First Build=Need Help

[danman12]

hi, im building a computer for the first time, and need some confirmation and help. after a couple months of a lot of research (i think), i have a hypothetical finished computer build and believe it is ok. my budget is ~$1000, less is better. am building a gamer/multimedia pc, one that's fast enough so i wont have to upgrade for a while. ive gotten help from you guys, but now here is my final build idea:

i5-750+NZXT M59 case--$224

Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM + ASUS P7P55D-E Pro--$260

radeon 5770 (x2 in crossfire later)--$155

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus--$30

Seagate 1.5tb hd + thermaltake 750w psu--$160

Lite-on cd/dvd burner--$18

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers,

total cost is ~$850 with all the parts, and an extra $150 for win 7 and leeway=$1000
if there's anything wrong (incompatibility) or expensive about this build, tell me. thanks!

 

[geofelt]

What resolution monitor will you be using?

If it is 1080P (1920 x 1080) or larger, then a stronger graphics card is in order. I suggest the newly launched GTX460, preferably the 1gb version at about $230. The base model at $199 is good too. Such a card may be all you ever need for a while. The GTX460 scales amazingly well in sli if you should ever need to upgrade.

I like the XFX power supplies better than Thermaltake. The XFX 650w unit delivers the same 52a as your seleted thermaltake 750w unit, and costs only $80 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207002

The 750w unit is only $20 more and is silver certified efficient. Both are modular. The PSU is the last place you want to try to save money on.

Since you are shopping combo's, look at Corsair units also which are good quality and often show up in combo deals.

If you are a student, look for academic pricing of about $30 on windows-7.


Still, if you did not change a thing it looks good.

Take the time to download the manual for your case and motherboard in advance. Read them cover to cover and ask about anything that is unclear.

 

[MadAdmiral]

With $1,000, that's not a very good build. Here's a better option:

CPU/Mobo: X3 440 and Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $183 after rebate
RAM: G.Skill Eco 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $105
GPU/PSU: HD 5870 and XFX 750W $440 after rebate
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $70
Case/Optical: Coolermaster 690 and cheap SATA DVD burner $73
OS: Windows 7 Home 64-bit OEM $100

Total: $971. It's possible I missed some combos.

 

[Timop]

That's a slow Hard-drive, and a 7200.11, I'd say avoid.

i5 750 + P7P55D Pro $350
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.434995
ASUS HD5770 + 4GB Reaper X $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.434086
Samsung F3 1TB+Corsair TX650 $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.431396
Silverstone PS05 + Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437504.11-163-168
Hyper 212+ $30
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-RR-B10-212P-G1-Universal-Heat-Pipe/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275701980&sr=1-1
DVD writer $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Total $918 shipped including Windows, before ~$65 MIR.

 

[danman12]

im def. going with the i5-750, but if you have a better mobo than what i picked, go ahead and tell me.

the hd 5870 is much too expensive for me, as i was going to go with the $230-cheaper 5770 and crossfire it if i need more performance, wich is still cheaper than your 5870. however, i might get a 460, as that looks pretty good to me.

the xfx 750w psu looks sweet, thanks.

is madmiral's case/optical drive combo better than my picks, because mine are both cheaper

 

[Timop]

im def. going with the i5-750, but if you have a better mobo than what i picked, go ahead and tell me.

the hd 5870 is much too expensive for me, as i was going to go with the $230-cheaper 5770 and crossfire it if i need more performance, wich is still cheaper than your 5870. however, i might get a 460, as that looks pretty good to me.

the xfx 750w psu looks sweet, thanks.

is madmiral's case/optical drive combo better than my picks, because mine are both cheaper

The Samsung F3 are about 20% faster on reads, which affects the boot-up of windows, loading time in games and system responsiveness for the most part.

Really consider this combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.431396&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

The TX650 out puts the same 52A on the 12V rail and uses the same basic design as the XFX.

 

[danman12]

ii keep thinking i need at least 750w, but i guess i don't.

wow, thanks timop. you saved me some dough.

 

[Timop]

No problem.

Though you don't even NEED 650W, a dual 5770 system draws around 300W on load. XD

 

[danman12]

oh. well, i put my specs into two diff. wattage calcs and bothe said around 700-750, so i guess i incorrectly filled out some of the peripherals and data i didn't understand

 

[mrhoshos96]

i'd say go amd. and get a cf ready mobo and a 5850( it's a better bang for the buck than a 5870) .

a build for $997.90 before rebates and it's cf ready

mobo+os: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437524.13-128-438

cpu+gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432367

case+ps: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.440193

hsf: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

hdd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

odd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
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here is a build with the gtx 460(which when oced can score realy closelt to a 5850/5870 and when sli'ed can outpreform an oced gtx 480) and an sli ready mobo for $957.90 before rebates

case+ps: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.440193

hsf: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

hdd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

odd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

cpu+mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.444798

gpu+os: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437534.14-261-075

pick what build you like the best.

happy building .

also madadmiral won't an athlon ii x3 bottleneck the 5870 especially when crossfired? just asking
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/athlon-ii-x3-440-gaming-performance,2619-7.html

 

[danman12]

sorry mrhoshos96, but im going with the i5-750 no matter what, which changes a lot of your picks. im not an amd hater, but i like the i5-750 better than the Phenom II x4 blk ed.

 

[geofelt]

oh. well, i put my specs into two diff. wattage calcs and bothe said around 700-750, so i guess i incorrectly filled out some of the peripherals and data i didn't understand

That is one of the problems with wattage calculators. Even if you understand all of the terms, how can you be accurate about allocating reserve power or future needs?

It seems to me that a ROT may even give less misleading results.
My rule of thumb is that if a quality PSU has sufficient 6 or 8 pin pci-e power connectors to attach to all of your video cards, then it has sufficient power for any normal configuration. The key metric of capability for a PSU is not the wattage, but the amperage on the 12v line/s.

My short list of quality PSU's include Corsair, XFX,Seasonic, PC P&C, and perhaps Antec.

 

[danman12]

thanks

 

[mrhoshos96]

sorry mrhoshos96, but im going with the i5-750 no matter what, which changes a lot of your picks. im not an amd hater, but i like the i5-750 better than the Phenom II x4 blk ed.

but why amd is much more future proof inel's 1156 is going to be replaced in 2011 and the difference in gaming is just 1-3 fps is that worth the $100 difference??
but still if u realy want the i5 just get it but you will regret it.
anyways here is an intel build for $1,042.91 before rebates

case+ps: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.440193

hsf: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

hdd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

odd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

gpu+os: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437534.14-261-075

cpu+mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.434996

the gtx 460 is much better than the 5770

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-460-review/

and when sli'ed http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_460_SLI/1.html

 

[geofelt]

Nothing is really future proof.

How many times will we actually put in a low end cpu and later upgrade it to the fastest?

Usually, we will dump the old system and go with the new which will be faster, cooler, and cheaper.

The best future proof components are monitors, psu's, keyboards, mice, cases.

 

[danman12]

i agree, geofelt. after all, i dont think ill be doing much upgrading, and will just give the overly-fast-for-my-parents-computer to them and build a new one in 3 or 4 yrs.

 

[geofelt]

i agree, geofelt. after all, i dont think ill be doing much upgrading, and will just give the overly-fast-for-my-parents-computer to them and build a new one in 3 or 4 yrs.

It is nice to be able to do that.
I like to build a new machine when new generations come out. I really don't have to, and one problem is what to do with a perfectly good previous PC.
I have given the old PC's to my two sons.
Unfortunately, they are perfectly happy with them and do not need or want to mess with converting to a newer better PC.
With Sandy bridge approaching, I am getting the itch again. My plan is to disassemble my current system and sell the parts so I can justify a new build to my wife.

 

[Timop]

It is nice to be able to do that.
I like to build a new machine when new generations come out. I really don't have to, and one problem is what to do with a perfectly good previous PC.
I have given the old PC's to my two sons.
Unfortunately, they are perfectly happy with them and do not need or want to mess with converting to a newer better PC.
With Sandy bridge approaching, I am getting the itch again. My plan is to disassemble my current system and sell the parts so I can justify a new build to my wife.

One solution, makes more sons!
LOL JK.

 

[danman12]

mrhoshos, is the extra $60 worth the upgrade to the gtx460? your guru article says it is as good as the 5830, and Tom's says the 5830 is on par with my 5770. the 460 is better, but i dont know if it is truly worth it. sway me.

 

[geofelt]

One solution, makes more sons!
LOL JK.

At age 72, that is no longer an option.

 

[Timop]

the 5830 is 10% better than the 5770, and the 460 1GB is another 10% faster than the 5830, single card-wise the GTX460 is alright, but not worth the $60.

Heres an pretty extensive with all three cards (and more), read it and see if you're fine with the 5770: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_460_1_GB/

 

[Timop]

At age 72, that is no longer an option.

Consider adoption? lol
Ill gladly be included in your computer pass-down cycle though. XD

 

[danman12]

i see that it is better, and the availability of support for CUDA, PhysX and 3D Vision is appealing, but i dont know if i need it. does that mean that if i try to play a game with physx it wont work, or wont be top-notch? i usually dont deal with these ideas when playing my games, as they're prebuilt...
even so, is it worth it, or should i just crossfire two 5770's if i experience a lack of performance?

 

[danman12]

ill take a computer or two as well, geofelt...

 

[Timop]

i see that it is better, and the availability of support for CUDA, PhysX and 3D Vision is appealing, but i dont know if i need it. does that mean that if i try to play a game with physx it wont work, or wont be top-notch? i usually dont deal with these ideas when playing my games, as they're prebuilt...
even so, is it worth it, or should i just crossfire two 5770's if i experience a lack of performance?

PhysX is mostly just eye candy, and the only one that REALLY needs it as of now is Batman:AA, in other games its just a difference of little glass shards here and there. Besides,a cheap GT220 can do PhsyX just fine if you really want it.

CUDA is helpful if you need it, The only "gaming" application is that Just cause 2 has a special water effect that uses CUDA, but its easily ignored. Unless you have CS5 or professional programs that benefit from CUDA, there no point.

3D is still a very young technology, and unless you really want to spend $500 on a new monitor/glasses, 3D Vision is again just a feature you'll never use. The fact is, when the time comes that you need to upgrade you monitor, ATIs solutions probably gonna be out.

So it just comes out to the point that do you need the extra raw power in a GTX460, read the benchmark and see if the increase in FPS is noticeable/worth the money for your resolution.