$1600 CPU/monitor need final thoughts

retrodebate · Apr 19, 2010

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: no real deadline; before the unannounced Cataclysm lol
BUDGET RANGE: (budget is maxed at 1200) total at purchase

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (I have a netbook to serf the net and download…everything I download goes straight to an external TB hard drive. This CPU would be used for gaming; specifically I want to play World of Warcraft, Just Cause 2, Command and Conquer series, and ALL of the Total War series. I would like to run WOW on the highest graphic settings; no shadows though. As for the other games they won’t need to play on max settings, but I want to enjoy the gameplay)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: software... although I will be using Windows 7

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (I would like to buy as many parts from manufacturers, I would not mind newegg.com, ncix.com, tigerdirect.com, or any sTorE in NYC (might be cheap?) IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO CONFIGURE ON A SITE, as I have no idea how to construct a CPU
-- to show us selection & pricing) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: (NYC, USA)

PARTS PREFERENCES: (I would like to use an Intel CPU & ATI video card – I know I can’t get the best or newest models but from what I have read these would be better for games) .... the i5 750 and the ATI HD 5000 series are musts...

OVERCLOCKING: Would like too SLI OR CROSSFIRE: in the future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I believe 1920x1080 - is the LED for Samsung so ya

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: (I really want to spend my summer in front of a high performance computer…6 years ago I bought an alienware laptop and I loved World of Warcraft on it. Two years ago it busted and so did my WoW career, but it’s about to be summer and I think I have the time and capital to get back into the game…I have read and ‘’configured’’ tons of CPU’s “ONLINE” but I keep going over budget and I know it can be done for 1200)

I just found this website and there isn’t enough time in the day to go through all of this great info without making a post to see if I can attract the info I require. I read most of the posts on CPU’s and WoW and I would like to work this out before I copout and buy a premade:: I would like a quiet PC, I would like a cool looking case, I want to spend most of my budget on ram, cpu, and video card.. )
THANKS
in
ADVANCE

Alvin Smith · Apr 19, 2010

Off hand (at a glance) ...

Downgrade your CPU and upgrade your GPU ... You want a Hard-Gaming HTPC.

retrodebate · Apr 20, 2010

Ok so is a GPU a graphics adapter? Is that separate from a video card? If it is a video card; research indicates the ATI 5770 is a more than good card... I'm still researching though. What CPU do you suggest?

retrodebate · Apr 20, 2010

Also it would NEED WIFI as I need to connect to house wireless...from what I have seen this very possible with a wireless card..

gkay09 · Apr 20, 2010

retrodebate · Apr 20, 2010

In regards to the WiFi, I need one that can pick up signal from two floors up. I really like the one you linked (150m range), I just want to make sure it's strong enough. It is also a USB model..is there a specific reason as to why you suggest a USB instead of an internal card?

MadAdmiral · Apr 20, 2010

I'm going a little heavier on the GPU than the above build (which is decent). Here's what I would build:

CPU/Mobo: i5-750 and Asus P7P55D-E Pro $375
RAM/GPU: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 and HD 5870 $490
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 750W $85 after rebate
Case: HAF 922 $80 after rebate
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $22
HSF (if OC): Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus $35 (with free card reader)

Total: $1,147

To answer some of the questions in the original post...

Overclocking: This is a cheap way to get more power out of the build. Generally, it's recommended to at least be considered at some point.

Crossfire: This is a good thing to have for future proofing. Games quickly require more graphics power to run at decent speeds. Typically, that means you have to replace the GPU at regular intervals. However, with Crossfire, instead of having to buy a very expensive large GPU to continue to play new games, you can buy a cheaper, older card and get the same performance. So the ability to add the second card allows you to get cheaper upgrades down the line.

Wifi: A USB wireless receiver is good because they're cheap, easily transferred to a new computer and don't lose anything in performance.

Finally, I strongly suggest you consider building it yourself. PCs are very easy to build on your own nowdays. The components only have one way to be put together, and it's almost impossible to do it wrong. Generally, if you're thinking about getting out a hammer, you're doing it wrong. There are thousands (if not millions) of guides on how to build a PC out on the web, so as long as you read through some of them and/or follow one, you'll be sure to get it right. Also, building it yourself gives you a tremendous knowledge of the inner workings of your computer. You know what needs to be tweaked, what needs to be upgraded and if something goes wrong, what needs to be fixed.

If all that wasn't enough, buying a PC that's been put together for you has several drawbacks. If you pick the parts and someone else puts it together, it very likely you get poor build quality and pay a hefty premium for the service. If you buy from a vendor (i.e. IBuyPower, Dell, HP, CyberPower, etc.), you're paying a huge premium and getting lower quality parts.

retrodebate · Apr 20, 2010

quick question, I want to go with the crossfire. What additions do you recommend, i.e. can everything here work with a second card and what card would you recommend?

Also, why 4 GB ram.. I'm going to do more research, but all the premades have 6-9GB. Does Ram only help with multitasking?

I can increase the budget in terms of the crossfire, but would need more time.

MadAdmiral · Apr 20, 2010

The build can already do Crossfire. The board and PSU are good enough for it. I would wait until the 5870 is not doing so well in new games and then add a second one. You generally want to match the model (i.e. HD 5870) of the cards for Crossfire, but the brand (i.e. XFX, HIS, Sapphire) doesn't matter.

If you're looking at i7-930 prebuilts, 6 GB is the standard. Unless you're doing heavy computations, 4 GB is more than enough for everyone.

coldsleep · Apr 20, 2010

Ok one note that I won't have to retract

...WoW does not recognize CrossFire. So while having the ability to CrossFire in the future will be useful for other games, or for WoW's successor, don't plan on using it for WoW.

retrodebate · Apr 21, 2010

Well as long as this CPU supports crossfire I'm happy.
As for WoW, Blizzard says it does support it:
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=23094310220&sid=1

Also, I know crossfire will work for Total War and Command and Conquer.

Also, will this CPU optimize the visuals a LED 23'' at 1920x1080. Would i use a DVI, VGA, OR HDMI cable from the CPU to the monitor?

coldsleep · Apr 21, 2010

Agh. Old information again, I guess? Sorry. :/

MadAdmiral · Apr 21, 2010

The CPU won't have anything to do with the visuals. That's the GPU. And yes.

You'd want to be using the HDMI cable from the graphics card.

gkay09 · Apr 21, 2010

@retrodebate the CPU doesnt have to do anything with the Crossfire/ SLI...It depends on the mobo(it should have 2x PCIe x8/ x16 slots and not 1x x16 and 1x x4 slot) and PSU(should have enough power to run 2 cards)

And as for the visuals, it depends more on the Graphics card than the CPU...but even the CPU has a major role to play at high resolutions because it should be able to cope up with the powerful cards...
So generally it is advisable to go with a powerful CPU(Preferably Quad) if you will be running multiple card configurations(2x HD 5850s and so on...)

And if you will surely be doing crossfire, then stick with HD 5850 rather than HD 5870 as the stock speeds of the i5 750 might not be able to cope up with the power of 2x HD 5870s...
But if it highly doubtful that you will be doing Crossfire, then stick with the PSUs that I had listed and spend more and get the HD 5870...It will last longer in terms of performance...

And 4GB is good enough for gaming and anything more doesnt have any significant effect on games...People go with 6GB only on LGA 1366 mobos as the CPUs have Tri-Channel controller - 3/ 6 sticks...

retrodebate · Apr 22, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fECWSSpEVVA... Would this be possible with this setup? My budget just went up..

So the question is would this CPU be able to handle triple or dual monitors in the future? I understand that I would need peripherals later down the road for the monitor setup...but I think I will eventually make that kind of commitment. So, if at possible what modifications would I need to go ahead with this? I would like to purchase the parts before the end of May

retrodebate · Apr 22, 2010

Also, is there any reason why I should not want to make this kind of system?

MadAdmiral · Apr 22, 2010

Once again, I will point out that the CPU has nothing to do with the graphics. The GPU determines all of that. The 5870 can handle up to three monitors (six if you get the Eyefinity 6 version).

The issues with Eyefinity setups is that you lose a LOT of FPS in doing it. Yes, it looks cool. However, the GPU power required is going to cost you a lot of money to do it right.

I can't watch that video (I'm at work), so I can't comment on the actual setup in it.

retrodebate · Apr 23, 2010

Great! Would only want 3 monitors max. Oh and when I have mention ''CPU'' I usually mean the whole thing; the tower really or CPU > Laptop > Netbook. I should be saying desktop. This is great though. I really like the idea of being able to see that much of game.

retrodebate · May 9, 2010

I would like to know if these towers are workable?

APEVIA X-CRUISER2-GN Green SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144243

APEVIA X-TELSTAR-JR G-Type X-TSJGT-BL Blue SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144211

retrodebate · May 9, 2010

Is this an acceptable? The $1,629.85 price is somewhat appeasing... Any input?

This monitor is my picking:
Samsung Syncmaster 2233RZ Black 22" 5ms 3D Gaming 120 Hz Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 20000:1 w/ HDCP Support http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001311

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

XFX HD-587A-ZND9 Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB XXX Edition 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150456

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750
&&&&&&&
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.369221

Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026

ASUS USB-N13 USB 2.0 Wireless Adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320040

retrodebate · May 9, 2010

Also around XMAS 2010 I plan on going CrossFire with another HD 5870 and adding TripleHead2Go with two more 23 LED Samsung monitors... is this a good build for those changes? This is a definite, so I would need to be able to accommodate. I'm sure I need a ATI Eyefinity don't I? So anyone know better prices... going to post links. Also, is this mobo compatible with a Crossfire set up?

retrodebate · May 10, 2010

Is everyone busy? Or did I run out of Disney $$$ dollars?

Guest · May 10, 2010

Some Internal wi-fi options

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320048

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833340013

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315082

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704040

I'm no computer expert, but these look good.

retrodebate · May 10, 2010

Thanks. I read the reviews on a lot of the USB wi-fi adapters and they don't seem to speak highly of them. I will probably go with an internal adapter, but would have to confirm that it will not conflict with the tower available ports or even the ?mobo? I haven't been able to do much researching, due to my exams and papers I've been busy. I like what the reviews of the links you posted. Most of my gaming will be online games, so I really want the best wi-fi adapter and would be willing to shell out the cheddar for a good one.

Anyone have any tips on my links above^^^^I would like to know if those parts are good; most are from MadAdmiral's links. I would like to know about the tower in particular.

Thanks in Advance.

Somebody_007 · May 10, 2010

I used to have a belkin n wireless adapter very much like this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833314040&cm_re=belkin_wireless_n_adapter-_-33-314-040-_-Product
The connection is amazing, but as the reviews state the drivers f*** SUCK!!! If you get it working though it'll be great.

secondly IMO thats a lot of graphics power for comparetively little cpu power. I would suggest if you add a second card in several months anyways to go for an i7 930 system with a 470 gtx(this would only be if you certainly add another card otherwise I'd stick with the current setup.)

An i7 system will increase cpu power(obviously), increase ram speed quite drastically(since its tripple channel) and cost you about 100dollars more(considering the 50dollars less for the gpu).

$1600 CPU/monitor need final thoughts

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