Build Advice

[insideOUTlaw]

So I'm building a new computer for my relatives this Christmas, and I have created two builds on newegg. One is based on the phenom ii x6 1075t, and the other is based on the core i5 760. From what i have read, both processors offer similar performance both at stock speeds and when overclocked, so I am trying to figure out which is the correct way to go. The most taxing apps for the computer will be games, and overclocking is a possibility.

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP

Budget Range: $800 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Games (everything else will be web surfing and MS office)

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050 (i think)

Additional Comments: Quiet is better and looking for longevity in the mid-range

Here's What I have so far...

Build #1 (Intel)
2 x Samsung DVD RW http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

Cooler Master HAF 912 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 750gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148445

XFX 650w PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207007

G.Skill ripjaws 2x2gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231278

Intel Core i5 760 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067

Cooler Master Hyper 212+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

XFX Radeon HD 5850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.547517

Intel H55 LGA1156 mATX motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.547517

The Motherboard includes a free Lost Planet 2 game

The Price Comes to $848.91 before Rebates and 763.91 after rebates

Build #2 (AMD)
Components are the same except for...

Asus AMD AM3 870 motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131651

AMD Phenom II X6 Thuban 1075T http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103858

Price for this build is $833.91 before rebates and $748.91 after rebates

I am happy eeither price, and at this point I would like some advice if you think i have selected any inferior components. Other than mistakes of this nature, any suggestions to provide a greater value in the build would also be appreciated. If you think both builds are fine, then I'd appreciate guidance in the choice between the two builds. Please note, I realize that this PC is probably overkill for my purposes, but I would like it to last them as long as possible. They've had their current computer for over five years . Also, Sorry if I broke any posting rules i tried to follow them to the best of my ability. Thanks for the helps guys.

 

[eloric]

Welcome Newcomer, and you did fine following the positng rules. There is only one fan in the case you selected. You either need to purchase a couple more, or buy another case. Here is the COOLER MASTER Storm Scout , a much better case for only $10 more.

Here is another alternative for the same price: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel

I bought two optical drives with my last build, and hardly ever use either of them. I took the second one out to contirbute to another machine, and do not miss it. With flash drives so cheap, and huge hard drives, burning DVDs just does nto make sense to me.

I think the video card is a bit much for the monitor; consider getting an upgradde to the monitor! Other than that, all is fairly well balanced, and compatible.

 

[insideOUTlaw]

Thanks for the response, and i was actually thinking of purchasing some yate loons from Petras as i have heard they are a good value at $5 a fan. Do you think those other two cases would be better for my purposes even with the additional fans the CM HAF 912. About the optical drives, I know exactly what you mean. I did the same thing and have never used the second drive, but since the I won't be using the PC I just want to keep the option there especially if it only cost anotherr $17.

 

[archer7282]

eloric has hit it on the head there... video card is much more than you need for that rig to run 1680 x 1050.....

how about a 5770 and use the 100+ you save to pick up a 20 inch or so monitor with 1920 x 1080.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-873-_-Product


or if your happy with the current monitor just save some $$$$ and get the 5770.

at least thats my 2 cents....... other than that nice looking build

 

[archer7282]

on a side note, i'm just gonna throw in that i think that antec three hundred black steel case is just plain awesomesauce.

 

[insideOUTlaw]

Not Sure about the monitor. It might, actually be higher res, but thank you for the advice what is your opinion on the i5 760 vs phenom ii x6 1075t?

 

[insideOUTlaw]

I'm looking into the cases too, and all three look good. Maybe this will fall to aesthetics

 

[archer7282]

Not Sure about the monitor. It might, actually be higher res, but thank you for the advice what is your opinion on the i5 760 vs phenom ii x6 1075t?

To be honest based on the needs that your presenting I would be thinking more along the lines of a phenom II X4 965, This processor holds it's own against the I5 for a gaming / light use computer as you have described, and it does so at considerable cost savings.

Both the I5 and the 1055 would be superior for non gaming related tasks that are multi core stressfull... ie. Video encoding or similar things. But per your original description that's not what your needing the computer for!

The reality is that games development is really only now starting to utilize two cores, I would imagine its gonna be a few years before we see games maximed for use on systems with 4 cores. So anything above that is total overkill.


so for me, I would shave of another 40-50 from your build cost and go with the X4 and again either use the saved money to invest in a higher quality monitor... or just giggle all the way to the bank because you now have built a killer gaming system for a lot less than you thought it would take...

 

[insideOUTlaw]

This build will probably be around for awhile, and from what i've heard, the i5 outperforms AMD per core, so its perofrmance is more on par with the x6's. One thing that I am not sure about is the Intel motherboard that i selected. I might be paranoid, but these components seem to warrant a full ATX board rather than micro ATX. Might just save money on the processor, either way this will fly through almost everything thrown at it.

 

[doive1231]

I would go with the USB 3.0 AMD system for future USB products.

 

[insideOUTlaw]

I was actually leaning towards AMD or a better Intel board, but the Intel ATX boards are not cheap, so...

 

[insideOUTlaw]

I think i might actually go with a CM 690 ii for the case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119215

Any objections?

 

[archer7282]

I have a cooler master elite case myself... so you will see no argument from me.

I do understand that the I5 is the stronger of the processor's, but just dont think you need that or the six core thuban based on what you say expected usage will be.

With that said, there's always gonna be a difference between what's wanted and what's needed.

On a side note it may be worth your while to wait just a bit longer if you do choose to go the intel route, With new processors and boards due to debut for intel early january, some of the older stuff is surely gonna get cheaper.

 

[insideOUTlaw]

I would but its for Christmas and they live like 600miles from me so i'm just gonna bite the bullet and do it now. Just gotta make a call on the CPU. Other than that I'm happy with both. Now i'm just gonna look at P55 ATX board to see how prices are. Thanks again for the help everyone.

 

[insideOUTlaw]

One last thing archer, do you think that the micro ATX motherboard on the Intel build is not enough for the components? I have bad feelings there.

 

[aznshinobi]

WHAT Did you really just tell him to downgrade his video card? The 5850 is the sweet spot for any 1680x1080 resolution. The 5770 already starts to struggle at 1440x900. Keep the 5850 in the budget. If you want to save some go with the GTX 460 Hawk 1gb. That's 190$ now on newegg. Great OCer and super low temps.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127518&cm_re=460_hawk-_-14-127-518-_-Product

As for 5850, get the DirectCu, you'll be able to OC it so well, up to a 5870's performance., and if you plan to CF in the future, you'll be able to CF on an AMD/Intel platform as CF is supported on all/most boards, unlike SLI.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121370&cm_re=5850_directcu-_-14-121-370-_-Product

Any micro ATX mobo isn't large enough to fit many things. With a card like the 5850, it'll probably block the SATA 3/6 ports and with the 5770 barely fit it. So I suggest the ATX board. Post it if you can.

 

[insideOUTlaw]

XFX 5850 for $175 so i think ill save the money. What is your opinion on the processors?

 

[insideOUTlaw]

Btw thanks for the input

 

[insideOUTlaw]

Ended up going with Intel and a Gigabyte full ATX thanks for the help everyone

 

[aznshinobi]

, You went with the XFX? If you plan to OC it's worthless, just saying, you can't voltage tweak.