Can you build a better one?

eadgbe194

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Oct 31, 2009
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This is my first build, I have put together a list of what i think will work well together, but if you can improve it I would love to see how. I want a gaming pc for <$1000 I will overclock it at some point but probably ~6 months later so I can save some more money to get a good heat sink and fans. Also The MoBo I picked has onboard graphics, can that be used in parallel with the HD 5770 or not? I would also appriciate if you could point out any potential bottlenecks.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: in the next 6 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: <$1000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming mostly

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: I need EVERYTHING, please let me know if i left something out

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: whatever has the best deal I guess, this build is from newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: no loyalties, I chose AMD because i think it's more budget minded but feel free to prove me wrong

OVERCLOCKING: not initially, but I did pick the black edition processor so I can OC later

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: not initially, but maybe at some point

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900 is the monitor in this build, but only because it seemed budget friendly, if you can do better I would like some input.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'm not sure how these will all work together, I don't want any components that are way ahead or way behind the others. And I want it run safely without worrying about heat, but not ready for liquid cooling or anything

LITE-ON Black Wired Keyboard
keyboard

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
ram

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO ATX AMD Motherboard
mobo

BELKIN BP112230-08 8 ft. 12 Outlets 4320 Joules Pivot-Plug Surge Protector
surge protector

Rosewill RCR-IC002 74-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port / Extra silver face plate
card reader

Logitech S-220 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System
speakers

AMD Phenom II X4 940 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor
CPU

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 100283L Video Card
video card

Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ... - Retail
power supply

Logitech SBF-96 Black Wired Optical Mouse
mouse

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B
dvd

Rosewill RCX-TC050 Thermal Grease
grease

Acer X193Wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
monitor

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case
case

Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
hdd

Thanks for your help!
 

build

Distinguished
May 19, 2009
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I can do better, a Core i5 build would totally destroy that Phenom II set-up :D

Intel Core i5-750
+
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P
Combo Price: $344.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.276270

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333mhz - $78.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231274

GIGABYTE GV-R577D5-1GD-B Radeon HD 5770 - $159.99 (That Sapphire one is out of stock)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125301

COOLER MASTER RC-690
+
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB
Combo Price: $99.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273732

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black - $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W <-- 600W will suffice for two 5770's
+
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Combo Price: $166.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.276413

Hanns·G HW-191APB Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor Built in Speakers - $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254023

LITE-ON SK-1688U/B Black USB Wired Standard Keyboard - $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823107128

Logitech SBF-96 Black 3 Buttons - $8.49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104031

Grand Total:* $1,011.38
 

sonic-boom

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Oct 9, 2009
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A 5770 is overkill for that resolution something like a 4770 might be more appropriate. You cant use a onboard video crossfired with a card. You should look at a motherboard without a onboard video.
 

overshocks

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Aug 7, 2009
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I think you misunderstood the situation, I think the OP meant that "can you run a video card while the mobo has onboard video".
 

eadgbe194

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Oct 31, 2009
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I picked the HD 5770 since it supports directX 11 and I thought it would be future proof-ish. What monitor/resolution would you suggest that isn't too expensive?

Build, can you explain your comment about the i5 being so much better? I'm not loyal to either brand just curious what your reasoning is.
 

overshocks

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^I can explain for you i5 is better. i5 750> all amd cpus. Period. No need further explanation.

5770 is for at least 1680x1050 monitor or else it's pretty much overkill. Well if you don't plan on switching monitors, then get the 5750.
 

pepperman

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Sep 15, 2009
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The video card you picked out is fine, maybe Sonic-boom is used to playing all of his games on low settings with high res.

The i5 is faster than the phenom II (at least the one you picked out), and it tends to OC better as well.
 

haywood

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Sep 5, 2006
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Absolutely no reason not to go overboard on a vid card. It future proofs for a while and the OP may want to step up the monitor in the future, plus it fits into the budget.
 

eadgbe194

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Oct 31, 2009
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Thanks guys, The build that build posted looks pretty good. I just picked a cheap monitor because all I have now is an old laptop. I suppose I would like to get a monitor that will last for a while since they're not super cheap.
 

eadgbe194

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Oct 31, 2009
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so at this point which is better?

1) HD 5770 and cheap monitor, then upgrade the monitor and add a second 5770 later

OR

2) cheap monitor and a lesser video card, then upgrade the monitor later and replace the singe GPU with a better GPU
 

eadgbe194

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Oct 31, 2009
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I am trying to keep the whole thing including monitor under $1000. That's the compromise my wife has agreed to. I know the most importand parts performace wise will be the CPU and the Video card, but I want a case, power supply, and monitor that will be "good enough" I don't need a huge monitor i think 19" will be fine but good resolution would be nice to have.