New Build Need Help w/ some Components

[mtnation]

Hi All,

I am looking to make a new machine for some gaming and video editing, I am not a hard core gamer, but I want a nice machine that will be up to date for a while (my current pc is 8 years old and is just now not able to keep up).

With that said I picked some items out at New Egg (below) and I need help with:

1) Do I need a new power supply?
2) What video card to get, I am considering running it in tandem with the MOBO's onboard video and looking for a 1 gig card.
3) With my current case can I just put a new power supply into it?

Here is what my case and power supply are now:

ANTEC Performance PLUS, Model PLUS1080AMG- with Antec Original TRUE 430W P4 Power Supply, ATX,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129115&cm_re=PLUS1080AMG-_-11-129-115-_-Product


Here is what I am considering buying from New Egg:

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04
Item #: N82E16827106289

AMD Phenom II X6 1075T Thuban 3.0GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT75TFBGRBOX
Item #: N82E16819103858

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131398

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116758

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
Item #: N82E16820231314


These items package together so I am at $541.96 in the cart right now. Please give me a hand and if any of my picks are not so hot let me know. I tend to prefer ATI video and ASUS MOBO's. I also have two SATA drives I plan to utilize in the new machine and I am thinking of adding a 120 GIG SSD for the programs.

 

[vindictive]

If you want something really "up to date" that will last longer, intel is releasing there new lga 1155 socket on Jan 5th.
If you don't want to wait let me know and I'll help you with your current build there

Edit: Also, list a budget please.

 

[mtnation]

I am not willing to wait, I am dying to be speedy again.

I was trying to stay under 1k (preferably under 750), so I figured with the SSD I am at 700 or so.

 

[coldsleep]

For the video card, the most important consideration is what resolution your monitor is. While the 785G motherboards can use the hybrid graphics mode, it's only with relatively low-end graphics cards, so that will also depend on your choice of GPU.

Since you're going to be doing video editing, the X6 is a great choice, possibly better than Sandy Bridge, as the new Intel processors seem to be better at loosely threaded tasks than current processors, but their highly-threaded capabilities aren't all that much better than current tech. At your budget and with video editing the primary workload, an X6 is really the best option.

Anandtech's Sandy Bridge preview suggests that Sandy Bridge is only slightly better than an X6 1090T at multi-threaded 3D rendering and video encoding, but I'm not sure it's so much better that you need to wait and see what the price is.

Are you planning on overclocking? If not, you could get either this Corsair XMS3 8 GB (2x4GB) kit or this G.Skill 8 GB (2x4GB) kit for $120 + free shipping. Though if I read you right, all of the above is a combo, in which case there's not much sense suggesting separate RAM.

Which 120 GB SSD are you looking at? As long as it's a SandForce-1200 drive, you're on the right track.

If your current power supply is 8 years old, then yes, I would suggest getting a new one. Which one you get is going to be dependent on your graphics card, which is, as previously mentioned, dependent on your resolution. Based on what you've said so far, you probably won't need more than a 550W 80+ certified PSU, but I'd like to verify your monitor resolution before committing to that.

 

[mtnation]

I have a Viewsonic 22" monitor currently and run it at 1680 x 1050.

I am not planning on overclocking, the RAM is part of a combo with Windows 7, but I can combo that with the SSD.

I was looking at this SSD:

G.SKILL Phoenix Series FM-25S2S-120GBP1 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

I was also thinking of not buying the SSD or Windows 7 at all and just dropping my two 600 GB SATA's I have now into a new machine, they are a RAID 0 config. To save some $$$.

 

[vindictive]

Does your case only have 3 80mm fans? thats horrid. haha.
Antec 300 - $60

haf 912 - $60 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=haf%20912 (i'd get this one on your budget, unless you find it seriously ugly)

CM 690II Advanced - $80 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216&Tpk=cm%20690%20II%20advanced

 

[coldsleep]

Based on Tom's Hardware Best Graphics Cards for the Money (Vov. 2010), I would look at the AMD 5670, 5770, or 6850. None of these will be compatible with the Hybrid Graphics on the motherboard, as far as I can tell. Any of the recommended nVidia cards would be fine as well, though with a single card, only the AMD cards are going to be able to handle 3 monitors.

The 5670 is the cheapest, and requires at least 400W. This one is $95, but it has a $15 MIR.

For a little more future-resistance, I would strongly recommend a 5770 or a 6850. There are several 5770s around $140, while 6850s run closer to $200. For either of those, I would suggest 550W or so. Here's an Antec BP550 80+ certified 550W PSU for $65. There's a 430W Antec Earthwatts if you go with the 5670.

The G.Skill Phoenix is a SF-1200 drive, great choice.

Be aware that if you put the two existing drives in the new box, you're probably going to have to re-create the RAID container, as RAID 0 on motherboard-based RAID isn't generally transferable from one motherboard to another. And you may or may not have to reactivate Windows if you go that route.

 

[mtnation]

Does your case only have 3 80mm fans? thats horrid. haha

It actually has 5 running as I type this, that information is not that accurate. I have two in front, one on the side and two more in back.

If I decide to reuse this box will any ATX power supply fit?

 

[vindictive]

I'd assume so.

if your going with the AMD X6 i'd stay away from Nvidia, you'd have to get one of those nforce mobo's to be able to SLI. (or hack the mobo).

I suggest going with the 6850.

 

[mtnation]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129153

I am thinking of the above card because it will allow me to reuse my power supply and as I mentioned I am not looking to go nuts here.

 

[coldsleep]

I would be a little concerned about the 420W PSU if it's 8 years old. Power supplies do age.

If it's a more recent addition, then no worries.

The 5670 is perfectly fine for modern games at that 1680x1050. The primary reasons to go with a larger graphics card are if you plan to get a larger monitor in the near future, or if you want some future-resistance for games 2-3 years down the road. Of course, you could just as easily replace the graphics card at that point.

 

[mtnation]

OK so change the PSU due to degradation. Thanks for the tip.

If PCI Express will be around for awhile, then I should be fine. I play games like Civilization and the sort, so they are not too tough on the graphics. In the old days when I was MMORPG gamer it might make a difference, but I can probably do this on a pretty tight budget.