Please review my ALMOST finalized Build

[skitsofrenic]

CPU: Intel Core i7 950 Processor - $199.99
MOBO: ASUS Sabertooth X58 $199.99
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W $94.99
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $109.99
Case: NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower $99.99
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s $54.99


I just need help picking out the Video Card.. I don't even know if I want to go GeForce or Radeon. I heard Radeon is more bang for the buck. Is this true?

I'm torn between EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470($259.99) and SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5870($214.99)

Will either of these video cards work well with my set up? Do you have any other Video Card recommendations other than these 2?

Radeon HD 5870 is having a sale right now and GeForce GTX 470 isn't. But I'm pretty sure there will be better deals available on Newegg for BF. If these 2 Video Cards were priced at a similar price, which one would be a better choice?

 

[vindictive]

If not planning to SLI ever: 5870>470(or 6870, whichever is cheaper)
If planning to sli/cf sometime: 470(or 6870 whichever is cheaper)>5870

oh also, if ever planning on 3d gaming, Nvidia is the only option.

 

[skitsofrenic]

If not planning to SLI ever: 5870>470(or 6870, whichever is cheaper)
If planning to sli/cf sometime: 470(or 6870 whichever is cheaper)>5870

oh also, if ever planning on 3d gaming, Nvidia is the only option.

Hmm I see. I am planning on SLi/Crossfiring later on so I guess I'll go with 470 or 6870. Which one of the two is better? Just go with my brand preference or is there a difference between the two product? Do they have the same performance level?

One of the main reasons why I'm making this new machine is to game. So if Nvidia is the only option for 3d gaming, then Nvidia it is. But, can you tell me why Nvidia is the only option? What happened to Ati?

 

[vindictive]

They vary back and forth depending on which game is played.

I just recently started looking into 3d gaming, So sorry if that last part was incorrect, but this was the kind of 3d gaming I was talking about http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236092&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=
does amd offer such a thing?
ah yes they do, I fogot HD3D, I don't think thats doing so well compared to Nvidia 3d.

 

[karma831]

I think you missed the '3d' gaming. Currently only Nvidia GPUs support 3D gaming. In the future AMD cards will also be able to do 3D gaming but you'll have to wait for manufacturers start shipping out monitors that support it.

ATI/AMD is perfectly fine for regular gaming.

 

[vindictive]

"But it’s also important to recognize the limitations of HD3D. First, there are no dedicated 3D monitors in North America that employ the HDMI 1.4 standard—all of the available 3D monitors at the moment are Nvidia 3D Vision-exclusive, and will not work with the Radeon HD 6800-series cards. "
"In addition, while DDD and iZ3D’s stereoscopic gaming drivers can work perfectly in some situations, our experience has shown us that Nvidia’s 3D Vision driver works better and more consistently in the majority of games."

toms hardware talking about it: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6870-radeon-hd-6850-barts,2776-3.html

 

[skitsofrenic]

Is 3D gaming like 3D television where you put on your 3D glasses and the images pop out right in front of your nose?

 

[vindictive]

yea but they don't pop out in this case, they kind go into the screen which in turn, reveals depth.
read about it stuffs crazy and most people that use it love it.

 

[skitsofrenic]

yea but they don't pop out in this case, they kind go into the screen which in turn, reveals depth.
read about it stuffs crazy and most people that use it love it.

Aha I get what your saying. This proves how much behind I am in today's technology lol

So Nvidia GPUs can be used for both regular uses and for 3D uses right? If so, even if I don't necessarily play 3D games, I guess I'll go with Nvidia because its more future proof. Who knows, maybe I'll get me a 3D monitor and play 3D games later on.

Btw, can I also watch 3D videos and etc or is it strictly for gaming?

 

[vindictive]

yes both uses.
AMD has released HD3D but the monitors they need to work aren't in the US yet.

I'm not sure about the movies, I know theres something with blueray 3d and I read it cost $40 for the software to play blueray 3d movies? Do some research if you want

 

[vindictive]

http://www.nvidia.com/object/3d-vision-requirements.html it talks about 3d movies at the bottom.

 

[skitsofrenic]

yes both uses.
AMD has released HD3D but the monitors they need to work aren't in the US yet.

I'm not sure about the movies, I know theres something with blueray 3d and I read it cost $40 for the software to play blueray 3d movies? Do some research if you want

Alright so... If I get the Nvidia GPU, I can play any games and it will look 3D with my Glasses on?

 

[vindictive]

http://www.guru3d.com/article/nvidia-geforce-3d-vision-review/ just read the article.. it'll take like 10 mins.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I'm torn between EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470($259.99) and SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5870($214.99)

If considering the 1470 from EVGA for $260, consider the factory over clocked version (1472) for $10 more. Not that this card has been getting a 10% off promo over the lat 2 weeks or so which has been running like 3 days on 3 days off where you can buy it for $243.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549

Your PSU price is a great deal if it's not a typo. On newegg,m that CPU is $280

As to the rest, consider the Combos:

HAF-X, Sabertooth and i7-950
$565 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.540792

Spinpoint F3 1 TB w/ Win7 -64 Professional
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.544787.22-152-185

With one vid card, I'd get a 650 watt PSU (Corsair TX or Antec TP)
If planning SLI in future, get an 850 watt Corsair HX, Antec SG or CP-850*, XFX Black Edition 850

* Requires compatible case.


As for the 5870, again the cheapest price I have seen on newegg for a 5870 (from a brand I'd buy) is $289. If single card is your future, the 5870 even at that price isn't a bad buy. It's really hard to find a match for twin 470's in SLI tho. If 3D Vision and PhysX are on the table, then nVidia is the only game in town.

With DDR3-133, you realize, your max over clock at standard memory multipliers will be 25% ...which isn't a bad thing as a 160 BCLK (3.8 Ghz) is a nice and efficient low temp sweet spot for the 950. IF you wanna go past 4.0 Ghz, I'd get DDR3-1600

Here's some DDR3-1600 CAS 7
$124 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226155
$134 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286
$139 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030

 

[skitsofrenic]

If considering the 1470 from EVGA for $260, consider the factory over clocked version (1472) for $10 more. Not that this card has been getting a 10% off promo over the lat 2 weeks or so which has been running like 3 days on 3 days off where you can buy it for $243.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549

Your PSU price is a great deal if it's not a typo. On newegg,m that CPU is $280

As to the rest, consider the Combos:

HAF-X, Sabertooth and i7-950
$565 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.540792

Spinpoint F3 1 TB w/ Win7 -64 Professional
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.544787.22-152-185

With one vid card, I'd get a 650 watt PSU (Corsair TX or Antec TP)
If planning SLI in future, get an 850 watt Corsair HX, Antec SG or CP-850*, XFX Black Edition 850

* Requires compatible case.


As for the 5870, again the cheapest price I have seen on newegg for a 5870 (from a brand I'd buy) is $289. If single card is your future, the 5870 even at that price isn't a bad buy. It's really hard to find a match for twin 470's in SLI tho. If 3D Vision and PhysX are on the table, then nVidia is the only game in town.

With DDR3-133, you realize, your max over clock at standard memory multipliers will be 25% ...which isn't a bad thing as a 160 BCLK (3.8 Ghz) is a nice and efficient low temp sweet spot for the 950. IF you wanna go past 4.0 Ghz, I'd get DDR3-1600

Here's some DDR3-1600 CAS 7
$124 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226155
$134 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286
$139 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226030

Is 1472 worth paying $10 more than the 1470? Also, wouldn't I be able to overclock the 1470 myself? Maybe that's not such a good idea because it could break the warranty? I went to the link you posted and the 1472 was being sold at its regular price. The 10% promo probably ended already.

Microcenter sells the Core i7 950 for only $199.99. Luckily for me because I only live about 20 mins away from Microcenter!

Thanks for the Spinpoint F3 1 TB w/ Win7 -64 Professional combo deal. What's the difference between Upgrade, Full, and OEM? Is OEM for the people who are building a system from scratch? Can it be used on computers from brands like HP, DELL, Asus, etc? How many times can I use it?

Yes, I'm planning on going SLi in the future. I was told that a 750W was enough for SLi. Will I need a 850W?

I'm only planning on OCing to about 3.8~3.9, maybe 4.0 at max. I like to keep the temp low and steady because this helps the parts last longer. Up to how high can I OC with the DDR3-1333?

 

[vindictive]

system being used: Our test system is a power hungry Core i7 965 / X58 based and overclocked to 3.75 GHz. Next to that we have energy saving functions disabled for this motherboard and processor (to ensure consistent benchmark results).

"I'd say on average we are using roughly 50 to 100 Watts more than a standard PC due to higher CPU clock settings, water-cooling, additional cold cathode lights etc."

"2-way SLI was consuming a lot of power as well, roughly 550~575 Watts. The numbers are high, but definitely look a lot better than say the GeForce GTX 480."

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-470-2-3-way-sli-review/23

 

[skitsofrenic]

system being used: Our test system is a power hungry Core i7 965 / X58 based and overclocked to 3.75 GHz. Next to that we have energy saving functions disabled for this motherboard and processor (to ensure consistent benchmark results).

"I'd say on average we are using roughly 50 to 100 Watts more than a standard PC due to higher CPU clock settings, water-cooling, additional cold cathode lights etc."

"2-way SLI was consuming a lot of power as well, roughly 550~575 Watts. The numbers are high, but definitely look a lot better than say the GeForce GTX 480."

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-470-2-3-way-sli-review/23

Hey vindictive,

You gotta remember that I'm a total newbie when it comes to computer stuff.. I just got down the basic ABC's and you're already trying to teach me grammar @_@

 

[vindictive]

okay basically these people are running 2 gtx 470's on a VERY power hungry computer.
and max they could draw is 575 watts with there total system.
750W psu is fine for gtx 470 sli.

 

[skitsofrenic]

okay basically these people are running 2 gtx 470's on a VERY power hungry computer.
and max they could draw is 575 watts with there total system.
750W psu is fine for gtx 470 sli.

Haha I see. Thanks for clearing that up for me!