Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > ~$1000 Gaming build - buying soon (first time builder)

~$1000 Gaming build - buying soon (first time builder)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - ~$1000 Gaming build - buying soon (first time builder)

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clayallen17   08-27-2009 at 08:23:03 PM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week

BUDGET RANGE: ~$1000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (CoD4:MW1&2, WoW, Starcraft II, Diablo III, Source games), surfing internet, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, keyboard, mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

Crossfire: Future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I was dead set on getting the 720BE with a 4870 as they seemed to be clear leaders in value, but the 945/4890 combo makes them only $60 more. This seems like a great value as well and "futureproofs" my system a little more; the locked multiplier shouldn't be too big of an issue as I anticipate only a moderate overclock.

CPU/GPU Combo ($345 - $10 MIR):
SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100269VXLE Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX945WFGIBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.236385

Mobo/OS Combo ($220 - $15 MIR):
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.234367

Case ($110):
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119197

PSU ($100):
Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371025

HDD (~$85 w/promo code):
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136284

RAM ($75):
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231193

HSF ($37):
Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] =mugen%202

CD/DVD Burner ($30):
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827118030

Speakers ($24):
Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6836121014

Thermal Paste ($7):
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835100007

Total: $1033 - $25 MIR = $1008


Let me know if I've overlooked anything with this build. I will be purchasing within the next couple of days if everything looks good.

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Bronze Home Brew badge Transmaniacon   08-27-2009 at 08:30:24 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

I am a big fan of Corsair PSU, the one you selected is solid, but this one is better, and is the same price, and would let you crossfire 2 of those 4890 down the road.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to Transmaniacon
clayallen17   08-27-2009 at 08:43:25 PM

Transmaniacon wrote :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

I am a big fan of Corsair PSU, the one you selected is solid, but this one is better, and is the same price, and would let you crossfire 2 of those 4890 down the road.



Yeah, this is something I had a tough time deciding. The review by Jonnyguru gave the Antec a 9.5 in performance with the Corsair an 8.5 (I realize they are both great). The review also mentioned that it was worth it to spend $60 extra (at the time) to get the Antec over the Corsair, so for the same price, it seemed like a no-brainer to me, but I could be wrong. Wouldn't the Antec also let me crossfire 2 4890's just as well as the Corsair?

Reply to clayallen17
Bronze Home Brew badge Transmaniacon   08-27-2009 at 08:58:03 PM

Look at the Amps on the rails. The Antec has 4 25A rails, while the Corsair has a single 60A rail. The higher power rail in the Corsair allows it to power bigger things, and therefore the Corsair will be able to handle the 4890s in crossfire, while the Antec may struggle a bit. Essentially a lower amp rail can only pull so much power from the PSU, regardless of the wattage.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to Transmaniacon
clayallen17   08-27-2009 at 09:01:38 PM

Transmaniacon wrote :

Look at the Amps on the rails. The Antec has 4 25A rails, while the Corsair has a single 60A rail. The higher power rail in the Corsair allows it to power bigger things, and therefore the Corsair will be able to handle the 4890s in crossfire, while the Antec may struggle a bit. Essentially a lower amp rail can only pull so much power from the PSU, regardless of the wattage.



Thanks a lot; I'm glad I asked!

Reply to clayallen17
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