Looking for some input on this system before I buy.

[phobiarg]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 4/18

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Watching Movies, Ripping Movies and Music

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Amazon

PARTS PREFERENCES: I prefer ASUS and ATI but open to anything

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, No Crossfire yet (want to leave the option open for later)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: N/A

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I prefer a simple case without a ton of lights

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - OEM
10% off with promo code BHDAPR14, ends 4/18
$19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$20 off w/ promo code EMCYRZT26, ends 4/22
$119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533


Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC ...
GIGABYTE GV-R585OC-1GD Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video ...
Combo Discount: -$30.00
Combo Price: $374.98
$20.00 Mail-In Rebate pdf
Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $354.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.369100

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Combo Discount: -$20.00
Combo Price: $249.98
$10.00 Mail-In Rebate pdf
Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $239.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.379342

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
Combo Discount: -$10.00
Combo Price: $299.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.365102


Subtotal: $1,064.92
Shipping: $9.99
Discount From Promo Code EMCYRZT26
Discount From Promo Code BHDAPR14
Promo Code: -$22.00
Grand Total: $1,052.91
Mail-In Rebates Total: -$30.00

 

[Alvin Smith]

If you are really wanting our most helpful advice, we wiill need to know ...

(1) What game titles that you and your friends are playing right now?
, ... Any title or types or categories of games you expect you will play in the future ...

(2) Max Budget (or at least a budget range).

(3) What type of case form-factor and layout you envision? Would you be interested in a NICE HTPC "component look" ? (Rather than that mid-tower?)

(4) Also ... What rez are you intending to play the aformentionned games at?

Off hand (at first glance) I can see that you have spec'd a PSU that sounds like an Assault Hover-Craft ... Not good for Home Theater Applications.

 

[phobiarg]

The system is for Battlefield Bad Company 2, Call of Duty 4, Crysis 2, Farcry 2, Diablo III

Max Budget is under 1100 with shipping and everything

Case size isn't important

Im not picky about screen rez either. I generally run at the res thats the best compromise between framerate and graphics.

 

[Alvin Smith]

Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB is faster, cheaper, quieter ... better, all around. $90
... Or ... Seagate 7200.12 $90 (a "toss-up").

= Alvin =

 

[Alvin Smith]

Solid Build !!! Great Value !

You will also want a HYPER-212 cooler (whether you OC or not)

= Al =

 

[crazy359]

try a solid state drive for your OS. booot times anre ssssuuuuuuppppeeeerrr fast. and apps open mega fast

 

[phobiarg]

Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB is faster, cheaper, quieter ... better, all around. $90
... Or ... Seagate 7200.12 $90 (a "toss-up").

= Alvin =

The reason I chose the Caviar Black was because of the 64MB Cache and SATA 6.0 Support. I know 6.0 isn't all that much better than 3.0 but hell if the mobo supports it, I might as well use it.

 

[phobiarg]

try a solid state drive for your OS. booot times anre ssssuuuuuuppppeeeerrr fast. and apps open mega fast

Solid state isn't worth the money atm, I have a somewhat low budget and the drives are small and extremely expensive.

 

[Silmarunya]

The reason I chose the Caviar Black was because of the 64MB Cache and SATA 6.0 Support. I know 6.0 isn't all that much better than 3.0 but hell if the mobo supports it, I might as well use it.

And despite the goodies you mentioned, the Samsung Spinpoint F3 and Seagate 7200.12 are still better drives...

 

[tecmo34]

Solid build... I see no major issues, even with the Caviar Black (but Alvin is right the others are faster / cheaper).

Also, you'll need to purchase an aftermarket cooler like Alvin stated, since you plan to Overclock sometime down the road. The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus is your best option for price to performance.

 

[phobiarg]

Can I ask where the benchmarks are that show the Samsung and Seagate beating out the 64MB Cache version of the Caviar Black 1TB? I see that TH tested the older one with 32MB cache and it was under the others, but the new one has revamped the platters to get more speed.

I also plan to buy a cooler when I plan to overclock, I highly doubt Im going to be overclocking for at least a year or so.

 

[tecmo34]

Okay... based on this review... http://techreport.com/articles.x/18467/1 I would give the edge to the WD Black against the Seagate 7200.12 (Samsung was not included). As I mentioned, you will be fine going with the WD and I take back my statement on the Seagate 7200.12 being faster (outside of boot times)

 

[phobiarg]

Roger thanks alot Alvin and Tecmo. I just bought the system, I changed the DVD Burner out for a Lite-On one that was much better reviewed for 4$ more. Im keeping the Caviar Black, also going to consider buying a cooler once I get the system built, I imagine the stock cooler is enough for a while. My brother ended up needing a monitor so I gave him my 19" I had so I needed to buy another and got the ASUS 22", figured my mouse and mousepad (Logitech MX518, ALLSOP) were about shot, they've been with me for close to 5 years.



LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Original Price: $24.99
You Save: $3.00
$21.99
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289


ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 5000:1) Built in Speakers
Asus special savings, ends 4/30
Original Price: $189.99
You Save: $20.00
$169.99
($149.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card)
$8.99 Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$20 off w/ promo code EMCYRZT26, ends 4/22
$119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533


Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC ...
GIGABYTE GV-R585OC-1GD Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video ...
Combo Discount: -$30.00
Combo Price: $374.98
$20.00 Mail-In Rebate pdf
Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $354.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.369100


COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Combo Discount: -$20.00
Combo Price: $249.98
$10.00 Mail-In Rebate pdf
Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $239.98
$9.99 Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.379342


Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
Combo Discount: -$10.00
Combo Price: $299.98
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.365102


Logitech G500 10 Buttons Dual-mode Scroll Wheel USB Wired Laser 5700 dpi Gaming Mouse
Special savings, ends 4/19
Original Price: $69.99
You Save: $14.00
$55.99
($35.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate)
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104318


steelseries 63005SS QcK mini Mouse Pad - OEM
$11.99
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826995023


Subtotal $1,304.89
Tax $0.00
UPS 3 DAYS $18.98
Discount From Promo Code EMCYRZT26
Promo code -$20.00
Order Total $1,303.87

 

[Alvin Smith]

The reason I chose the Caviar Black was because of the 64MB Cache and SATA 6.0 Support. I know 6.0 isn't all that much better than 3.0 but hell if the mobo supports it, I might as well use it.

Ponder this ...

If you take the Caviar, The F3, and the 7200.12 (all three drives)

Plug them ALL into the very same mobo controller/ports ... SATA-II ... *OR* ... SATA-III ... Caviar is still going to be the slowest, ... the noisiest AND the most expensive.

I would be willing to guess that the caviar might do a little better if you hook it to a SATA-III interface but, guess what? ... The caviar is not even capable of fully saturating SATA-II bandwidth ... none of these drives are!

The ONLY advantage to THAT (caviar) drive having been endowed with a SATA-III interface is *IF* you plan to RAID-0 three or more of them ... something most sane folks would not do.

I don't even think two 7200x500(platter) tech drives (all these drives) can fully saturate SATA-II in a TWO drive RAID-0.

Hook the F3 to a SATA-II port and Caviar to SATA-III (same system) ... see what happens. Would be interested to see a real world bench.

Bottom line? ... they are all quick and relatively dependable ... save dough!

I am also pretty sure that SATA I - II - III drives can be plugged into SATA I - II - III controllers, too. ... the faster will "step-down" to the slower.

= Alvin =