New Build, Finalizing GPU, CPU Cooler, PSU Need Input

[69Rocket-Joe]

I am building a new rig for the first time in a long while and need to finalize a few parts. This machine will be primarily a gaming rig but also used as my main PC for doing MS Office, AutoCAD, web surfing, and video playback.

Here is my build with what I have picked out so far:

MB MSI 790FX-GD70: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223
CPU AMD Phenom II x4 965 BE:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103692
RAM 8GB G.SKILL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303
Main HD WD 750GB Caviar Black: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283
Secondary HD Samsung Ecogreen 1TB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152173
Case NZXT M59: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146058
Optical Drive Samsung 22x Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

Now for the GPU I am 99% sure I'll be getting a 5850 of some flavor, any thoughts on brands (I'm leaning towards an XFX)

I haven't finalized a CPU cooler yet and would like thoughts on what is best for the CPU I've picked. Also need some ideas for case cooling, want fans that are reliable and move air, sound doesn't matter too much.

Last I need to pick out a PSU that will eventually be used with a pair of 5850's in crossfire. I'm thinking 750 would be the floor and 850 the ceiling for where I want to be. Again I want something stone cold reliable.

Oh yeah what about a card reader, any thoughts on one of those?

What about a bluray drive? Are those affordable at all and if I order one from a place like Newegg will I have codec issues like it was with DVD players? I'm out of date on a lot of hardware stuff and getting back up to speed, if I buy a bare drive and want to play bluray discs what will I need in terms of software support, assuming some flavor of Win7.

Thanks so much for the help,

-Joe

 

[obsidian86]

corsair tx/hx 750 will run 2 5850's

 

[69Rocket-Joe]

corsair tx/hx 750 will run 2 5850's

OK But what about building with an eye towards the future? Would I be better off going bigger on the PSU now knowing I want to add a second card later? I am hoping this system will be good for at least a couple more GPU generations and wonder what draw future cards might have. Would a 750 still be ok? The BE CPU saves a bunch on the power draw so I was leaning towards a 750 but question if that is the best of ideas?

-Joe

 

[banthracis]

CPU cooler go with CM Hyper 212 - $29.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=hyper_212-_-35-103-065-_-Product

Cheap and one of the Best HSF's out there.
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm


PSU- the trend is actually towards less power lately due to shrinkage of manf process. There actually is no need for more than a 750 in a gaming comp due to the 300W ATX limit. The 5970 actually hit this issue.

http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3679

Basically, the 750 can run anything in existence or that will be made in the foreseable future as anything using more power would require an industry standard change, or a TON of other peripherals using power.

Gaming you don't need more than 4 gb.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-module-upgrade,2264.html

HD get the Samsung Spinpoint F3, better performance, exceeded only by the new 2Tb WD drives.


Also totally worth it to spend a little extra money and get a nice case. Makes the building easier and cooling much better.

HAF 922, Element G are 2 I have that are <$100 and work great.

 

[69Rocket-Joe]

CPU cooler go with CM Hyper 212 - $29.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=hyper_212-_-35-103-065-_-Product

Cheap and one of the Best HSF's out there.
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm


PSU- the trend is actually towards less power lately due to shrinkage of manf process. There actually is no need for more than a 750 in a gaming comp due to the 300W ATX limit. The 5970 actually hit this issue.

http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3679

Basically, the 750 can run anything in existence or that will be made in the foreseable future as anything using more power would require an industry standard change, or a TON of other peripherals using power.

Gaming you don't need more than 4 gb.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-module-upgrade,2264.html

HD get the Samsung Spinpoint F3, better performance, exceeded only by the new 2Tb WD drives.


Also totally worth it to spend a little extra money and get a nice case. Makes the building easier and cooling much better.

HAF 922, Element G are 2 I have that are <$100 and work great.

Will that coolmaster work on a Phenom II x4? It's listed as an Intel HSF? (EDIT: Looked it up and it is compatible with AM3 chips)

OK You have me about convinced on the PSU and staying with 750.

The stuff I listed I already have. The case looks good and should work OK for my needs. The RAM I went with 8GB because it was cheap enough I figured I might as well, and I read that exact article and still figured it was cheap enough to grab 8GB.

I'll have to look at the F3's and the 2Tb's. I was just reading about them being the fastest but don't know if I can squeeze one into the budget right now.

Thanks,

-Joe

 

[MadAdmiral]

If you haven't bought the CPU, buy the 955 instead. The 965 is the same as the 955, just with a mild factory overclock. You can save $20-30 on it by overclocking it yourself.

On the subject of PSU size, future cards should be more energy efficient. And frankly once you go from 1 5850 to 2 5850, the next step would be to go to 1 of whatever's out there. 1 card will not draw any where near that kind of power. After that gets too slow, you're probably looking at an entirely new build.

BluRay: It depends on what you consider "affordable." Right now they're $100 for a reader (no burning at all, total of $130 for reading/burning in two drives) or $150 for a burner. I don't think it's worth it, but that's really up to you. Also, make sure that optical is a SATA drive (the link leads to the case).

HDDs: I would ditch those and pick up a couple of Samsung Spinpoint F3s. Either get 2 1 TB for $170 or a 500 GB and a 1 TB for $140. These are some of the best drives available.

RAM: If you want to save a few bucks and not notice a difference, there are some cheaper DDR3 1333 mhz sticks available. The best two, IMO, are some CAS Latency 7 G.Skill Ripjaws or G.Skill Eco 1.35v.

 

[MadAdmiral]

I'd stick with the 8 GB, since you're not just gaming.

The Cooler Master HSF is compatibile with just about everything...

 

[banthracis]

Yea the Hyper 212 actually has this weird completely adjustable mounting system that allows it to fit on anything. Took me a few min to figure it out cuz its so diff from anything else i've seen lol.

Price wise a 500gb F3 is only $54.99, cheaper than the one you have now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product

 

[69Rocket-Joe]

If you haven't bought the CPU, buy the 955 instead. The 965 is the same as the 955, just with a mild factory overclock. You can save $20-30 on it by overclocking it yourself.

On the subject of PSU size, future cards should be more energy efficient. And frankly once you go from 1 5850 to 2 5850, the next step would be to go to 1 of whatever's out there. 1 card will not draw any where near that kind of power. After that gets too slow, you're probably looking at an entirely new build.

BluRay: It depends on what you consider "affordable." Right now they're $100 for a reader (no burning at all, total of $130 for reading/burning in two drives) or $150 for a burner. I don't think it's worth it, but that's really up to you. Also, make sure that optical is a SATA drive (the link leads to the case).

HDDs: I would ditch those and pick up a couple of Samsung Spinpoint F3s. Either get 2 1 TB for $170 or a 500 GB and a 1 TB for $140. These are some of the best drives available.

RAM: If you want to save a few bucks and not notice a difference, there are some cheaper DDR3 1333 mhz sticks available. The best two, IMO, are some CAS Latency 7 G.Skill Ripjaws or G.Skill Eco 1.35v.

I already have the MB CPU combo. It was a Thanksgiving deal at Newegg. MB and CPU for $299 with $35 cashback at Bing and a $20 MIR so total of $245 for the MB and CPU. I had planned out this build earlier with the same MB and the 955 for the exact reasons you mentioned but the deal was too good to pass up.

I can always upgrade the Bluray later then.

I'm leaning towards changing my HDDs to F3's or 2Tb's now.

The RAM was on sale a couple weeks back at Newegg. I got the RAM I listed for 79.99/4GB which is why I went with 8GB.

I fixed the link for teh DVD drive, it is SATA.

-Joe

 

[obsidian86]

power requirements are actually getting less with new technology 750 will be fine even ati reccomends 650 watts i believe for crossfire 57xx and 58xx cards and 850 for 2 5970's but if you want some piece of mind the corsair tx or hx 850

 

[69Rocket-Joe]

I went with the XFX 5850: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150455
The Corsair 750 PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
The Coolermaster 212: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=coolermaster%20212
A Samsung F3 1TB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=samsung_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product

That should pretty much finalize my build. I still need a card reader but that will wait until I have everything else up and running. Thanks for the advice guys, hope I can get her put together with little issues.

-Joe