[New PC] Advice on PSU and HDD

[aussie123]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Sometime around Christmas (within a week)

BUDGET RANGE: $1500AUD

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Basic University and School Tasks (i.e Internet, Word, Powerpoint etc)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse and maybe OS (Not sure to upgrade from XP to Windows 7)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg for pricing match, but since I'm an aussie (not sure why I'm on a US site) use http://www.umart.com.au/newindex2.phtml?bid=5

PARTS PREFERENCES: Parts that I plan on getting are:
CPU Intel Core i5 750 2.66ghz Quad LGA1156
MoBo ASUS S1156 P7P55D Pro Core i5
RAM DDR3 4GB G.Skill Ripjaws 1600mHz PC12800 CL8
HDD WD 1TB SATA 2 7200rpm w/ 32MB Green Power or Caviar Black
Video Card Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD5770 1GB PCIe
Case Antec Nine Hundred 2 Black Case (No PS)
PSU Antec TruePower 650W TP-650 or OCZ ModXstream Pro 600W
Optical Drive LiteOn 24x DVD Writer SATA Black
Monitor Samsung 2233SW+ 21.5"

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe in the future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x900

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Any improvements? Suggestions towards what PSU and HDD I should choose? (can't get a spinpoint the store I'm getting it from does not stock them)

 

[sonic-boom]

The Antec is a better PSU, but the OCZ is ok. Get neither of those HDDs, Get a Spinpoint f3 or a Seagate 7200.12

 

[aussie123]

link for the seagate hdd?

 

[sonic-boom]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433&Tpk=7200.12%201tb

 

[aussie123]

ty

 

[aussie123]

i think it might blow out my budget though

 

[sonic-boom]

How? the Black is more expensive.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I'm w/ Sonic on the PSU and HD

Like the Asus monitors better than the Samsungs 1920 x 1200 preferred over 1080

This is $40 cheaper and 1920 x 1080

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

This same price but 24" and 1920 x 1080

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

 

[aussie123]

@ Sonic: I wasn't sure between the two, I've had some bad experience with a Seagate external hdd, and really good experiences with the WD ones. The store that I plan on getting the parts from do not stock the f3s'.
@ Jack: Thanks I'll look into those monitors.

 

[aussie123]

Jack, with the Acer Monitor, would I need speakers if I used it?
edit: I don't think I do, but just making sure.

 

[aussie123]

Sonic, I apologise it seems the store does have the F3. It's cheaper as well, would it be a better buy than the WD or the Seagate?

 

[aussie123]

Lol, should I stay with the 5770 or go to a 260GTX??? Started reading some reviews and they kinda leaning towards the 260 over the 5770, ideas?

 

[geofelt]

Lol, should I stay with the 5770 or go to a 260GTX??? Started reading some reviews and they kinda leaning towards the 260 over the 5770, ideas?

5770, GTX260 and 4870 are in the same performance class. Take your pick. Unless you want to optimize for one particular game, don't anguish over the choice.

I would look at the 5770, primarily because of the 40nm mfg process. It will let you use a lower powered psu. A quality 450w psu should be sufficient. Look for the XFX unit, it has a superior dual slot cooler, and a better warranty:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150447

I think Samsung makes the panels for many other vendors. I suspect that they keep the best samples for themselves. I have never had a bad monitor from Samsung. The one time I tried an ASUS, it was defective.

Do not go cheap on the psu. Corsair, seasonic, antec, and pcp&c are quality makes, to name a few.

 

[aussie123]

Good to know about the monitor and GPU . I was just reading a review and all they said that the 5770 was outperformed by the GTX260, which was why I asked. One more questions though, is the Antec TruePower 650W PSU modular? or should I consider an OCZ modXstream 600W?

 

[geofelt]

Good to know about the monitor and GPU . I was just reading a review and all they said that the 5770 was outperformed by the GTX260, which was why I asked. One more questions though, is the Antec TruePower 650W PSU modular? or should I consider an OCZ modXstream 600W?

newegg seems to show in a picture that the antec IS modular. That said, I think modular is a non-issue. For a properly sized psu you are going to use most of the leads anyway.

The OCZ modXstream is a tier 3 unit on this list:
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx
I would stick with tier 2 or better if possible.

If you insist on modular, consider Corsair 650HX:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

 

[aussie123]

The Antec Truepower New 650W isn't on the above list, is that because the list hasn't been updated or am I missing a name on the list that refers to the Antec TP-650? Modular is a non-issue for me, just thinkg about cable management and where I'll put the left over cables when completing the build.

 

[sonic-boom]

The f3 is better than both the WD and Seagate, and cheaper. Get that and get the 5770. Don't get the 260 or the 4870, the would both be a very bad choice.

 

[geofelt]

The Antec Truepower New 650W isn't on the above list, is that because the list hasn't been updated or am I missing a name on the list that refers to the Antec TP-650? Modular is a non-issue for me, just thinkg about cable management and where I'll put the left over cables when completing the build.

I think the list is a bit outdated. Antec of any type should be good. Their support on cases has been outstanding for me.

 

[aussie123]

Ok, thanks. Looks like the only thing I have to change is the HDD to the Samsung, which I'm happy to do because its cheaper .

 

[aussie123]

Would an Antec 600 case be better for price, becuase it looks the same as the 902, same amount of fan slots and an extra USB slot. Ideas???