First Gaming Build

[snowdude125]

hey guys,

i am looking to buy a new pc in the near future when i get some money together and was wondering if this would be a good build.
i plan on playing WoW, Guild Wars and borderlands until Guild Wars 2 comes out, i just wanted to make sure that my pc would play it on high-max settings. i also am looking at going Xfire with the 6850 in the future when i get a job. I also understand that the mobo i have chosen will not support xfire but i plan to upgrade it also as i get some more money.

Prices are in $AU and everything is from PCCG.

CPU - AMD Pheom II x2 555 - $95
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13493

GPU - ATI HIS 6850 - $205
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15914

RAM - Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB DDR3 - $55
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13237

HDD - Samsung Spinpoint F3 - $45
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13562

ODD - Lite-On DVDRW Super AllWrite - $29
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15136

Case - NZXT Lexa S - $89
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13468

PSU - Antec High Current Gamer 520W - $89
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15135

MotherBoard - ASUS M4A87TD-USB3 - $99
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15008

Wireless Card - TP-Link TL-WN851N 300Mbps Wireless N PCI Adapter - $35
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14474

Monitor - Acer G225HQBD 21.5in - $149
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1088&products_id=13936

Keyboard - Microsoft Sidewinder X4 - $49
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13946

OS - Windows 7 Home Premium - $100
Ebay.com.au

Total $1039 + $123 shipping

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[clarkjd]

If you are going to go crossfire in the future, I would recommend this:

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_803&products_id=14128

This is the same board I am currently using, and rather than spend $100 now and then $169 later, might as well get the crossfire board now, then when you DO go crossfire, all you will have to do is put in the new graphics card, not rebuild your whole system.

Good Luck!

 

[snowdude125]

thanks for that. also would my PSU be able to handle the load of 2 6850's?
and would my CPU be a bottleneck?

 

[clarkjd]

I am not familiar with that particular PSU. Antec does make good PSUs, but for 6850s in crossfire, I'd rather have a little more headroom on the power supply, as they are most efficient when run at about 50% capacity. I'd look for a Corsair, Seasonic, or Antec Earthwatts in the 650 to 750 watt range.

As far as gaming goes, there are very few games that take advantage of more than two cores. the 555 is rated as one of the best dual core AMD chips. That being said, I would suggest the Phenom II X3 black edition 720 or 740. With the MoBo I listed, there is the possibility of unlocking an extra core, giving you an X4 for the price of an X3.

 

[snowdude125]

would an OCZ ModXStream 700w do the job?

 

[clarkjd]

The OCZ is also a good choice. I prefer the Corsairs and Seasonics myself.

 

[clarkjd]

I also found this article about unlocking the 555 to a quad core:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2927

Your mileage may vary, but the mobo i listed should make unlocking the dormant cores easy

 

[snowdude125]

sweet might try that when i get it.
and how do you put it back to dual core if it becomes unstable?

 

[clarkjd]

I'd have to look in the manual for the MB to be sure, but I think there is a jumper switch that you just turn on or off to enable or disable the locked cores.

 

[snowdude125]

i just found the coolermaster storm scout it looks pretty beast.
do you have any thoughts on that case?

 

[clarkjd]

Looks like an Antec 900 wanna-be:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_733&products_id=4228

actually, it's what looks best to you. They will probably perform close to the same. I have the 900, but I didn't buy it for its looks, I got it for its performance and price($60US after rebate )

 

[snowdude125]

the 900 looks like it would have a bit more airflow than the storm scout and its only $4 more so ill go with that.

 

[zooted]

I am not familiar with that particular PSU. Antec does make good PSUs, but for 6850s in crossfire, I'd rather have a little more headroom on the power supply, as they are most efficient when run at about 50% capacity. I'd look for a Corsair, Seasonic, or Antec Earthwatts in the 650 to 750 watt range.

As far as gaming goes, there are very few games that take advantage of more than two cores. the 555 is rated as one of the best dual core AMD chips. That being said, I would suggest the Phenom II X3 black edition 720 or 740. With the MoBo I listed, there is the possibility of unlocking an extra core, giving you an X4 for the price of an X3.

The current cpu he selected also has the capability of unlocking to a quad core. But unlocking is a gamble, so I would not base buying with the intention to unlock, think of it more as a perk. I think the Athlon II x3's are a good option as well, they are great performers for the money.They too also have a dormant core.

 

[snowdude125]

i wasn't really going for the dual core just for the unlock really, because most games only use 2 cores i figured i could upgrade it later or if im lucky i wont have to.

 

[zooted]

^Actually toms did a piece showing that 3 cores are starting to be utilized more.

 

[snowdude125]

oh ok, but the only thing is that pccg dont stock x3's :/

 

[snowdude125]

Best answer selected by snowdude125.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar