Comments on Componat Choices

[Guar]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next few weeks.
BUDGET RANGE: approximately $1500 AUD
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Building for a friend, usage will be mainly raiding on WoW (with max setting while running Fraps), need to do this with ease while maintaining 60+ fps. Also used for various FPS's.
PARTS REQUIRED: Motherboard, CPU, PSU, RAM, GFX Card(s)
PREFERRED WEBSITES FOR PARTS: Austin Computers or PLE
COUNTRY: Perth, Australia
PARTS PREFERENCES: Normally prefer Nvidia cards but ATi looks better value at the moment.
OVERCLOCKING: Not experienced at overclocking but eager to learn.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Indifferent
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 primary monitor, 1280x1024 secondary monitor (used for MSN, internet browsing, vent ect. while using full screen games on primary monitor)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Not worried about aesthetics. Just after some friendly advice on whether there are any problems with the compatibility of these parts or perhaps some improvements in the same price range.

CURRENT PARTS SELECTION: (all prices in AUD)

Mobo: ASUS P7P55D DELUXE $299.00
CPU: Intel Core i5 750 $235.00
RAM: Kingston 6GX DDR3 2000Mhz $278.30
PSU: 750W Corsair TX-750 ATX $172.00
GPU: 2x Sapphire ATI Radeon HD4890 1G $478.00

QUESTIONS:
1. Are there any conflicts in this system?
2. Would any one suggest swapping out any of these parts for better ones while keeping to the budget?
3. If I plan on overclocking the i5 does it make the 2000Mhz RAM worth it? (~$80 cheaper for 1333Mhz RAM)
4. Does any one know if the Sapphire 4890's come with a bridge connector for Crossfire, do I need 1 connector or 1 for each card?
5. Any advice on Overclocking this system?

 

[verst]

You can save money by buying this mobo: Asus P7P55D-E-PRO. It will also give you some future proofing since it has U3S6 features...

Since 1156 socket only supports dual channel memory 6GB of RAM will lose you that + it's overkill for gaming. 4GB is plenty, like this: Corsair CMG4GX3M2A1600C7 4GB (2x XMS3 2GB) PC-12800 (1600MHz). You will not see that much of an improvement by raising the frequency, latencies are more important. Besides you can OC that RAM...

Take the money saved and get this: Sapphire ATI HD5870
Faster, cooler, more future proof because of DX11, etc.

If you intend to OC the i5 I recommend getting an aftermarket HSF.

 

[gkay09]

EDIT: Dint refresh...And +1 for the above comments and totally missed the RAM part there...
And added few links related to overclocking...

For your questions :
1. No conflicts but expensive parts can be cut back to accommodate other better parts...
2. Yes, Check the list below...
3. Certainly but try and get a 1600MHz RAM instead of 1333MHz one...It can handle good overclock and not being costly too...
4. It comes with Crossfire connectors and you would just need 1 for both the cards...
5. Check this thread...
http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/intel_core_i5_750_overclocking_guide,1.html
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2009/09/21/overclocking-intel-s-core-i5-750/1
http://techgage.com/article/overclocking_intels_core_i5-750_i7-870/http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/intel_corei5750_corei7870/4.htm

Suggestions...
1) Why do you need that mobo ? Any specific reason ?
IMO save money and go with this one...
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4 - Has USB3.0, SATA 6GB/s and also does x8x8 Crossfire...
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/MBGAP55AUD4/Default.aspx

2) With the money saved, get the i7 860 if you need even even more CPU power...though not required as an overclocked i5 750 would suffice for any of the games out there but just an option...

3)RAM - Like I said get a DDR3 1600MHz preferably with CAS 8 or lower...but even CAS 9 is not that bad though...

4)Graphics card - Check if WoW supports crossfire...AFAIK it doesnt but not sure how it is now...
And for that resolution, a single HD 4890 would suffice...
The ATI HD 58xx series cards are good but in the sites that you have linked, they are way overpriced...So for now stick with 1 HD 4890 and later on upgrade to the 58xx series cards...

 

[Guar]

Firstly thanks for the reply's, after some more reading I've decided to go with most of the pasts suggested here.

Also the links for overclocking the i5 were extremely helpful, confident I should have no problems overclocking now.

However I now need advice on a CPU cooler.

REVISED COMPONENTS:
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4
Intel Core i5 750
Corsair 1600MHz DDR3 RAM
750W Corsair TX-750 ATX
Sapphire ATI HD5870 1G

this puts me under budget by $82, but willing to spend more to get a better quality cooler (it's rather hot down here ^^)

With the motherboards layout (see pic below) and the high profile RAM can I fit some of the larger air coolers in there such as the Noctua NH-D14 or NH-U12P-SE2?



List of Appropriate coolers from preferred website: http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/tabid/103/Category/COOLING/SortBy/3/Default.aspx?SubCategory=CPU+Cooler

Thanks again.

As a side note: Case used is a large Cool Master case with plenty of ventilation, and fan noise is not of huge consideration. Ambient room temperature will exceed 35*C (95*F) on hot days (terrible air-con).

 

[gkay09]

^ Both the coolers are very good or I should say top of the line...but that D14 is HUGE...Go with either of those that would fit inside the case...

And HD 5870 for 1680X1050 is an overkill IMO...
A HD 5850 would suffice...It is as powerful as the GTX 285(So you would get an idea about its power) and is DirectX 11...But its upto you though...

 

[verst]

Agree with gkay, just one comment, you will loose U3S6 features when crossfiring on that mobo...

 

[gkay09]

^ Missed that...
Here is the ASUS board that implements those differently...
http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/ProductDetail/tabid/104/ProductCode/MBASP7P55DEPRO/Default.aspx