Building a new computer.. though the computer is outdated..

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o320

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Hey guys, I was planning on building a new computer thats 3-4 years old, and i was wondering if you guys think this computer will be able to run more recent games like crysis, starcraft 2, etc. And if you guys could point out anything i'm paying too much for a component that would be great!

Specs:
Motherboard - XFX MB-750I-72P9 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI - $29.99
CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz 1333MHz - $129.99
GPU - 2X ASUS GeForce 8800 GTX 8800GTX 768MB - $129.99
RAM - 2GB OCZ EL DDR2 PC2-6400 Platinum Dual Channel - $20
2GB OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Gold Dual Channel - $20
Arctic Cooling RC Ram Heatsinks - $9.99
HDD - SEAGATE 500GB Barracuda 7200.12 SATA II - $39.99
PSU - Black OCZ EliteXStream 800W ATX12V v2.2 - $49.99
CASE - Logisys CS-206BK 10-Bay ATX - $9.99

The total comes to about $440. Do you guys think this will be a good build?
Oh and i forgot to mention, i'm on a budget haha.
 
Solution
eloric
A budget? This is a shoestring :??: From the looks of it, you are basing your build on a $30 motherboard that has been deactivated. This will be a pretty good machine, believe it or not. It won't play everything on the highest settings, but ought to be serviceable.

You can go cheaper on the video - rather than trying to sli two cards for a $130, consider getting a single 5770 for under $100. Look at this HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770. Also, this card will future proof you with Direct X 11.

Don't get the heat sink - the one that comes with the CPU is better, but don't do that either. Instead, get a good heat sink and overclock the heck out of the CPU. Here is a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus for $37 from...
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eloric

eloric

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A budget? This is a shoestring :??: From the looks of it, you are basing your build on a $30 motherboard that has been deactivated. This will be a pretty good machine, believe it or not. It won't play everything on the highest settings, but ought to be serviceable.

You can go cheaper on the video - rather than trying to sli two cards for a $130, consider getting a single 5770 for under $100. Look at this HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770. Also, this card will future proof you with Direct X 11.

Don't get the heat sink - the one that comes with the CPU is better, but don't do that either. Instead, get a good heat sink and overclock the heck out of the CPU. Here is a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus for $37 from Newegg. You can probably do better on the shipping or find it at a discount somewhere else. For example, Microcenter only charges tax.

Speaking of Microcenter, they have the Core 2 Quad Processor Q8300 for $40 less.

The power supply is overkill, especially if you go with the single GPU. Try this Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W for $35.

Good luck building out a $10 case. Wear gloves so you don't lacerate your hands. The only cases like this I could find came with power supplies. Don't be tempted by a cheap logisys PSU - I speak from experience.

I assume you have a 3 to 4 year old operating system to install on this beast.

That is about all I could come up with. Looks like you might be able get a slightly better build for under $400 after rebates. Sound good?



 
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kitaware

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I understand you're building, but since you posted this in the "pre-built" forum:
at HP's business/refurbished outlet website...
http://h71016.www7.hp.com/html/hpremarketing/daily.asp?jumpid=re_R295_store/buspurchase-refurbished/computing/price-list#HHO1

Pavilion p6580t W7HP-64 i5 650 3.2GHz 600GB SATA 6GB DVDRW(LS) 512MB NIC 15-in-1 Rmkt PC

for $431....you can always add a better video card later...
 
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eloric

eloric

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Oops, kitaware has you there. The HP has only two cores, and o320's config has 4. HP has lousy power supplies, though, so upgrading a video card is probably not advisable, especially on a used machine.
 
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o320

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Thanks for the great answer! haha.

Anyways I was planning to get the 750i motherboard and yes it is deactivated, but I purchased it off a friend, brand new, so is that good?

Sadly, I did not see your post earlier, and already purchased the 8800s.. :(

Thanks for the link to the CPU cooler, haha! Do you know if the Q8300 is a good overclocker?

Does Microcenter have online shipping? I live in Canada and by the looks of it they only do local in-store pickups.. :(

Since i'm sticking with the 8800s, should i still go for the Antec power supply, or should I go with the OCZ one for about $15 more? Another thing is that the OCZ one has 4x 6pin connectors needed for sli?

Hehe i'll be sure to use gloves so my hands don't bleed all over the case! And don't worry, I would think that the power supply is cheap seeing that it is included with a $10 case..

Actually, I was planning to install Windows 7. Would that be okay?

Another question, do you think i should buy that extra 2gb of RAM to get 4GB total, or should i just stick with 2GB and save $20?(for food :D )
 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

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Actually. $440 will get you a new machine that will play anything you throw at it.

Amd Athlon II X3 450: $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886

AS Rock 880GM: $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157199

G.Skill 4GB DDR3-1333: $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

Galaxy GTX460 768MB: $149.99 w/ $40 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162058
Includes JUst Cause 2 and Mafia II as well

Samsung 1TB HDD: $54.99 (after promo code)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Coolermaster Elite 310 w/ 460W PSU: $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119218
(it's a halfway decent included PSU, an exception to the rule)

Asus 24x DVD burner: $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Shipping: $2.90

Total $477.47. $437.47 after rebates, just getting under your $440 total.

 
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eloric

eloric

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The board should be good - there is no expiration date on them.

Not sure if Micro Center ships to Canada, but you can try! Can't see in their site where they ship outside US. :(

Here is a power supply calculator , and when I plug those two GTX 8800 boards in, overclock and adjust 25 percent for capacitor aging, it comes to 610 watts. Get the bigger power supply. Did you say each card takes two 6 pin connectors? Yikes, they are energy hogs.

The OCZ EliteXStream OCZ800EXS 800W has 4 connectors, but you should read the reviews before you buy it, since there are a lot of less than happy owners with this product, but what the heck, it is only $50. Let me know if you want another alternative here.

Windows 7 is fine, go ahead and install it. Definitely buy the extra 2 GB of RAM.



 
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o320

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Thanks again for the fast reply!

Yeah, i'll send them a message and ask if they're able to ship to Canada.

And yeah, the 8800GTX's take up two 6pin connectors EACH, so they are quite the energy hogs.

I just took a glimpse at some of the feedback on the EliteXStream and all i can say is wow... It sounds terrible haha.. Do you know any power supplies that would be able to run my computer (4x 6pin, etc) and preferable but not a must, modular?
 
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