[new GAMING rig] worth it for the $$?

[xxvousxx]

i have enough to build a new gaming rig, this build is around $1200. i mainly want to know a few questions about this build, my funds are over what this costs so i have a little flexability but i do want do know if im spending money on parts i really dont need, so these are the main questions

1. is it worth it for the money

2. are the parts compatible with each other

*** on another forum a member suggested i go with a phenom II X4 965 instead of the 6 core
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727)
(also didnt include case as i have the antec 900)





http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128438
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139013
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010

 

[MadAdmiral]

No it's not worth it. You're wasting a lot of money on parts you don't need (X6, 890 chipset), overpaying for features you won't use (950W PSU), overpaying for parts that are overrated (Corsair H50) and getting lower performing parts (G.Skill 1333 RAM).

Here's the best $1,200 build:

CPU/Mobo: i5-750 and Asus P7P55D-E Pro $370. The i5 will beat the X6 in straight up gaming.
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $110. Faster sticks.
GPU: HD 5870 $390
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $90 ($20 off with a promo if buying today). If needed.
PSU: Corsair 750W $90 after rebate. 750W is enough to OC and Crossfire 5870s.
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $20
HSF: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus (Usually $30, so you probably can find it cheaper somewhere else)

Total: $1,090 ($1,070 if buying today)

 

[coldsleep]

Post formatting hint: either use the bare urls like:

[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849[/url]
or put some descriptive text in between the tags.
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849]descriptive text goes here[/url]

Couple of quick questions:
1) What resolution are you gaming at?
2) Are you doing anything (frequently) other than gaming?

The X6 is not worth it unless the answer to #2 is yes. If you do a lot of video/audio editing or something similarly demanding, you might get some use out of the X6. However, it's worse than the X4 at gaming and it costs more.

The power supply is overkill. 750W is enough for that system. 850W would be reasonable if you think you're going to crossfire or overclock.

You should be able to get faster (CL7) RAM for [strike]about $10 more[/strike] the same price, as newegg seems to have temporarily reduced the price on CL7 Ripjaws.

I don't personally think the H50 is worth the risk, but it's your call. Most people on here will tell you that you'll do better with an air cooler.

EDIT: Once again, Madadmiral gets there first.

 

[banthracis]

Go w/ Mad's build, a few cost saving suggestions though.

Hyper 212 Plus $30 free ship
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-RR-B10-212P-G1-Universal-Heat-Pipe/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1274719092&sr=8-1-catcorr

RAM/GPU combo to save a little money. XFX also has a better warranty.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.401417

the F3 1 TB deal expires today so jump on it fast!

 

[Those]

No it's not worth it. You're wasting a lot of money on parts you don't need (X6, 890 chipset), overpaying for features you won't use (950W PSU), overpaying for parts that are overrated (Corsair H50) and getting lower performing parts (G.Skill 1333 RAM).

Here's the best $1,200 build:

CPU/Mobo: i5-750 and Asus P7P55D-E Pro $370. The i5 will beat the X6 in straight up gaming.
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $110. Faster sticks.
GPU: HD 5870 $390
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $90 ($20 off with a promo if buying today). If needed.
PSU: Corsair 750W $90 after rebate. 750W is enough to OC and Crossfire 5870s.
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $20
HSF: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus (Usually $30, so you probably can find it cheaper somewhere else)

Total: $1,090 ($1,070 if buying today)

What OS would be recommended with this build? Thanks.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Windows 7 Home 64-bit

 

[xxvousxx]

i already have a HDD and optical drive so i dont need them, another person suggested on another forum someone suggest this MOBO CPU


Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214

 

[MadAdmiral]

Not for a gaming PC. The the 860 is a cheap workstation CPU, and it's generally not worth it even then. The UD3 is a single GPU board, which is not future proof and not great for gaming.

 

[xxvousxx]

alright thanks alot everyone just a few more questions
it seems that the general agreement here is to go with i5-750 and asus CPU/MOBO combo
on both boards everyone says G.skill ripjaws are better, and is safer bet with an air cooler,

how ever now im not sure weather to stick with the 5870, or go with the GTX 480
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130551

any opinions on which is better?

 

[MadAdmiral]

The 5870. The 480 is a lot more expensive, requires more power, produces a ton of heat (making SLI nearly impossible), and is only slightly more powerful and a little better in SLI (if you can make it possible). If you're looking at the 480, you really should consider stepping all the way up to the 5970, but that would require a bigger case than the one you have.

 

[xxvousxx]

i really cant upgrade the case at this point, this is the case i have
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
the interior is pretty roomy, a 5970 really would fit?

 

[MadAdmiral]

I know what case it is. And no, the 5970 wouldn't fit in the case. The 5970 is massive. It's over a foot long. Given that the 900 is only about a foot and a half deep (including the HDD cages), you'd have to do some case modding to make it work.

 

[xxvousxx]

k, im not disagreing with you, i have been reading forum post and youtube vid of people that got it to fit, but is it worth the extra money for it over the 5870, how much better is the preformance?

 

[xxvousxx]

Best answer selected by xxvousxx.

 

[MadAdmiral]

People can get it to fit. It just requires some work and possibly some sawing. Regardless it's a very, very tight fit and not recommended.

The 5970 is easily the best video card out there. If you want some benchmarks, just google some up or check out the charts section. The card is a beast. The 5870 struggles with playing Crysis at 1920x1080 with max details, while the 5970 is barely struggling with it at 5760x1080 (three monitors). I can honestly say that if you get the 5970 and play on a single monitor, you will not need to upgrade the 5970 before the rest of the build.