Help with Mid High End Gaming System

[japanjim]

Hello and thanks in advance!

Time to build a new system. Primary use will be gaming at 1680x1050. I mainly play WoW, but I also jump into some FPS here and there. I do not believe WoW gets any advantages from sli/crossfire setups, so I am thinking of sticking to a single card instead of two.

Computers are my hobby, and I want a really nice system that will be close to cutting edge, without paying the ridiculous prices for items JUST released.

Here's my build list so far, please give me any input you can. I will be using www.ncix.com

Hard Drives
Western Digital Caviar Blue SE16 640GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM 3YR MFR Warranty
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=30004&vpn=WD6400AAKS&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD
$72.99 Cdn

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64BIT DVD OEM
$117.69 Cdn

Processor (CPU)
Intel Core i7 930 Quad Core Processor LGA1366 2.8GHZ 8MB L3 Cache 130W 45NM Retail Box
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=50913&vpn=BX80601930&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1069
$319.01 Cdn

DVD Writer
LG GH22NS50 Black 22X SATA DVD Writer OEM
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=40435&vpn=GH22NS50&manufacture=LG%20Electronics
$29.99 Cdn

Motherboard
ASUS P6T X58 ATX LGA1366 DDR3 3PCI-E16 PCI-E1 2PCI CrossFire SLI SATA2 GBLAN Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=35603&vpn=P6T&manufacture=ASUS
$246.71 Cdn

DDR3 Memory (RAM)
Corsair XMS3 TR3X6G1600C8 6GB DDR3 3X2GB DDR3-1600 CL 8-8-8-24 Core i7 Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=37149&vpn=TR3X6G1600C8&manufacture=Corsair
$234.99 Cdn

Video Cards
XFX Radeon HD 5870 HD587XZNFC 850MHZ 1GB GDDR5 2XDVI HDMI Display Port DIRECTX11 PCI-E Video Card
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=52233&vpn=HD587XZNFC&manufacture=XFX
$439.99 Cdn
This is probably where I could use some help. Willing to spend $500 or so, if they money is worth the upgrade.

Computer Case
Coolermaster Cosmos Full Tower ATX Case 5X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB Firewire Audio eSATA
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=26047&vpn=RC-1000-KSN1&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
$200.64 Cdn

Power Supply
Seasonic SS-600ET 600W EPS12V 24PIN ATX Power Supply PFC 80PLUS Bronze 6PIN 8PIN PCI-E 120MM Fan OEM
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=50988&vpn=SS-600ET&manufacture=Seasonic%20Electronics
$99.99 Cdn

All being purchased from: http://www.ncix.com/

Machine will be used primarily for gaming.

Biggest question is the graphics card. I'm willing to spend the cash to get the best, but just don't want to be paying extra for something that is not worth it. Is the GTX 480 worth looking at? I prefer to go for one graphics card instead of crossfire/sli.

Thanks in advance guys. As always you're the best!

 

[mosox]

For the video card maybe that one:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_557_558&item_id=030498&sid=qme63lgepsbcbfuen461gnfgh4

 

[143miah]

Here's a build that'll run WoW just fine at that resolution.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955
Mobo: Gigabyte Ga-790XTA-UD4
RAM: G. Skill Ripjaws 2x2GB CL 7
GPU: XFX 5770
PSU: Corsair 650TX
ODD: Sony CD/DVD Writer
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB
OS: Windows 7 OEM
Case: CM 690

Total w/o shipping - 988.91. After MIR - 968.91.

Even that set up should run WoW and whatever FPS you throw at it at your resolution. If you're needing the extra power later on down the line, that board and PSU is crossfire capable.

If you plan on upgrading your resolution though to something higher, you could even bump up that 5770 to a 5850.

 

[mosox]

Oops didn't really read his resolution. Better get the AMD one, a HD 5850 and a new full HD monitor.

 

[coldsleep]

It was pointed out to me recently that WoW does support CrossFire. However, CrossFire doesn't scale well, so on almost every new build, you're better off going with as big a graphics card as you can afford, and then if things start to slow down in a year or two, use CrossFire as an upgrade path at that point.

143miah's build is excellent for gaming at 1680x1050. At that resolution, the biggest card you should be looking at is a 5850, anything larger is complete overkill. If you were to game at 1920x1080, you would want a 5850 or a 5870 (or an nVidia 470 if you get a really good deal). The 480 is probably not worth it at any resolution right now.

It would be helpful to include the information in How to Ask for New Build advice, especially your budget.

 

[japanjim]

Now you have me thinking of going up to a 1920 x 1200 monitor (currently 1680 x 1050)

 

[143miah]

Now you have me thinking of going up to a 1920 x 1200 monitor (currently 1680 x 1050)

What's your budget? I'm sure we can find you a build that can fit in a new monitor.

 

[japanjim]

Well, I'm one of those people who get satisfaction out of having a top end computer. Even if I won't make full use of it, I like to just look at it and feel the power.

My original post is the budget I'm looking at, so $1500 - $2000 Cdn (using ncix.com). Closer to $1500 the better, but willing to go up if it's worth it.

As for the monitor. I'd like to get a high quality 1920 x 1080 at or around $300-$400.

 

[japanjim]

This looks like a pretty good deal
http://accessories.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1&sku=320-8243

 

[143miah]

Here's a build that'll run WoW just fine at that resolution.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955
Mobo: Gigabyte Ga-790XTA-UD4
RAM: G. Skill Ripjaws 2x2GB CL 7
GPU: XFX 5850
PSU: Corsair 750TX
ODD: Sony CD/DVD Writer
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB
OS: Windows 7 OEM
Case: CM 690
Monitor: ASUS 24" 1920x1080

Total w/o shipping - 1386.90.
After MIR 0 1376.90.

Changed the PSU, GPU, and added in a monitor.

 

[japanjim]

Curious about the AMD choice.

Most systems seem to come with Intel. Is that just Intel fan club? Has amd made a comeback?

 

[143miah]

Curious about the AMD choice.

Most systems seem to come with Intel. Is that just Intel fan club? Has amd made a comeback?

AMD is a great price/performance choice. It gives budget parts while not sacrificing performance.

With gaming, you're more so GPU limited than CPU limited. With your budget, it'd be wiser to go for an AMD build and get a new monitor, and still have an awesome rig.

 

[mosox]

Here's an idea:

AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 6 Core Processor 3.2GHZ Socket AM3
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=52067
Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H 890GX AM3 ATX DDR3 2PCI-E 2PCI SATA3 USB3.0 HDMI GBLAN CrossFireX
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=51021
G.SKILL F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM Ripjaws PC3-12800 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1600 CL8-8-8-24
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42746
LG GH24LS50 24X Super Multi SATA DVD Writer OEM Black
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=47343
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB SATA3 6GB/S 7200RPM 64MB Cache
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=52888
Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=41337
XFX Radeon HD 5870
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=52233
Corsair TX750W 750W
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26415&promoid=1069
Cooler Master Haf 932
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33029
BenQ V2410 24IN LED LCD Monitor 1920X1080 5000000:1 Black HDMI
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=49657

$1,673.84

 

[143miah]

With that build he'd be spending money where it isn't needed.

He doesn't need a 6 core CPU. OP said they'll be gaming and games barely utilize 4 cores.

With the WD HDD, he'd be spending more than what's really needed on an HDD. The Spinpoint F3 performs great.

OP also doesn't really need a full tower case. The HAF 922 or even the CM 690 I recommended earlier should suffice.

 

[japanjim]

Right now I have a Dell XPS630i

It has a Q2Q E6600
XFX Gtx 260 856mb
4Gb Ram

During 25man raids, I have had to drop the settings down to about 40% in order to get decent framerates. And that is at 1680x1050.

I have heard from some posts that WoW is very CPU dependent.

My goal in the new system is to run the game on max settings at 1920x1080.

Would the system you are suggesting above (at that great price) be enough of an upgrade for me to fully enjoy the max settings?

Really appreciate everyone's time by the way.

 

[mosox]

Well, I'm one of those people who get satisfaction out of having a top end computer. Even if I won't make full use of it, I like to just look at it and feel the power.

Also there's no Spinpoint F3 on that site.

 

[japanjim]

Yeah, you're right, I did say that mosox. I suppose that could be a bit misleading. I changed it earlier in the post and said I'd like to stay in the budget of 1500 - 2000 Cdn.

 

[143miah]

Right now I have a Dell XPS630i

It has a Q2Q E6600
XFX Gtx 260 856mb
4Gb Ram

During 25man raids, I have had to drop the settings down to about 40% in order to get decent framerates. And that is at 1680x1050.

I have heard from some posts that WoW is very CPU dependent.

My goal in the new system is to run the game on max settings at 1920x1080.

Would the system you are suggesting above (at that great price) be enough of an upgrade for me to fully enjoy the max settings?

Really appreciate everyone's time by the way.

Which build might you be referring to?

Here are some benches with the 5850 on WoW.

First Benchmark

This is a video of what looked to be a raid running at decent settings and on a decent resolution screen. Sorry I can't provide much more than that.

However I'm fairly confident that the 955 build with the 5850 will run WoW just fine at that resolution. If you're having doubts you could bump that 5850 up to a 5870 and still stay under 1500 CAD.

 

[japanjim]

Best answer selected by japanjim.

 

[japanjim]

I will be ordering this system today. I would like some confirmation on the brand/speed of ram that will be best for me.

I do plan on overclocking.

Above, this ram was recommended.

Is this the best bang for the buck, or would someone recommend a different set? www.newegg.ca

 

[143miah]

If you're not to confident about that RAM. You could go for the ECO series with a lower voltage. Costs pretty much the same.