First Build Final Stages [EDITED]

[vanbroeK]

This is what im planning atm:

CASE/PSU: Thermaltake V3 Black Edition With 450W PSU $78
CPU:AMD Phenom II AM3 955 Black Edition (3.2Ghz) 64-Bit Quad-Core CPU $192
OPTICAL: LiteON IHAS324 SATA DVD-RW 24X Black Retail $38
SPEAKERS: Logitech X-230 2.1 Speakers System $53
MOUSE: Logitech MX400 Performance Laser Mouse - Corded USB/PS2 $38
KEYBOARD: Nortek NOR134 AryaClassic Super Slim Keyboard USB $19
HDD: Seagate SATAII 500GB 16m Cache(ST3500418AS ) $61
MONITOR: Samsung 2033SW+ 20" Wide LCD Monitor $138
GFX: Powercolor 5750 1GB ATI HD5750 DVI PCI-E Video Card $155
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P AMD770/SB700 chipset/DDR3 1600 $107
RAM: Kingston 3GB(3 X 1GB) DDR3-1333MHZ $105

Total: $984 (Within Budget)

 

[lunyone]

I would be a bit leary on the PSU. I'm not sure what it's output is and the quality of it, but it might be okay, depending on which GPU you select. From my initial searches I see that the PSU "might" have ~29A on the combined 12v rails, but I'd need to know the exact model number of the PSU to determine it's abilities.

 

[vanbroeK]

I am not really that sure about the PSU but this pages gives some detailed specs.
http://www.thermaltake.com.au/Products/Chassis/VL80001W2Z/V3BlackEdition.aspx

Regarding the GPU, I was thinking 4850, 5750 or 5770. I think 3GB of ram will also be plenty.

 

[vanbroeK]

First Post Updated

 

[lunyone]

I like this mobo:
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 P55 4DDR3 4VRM PCIEx16 GLAN SATA3 ATX
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=106&bid=2&sid=53628
It supports USB 3.0 and SATA 3!!!! Good to have for future upgrades!!

This RAM:
G Skill 4G(2x2G) DDR3 1600Mhz PC12800 RL 9-9-9-24(CL9D-4GBRL)
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=153&bid=2&sid=51712
If this is the same ones that I'm familiar with, they run fast and at stock voltage (1.5v). Should be just like these:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Your PSU should easily handle the 5750 and the parts that you've selected. If you go much bigger than the 5770 than I'd get a better/bigger PSU.

 

[vanbroeK]

Thanks for that, but that would be pushing my budget just a bit. Any cheapers alts to both or one?

 

[lunyone]

Smaller board, but still good, IMHO:
$25 AUD less!!
Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H H55 DDR3 PCI-Ex16 SATAII RAID GLAN mATX
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=106&bid=2&sid=53924

This set should do fine too:
$15 AUD less!!
Corsair TW3X4G1333C9A 4GB (2x XMS3 2GB) PC-10600 (1333MHz) DDR3
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=153&bid=2&sid=51338

 

[vanbroeK]

Thanks again, does it matter that it's micro ATX? Also I think going 3GB would be a better option as it would suit my budget and it's enough for MW2. Any suggestions?

 

[lunyone]

No 3 gb's isn't a good thing on a i5 (s1156) based mobo's. You'll lose your Dual Channel RAM feature with filling up 3 slots on the mobo. Triple channel only works on i7 (s1366) based mobo's. Honestly if your budget is pretty tight, I'd really consider getting an AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition CPU and mobo combo. You can usually save about $70-100 (USD) over a similar i5 750 build. With the savings you can upgrade the GPU if you like and have a better gaming system overall. The PhII x4 955 is about 90-105% of an i5 750 (depending on which benchmark you follow or which game it is), so your not really losing much with an AMD based system. I also think the AM3 based mobo's are going to last longer and have more upgrade paths than the i5 750 (s1156) based mobo's will.

 

[vanbroeK]

Interesting, the budget so far is $1067 which is alright but do you really think that AMD would be a better choice because I really like the i5 seeing I can overclock it to about 2 times its performance and Intel is quality. But this is why I am asking.

Also does the mobo you suggested being a mATX matter?

 

[lunyone]

Well Intel doesn't OC 2 x it's performance, but AMD does well too (just not as well). The benefits on the AMD PhII x4 955 BE CPU, is that you take 1 min. in the BIOS to OC to 3.6-3.8 gHz with a small adjustment to the multiplier and your done (basically). You have to be more knowledgeable to OC the Intel, but it'll usually OC higher than the AMD, but will take more effort and time to do so.

The mATX mobo doesn't matter other than you usually don't have more expansion slots and things are a bit closer together, but if you don't load up the mobo, you won't need the extra slots. It's up to you. I prefer to have more slots available for upgrades later, if I decide I need to add more parts. If you do a quick look at prices for the AMD PhII x4 955 BE, it's usually about $40 USD less than the i5 750 and most AMD mobo's are going to be about $20-60 less than most Intel mobo's (s1156). If you don't really OC much, I think the AMD system is a better buy all around. The Intel i5 750 is a good buy too, it just cost a bit more to have.

 

[vanbroeK]

Okay you have been great help but the fact that I live in Australia is a big issue. At the shop I buy everything from, there is no phII x4 955. I am not a big overclocker but wouldn't mind doing some. The mobos are cheaper as well which is a good thing. I am starting to lean towards AMD atm. What CPU and Mobo would be good do you think? I am not a massive gamer but I would love to play MW2 maxed out easily.

http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&bid=2&id2=14
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&bid=2&id2=105

Cheers mate.

 

[vanbroeK]

I'm not really keen to spend the whole $1000 on the PC just so you know. Some left over would be good.

 

[lunyone]

You have linked the 955!!! It OC's easier than just about any CPU out there!! If you can get to the BIOS screen, you just adjust the multiplier up and test the system. That is usually all there is to get to 3.6-3.8 gHz!!
$192 AUD!! $37 less
AMD Phenom II AM3 955 Black Edition (3.2Ghz) 64-Bit Quad-Core CPU
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&bid=2&id2=14&sid=38693

I like this mobo listed below, because it doesn't cost a lot and it has lots of extras
$106.50 AUD!!! About $23 AUD less than the Intel based mobo!
Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P AMD770/SB700 chipset/DDR3 1600
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=105&bid=2&sid=46422

So there is about $60 difference there between the 2 builds. I know that isn't a lot of difference, but this will put you close to the $1000 limit your going to be looking at. The only way to get a better gaming system is to get a better GPU, mainly the 5770. It'll be about $30 AUD more, but you'll have a better system overall with the PhII x4 955 BE w/the 5770 GPU. This will game better than the i5 750 w/5750 GPU.

PowerColor HD5770 1G DVI HDMI DP
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=82&bid=2&sid=53807

 

[vanbroeK]

LOL! I must of misread it.

Thanks again for the suggestons but I am wondering whether I really need such a high end CPU and GPU as I am wanting to save as much as possible.

Do you think a 4850, 3gb ram and that CPU could run MW2 maxed out??

Also do you think if I was to overclock, would I need a cooler or anything to protect my hardware?

It just seems like a lot that I am getting for just wanting to play MW2 maxed out and use Photoshop with absolutely no lag. Wouldn't mind saving for a gym membership that's all.

 

[vanbroeK]

Actually I don't think I would even overclock tbh. It's fast enough as it is.

 

[vanbroeK]

Scratch the 4850, I'll go the 5750 because the 4850 seem to be hard to find. I also updated first post.

 

[lunyone]

Yeah looks fine. I'd still opt for the 4 gb's of DDR3, but since you want to stick to your budget, you'll be fine. You would be better off with memory performance with 2 x 2 gb's of RAM, but that can be changed later. I don't know if the 5750 will max out MW2 at a 1600 x 900 resolution, but you will know it soon enough. Please come back and let us know how it all went together.

 

[vanbroeK]

Well I will definitely come back and tell you how it goes. I just hope I can get it soon. You've been more then help lunyone!! Bloody brilliant mate. I mean I could always upgrade the ram later.

 

[vanbroeK]

Best answer selected by vanbroeK.

 

[lunyone]

Glad I could help you out. Hopefully everything will work out fine and you'll be enjoying your new rig and taking care of business!!!