So then, this'll be my second build, and I'm looking forward to getting my hands dirty. My current baby has done me well for the past 3 or so years, but she's getting obsolete, and parts of her are on their last leg. After a great deal of research I think I've come up with a solid build, but I'd like some advice from those with experience, and any help with shaving down the price will be apreciated as well. I have a couple of questions, too, but I'll save those towards the end. Just to be on the safe side, I'll paste some of the questions from the "How To Ask For New Build Advice" thread
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Before June
BUDGET RANGE: ~$1,500
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, internet, movies, music (listening), eventually music (making), and just about everything that takes my fancy
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS) Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers/headphones, OS, optical drives, fans
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Amazon, Tiger Direct, ect
PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel, ATI, you'll get a good idea from my parts list
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe/Eventually
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, part of the build
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900 (don't laugh), another, larger one when I get the scratch
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Classy looks, no window, no LEDs, reasonably quiet, room to grow
With that out of the way, here's what I've got (Links all lead to Newegg):
CPU: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor $199.99
MoBo: ASUS P7P55 WS SuperComputer with NF200 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard $229.99
Memory: A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) $106.99
Vid Card:XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 (In 2-way Crossfire) $319.98 ($169.99*2)
Boot Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" (2 in RAID) $78.98 ($39.49*2)
Storage Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" (2 in RAID) $139.98 ($69.99*2)
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $199.99
Case: COOLER MASTER COSMOS S RC-1100-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case $199.99
TOTAL: $1535.89
Now then, first thing is why I'm going with that mobo. I figure that it'll be cheaper in the long run to go with a nf200-equipped motherboard and then toss in a third vid card, and maybe a new PSU when the need arises, than buying a new mobo, processor, and vid card.
Second, questions. First off, does anyone know if XFX cards come with Crossfire bridges? Might be a stupid question, but it doesn't say so anywhere, and I just want to be sure before I buy one. Next, has anyone worked with the Cosmos before? See, I have really big hands, and my current P180 was way to cramped when I was working with it. It shredded me pretty nicely, too. I'd really like to avoid a repeat of that.
I'll also be recycling my current Yate Loons. I might need to pick up a few more, but they're cheap enough not to be a concern. Thanks very much for the help!
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Before June
BUDGET RANGE: ~$1,500
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, internet, movies, music (listening), eventually music (making), and just about everything that takes my fancy
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS) Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers/headphones, OS, optical drives, fans
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, Amazon, Tiger Direct, ect
PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel, ATI, you'll get a good idea from my parts list
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe/Eventually
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, part of the build
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900 (don't laugh), another, larger one when I get the scratch
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Classy looks, no window, no LEDs, reasonably quiet, room to grow
With that out of the way, here's what I've got (Links all lead to Newegg):
CPU: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor $199.99
MoBo: ASUS P7P55 WS SuperComputer with NF200 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard $229.99
Memory: A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) $106.99
Vid Card:XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 (In 2-way Crossfire) $319.98 ($169.99*2)
Boot Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" (2 in RAID) $78.98 ($39.49*2)
Storage Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" (2 in RAID) $139.98 ($69.99*2)
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $199.99
Case: COOLER MASTER COSMOS S RC-1100-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case $199.99
TOTAL: $1535.89
Now then, first thing is why I'm going with that mobo. I figure that it'll be cheaper in the long run to go with a nf200-equipped motherboard and then toss in a third vid card, and maybe a new PSU when the need arises, than buying a new mobo, processor, and vid card.
Second, questions. First off, does anyone know if XFX cards come with Crossfire bridges? Might be a stupid question, but it doesn't say so anywhere, and I just want to be sure before I buy one. Next, has anyone worked with the Cosmos before? See, I have really big hands, and my current P180 was way to cramped when I was working with it. It shredded me pretty nicely, too. I'd really like to avoid a repeat of that.
I'll also be recycling my current Yate Loons. I might need to pick up a few more, but they're cheap enough not to be a concern. Thanks very much for the help!