Quick question about first time build

[QueKara]

Hello,

This is my first time building a gaming centric computer, and was wondering if you guys could just review the parts I've picked out, and make sure they will work together or suggest alternatives.

Being a Canadian, I've been using the website www.memoryexpress.com so I can pick up items in store.

I am using the DVD burner from my previous PC (which was a custom build). I plan to mostly play games like Starcraft II and Civilization V, and would like to run those on their highest settings, and shooters on a higher setting. (Preferably a step above consoles.)

My budget is $700, which is what these parts come to after taxes and rebates.

Motherboard
Processor
RAM
Power Supply
Hard Drive
Case
Graphics Card

And one additional case fan.
Also, this the monitor I purchased a few weeks ago.
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX28585%28ME%29.aspx

I also have a copy of Windows 7 laying around. So no need to buy that.

 

[aznshinobi]

You could try out the 600$ build I have, with that in mind, you'll have more room to run your games at the highest settings. SC2 surprisingly requires a decent amount of GPU power. So does BC2 (not suprising) With that extra 100$ you could spend it on something like a 6850/460 1GB or possibly stretch and go for a 6870.

At your resolution, the 5770 wouldn't cut it at the highest settings.

EDIT: in otherwords spend more money on the GPU rather than the CPU.

 

[QueKara]

You could try out the 600$ build I have, with that in mind, you'll have more room to run your games at the highest settings. SC2 surprisingly requires a decent amount of GPU power. So does BC2 (not suprising) With that extra 100$ you could spend it on something like a 6850/460 1GB or possibly stretch and go for a 6870.

At your resolution, the 5770 wouldn't cut it at the highest settings.

EDIT: in otherwords spend more money on the GPU rather than the CPU.

Thats interesting, a few google searches have told me that a 5770 is enough for SC2.

 

[aznshinobi]

Well it would be... But at your resolution on Ultra. Not really. Also, you plan to play on even higher settings on your FPS games. You'd lag further.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/291?vs=296

You benefit so much, 10FPS for just that little kick in the graphics. pwr consumption is practically the same, so are temps.

 

[QueKara]

Well it would be... But at your resolution on Ultra. Not really. Also, you plan to play on even higher settings on your FPS games. You'd lag further.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/291?vs=296

You benefit so much, 10FPS for just that little kick in the graphics. pwr consumption is practically the same, so are temps.

Holy ***, thats a big difference. I think I'll go for the 6850, but to compensate for the extra $70, is there anywhere I could cut down a bit?

 

[aznshinobi]

Well if ya look in my siggy. Theres a link to my 600$ build. That should work out. Since I was able to fit the 6850 into the build Check it out. It's in the Table of contents too!

 

[sartorius]

It really is enough for StarCraft 2. The game is more CPU dependent than anything.

 

[QueKara]

It really is enough for StarCraft 2. The game is more CPU dependent than anything.

So you figure the 5770 will do?

 

[aznshinobi]

What other FPS games will you play?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/blizzard-entertainment-starcraft-ii-benchmark,2611-6.html

Not at his resolution. I mean 33 fps is ok. But you still notice lag. Where as in the 6850 will stick him in between the 5850 and 5830 range which is slightly better I suppose.

It is a bit more cpu dependent I guess, So Just upgrade to the 955. It'll be good enough. IMO.

 

[QueKara]

What other FPS games will you play?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/blizzard-entertainment-starcraft-ii-benchmark,2611-6.html

Not at his resolution. I mean 33 fps is ok. But you still notice lag. Where as in the 6850 will stick him in between the 5850 and 5830 range which is slightly better I suppose.

It is a bit more cpu dependent I guess, So Just upgrade to the 955. It'll be good enough. IMO.

Probably Battlefield BC2, and Battlefield 3. But I don't need those to be cranked, just on par with the console versions..

 

[aznshinobi]

Then it might just work. The 5770 would work just fine I think. Just get the 955 then. But I'm quite confused at how the 600$ budget doesn't work for you? Even after the addition of the 955 instead of the 925, it totals to about 620. That's before rebates. And I chose the most expensive 6850

 

[sartorius]

Y'know, those eBay 6850s that I keep linking to are still around.

Like this one for $141.95.

EDIT: Damn nevermind, they only ship within the US.

 

[aznshinobi]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121419&cm_re=6850-_-14-121-419-_-Product

Don't know bout Canada, but it's 180$, 160$ AR. Then with a 10$ newegg promo card. If you could gift cards as a discount, that'd be 150$ AR and Promo.

Great card too.

 

[QueKara]

Alright, Im milling that over.

Also, would a 600w Corsair power supply be sufficient. I used a PSU calculator, and I seem to be in the green. It gave me a recommended value of 450w (after 50% capacitor aging.)

 

[aznshinobi]

IT would, that's for sure.

 

[batuchka]

Thats interesting, a few google searches have told me that a 5770 is enough for SC2.

That depends - the peeps at Hardwarezone did a multiplayer SC2 GPU test

Ultra with no AA

Even up to 1920 x 1200 one may argue a HD 5670 is playable but yes 5770/GTS 450 is more than fine

Ultra +4AA

You'd be looking at HD 5850/GTX 460

As a lifetime Blizzard gamer though my $0.02

Blizzard games unlike Crysis, etc are not about eyecandy - i play these games due to it's enjoyable/addictive *gameplay* so no thank you for escalating costs just to turn up AA SC2 nuts can't tell the diff anyways :lol: :lol: :lol:

Of course if u play games outside SC2/WOW then it's a different story

 

[aznshinobi]

Such as BF2 and BF3, expect higher requirements for BF3.

 

[sartorius]

Alright, Im milling that over.

Also, would a 600w Corsair power supply be sufficient. I used a PSU calculator, and I seem to be in the green. It gave me a recommended value of 450w (after 50% capacitor aging.)

Most definitely. Corsair's a great brand.

 

[batuchka]

Which model? builder series started out with the 430W model but we all soon realised that the older 400CX is actually better builts, with stronger amps on the 12V and 80+ certified so no to builder series but if TX/HX good to go

 

[sartorius]

Even if the TX/HX are better than the CX series, all three of them are still way more than enough for a 5770.

 

[batuchka]

Well PSU is an investment so suggest TS dun limit to just 1-2 brands but research which one available that best serves needs ^^

 

[QueKara]

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX30800%28ME%29.aspx

Its a Corsair CX6 600W PSU

 

[batuchka]

This would be my suggestion
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX30457(ME).aspx

HCG 520/620 based off Seasonic S12II 520/620B platform ^^
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6958

Review
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&file=print&reid=185

 

[QueKara]

I actually decided to go for the 6850, to help modernize a wee bit more. The 600W Corsair should still be good?

I would be interested in that Antec, but I dislike the price. After rebate, it is only an additional $10, but I don't like waiting on the rebate..

 

[aznshinobi]

The 600w sounds good. If you don't like MIR like I don't, that sounds like a solid plan to go for the Corsair.

But, the Corsair defiantly isn't as good as the Antec PSU. Not with the same efficiency that is.