Questions on Custom Configuration

[ddpaters]

Hello All,

I am planning on building a new system in the next month and I have been attempting to put together a configuration for around $1500. I will be doing some gaming, but a lot of the use will be for large software development projects. Below is what I have so far:

CPU: Intel Core i7-920
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600
MB: ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
GPU: XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770
HDD1: Seagate Barracuda 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5
HDD2: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb
Case: LIAN LI PC-A77B
PSU: Antec TPQ-850 850W Continuous Power
OS: MS Windows 7 Pro 64-bit

Now, for the questions:

1) What is your opinion on the configuration? What changes would you make for my price point?

2) Given the current configuration, what would be the desired wattage from a PSU? What if I eventually add a second GPU for CrossFire?

3) I don't believe I will be doing any O.C.. Do I need an aftermarket cooling solution for the CPU?

4) I wanted to get an SSD for the primary HDD, but they seem pretty costly as of now. Does the performance of these drives really justify the cost? If so, I could exceed my price point for one.

Thanks in advance!

 

[cory1234]

Hello All,

I am planning on building a new system in the next month and I have been attempting to put together a configuration for around $1500. I will be doing some gaming, but a lot of the use will be for large software development projects. Below is what I have so far:

CPU: Intel Core i7-920
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600
MB: ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
GPU: XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770
HDD1: Seagate Barracuda 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5
HDD2: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb
Case: LIAN LI PC-A77B
PSU: Antec TPQ-850 850W Continuous Power
OS: MS Windows 7 Pro 64-bit

Now, for the questions:

1) What is your opinion on the configuration? What changes would you make for my price point?

2) Given the current configuration, what would be the desired wattage from a PSU? What if I eventually add a second GPU for CrossFire?

3) I don't believe I will be doing any O.C.. Do I need an aftermarket cooling solution for the CPU?

4) I wanted to get an SSD for the primary HDD, but they seem pretty costly as of now. Does the performance of these drives really justify the cost? If so, I could exceed my price point for one.

Thanks in advance!

Could you post the prices you found..your build looks a little weak for $1500.

Do you already have the first hard drive? Older drives have lower performance than new drives.
SSD's are the best upgrade you can do right now. I currently have one and love it. The performance difference is worth the cost imo.

Your build only needs a good 650w psu even if you add a second 5770 later.

You don't need an aftermarket heatsink if your not overclocking, but it couldn't hurt.
$30 Hyper 212+ performs as good as the most expensive heatsinks.

 

[hunter315]

It looks pretty good, only a few changes i would make

A good 750W PSU will provide plenty of power for 2 5770s, you can actually run them on a good 650W if you wanted to.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022&cm_re=TP-750-_-17-371-022-_-Product

Swap the 160GB Seagate for a faster drive like the 500GB samsung F3, it will perform significantly better.

If you wont be OCing then the stock cooler will be just fine.

For software development an SSD probably wouldnt help very much and would likely get quickly filled with files, a fast HDD should be sufficient and large enough that you wont run out of space.

 

[ddpaters]

The prices I have found are all from Newegg:

($)
(288.99) CPU: Intel Core i7-920
(154.99) RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600
(219.99) MB: ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
(179.99) GPU: XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770
(39.99) HDD1: Seagate Barracuda 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5
(84.99) HDD2: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb
(269.99) Case: LIAN LI PC-A77B
(149.99) PSU: Antec TPQ-850 850W Continuous Power
(139.99) OS: MS Windows 7 Pro 64-bit

I think two things that are currently making this configuration more expensive would be the case @ 269.99 and the PSU @ 149.99.

I don't already have the first drive. I didn't want to rip out any of my parts from my current build. I just don't need that much space for my primary as it will be used only for OS and App installation.

 

[ddpaters]

It looks pretty good, only a few changes i would make

A good 750W PSU will provide plenty of power for 2 5770s, you can actually run them on a good 650W if you wanted to.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022&cm_re=TP-750-_-17-371-022-_-Product

Swap the 160GB Seagate for a faster drive like the 500GB samsung F3, it will perform significantly better.

If you wont be OCing then the stock cooler will be just fine.

For software development an SSD probably wouldnt help very much and would likely get quickly filled with files, a fast HDD should be sufficient and large enough that you wont run out of space.

Just took a look @ that Samsung F3. I will definitely go that route if do not decide on an SSD.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

1) What is your opinion on the configuration? What changes would you make for my price point?CPU: Done

RAM: Corsair memory way overpriced at the moment....buy cheapest DDR1600 you can find from brand you comfy with OCZ has $119 set.

MB: Might wanna opt for V2 of this or some of these which have SAS and USB3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200280%2050001315%201070645357&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16813131614%2CN82E16813131365%2CN82E16813131358

HDD1: Seagate Barracuda 160GB too old
HDD2: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM 7200.12 is good, 7200.11 and older is...well ....old

Consider SAS HD's if you get the board that has SAS

Case: LIAN LI PC-A77B Why ?

PSU: Antec TPQ-850 850W Continuous Power - Suggest Antec CP-850 in one of the compatible Antec cases (1200, 193, 183) and yes you can turn off the lights.

OS: MS Windows 7 Pro 64-bit

2) Given the current configuration, what would be the desired wattage from a PSU? What if I eventually add a second GPU for CrossFire?

650 watter for single card .... 850 if doing Xfire / SLI

3) I don't believe I will be doing any O.C.. Do I need an aftermarket cooling solution for the CPU?

The 920 is so easily OC'able my guess is you will eventually

4) I wanted to get an SSD for the primary HDD, but they seem pretty costly as of now. Does the performance of these drives really justify the cost? If so, I could exceed my price point for one.

I'm waiting till Intel's customary post february price drops.....and Xmas fever to die down.

 

[cory1234]

Here is a different Lian Li for $80 that looks slightly similar:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112154

The Antec P183 is also a good case and $100 cheaper than the one you chose: $120 after MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129061

If you want a drive just for the OS newegg has the OCZ 30gb SSD on sale for $100 after $30 MIR. A slimmed down version of win 7 should only be about 7-8gb.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393&cm_re=ocz_30gb_ssd-_-20-227-393-_-Product

 

[ddpaters]

Here is a different Lian Li for $80 that looks slightly similar:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112154

The Antec P183 is also a good case and $100 cheaper than the one you chose: $120 after MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129061

If you want a drive just for the OS newegg has the OCZ 30gb SSD on sale for $100 after $30 MIR. A slimmed down version of win 7 should only be about 7-8gb.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393&cm_re=ocz_30gb_ssd-_-20-227-393-_-Product

Thanks for those suggestions! I probably could get away with that 30GB. Funny thing is, I was actually looking at that P183 too. I like the look of that one.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Funny thing is, I was actually looking at that P183 too. I like the look of that one.

That CP-850 is reason enough to buy any case.....performs on par with PSU's costing twice as much.

 

[rammar16]

overall great looking build.

personally i think the corsair memory is an excellent choice they have always been a good blend of Price/Performance and reliability.

as for the PSU i would recommend the corsiar 750Watt($120ish) or the 850. i have the 750 running 2 4870 which eat more power that a 5770 would but the 850 will give a nice bit of head room for extra add ons

For the Case, the P183 is great and the antec 1200 ($160) is also a great choice for a cheaper full tower.

honestly i don't think that SSDs are super worth it right now for the 1500 price point because the 30GB models tend to be much slower than their 120GB+ big brothers which are seen the reviews. also to my knowledge many lower end drives don't support TRIM which works to fix the deterioration the drives sustain. instead i think the 500GB samsung drive is a better direction.

Personally i would still get at least some kind of after market cooler. the lower temps will help the CPU last longer. it doesn't have to be expensive the Xigmatek HDT is like $35 bucks and works great.

anyways these are just suggestions take them or leave them. hope your build goes great, and you love it because ultimately as long as your happy with it, it is a good build.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

personally i think the corsair memory is an excellent choice they have always been a good blend of Price/Performance and reliability.

I agree, but in recent weeks their prices have skyrocketed up $30-$80 a set.....only reason I am down on them at this time.....in October I bought Muskin CAS 6 for $200 and the Corsair CAS7 was $180 ... now it's $235 ... they have gone up $50 while others have dropped. With their CAS 8 is $50 more than the OCZ's at same timings, I stopped recommending them to proce gets in line w/ everyone else.

 

[ddpaters]

Thanks everyone for your help! I will take everyones response into consideration before I finalize the configuration

I'll will also add a response to this thread detailing the finalized configuration once it determined.

Thanks!