First build since '04

[ludwig64]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: November 30th

BUDGET RANGE: 800 - 1200

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, speakers,cd & dvd drives, OS, PSU 700w (OCZgxs700), and case (cooler master 690)

PARTS PREFERENCES: ATI & Intel (23" widescreen monitor)

OVERCLOCKING: maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like it to play most DX10 games on full settings and remain quiet (note: I will mostly be playing Stalker clear sky, call of pripyat, UT3)

________________________________________________________________________________________________

-_Build_-


CPU: Core i5 2.66ghz________________________________________$200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

GPU: HD5870 or Dual HD5770's________________________________$390 or $320

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102856
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102861

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102858


MOBO: Asus p55 EVO________________________________________$189

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131407

RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB)_____________________________$86

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260

HDD: 640GB WD Caviar black or Kingston 64 GB SSDD_______________$75 or $134

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&cm_re=640gb-_-22-136-319-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139004

Monitor: Acer X233Hbid Black 23"______________________________$180

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009163


Total Cost________________________________________________$1120 approximately (based on first choices)


Any recommended changes? And what should I go for on the GPU and HDD?

 

[overshocks]

For 1680x1050 resolution the 5850 or 5870 is an overkill for your build. the 4890 is the max you should go for. unless you upgrade your monitor to 1920x1080 at least

edit: wait, never mind the monitor you are buying is 1920x1080.

i'll come back to this after lunch.

 

[TheViper]

Go with the WD Caviar Black for the HDD. That SDD is tempting but you'll run out of space quickly if you game a lot.

I would recommend the HD 5850 instead. At your resolution, the HD 5870 is just overkill and the HD 5850 will give you plenty of horsepower and be quieter than the other two suggestions.

Hang on, you listed 1680 x 1050 as your resolution but the monitor you have in your buy list is 1920 x 1080. If you are buying the new monitor then go ahead and get the HD 5870 instead.

 

[mortonww]

The Samsung Spinpoint F3 is a faster HDD than the Caviar Black if you decide against the SSD. Or maybe you could load your OS on the SSD and use the spinpoint as a secondary drive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

 

[overshocks]

Okay, I'm back.

Get the 5850, since your new monitor will be 1920x1080. 5870 is overkill for 1920x1080

Get this hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

This RAM if you want to spend the money 1600mhz CL7:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279

Cheaper RAM 1333mhz CL7:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

heatsink if you are overclocking:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=hyper%20212%20plus

Everything else looks good, just check if your cd/dvd drives are sata (the ones you have right now in first post)

 

[ludwig64]

Thanks for the help!

The only question i have is that will the 5850 play stalker clear sky at full everything on that resolution? if not I will go with the overkill ;]

 

[overshocks]

Thanks for the help!

The only question i have is that will the 5850 play stalker clear sky at full everything on that resolution? if not I will go with the overkill ;]

at which resolution the new monitor 1920x1080 or your current monitor 1680x1050.

I'm pretty sure it can max out clear sky with the 5850 even at 1920x1080. how high can AA go up to?

 

[cory1234]

The Samsung Spinpoint F3 is a faster HDD than the Caviar Black if you decide against the SSD. Or maybe you could load your OS on the SSD and use the spinpoint as a secondary drive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

According to Tom's latest hd article the F3 isn't that good of a drive. I would stick with the WD blacks.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/2tb-hdd-7200,2430.html

 

[sonic-boom]

Thats the 2TB drives, the spinpoint f3 is a single platter 500g, or 2x 500g for 1tb.

 

[ludwig64]

at which resolution the new monitor 1920x1080 or your current monitor 1680x1050.

I'm pretty sure it can max out clear sky with the 5850 even at 1920x1080. how high can AA go up to?

the new one, cause i didnt know it could go that high, i miss-read it DX

I think because of AA i will need the 5870, but at the old resolution you are right, the 5850 would work quite well.

 

[ludwig64]

Also, i have a WD 250gb drive to make up for space if i go for the SSDD, but is the SSDD worth it? Will it make a noticeable difference in frame rates or is it mostly just something that servers use because of read and write times?

 

[overshocks]

SSD is not worth it, just spend the money on a better graphics card which is 5870. SSDs have a long way to go to make its prices affordable.

 

[ludwig64]

Ok kewl, I think that settles just about everything. Thanks again for everything

 

[overshocks]

Ok kewl, I think that settles just about everything. Thanks again for everything

no problem, if you want you can select me as best answer

 

[cory1234]

Thats the 2TB drives, the spinpoint f3 is a single platter 500g, or 2x 500g for 1tb.

I read the article...it was on 500gb platters and the drive they reviewed was the spinpoint f3 500gb. They said it was disappointing.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/2tb-hdd-7200,2430-2.html

 

[ludwig64]

I read the article...it was on 500gb platters and the drive they reviewed was the spinpoint f3 500gb. They said it was disappointing.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/2tb-hdd-7200,2430-2.html

So i shud go with the western digital?

 

[jbakerlent]

no problem, if you want you can select me as best answer

LOL +1

So i shud go with the western digital?

No, the Spinpoint F3 crushes all WDs (except for the $300, 2TB version).

 

[ludwig64]

ok, im a bit confused but ill go with the samsung because many ppl recommended it

 

[TheViper]

ok, im a bit confused but ill go with the samsung because many ppl recommended it

There are some brands or product lines that you can't go wrong with (usually). And the debating between some components can really just be semantics, insignificant details, personal preferences, etc...

Going with the Samsung or the Western Digital will result in a happy customer either way you go.

 

[ludwig64]

ok kewl, thankies =D

 

[cory1234]

LOL +1

No, the Spinpoint F3 crushes all WDs (except for the $300, 2TB version).

I can't find any reviews using the 500gb model against other 500gb models.
Jbakerlent is right, it's probably the best drive in it's price range.