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[Solved] Advice and General Compatability

Forum Systems : New Build [Solved] Advice and General Compatability

Here's my specifications:

Case: NZXT Guardian 921
Processor: Intel i5 750 (4x 2.66GHz/8MB L3 Cache)
Cooling: (Free Upgrade) Liquid CPU Cooling System w/120m Radiatior (SOCKET-1156)
Memory: (Free Upgrade) 4GB DDR3-1333 Corsair XMS3 Dominator w/DHX technology
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 5850-1GB
Motherboard: (SLI) MSI P55-SD60
Power Supply: 650W Corsair CMPSU-650TX-SLI Ready
Hard Drvie: 500 GB 16M Cache, 7200 RPM, 3.0Gb/s
Sound Card: 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium-64 Bit

Price: $1,235 (Includes S+H)

I've already compaired prices between IBuyPower(which is what I'm doing) and NewEgg (If I homebuilt) and I'd only save like $60, so considering that I've never installed a single component, I think IBuyPower is the way to go!

Other than any advice you can give me, the only question I have is this: Is my motherboard acceptable? Will I be able to take full advantage of my bad ass Video Card using this motherboard?

Thanks for the help!

Reply to wilson6488

What brand of "bad ass" video card *IS* that ?

What exact model ?

Water-cooler too? Brand?/Model?

------------------------------ = Alvin =

Reply to Alvin Smith

What brand type of hard drive? The sound card is a waste of money

------------------------------ i5-2500k / H70 / MSI P67-GD80 / Antec 1200 / 8 GB DD3-1600 C9 / 2x40 GB Intel SSDs / 2.25 Misc TB HDDs / amBX Professional Lighting and Sound / Seasonic X750 80+ Gold / Diamond 5970 + Sapphire 5870 2GB DDR5 Eyefinity6 5760x1080
Reply to cmcghee358

It appears that the video card is a Diamond
I'm not sure what brand the cooler is but it's compatability says, "Intel Socket LGA1156 and Intel Socket LGA1366"
Not sure about the HDD either, has anybody purchased from IBuyPower and knows what brands they use?

Message edited by wilson6488 on 05-18-2010 at 12:12:01 PM

Reply to wilson6488

I have. Cheap brands. I never did figure out my PSU manufacturer.

Best answer

The issue is not just the money saved for building, if you shop around you can often find a comparible build to what you are making SPEC wise, however the key difference is the quality of components. Also, likely you would go with a different mobo (I don't know anything about that one other than it is MSI, but I rarely ever see anyone recommend an MSI board to people).

The liquid cooling is a free upgrade, but how good is it? I would rather go with a decent air cooling system that I know and trust han mystery cooling.

I am surprised your build was similar cost, I would have assumed no more than $1000 for that build.

i5 750 - $195
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Asus P7P55D-E PRO - $189.99 (6gb/s, 3.0 USB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

G Skill 4GB 2x2GB RAM - $118.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

XFX Radeon HD 5850 1GB GDDR5 - $309.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200RPM 16MB Cache - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

SILVERSTONE ST50F-ES 500W PSU 80 PLUS Certified - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817256061

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 - $49.99 $9.99 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Sony DVD drive - $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Total: $1015.91

That leaves money to buy the Hyper212+ CPU cooler for $39.99 (very good cooler) if you plan on OCing alot.

You could also get a more powerful powersupply if you wanted to CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX ($89.99, $69.99 with Rebate).

Add both of those and you have a total of $1085.99

So $150 less for quality parts you can be sure of. You could even upgrade case to HAF 922 or something like that (if you really want to) and still be at a lesser price.

You can save more money by downgrading the mobo to no XFire/SLI capability, or even further by having 3gb/s and USB2.0 if you wanted. But as it is still within your budget I would keep the higher end mobo.

You could save a few more $ by getting a different DVD drive, that just happened to be the first Dual Layer I found, but could likely replace with a $20 one.

The RAM linked is faster, you could spend extra to get even lower latency RAM.

This is all without searching for combo deals or rebates etc. so you may be able to get even cheaper a price.

Reply to asteldian

Slight edit, the HDD is 500gb not 1TB.
Including the rebate the total for the more powerful PSU and CPU coler would be $1065.91

Reply to asteldian

I really do not want you to feel any less satisfied about your build ... you bought it ... will prolly do you just fine ...

... I *DO* want to point out to any OTHER readers, that allowing some builder to choose your parts, for you, immediately creates a conflict of interest.

YOU are trying to get the BEST computer for the money ...

THEY are trying to make the most profit while enticing you with nice "looking" specs.

Any builder that does not list exact models and OR ... HAS A "right to substitute" clause ... that is a red flag.

... They get their profits out of YOUR budget ... quite simply ... something has to give ... and ... that something is quality (almost always).

Many articles and threads have covered this subject. I am barely scratching the surface of "what goes on" behind the pre-built purchase.

Hey ... if it works and the benches are in the ball-park ... no real huge reason to feel sad ...

... Just some considerations for those who are "on the fence", and have not yet pulled the lever.

= enjoy ! =

Message edited by Alvin Smith on 05-18-2010 at 06:43:49 PM

------------------------------ = Alvin =

Reply to Alvin Smith

Actually I'm still "on the fence" as well, and to be honest I'm slowly leaning towards building it myself, however I'm VERY nervous about messing it up during the building process! I see what you guy's mean about the difference in the quality of the parts. For now I'm going to create a new "Wish List" in New Egg using asteldian's list. Thanks for the help!!

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to wilson6488

Best answer selected by wilson6488.

Reply to wilson6488

One other thing worth mentioning is that asteldian's price doesn't include Windows 7 which is $200 right there, making the total by my calculation: $1,253 which isn't bad considering that the GPU, HDD, MOBO, and Cooling system are all reliable brands!

Reply to wilson6488

Windows 7 is 99 dollars on newegg.com.

Windows Ultimate is closer to 200, but is not necessary

wilson6488 wrote :

Well, ... That is the thing, now, isn't it? YOU would have to take responsibility for everything ... wouldn't you?

YOU would have to choose the parts ...

YOU would have to use the UPS tracking tools to make certain everything is en-route and on-time.

YOU have research the art and science of applying thermal paste.

You have to mount that scary CPU with over a THOUSAND pins !

You have to build the whole danged thing and figure out ALL those power connectors and drive data cables and case port connectors and ... well ...

If it doesn't work? ... YOU gotta "deal with it".

... ... Kinda cool ... huh?

= Damned good thing you have newegg ... and ... oh, yeah ... US! =

------------------------------ = Alvin =

Reply to Alvin Smith

We are better Customer Support than any prebuilt company. Know why? Because we care! Know how you can tell? We give good advice for free because we enjoy helping people enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Message quoted 1 times

cmcghee358 wrote :

That and, because, from where WE are sitting, we can see EXACTLY how *some* companies are duping good folks and ... well ... It PISSES US OFF ! ... and ... also ... all our jobs went to India about ten years ago, so, "what the heck"? ... right?

= grin =

------------------------------ = Alvin =

Reply to Alvin Smith

As a final note, I've decided AGAINST IBuyPower, and I will be ordering all the quality components from Newegg and either building it myself, or paying a reputable local shop to build it for me! Alvin Smith's thread kinda scared me, BTW :sweat:

Reply to wilson6488

Sorry 'bout that ... ALL in YOUR best interest.

There is also an "Outward Bound" aspect to doing your own build ... Even when things do not go smoothly ... You will be a much more confident citizen of this technical society and MUCH more able to find/fix failures, etc., when you build yourself.

= Alvin =

------------------------------ = Alvin =

Reply to Alvin Smith

It's fine, LOL. Actually I started another thread with the specific intention of building it myself...take a look and give me your opinion if you have time!
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] w=0&nojs=0

Message edited by wilson6488 on 05-28-2010 at 07:48:24 AM

Reply to wilson6488

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