Opinions on mATX gaming build

[chumly]

I've decided to go with these specs:

Phenom II x4 965 + 4GB DDR3 1600 Kingston HyperX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.555574
$221.98 -$25 MIR

Corsair 550VX PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
$79.99 - 10% -$20 MIR

MSI GTX 470
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127501
$254.99 - 10% -$35 MIR

MSI 890GXM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130269
$119.99 - $20 -$10 MIR

ASUS 24x Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
$19.99

Antec P180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129044
$79.99 -$25 MIR

TOTAL: $723.43 - $115 = $608.43

+ 2x Samsung Spinpoint F3's
http://www.superbiiz.com/desc.php?name=HD-HD103SJ
$109.98 -$5 Promo

GRAND TOTAL:

$713.41 after rebates.

Anything you guys would change?

 

[gkay09]

^ Good build...
How about this combo?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.553617

With that board and the above PSU, adding 1 more HD 5850 is pretty much possible...

 

[chumly]

^ Good build...
How about this combo?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.553617

With that board and the above PSU, adding 1 more HD 5850 is pretty much possible...

I want CUDA for photoshop, and I really would rather go with a single GPU.

Also, I'm looking at my power supply wattage requirement list, I believe I would be able to sub out a 580 in the future if I need it (or if the price drops radically).

Mine is about $10 cheaper too, but that power supply is really nice.... decisions, decisions.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

if you're going single GPU, you have no reason to get an 890 motherboard.

the AS Rock 770 Extreme 3 should be all you need, at $74.99

 

[gkay09]

^ Actually Photoshop uses Shader Model 3.0 and OpenGL 2.0 for GPU accelerated features, which will also work with ATI cards, but just make sure though...

 

[chumly]

if you're going single GPU, you have no reason to get an 890 motherboard.

the AS Rock 770 Extreme 3 should be all you need, at $74.99

I need a micro for that case... :/

Maybe I should just opt to a 750W PSU in case I want to SLi in the future. I think I just might. The 10% is off of any PSU.

CS5, Premiere Pro + CUDA info:
http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/performance/

I found a winner:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025

 

[ScrewySqrl]

if you need a micro, then go with a 785 or 880, then. Both are solid, with a single x16 graphics slot

 

[chumly]

I wanted the option of switching to SLi in the future though, so I just upped the PSU. The case has room for it.

 

[chumly]

Ya, I'd rather mod a board with nice features then get stuck with an overpriced, inferior nforce board, in case you were wondering screwy.

 

[N.Broekhuijsen]

Im using that case with a mATX gaming build, that CPU aswell, and I absolutely love it.

I would highly suggest a 6870, but if you insist on your CUDA, then well, go for it!

btw, there are micro ATX mobo's that have 2 PCI-e slots, so you can do SLI.

 

[gkay09]

^ Just for the record, that board doesnt do SLI, but only Crossfire...

And forgot to mention, better to search for a modular PSU as it would help reduce unused wire clutter inside that case also would help in better airflow...

 

[chumly]

^ Just for the record, that board doesnt do SLI, but only Crossfire...

And forgot to mention, better to search for a modular PSU as it would help reduce unused wire clutter inside that case also would help in better airflow...

I can make it SLi (it's also my only choice considering there are no micro nforce's with 2 pcie's)

And this PSU is modular, it just had 1 or 2 too many hardwired cables.

 

[gkay09]

^ Which PSU are you talking about ? AFAIK the 550VX is not a modular PSU, am I missing something ?

 

[chumly]

^ Which PSU are you talking about ? AFAIK the 550VX is not a modular PSU, am I missing something ?

Yes, a couple of posts down I decided to go with an antec 750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025

 

[gkay09]

^ Oopsy, my bad dint notice that...The Antec TP is indeed a pretty good PSU and that is a good deal...

 

[N.Broekhuijsen]

Oh yes! Definitely go with a modular PSU! With this case, it is nothing short of a pain in the ass if you don't get a modular PSU!

I don't know about the antec PSU (if its modular at least) But I would try having a look at the Cooler Master Silent Pro M700. Modular and powerful, good quality and yet very affordable.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171037

 

[N.Broekhuijsen]

Actually now that I see the $25 difference with the antec unit, and that the antec unit is also modular, go with that!

the 750watts continuous will come in handy at points.