Gaming PC Help!

[ranlee]

Hello everyone I am about to build a new comp after my laptop of 3 years is nearing its end.

I was wondering if you guys can give me feedback about this build (minus the CPU, which I am open for suggestions!)

MB:
ASUS Rampage III Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

MEMORY:
Patriot Viper II Sector 7 Edition 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model PV736G1600ELK

GRAPHICS:
nvidia gtx eba7900 512mb

I actually already have the graphics card and all the other ocmponents. Just looking at motherboards, CPUS, and memory. Not looking into anything amazingly high end, just something that will run most games well.

Thanks!

 

[geofelt]

Your 7900GTX is an old card, and not a strong one by today's standards. It will be the limiting factor for gaming, no matter what else you do for cpu.

A X58 based motherboard is expensive, and the Rampage even more so.

You would be better off using a i3-540 for a cpu, dumping(or selling) the 7900GTX and getting a better graphics card. The cost will be similar, and you will have a better balanced gaming PC.

If you still want a X58 based system, I suggest a more modest motherboard like the Asus sabretooth. If you are near a microcenter, they will sell you a i7-950 for $230, a very good deal.

For ram, get the cheapest supported 6gb DDR3 kit(3 x 2gb). There is miniscule difference in FPS with fast, expensive ram(1-3%)

 

[Emperus]

All good points by Geofelt.. If you are building up a pc primarily for gaming then as well go for an AMD setup.. Works out cheaper.. On the Intel front, the LGA 1156 platform based around an i5 760 CPU is the best way to proceed..

 

[ranlee]

Thanks for the input guys. much appreciated! Going to see if i can shop the sales this upcoming Friday for some good deals.

 

[ranlee]

I did some more research and came up with the following MB/cpu combo

ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750

with the 7900gtx

The main reason I am sticking with the 7900gtx is because I am getting it for free from a relative. He did state that it is out of date, but will still run well with most of today's games.

Please let me know your input on the new components. And thanks again for your feedback!

 

[geofelt]

I did some more research and came up with the following MB/cpu combo

ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750

with the 7900gtx

The main reason I am sticking with the 7900gtx is because I am getting it for free from a relative. He did state that it is out of date, but will still run well with most of today's games.

Please let me know your input on the new components. And thanks again for your feedback!

The i5-750 uses socket 1156, and will not fit in the 1366 socket of the X58 sabretooth.

I like the sabretooth, and you can get a i7-930 or 950 at microcenter for $200-230 that will work.

Otherwise, you need a P55 chipset motherboard which will be a bit cheaper, and work very well with the i7-750.

A graphics card is the easiest thing to upgrade later. Nothing wrong with the 7900GTX for starters.

 

[ranlee]

Alright, so the sabretooth and i7-950 have both arrived. Now onto memory.

Geofelt, you suggested 6gb DDR3 kit(3 x 2gb). I do understand that the 6gb would work very well with the i7 core, but I have somewhat exhausted my funds with the purchase of the motherboard and CPU.

I did some research and some of the 6gb DDR3's are available under $100 (which is what i was planning on spending on memory) but I was unsure whether I should trust those brands/products. However, if the memory is a little over $100 I think I can suffice.

I found a CCORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX6GX3M3A1600C9 on NewEgg for $109.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145258) It seems like it fits perfectly with my motherboard and CPU set.

I also did a Google search and found Corsair XMS3 6GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module - TR3X6G1600C9 (http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-xms3-6gb-3-x-2gb-pc3-12800-1600mhz-240-pin-ddr3-tri-channel/q/loc/101/210383355.html) for $95.24.

I see that they are both 6GB (3x2GB) but what's the difference?

 

[ranlee]

Best answer selected by ranlee.

 

[ranlee]

The i5-750 uses socket 1156, and will not fit in the 1366 socket of the X58 sabretooth.

I like the sabretooth, and you can get a i7-930 or 950 at microcenter for $200-230 that will work.

Otherwise, you need a P55 chipset motherboard which will be a bit cheaper, and work very well with the i7-750.

A graphics card is the easiest thing to upgrade later. Nothing wrong with the 7900GTX for starters.

Thank you for the tip about the i7-950 for $200 from Microcenter. I didn't notice the Intel retail price of $369 on it until I picked it up from the store!

 

[Bargain Hunter]

Alright, so the sabretooth and i7-950 have both arrived. Now onto memory.

Geofelt, you suggested 6gb DDR3 kit(3 x 2gb). I do understand that the 6gb would work very well with the i7 core, but I have somewhat exhausted my funds with the purchase of the motherboard and CPU.

I did some research and some of the 6gb DDR3's are available under $100 (which is what i was planning on spending on memory) but I was unsure whether I should trust those brands/products. However, if the memory is a little over $100 I think I can suffice.

I found a CCORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX6GX3M3A1600C9 on NewEgg for $109.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145258) It seems like it fits perfectly with my motherboard and CPU set.

I also did a Google search and found Corsair XMS3 6GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module - TR3X6G1600C9 (http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-xms3-6gb-3-x-2gb-pc3-12800-1600mhz-240-pin-ddr3-tri-channel/q/loc/101/210383355.html) for $95.24.

I see that they are both 6GB (3x2GB) but what's the difference?

There is no difference between the two (same brand, same model, same everything) except they are both from different retailers and one is cheaper...

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey