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First time Builder - Opinions on what I'm getting

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This is the first time I've built a computer before and after a little research I've come up with the following

Motherboard: Intel DP55KG ATX
Processor: Intel Core i5-750
PSU: Corsair Gaming Series 700 Watt ATX
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 7200rpm 32mb cache
RAM: Corsair 4GB XMS CL DDR3 DIMM
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Ultimate
Graphics: GeForce 9600 GT (already own this part)
OS: Windows 7 x64

Since this is my first computer I decided to give myself a little room for improvement if I get it right.

All of the above items would cost me just over $800 at best buy.

Any advice at all on this setup would be welcome. Anything from "that looks like the worst thing I have ever seen" to "I would switch out blah blah blah" and noting anything I'm missing would be cool. Gaming/entertainment computer.

Thanks

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The Game Rundown: Finding CPU/GPU Bottlenecks, Part 2
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/game-performance-bo...
Quote:
Conclusion: A Trend Toward 3+ Cores

The average optimal number of CPU cores suggested by the test results is 2.75, showing a clear trend towards at least three CPU cores.The question of whether the CPU or GPU is most important is easily answered. If you don't have a multi-core CPU, then upgrade it. If you have a dual-core CPU at around 3 GHz, then invest your money into a graphics card, as most games are GPU-limited. This is not something that will change with new DirectX 11 games.



For a lot less than $800 i would slap up a DIY and certainly not have to deal with the frames offered by a 9600gt @@

First, don't buy now unless you have to - Intel Sandy Bridge cpus arrive 1/5/11 and these upgrades are significant.

If you must buy now, you are spending a lot of money on cpu and case, and your graphics card lags far behind. Your HD is also slower than we would always use for a boot drive. Your psu is a quality unit, but you can use a much smaller unit for the rig you put together and save money.

Finally, your screen resolution determines the cpu/gpu combination you need for quality gaming - let us know what resolution you will be using.

I'll have to look at Intel Sandy Bridge - I'm new to the world of computer hardware etc.

Yeah I've decided to switch out my gpu 9600 GT for something better - it's outdated by now and from what I've read it wasn't even good when I bought it two years ago. I heard a Galaxy GeForce GTX460 is worth it. I use a 32" LED Samsung 1080p 120hz TV for my monitor. 1920x1080
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At 1920 resolution, the sweet spot for Intel builds is currently an i5 760. All else being equal, an i7 950 will produce slightly higher frame rates, but concensus is the cost per incremental frame isn't worth it. For AMD, its a 955BE or 965BE, which is lower performing but yields a cost savings many find a "value".

Sandy Bridge may well be 20% more peformance for $10 higher price. But no one is sure what the mobos will cost lol.

460 and 6850 are the sweet spots for gaming at 1920, with the 460 performing a little better but the 6850 often allowing xfire on a mobo of lower cost. These cards prove satisfactory for most folks - and one can reasonably add a second if you are one of the more demanding few.

Those who know they will major on games demanding more video, or more cpu (like WoW) can adjust from there. Either more hardware, or acceptance of slightly lower settings.

An AMD mobo :)  . . . and either card. If it doesn't matter to you, choose the AMD card because it is difficult to find a good AMD board that supports SLI . . . this way you can install a large enough psu and be prepared if you want/need a second card.

How does this revision sound, I found these deals on newegg and the final price would sit at just under $800 after shipping/rebates.

Case/CPU combo - 249.98

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Mobo/GPU combo - 224.98

Mobo: ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

PSU/Memory combo - 89.98

PSU:Thermaltake TR2 W0388RU 600W ATX 12V v2.2 Power Supply

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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

HDD/OS combo - 154.98

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

These are just what I found from newegg that wouldn't destroy my wallet.

Total: $737.91

Rebates/Shipping: $798.46 (I'm in alaska)

Some would say the case is too much, but from what people have said it's a great case, tons of room, a lot of cooling, great cable management. Since this is the first computer I'll build I'd rather spend a little more on a case that would make it all the easier for me instead of struggling with a smaller, mid tower size.




Not a fan of the Thermaltake TR2 . . . here's a review of its "more powerful" brandmate, a 750W:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermaltake-TR2-...

PLEASE do not buy PSUs like this. Stick with Seasonic, Corsair, or even Antec and XFX. Or units that have been well received by qualified reviewers. Unlike other parts, the psu can damage your other parts.

This psu is more than adequate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


If i where you i would go with an amd 955, the extra 200Mhz really isnt worth the extra 20 dollars, and you can oveclock the 955 past 965 performance. Also go witha samsung spinpoint hdd its faster and cheaper. and finally go with a corsair psu they are better and there is a 750 watt one on sale now for 80 dollars.

I finalized the build I'll be creating

Mobo: ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

build cost: $745

shipping + $115 (alaska shipping is more expensive)

rebates - $60

Total: $800
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