Advice on my build? Over budget...

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

yeah that's a better way of putting it...

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next few weeks BUDGET RANGE: $1000 or below

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: multitasking, gaming

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I'm getting the monitor later so I'm not sure, but hopefully pretty good resolution

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Fast, quiet, best bang for my buck. I want it to handle and switch between 10+ apps and 50+ browser windows like lightning. And I want it

In a previous post, someone commented and pretty much gave me this build based on what I wanted, so I just wanted advice and recommendations on whether I'll be getting a good value. If you happen to know of components of similar (preferably cheaper) value but with similar (preferably high) quality and speed (possibly w/ OC but w/o is preferred), I'd be happy to hear about them.

Otherwise if you have any experience with any of the components then I'd love to hear your opinions. I'm going for speed, durability, noiseless-ness, and (of course) compatibility.

COMPONENTS:

CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=cm_haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423&cm_re=ga_x58_a_ud3r-_-13-128-423-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3899435&SID=skim1402X558040

CPU: Intel Core i7 930 2.80GHz 8MB LGA 1366 L3 Quad Core Desktop Processor - BX80601930
http://www.buy.com/prod/213825592.html?adid=17662

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102858

RAM: G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231223&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3899435&SID=skim1402X558040

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=samsung_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product

PCU: Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016&cm_re=antec_550-_-17-371-016-_-Product

COOLER: Scythe SCMG-2100 Sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142&cm_re=scythe-_-35-185-142-_-Product

CD/DVD: LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - Bulk LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136168&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

TOTAL = $1080.90
which is almost $100 over my budget...yikes. I'll go with it if I have to but I'm willing to sacrifice a little performance for a lot of value (however painful that will be), as long as it's only a little performance...

I found a 400W power supply for $20... I don't suppose that'll be enough, especially if I want to OC...? Haha not sure if it's possible but I could get 800W with both of those for cheaper than my current 550W choice... But I don't suppose that'll fit in the case...

Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W Continuous Power ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL061610&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL061610-_-EMC-061610-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17371029-L0D

gkay09 · Jun 16, 2010

^ Did you check out the new AMD 6-Core CPUs ??? Though they are not as good as the i7 in general, but for Multitasking and others stuffs, would offer very good performance comparable to i7 when overclocked...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851

batuchka · Jun 16, 2010

For Full HD gaming (if u hitting a Full HD display) u want more horsepower than HD 5770 for games ^^

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

batuchka :

What would you suggest? I might have to stick with what I have for now though...I'm already over-budget as it is... I might just get another one in a year or so when I afford it and run them with crossfire, if I feel one doesn't suit my needs adequately.

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

gkay09 :

I've checked them out yeah... And I've heard about their performance for the price, but I was thinking I want my computer to still be taken seriously 5+ years from now and I feel that the Phenom II's are gonna be outdated faster, whereas I think I'll still have a competitively powerful CPU compared to future models, and hence I won't have to upgrade for maybe 10 years (hopefullyyy).

gkay09 · Jun 16, 2010

^ Well it would also depend on the type of games that you play...the HD 5770 is a powerful card...If you are OK with Medium-High settings in very graphic intensive games such as Crysis Warhead and such and High-Very high in other games, then the HD 5770 would hold up...
I built an i5 750 + HD 5770 PC for my friend and he is able to max out Crysis warhead @ 1080p, but with occasional lag...So am sure if you lower the settings just a little bit, you would get smooth gameplay...

gkay09 · Jun 16, 2010

^^ Dint refresh...
I think you have not heard about the AMD "Bulldozer" CPUs...
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2871/2
So the AM3 socket would get a new life then...So just a CPU upgrade then would keep your PC in very good running shape...

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

^ Haha no I had not. Hmm I can definitely see AMD coming back in the CPU market by then too...

Gahh I'd have to find a new mobo and everythinggggg (I've sorted through at least 10 mobos these past few days and everytime I've settled on one, another seems to fit better and I'm getting tired...plus I'm lazy. ^_^ ). We'll see...

I can also see my mobo being outdated by then so it might not even matter if I'm not planning on upgrading my CPU in 5-10 years...

gkay09 · Jun 16, 2010

Mobo -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200022%201070946178%20107191003%201071955462&bop=And&CompareItemList=22|13-131-631^13-131-631-TS,13-128-435^13-128-435-TS

Onus · Jun 16, 2010

+1 @Gkay's points.
1. Depending on the games you play, a HD5770 may very well be enough.
2. AMD's socket AM3 will have some life left in it for quite some time.
3. For that many tasks, a Phenom II X6 is a good choice.

That's a lot of apps to be running at the same time though, and browser windows. If there is active content in those windows, you may find your Internet connection becomes a severe bottleneck. Is this for work, or home?
It could add a lot to the cost, but a SSD would make your application loading and swapping really snappy.
You may also be that rare individual for whom 8GB of RAM (rather than 4GB) could make a difference, but then there's another chunk of change.

Edit: Oh, and what looks like potentially a serious business machine as well as being good for gaming suggests a serious PSU. Take a look at the Antec Truepower New, Corsair, or Seasonic. For any single GPU, 500W-550W is enough; for Crossfire/SLI, 650W-750W would be more appropriate.

banthracis · Jun 16, 2010

banthracis · Jun 16, 2010

Not sure what multi tasking you're doing. But here's a serious $1k build with CUDA.

Optical $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

Case
HAF 922 $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

HD
Spinpoint F3 500GB $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

RAM
G Skill Ripjaw 1600 Cas 7 $100 w/ promo code, ends today
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

GPU/PSU
GTX 470 and Thermaltake Toughpower XT 775 $395 w/ $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.382617

CPU/MOBO
i5-750 and Asus ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA $365
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.413349

Total $1025 before shipping and $20 MIR

you could also do a 5850 based build with an OCZ Modxstream 700W 80+ for ~$987.

Just that 470 + PSU is a great deal ATM.

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

Onus :

My internet connection probably will be a bottleneck.. It's actually for college, and the whole campus is wireless but I could probably get my computer hooked up with a cable too.

I've heard about SSD's and I'd definitely get one if I had the money...but I don't. At least for now. I'd love to upgrade in a year or so though.

I'm only going with 1 GPU for now; maybe in a few years I'll get another one for Crossfire... But so with OC would I not have any problems with 550? And could I go down to 500 then maybe?

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

banthracis :

So are you saying you'd suggest a less powerful CPU?

The thing is I really don't need that much GPU power at this point. I'd much rather get a powerful CPU and just upgrade the GPU later to fit my needs, since I could always just buy another one while keeping the same mobo. I'm afraid the i5's slot will be outdated fairly quickly.. But I'm not a very extreme gamer so if the 5770 will fit most of my needs then I'll probably just go with that.

Do you think I'll need 775 watts of power with my previous setup?

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

^^ Also, what do you think about my RAM selection? the CL is 9...I've heard that's bad... Will it make a very noticeable difference in my usage?

banthracis · Jun 16, 2010

If all you're doing is switching from browser windows, you'd be fine with a dual core CPU, even if you have 500 windows open.

In addition, the i7-930 is only better than the i5-750 in well threaded software. This is primarily those in the professional A/V or graphic design business.

Gaming is what will stress a system. The 5770 is an ok GPU, but nothing compared tot he 5850 or 470.

If you're spending $1k, why get the system that'll be much worse at gaming (50% improvement or more from 5770-> 5850 or 470) when both builds would perform the same for your other needs?

banthracis · Jun 16, 2010

9t9redballoons :

Depends on usage. Gaming, won't increase FPS. But it will affect system responsiveness.

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

banthracis :

I see your point, but I also want to keep this computer from being outdated for at least the next 5+ years. If the software evolves (which it better) then the i7 is going to have a clear advantage, and thus my system will stay relevant without me having to get a whole new CPU/mobo. Whereas if I find that the 5770 isn't enough for me then I could always just get another one for crossfire, which will only be a little over the price of getting the 5850 and even under the 470. For that matter, I'm not a HUGE gamer, the laptop I've been using for the past few years hasn't even been able to play any real games so 1) I've never had experience with any GPU that can run a good game reasonably smoothly so the 5770 will be a huge leap for me already, and 2) since I haven't actually had a computer that could play good games, most of the games will come AFTER I buy the computer/GPU, so if my GPU can't run a game well then I just won't get that game yet.

The thing is that I'm trying to convince my parents to help pay for this (it's my college PC) and they'll be much more receptive to helping shoulder a cheaper computer than an expensive one if they don't think it's worth it, and I'm trying to future-proof it so that it won't be obsolete by the time I graduate and a little beyond that hopefully. If I can pull together some money in the next year or so then I'll just upgrade my GPU, but whatever innovations happen in the next few years, I don't want my CPU and mobo to lag behind.

banthracis · Jun 16, 2010

I'm trying to understand why you want an i7. Nothing you do would benefit from having one, and if you're trying to save money it's an even worse decision to go x58.

If you're worried about being able to use MS office or browse the internet, you can do that stuff fine on a smartphone, I guarantee you even in 5 years, you'll still be able to do that stuff on an i5-750.

Either way, 1366 or 1156, both socket types will be obsolete next year. 1156 will be replaced by Sandy Bridge and socket 1155 CPU's Q4 2010, 1366 by socket 1356 and x68 Sandy bridge CPU's Q3 2011.

New south bridge coming out Q4 will have Native SATA 6 USB 3 support. Also light peak support.

X68 is an entirely new chipset coming out next year with 1356.

Q4 2011 comes the 22nm die shrink. 2012 brings 22nm 8 cores.

Basically, there's no such thing as future proof, Intel tech especially moves too fast, and sockets get outdated after 2-3 years.

If you want a socket to last more than a couple years, then go AMD, socket AM3 will be around for a few years.

If you don't want to spend lots, then why not make a $800 build?

Swap out that PSU/GPU combo for a OCZ 550W 80+ and 5770 for $205 w/ $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.419148

Bring's total down to $835 before $20 MIR.

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

^ Haha the i7's always been my dream processor, that's why. Stupid, I know, and actually I probably will go with the Phenom II x6 1055T at this point. Same price as your i5-750 but still more powerful. Does that sound good then? I didn't know all that stuff with Intel's sockets so thanks for enlightening me, and you're right about the AM3 so I figured I might as well go with that.

Now I need to find a mobo that has all that with crossfire too...

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

^oh and I'll probably use the money from the cheaper GPU for more RAM..

9t9redballoons · Jun 16, 2010

hm. there don't seem to be any mobos with am3, 6gb/s SATA, usb 3.0, AND 4 pci-e slots...crap.

coldsleep · Jun 16, 2010

Asus Crosshair IV Formula?

Unless you're doing 3D rendering, you would be better off with a Phenom II X4 955/965 than the 1090T X6. The X4s have higher clock speeds, and there are very very few programs out that use more than 2 cores right now.

banthracis · Jun 16, 2010

AMD SATA 6 USB 3 xfire Mobo's

Gigabyte
890x chipset $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128438&cm_re=ga_ud3-_-13-128-438-_-Product

790x chipset $120 w/ $15 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128416&cm_re=ga_ud4-_-13-128-416-_-Product

Asus
890x chipset $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631&cm_re=asus_usb_3-_-13-131-631-_-Product

Anything more than 4gb isn't useful. 32 bit software is limited to 2gb of RAM unless you add a Large Address Aware header. Even then, in a 32 bit OS its limited to 3gb, 64 bit OS it's limited to 4gb.

The first, is a 32 bit software limitation, the second is OS limitation.

Almost everything today, and in the near future will be written in 32 bit, as long as people still use 32 bit OS's. Only big exception I can think of is graphics and engineering professionals.

You can always add more in the future if needed. RAM will only get cheaper.

banthracis · Jun 16, 2010

Also, why do you need 4 PCIe slots anyway?

Advice on my build? Over budget...

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