YES! Another "How would this computer do for gaming" thread!

[msdt]

PPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Between now and Christmas, kinda in a rough plan out stage right now.

BUDGET RANGE: $1300 CAD after rebates/tax. Tax is 12%

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, office stuff (PowerPoint), internet, email

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.ca, ncix.com, directcanada.com (Really, anything in CAD (or USD that ships to Canada) and has a decent reputation).

PARTS PREFERENCES: Thinking a Phenom II build at this point, but that isn't set in stone. For GPU's, If it's a Radeon, XFX. If it's a GeForce, BFG. Asus mobo.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe, but I'd like to keep the option open.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want something quite powerful, without breaking the bank. I'm no die-hard AMD fan, but I have had good experience with AMD builds in the past. Intel would be good too.

PARTS

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 ($190)

Mobo: Asus ASUS M4A79T Deluxe ($195)

GPU: Not quite sure. I was thinking a XFX Radeon HD 4890 , a XFX Radeon 5850 , or a XFX Radeon HD 5770 . ($190-$300) I don't play extremely intensive games, but I do like playing what I do at max graphics. I play WoW frequently, with a few others (DoW II, a bit of Crysis).

PSU: Corsair HX750 ($150)

CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus ($20)

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB ) ($100)

Case: Azza Fantom 900 ($80)

RAM: G.Skill DDR3 1333 x2 ($180)

CD Drive: Generic ($30)

This lands pretty much right at $1300.


Thanks in advance

 

[rodney_ws]

CPU: Meh... that's OK. I went with an i5-750, but to each his own.
Mobo: Holy hell that's a expensive mobo.
GPU: 5850 if you can find it.
PSU: Nice. Have a Corsair 650 HX myself.
CPU Cooler: No. Try again.
Hard Drive: Nice. I got the 640 GB Black. No regrets.
RAM: 8 GB for $180? Sweet!
CD: Meh. Whatever.

I scored a 22 inch Asus LCD (2ms GTG) for $139 on Buy.com... being in Canada your mileage will vary.

 

[overshocks]

No point in getting an amd build with your budget.

i5 750> all amd cpus.

You can get a decent i5 750 build at around 1100 CAD
check ncix.com, they are offering special offers, a lot of discounts because halloween sale.

By the way, you don't need 8GB for gaming. Try 4GB

 

[msdt]

I did have an i5 build here.... but not convinced yet.

Continuing with the AMD build...


PARTS

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 ($190)

Mobo: Asus ASUS M4A79T Deluxe ($195)

GPU: XFX Radeon 5850 ($315)

PSU: Corsair HX650 ($115)

CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9700NT ($60)

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB ) ($100)

Case: Azza Fantom 900 ($80)

RAM: G.Skill DDR3 1333 x2 ($180)

I'm a bit hesetant with the LGA 1136 socket though. Most people expect te socket to have a very short lifetime, where as AM3 and LGA1366 have upgrade paths.


Plus the 790FX platform I put the AMD on supports 2 GPU's in 16x, not the 8x of the 790GX/P55

 

[overshocks]

why 8GB?

get all your parts from one site, it saves you shipping money

why are you using newegg.ca their prices are higher and you have to pay two taxes I believe.

use ncix.com you pay only one tax and usually cheaper for parts

get the HAF 922 case or the antec 900 case, they are way better in terms of cooling.

 

[overshocks]

quote: "I'm a bit hesetant with the LGA 1136 socket though. Most people expect te socket to have a very short lifetime, where as AM3 and LGA1366 have upgrade paths.

Plus the 790FX platform I put the AMD on supports 2 GPU's in 16x, not the 8x of the 790GX/P55 "

i think you meant 1156, anyways yes the 1366 will have a better upgrade path in the future because of gulftown which will cost over 1000+ when it comes out, so not relevant to you. the i5 750 owns anything amd has so no competition.

x16 x16 vs x8 x8, yes you will get more performance with x16 x16 but only say 0-5% more vs x8 x8 while using crossfire/sli. so there's not much to debate here. you are going to use 1680x1050 monitor so you aren't going to crossfire/sli anyways unless you upgrade.

by the way you never mentioned if you need a monitor or not..just making sure..

 

[msdt]

1) I do more than just gaming, and I have tons of crap open at once.

2) Just quoting lowest price.

3)I live in BC... I have to pay 2 taxes anyway. NCIX too, they're based in Vancouver.

4) The Antec is $50 more, and they Azza does have good airflow. I've looked at the reviews.

 

[overshocks]

you don't need 8GB seriously. if you don't believe me google is your friend.

that's too bad you're in vancouver you have to pay the taxes. maybe go into their store and you save shipping money. if you are close to them.

 

[redgarl]

Don't buy Asus Motherboard for AMD cpu, theyr really dropped the ball lately. I got a M4A78T-E and I got Hypersync flood error with X4 mode enabled. It is also something that occur with native X4 cpu like the 955. Right now, MSI is the the brand I trust the most with AMD.

cpu : PII 955
motherboard : MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3
gpu : XFX 5850
HDD : WD Caviar Black 1TB
RAM : 4 gig OCZ Platinum DDR3 1600
case : Cooler Master HAF 922 or 932
power supply : Corsair 750 TX (if you plan to crossfire) or OCZ 700W ModXstream (if you don't plan to crossfire)
cooler : Cooler Master Hyper 212 plus
Sound Card : OMEGA Striker or any Auzentech will do (IMO, a good sound card is also important for gaming and any HTPC setup)
DVD burner : anything NEC, try to avoid LG... noisy dvd drives

 

[redgarl]

1) I do more than just gaming, and I have tons of crap open at once.

2) Just quoting lowest price.

3)I live in BC... I have to pay 2 taxes anyway. NCIX too, they're based in Vancouver.

4) The Antec is $50 more, and they Azza does have good airflow. I've looked at the reviews.

Will a 10 inch graphic card fit in or would you need to use a dremmel to get it there and lose 2 hdd bays? Probably the second option.

Get a HAF 922, it's not only a question of air flow, it's also a question of installation.