HDD and OS

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Retail
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205082.22-136-319

I know I may be splitting hairs, but I just want to make sure that I get the right parts and this build goes smoothly.

Thanks

Tom

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The build looks very good. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the CAS 8 rating on the RAM. This combo has CAS 7 DDR3 1600 RAM for $1 cheaper.

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.207091 $254.99

 

[tmro]

Hey shortstuff_mt

Im going with this ram you recommended. I know its not part of any combo, but it seems to have no issues associated with it.

OCZ Flex EX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Ehanced Bandwidth Desktop Memory Model OCZ3FXE1600EB4GK - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227404

This seem ok?

Tom

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The 7-6-6-24 timings on that RAM are very nice. I'm sure it will work just fine. Just keep in mind that you'll probably need to manually set the RAM speed/timings/voltage in the BIOS to get it running at its rated speed. That's not a problem, though.

 

[tmro]

I ordered everything, but want to add more ram and another video card.

MOBO (ordered)

ASUS M4A79T Deluxe AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131363

Ram (ordered)
OCZ Flex EX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Ehanced Bandwidth Desktop Memory Model OCZ3FXE1600EB4GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227404

Video Card (ordered)
SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Vapor-X Cooling Design & HDMI with 7.1 Ch Audio(limit 99 per customer) what's this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102825

I want to get this package again so I can have 8 gigs,

OCZ Flex EX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Ehanced Bandwidth Desktop Memory Model OCZ3FXE1600EB4GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227404

and I want to get this card again so I can Crossfire them

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Vapor-X Cooling Design & HDMI with 7.1 Ch Audio(limit 99 per customer) what's this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102825

What do you think? Will the ram fit?

Tom

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The RAM should fit with the stock CPU cooler. Keep in mind that running 4 sticks of RAM is harder on the motherboard. You'll want to manually set the RAM speed/timings/voltage to the manufacturer's specs in the BIOS. You might even have to bump up the voltage a notch above the recommended voltage to get 4 sticks stable. Of course try it at the recommended voltage first.

I hope you're not still planning on using Windows XP on this build. You have to remember that a 32-bit OS can't even fully use 4GB of RAM, so 8GB is completely useless on a 32-bit OS. I would get 64-bit Vista with a free upgrade coupon to Windows 7.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM $109.99