New gaming PC

[Silmarunya]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: this week if possible

SYSTEM USAGE: gaming, internet and office/school work

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: mouse, speakers, headset

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: N/A (my local computer store with a site completely in Dutch)

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Belgium

PARTS PREFERENCES: Not a fanboi

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, if upgrading graphics card in the future

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I hate noise, case must have dust filters.

- Coolermaster HAF 922
- AMD 955
- Spire Thermax II
- ATI 5850
- Gigabyte 790XTA-UD4
- LG 22x DVD-burner
- WD 1TB SATA 3 en 64MB cache
- Corsair HX 650
- BenQ G2420HDBL

 

[Lmeow]

All seems good except the CPU/motherboard. Considering that you're thinhking of CrossFireX later, I'd get the exact same setup, except with a Core i5 750 + ASUS P7P55D-E Pro motherboard instead of the AMD Phenom II X4 955 and Gigabyte 790XTA-UD4. The reason for this is the Phenom II will hold back the two HD 5850s.

 

[Silmarunya]

All seems good except the CPU/motherboard. Considering that you're thinhking of CrossFireX later, I'd get the exact same setup, except with a Core i5 750 + ASUS P7P55D-E Pro motherboard instead of the AMD Phenom II X4 955 and Gigabyte 790XTA-UD4. The reason for this is the Phenom II will hold back the two HD 5850s.

True, the i5 sounds like a better choice CPU-wise and consumes less power.

I have a few concerns though:

- The 790 chipset is better for crossfire than the P55.
- P55 lacks upgrade paths, AM3 will get all the future good stuff.
- Purchasing price is higher, especially for a motherboard of comparable quality.

Thanks for the quick reply btw, I'd like to finish the planning stage today and order tommorow

 

[batuchka]

If u dun need CF you can go with the Gigabtye 770TA else perhaps the latest 890GX? Both have SATA/USB 3.0 with the latter natively supporting it ^^ For a multi GPU set up more powerful than HD 4890CF best go with 16x/16x mobos FYI here is CPU scaling with a single Hemlock HD 5970 with AA/AF
http://vr-zone.com/forums/561593/hemlock-tales-cpu-scaling-with-the-radeon-hd-5970.html
so stick to a HD 5850 and when games become not up to speed for ya look for the next bang for buck (single) GPU down the road

 

[Silmarunya]

I guess I might want to go with the i5 after all. I've been thinking and I believe by the time an overclocked i5 can't keep up, it will be about time to replace my entire PC anyway.

How about this:

- Same build as in OP
- i5-750 instead of AMD 955
- Gigabyte P55-UD4