New PC build

[micellis]

Hi, I'm new to here, been checking this place for ages for info and things, but finally have a question about a build.

Well, my dad and myself have decided its time for a new PC build. Current Setup is as follows

Athlon x2 4000+ 2.1 Ghz Dual Core

Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 2gb

Foxconn Mobo (I actually have no idea about the model number, although it is an AM2+ ddr2 board)

EVGA 8800GT

Coolermaster 350W PSU (yeah pushing it here with the GPU)

Various HDDs (1tb RAID 5, various other storage)

Windows 7 Pro x86

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Currently my Newegg wishlist looks like this:



MSI NF750-G55

AMD Phenom II 955 BE

Antec Earthwatts 750W PSU

Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600 (2x1gb)


I'm going AMD on this build, Unless... I can find an intel setup that is around the same cost. I would say $600 all said.

Any suggestions? Changes? I plan on keeping the 8800GT for now. I am open to GPU suggestions from either ATI or Nvidia. I don't prefer either brand, I've owned both. The 8800 GT was free i can't complain =)

Thanks!


Edit: I guess I should add I'm looking at Maxing out TF2 at decent framerates, My dad plays alot of Dragons Age and Fallout 3 also. I would love to be able to max out or play BFBC2 at high detail as well.

I can't afford an i7 at the moment, most I can go is the i5 750

 

[batuchka]

Hmm for the cheapest/biggest gain upgrade i would check BIOS for that AM2+ mobo of yours, hit a cheap Rana 440/445 and perhaps hit a GTX 460 with an 80+ 500-600W PSU? Have helped mucho AM2+ platform peeps with AM2 X2s just like you move over to Rana, Propus, Deneb since the platform could take these in and not much gained from DDR2-->DDR3 anyways

 

[micellis]

Yeah I'd thought about that, but the motherboard has been having some problems, one of the PCIe slots doesn't work, and One of the RAM sticks is giving alot of errors. So We're just looking at a new fresh build.

 

[batuchka]

Well in that case ya DDR3 for fresh builds - but depending on resolution you game on could be it's time to move out of that 8800GT as well

 

[micellis]

I'm gaming on a CRT, 1600X1200

 

[ScrewySqrl]

for $600, you can get a halfway decent build.
If you can swing the whole $600 at once, this month there is a combo that is a full 6-core processor (AMD Thuban 1055T) for $464.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.483421

to stay under $600 you could add a HD5770 1GB card to that build for about $135

 

[micellis]

Yeah, sadly I can't swing the whole thing at once, I'll be buying a part or 2 a month.. I've Actually been looking at either an HD5770 or an HD5830.

 

[Mr Pizza]

I would upgrade the motherboard stay away from foxconn you can get cheap AM3s... throw a 945 in it and a 5670. And ram is cheap...

CPU - $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809

Motherboard - $79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130293&cm_re=am3_motherboard-_-13-130-293-_-Product

Memory - $96
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

Hard Drive - $74
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Video Card - $79 After Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150467&cm_re=5670-_-14-150-467-_-Product

Power Supply 450W - $54 After Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003&cm_re=450w-_-17-139-003-_-Product

Case - $55
HAF 912 not in stores yet but will be very very soon

Optical Drive - $19
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136168

Subtotal: $577.93

Or this video card - $129 After Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338&cm_re=5770-_-14-161-338-_-Product

 

[ScrewySqrl]

at that rate, I'd get the things that won't change much first: a Case & PSU, maybe (There are nice combos with Antec 300 case with various wattage PSUs, you'd do ok with a 450-600W PSU), then save up to get everything else at once. Prices *always* drop, and New processors are expected to be announced in Dec/Jan/Feb, which should cause drops in the current processor prices

 

[micellis]

What does everyone think about the core i5 750, vs the Phenom II 965 BE?

 

[sp12]

For gaming? Not a whole lot of difference to justify the i5's higher price.

I agree with Sqrl, do not buy parts piecemeal, Case/PSU/OD/HD are probably pretty safe, but you'll want the ram, CPU, GPU, and mobo to be purchased together.

 

[micellis]

Yeah from what I have looked at, the synthetic benchmarks actually show the Phenom Outperform the i5 in gaming. Do you think it'd be better to save money on the setup and go AMD and just get a better GPU? My 8800 gt is starting to show its age.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

AMD is the best bang-for-buck under $1000 right now.

 

[micellis]

So, any opinions on GPUs for this build? GTX 460 is looking good for me

 

[ScrewySqrl]

right now? great. in 4-6 months? there will be better

 

[micellis]

I figure I'd get an EVGA, I like the step up program. Has anyone used it from Experience?

 

[Mr Pizza]

Go with AMD/ATi for crossfireX ^