$650 CyberPower System

[downside]

Right now all I play is City of Heroes, I can't believe that this computer setup wouldn't run that game optimally. However I'm wondering about future games like Champions, Aion, and even the remote possibility of even running SC2 or Diablo III. I'm also wondering about sufficient power supply, cooling, and any other more advanced requirements. I'm pretty green on this subject, so if I have serious misconceptions on performance let me know.

Also just for reference I plan on running this on my 32" LCD, so if that would cause any problems let me know.

* CASE: New!! NZXT Beta Gaming Mid-Tower Case

* Neon Light Upgrade: NONE

* Extra Case Fan Upgrade: Maximum 120MM Case Cooling Fans for your selected case

* POWER SUPPLY Upgrade: 800 Watts Power Supplies (CyberPowerPC XF800S Performance ATX 2.0 Power - Quad SLI Ready)

* CPU: (Sckt775)Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E8500 CPU @ 3.16GHz 1333FSB 6MB L2 Cache 64-bit

* COOLING FAN : INTEL LGA775 CERTIFIED CPU FAN & HEATSINK

* MOTHERBOARD: MSI G31M3-L Intel G31 Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard

* MEMORY: 4GB (2GBx2) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)


* VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB 16X PCI Express (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)

* VIDEO CARD 2: None

* VIDEO CARD 3: None

* MULTIPLE VIDEO CARD SETTINGS: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors

* HARD DRIVE: Single Hard Drive (250GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)

* Optical Drive: (Special Price) LG 22X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Dual Layer Drive (BLACK COLOR)

* SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO

* SPEAKERS: 600Watts PMPO Subwoofer Stereo Speakers

 

[obsidian86]

its a rip off where you from?

 

[downside]

California, OC area

 

[obsidian86]

in this price range amd rules the roost atm

 

[Helloworld_98]

and that PSU is pointless, not to mention poor quality.

 

[downside]

OK, well what about this configuration, it's more money closer to $750, basically set it to be an SLI 250 GTS, changes the processor to an AMD 3 core, and lower the PSU.

* CASE: New! CoolerMaster Elite 310 Mid-Tower Case with See-Thru Side Panel

* Extra Case Fan Upgrade: Default case fans

* POWER SUPPLY Upgrade: 600 Watts Power Supplies (SLI Ready Power Supply)

* CPU: AMD Phenom™II X3 720 Black Edition Triple-Core CPU w/ HyperTransport Technology

* COOLING FAN : AMD ATHLON64 CERTIFIED CPU FAN & HEATSINK

* MOTHERBOARD: Asus M3N72-D AMD 750a SLI Chipset DDR2/1066 SATA PCI-Express MBoard w/Video, GbLAN, USB2.0, &7.1Audio

* MEMORY: 4GB (2GBx2) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)

# VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB 16X PCI Express (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)

# VIDEO CARD 2: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB 16X PCI Express

# MULTIPLE VIDEO CARD SETTINGS: Xtreme Performance in SLI/CrossFireX Gaming Mode Supports Single Monitor

* HARD DRIVE: Single Hard Drive (250GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)

* SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO

* SPEAKERS: 600Watts PMPO Subwoofer Stereo Speakers

 

[obsidian86]

Update Qtys| Remove Selected.. Move Selected To... My Temporary Wish Lists
select all item Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
select item 1 quantity of item 1
SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151188
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options27-151-188|hide options27-151-188)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info27-151-188.0.18)

1 year: $6.99
2 year: $11.99
$28.99
select item 2 quantity of item 2
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129042
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy -$10.00 Instant
$69.95
$59.95
select item 3 quantity of item 3
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136320
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $69.99
select item 4 quantity of item 4
ASRock M3A780GXH/128M AM3 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813157161
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options13-157-161|hide options13-157-161)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info13-157-161.0.18)

1 year: $10.99
2 year: $16.99
$89.99
select item 5 quantity of item 5
XFX HD-487A-ZHFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150394
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $149.99
select item 6 quantity of item 6
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817341016
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options17-341-016|hide options17-341-016)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info17-341-016.0.18)

1 year: $10.99
2 year: $16.99
-$30.00 Instant

$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-341-016 $89.99
$59.99
select item 7 quantity of item 7
Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664BA1336 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820148227
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy $67.99
select item 8 quantity of item 8
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103649
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy -$20.00 Instant
$139.00
$119.00
Subtotal: $645.89

 

[downside]

Looks good but is it just me or is it missing a psu?

 

[obsidian86]

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case -
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
ASRock M3A780GXH/128M AM3 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
XFX HD-487A-ZHFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Vieo card
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular
Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core
Subtotal: $645.89

 

[downside]

Ah, yep just me I missed it cool thank you for the advice

 

[obsidian86]

thats all from newegg

 

[rockyjohn]

The Cyberpower system listed by downside with twin GTS 250s will run circles around the obsidian's build with a singe 4870. And his 500w PSU is inadequate for crossfire.

Like the others I recommend building your own for the advantages it provides - particularly the knowledge gained that can be applied in OC or later upgrades. But it is flat bogus to compare a BYO system - which is parts only with absolutely no consideration of labor costs - with a prebuilt system with a warranty on the entire build - and say that the later is a ripoff.

If you want a true comparison downside, figure out how many hours you will spend planning the system, ordering and inspecting the parts, researching how to assemble a PC, assemblying it, troubleshooting build issues that are common with newbies, testing the system, and burning it in (assuming no time spent RMA ing any parts althought you will see many posts on this forum from builders doing just that) and then value all that time at what you think your time is worth. For some, prebuilts make a lot of sense - and are the cheapest way to go after fairly including the value of their time.

What have you decided downside, buy or build? No need to try to address both if you have made a decision.

If you stick with prebuilt - you might consider:
1. Upgrading case to CM Centurion RC-590 - +$27
2. Upgrading PSU ( a must for SLI) to Corsair 650TX - +$22
(its not just the size but also getting a quality PSU, note that if you plan to OC - should get even larger PSU)
3. IF plan to OC CPU - need to upgrade CPU heatsink/fan
4. Upgrade both video cards to same card but EVGA designated - +$5 each
5. Upgrade HD from 250GB to 500GB - only +$8

You really should do #2,4 and 5 which for only $40 really add a lot of value to system - and the PSU is a must for SLI - if necessary you could put off buying the second video card and get it later and install yourself.

So how are you proceeding?

 

[downside]

I decided to go with just buying from CP, I will look into upgrading the power supply and making sure the cards are EVGA. Is the issue with the current PSU a brand one or a wattage one, cause you only suggested a 50 watt bump.

Also if you have any knowledge on how good two 250's in SLI would be let me know if it is truely worth it. I read an article that basically benchmarked two 250's in SLI against a GTX 285 and the SLI won out. The key to that particular article was that they stated that two 250's cost less than a 285 GTX. Basically that was the only real reference I used when I decided on going that route.

 

[rockyjohn]

1. Is the issue with the current PSU a brand one or a wattage one, cause you only suggested a 50 watt bump.

2. Also if you have any knowledge on how good two 250's in SLI would be let me know if it is truely worth it. I read an article that basically benchmarked two 250's in SLI against a GTX 285 and the SLI won out. The key to that particular article was that they stated that two 250's cost less than a 285 GTX. Basically that was the only real reference I used when I decided on going that route.

1. Both, 600w was too little and the brand is not a recommended one. As I stated, the 650w from Corsair that I recommended would be enough for SLI and you only needed more to OC. I did not - and still do not - see any comment from you one way or the other about OC .

I also did not recommend more because the apparent options for higher power PSUs did not seem to offer value. The only good brand was the Thermaltake Toughpower at 700w and 750w at price increments (both from Corsair 650w) of $45 and $68 - the increase was just not worth the cost.

Now the good news. Cyberprower does have another option that I missed because of an anomaly. All the PSUs are listed in drop down menus grouped by wattage level, except one. I did not see that they offer a Corsair 750w unit because it was in a very sticky drop down list below the Corsair 650w unit rather than the other 750w ones. It is only $13 more than the Corsair 650w - so - whatever you decide about OC now - go with the Corsair 750w for the small bump in price. If you choose to OC later you have the power for it - if not you have a little extra power and protection. By the way, normally the closer you are to the middle of the power range on a PSU the more efficient it operates - saving electrical costs. If you are in the 90+ range efficiency usually drops several percent.

2. I do not know the relative performance of 250SLI compared to the 285. Being budget conscious, my preference is to use SLI to allow for simple and inexpensive later updates. For instance, in your budget range I would buy a single GTX 275 896MB card now (savings of $13 over twin GTS 250 1GB cards) with the plan to upgrade later - when I was ready and had the money, presumably also after game requirements increased and video prices came down - pairing it with another GTX 275. However, you need to review the various performances to know if this is right for your play and preferences.

I also note that the mobo you selected only permits SLI or crossfire with 2 cards at half speed - that is the mobo only has the channels to process data at the x8 rate instead of x16 with two cards (one x16 channel split in half). You might want to get a mobo that has two full x16 channels. One example is the Asus M4A78 Plus which actually costs $23 less. You need to confirm if it has all the features you want - you might also look at the other mobos to see if any others have everthing you want.

I know the x8 channel will handle the maximum output of most graphics cards today, including the GTS 250. I think it will handle the max GTX 275 but I am not sure and I don't know the crossover point where it stops handling the max from the video card. You might want to do a little more research on this if you want to keep the mobo that only supports x8 SLI - but I would be inclined to get the x16 to be safe. Who knows what you might want or need in 3 years - if you plan to keep the board that long.