First Time Builder Looking for Tips/Feedback

[Makoenergist]

Hiya TH build community,

I am sitting on a Pentium 4 system with DDR memory and an AGP graphics card so I figure it's time to upgrade. I'd like to play the newer games without any issues and enjoy a system which ages gracefully. Keeping "best bang for the buck" in mind I've been doing my research and would like to hear any advice that you may have on my build so far.


DVD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335
MOBO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128444
Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130571
Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226135
Case & CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514439
PSU & HD http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.526774

It totals in at $780.00

A few things at the front of my mind at the moment are of course going the i5 750 route instead but I wasn't able to justify the increase in cost against the slight performance upgrade that would bring. Also I'm not very sure about the motherboard, good choice? Could I get SLI support for a comparable price? I was considering the antec three hundred case instead of my choice as that seems very popular, is it much more quiet having thicker walls? Any improvements recommended?

 

[batuchka]

USB/SATA 3.0 , HD 6850, Crossfire capable;

$667

HD 6k review: single and CF scaling
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3987/amds-radeon-6870-6850-renewing-competition-in-the-midrange-market/8

As for the Radeon HD 6850 however, things are much more lopsided in AMD’s favor. It’s give and take depending on the benchmark, but ultimately it’s just as fast as the GTX 460 1GB on average, even though it’s officially $20 cheaper. And at the same time it draws less power and produces less noise than the GTX 460 1GB. In fact unless the GTX 460 1GB was cheaper than the 6850, we really can’t come up with a reason to buy it.

Optional item

60GB Sandforce based SSD $113AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226151

 

[Makoenergist]

You found everything I want at a great price, excellent! I had just noticed the 6850 in another thread not that I would disagree with your doubt dispelling defense of the choice. I had wondered about the SSD as well and I agree with how you presented it. Thanks and well done!

Now to see if I can find those combos...

 

[batuchka]

Yep u are welcomed ^^

 

[blackjellognomes]

USB/SATA 3.0 , HD 6850, Crossfire capable;

$667
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q205/batuchka/Untitled-1567.jpg

HD 6k review: single and CF scaling
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3987/amds-radeon-6870-6850-renewing-competition-in-the-midrange-market/8

As for the Radeon HD 6850 however, things are much more lopsided in AMD’s favor. It’s give and take depending on the benchmark, but ultimately it’s just as fast as the GTX 460 1GB on average, even though it’s officially $20 cheaper. And at the same time it draws less power and produces less noise than the GTX 460 1GB. In fact unless the GTX 460 1GB was cheaper than the 6850, we really can’t come up with a reason to buy it.

Optional item

60GB Sandforce based SSD $113AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226151

I have to say, batuchka, your builds and advice are pretty much always flawless. It's ridiculous.

 

[blackjellognomes]

Buuut I'd recommend this Gigabyte 6850 instead; it's got an additional year covered by warranty, and a second fan, too.
Not sure why Tom's isn't letting me edit that first post.

 

[batuchka]

Hmm with HD 6850 out of stock and since it is well within budget i am actually suggesting TS top up for a HD 6870

 

[Makoenergist]

Luckily the 6850 gigabyte version was back in stock today because I didn't want to spend that much, gotta save up for a motorcycle upgrade as well hehe

Here's my final build, it came out to be a bit more at about $800 because I nitpicked on some stuff. I'm not cool enough to post the cart screenshot thingy though

case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216
Affordable, lots of nice features, space for 10 fans!

Mother Board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157198
Dirt Cheap but reliable parent company, has latest features USB3 etc

Graphics Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125348
The current sweet spot in gaming, booyah grandma!

Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
Cheap, plenty of power, good company

Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
Affordable, easy to overclock, quad core goodness

Ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226135
Nice timings, not too pricey

Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
7200RPM, 64MB cache, one of the faster platter drives out and not too expensive, 2 TB version is faster but too much $$$, bleh

CD/DVD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335
Uhhh, people seem to find that it works

Heat Sink http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

 

[batuchka]

Yep happy building and enjoy your new rig ^^