Rating/comment

[WienelPistor]

So basically I am trying to build a decently cheap gaming computer/daily use computer. I already have my build basically complete:


Mobo:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-157-198&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=10#scrollFullInfo

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103846&cm_re=amd_phenom_ii_x2_555-_-19-103-846-_-Product

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277&cm_re=g.skill_ripjaws_series_4gb_%282_x_2gb%29_240-pin_ddr3-_-20-231-277-_-Product

GPU an ATI 5770 is the plan for now.




I just need help finding a Monitor, PSU, and a good case.

I'll probably be gaming at 1080p, no higher. Size, a 20" is good. I just don't know much about Monitors and which brands are good. <$200 for the Monitor pl0x. Cases I'm just horrible at choosing. I constantly change my mind. <$75 for the Case preferably. As for the PSU, I realize this is probably the most important part of a computer, so I'll pay the cost for the needed unit. BUT, I do not know how big of a supply I'll need.

I do plan on unlocking the CPU into a Quad sooner or later. I'll probably need to once Battlefield 3 comes out I also want to replace the 5770 with a 6950 around Christmas time and turning it into a 6970. Possibly two 6950s after a year or so.


SOO, I just need help with those 3 items mainly. Any comments/ratings on the planned build and if it'll work or not are welcome.

Any and all help is highly appreciated, please and thank you! ^_^

 

[jerreddredd]

So basically I am trying to build a decently cheap gaming computer/daily use computer. I already have my build basically complete:


Mobo:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-157-198&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=10#scrollFullInfo

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103846&cm_re=amd_phenom_ii_x2_555-_-19-103-846-_-Product

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277&cm_re=g.skill_ripjaws_series_4gb_%282_x_2gb%29_240-pin_ddr3-_-20-231-277-_-Product

GPU an ATI 5770 is the plan for now.




I just need help finding a Monitor, PSU, and a good case.

I'll probably be gaming at 1080p, no higher. Size, a 20" is good. I just don't know much about Monitors and which brands are good. <$200 for the Monitor pl0x. Cases I'm just horrible at choosing. I constantly change my mind. <$75 for the Case preferably. As for the PSU, I realize this is probably the most important part of a computer, so I'll pay the cost for the needed unit. BUT, I do not know how big of a supply I'll need.

I do plan on unlocking the CPU into a Quad sooner or later. I'll probably need to once Battlefield 3 comes out I also want to replace the 5770 with a 6950 around Christmas time and turning it into a 6970. Possibly two 6950s after a year or so.


SOO, I just need help with those 3 items mainly. Any comments/ratings on the planned build and if it'll work or not are welcome.

Any and all help is highly appreciated, please and thank you! ^_^

Monitor $179 (free Shipping)and $10 MIR ASUS has a very good warranty on dead, stuck pixel. good monitor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236117

PSU for up to 2 x 6950's in CF. HD 6950 are that power hungry, so you might get away with a Good 650W PSU with 52 AMPs on the 12v rail. But I would recommend a good 750W PSU to be safe and in case out decided to CF 6970's or something, better safe than sorry. Corsair, Antec, Seasonic XFX Core Series are all good PSU's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207009
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207015
Modular
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256059


As for cases, it really is a personal preference thing. pick a well rated one you like. I mostly like NZXT cases, because they have great customer support. I also like these:

I like this one for gaming builds:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811235027

and this one for quiet builds:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352002

 

[nd_hunter]

Just a word of advice. Don't count on being able to unlock that CPU. While the majority of people get lucky, you might get one that either won't unlock or one that isn't stable when unlocked. For $35 more you can get an i3-2100 that games as well or better than the Phenom II x4 955.

Check out these benchmarks.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/88?vs=289
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859.html

 

[jerreddredd]

Also check out this card instead of the HD 5770, it only ~$20 more. it faster than most 460's or 6850's and is way cheaper. it would be a way better starting point for you rig than a 5770.

Sapphire HD 5850.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102932

Bench Marks
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/164?vs=180

GTX 460, HD 6850, HD 5770, HD 5850 compared on tom's
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2011-gaming-graphics-charts/compare,2672.html?prod%5B4831%5D=on&prod%5B4844%5D=on&prod%5B4849%5D=on&prod%5B4850%5D=on

 

[nd_hunter]

^ Best "budget" gaming card out there right now IMO.

 

[zooted]

^I agree it was like when the 4850 was 100$ at the release of the 5xxx series couldn't beat it! =]

 

[nd_hunter]

Monitor $179 (free Shipping)and $10 MIR ASUS has a very good warranty on dead, stuck pixel. good monitor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236117

This is indeed a very good monitor!

PSU for up to 2 x 6950's in CF. HD 6950 are that power hungry, so you might get away with a Good 650W PSU with 52 AMPs on the 12v rail. But I would recommend a good 750W PSU to be safe and in case out decided to CF 6970's or something, better safe than sorry. Corsair, Antec, Seasonic XFX Core Series are all good PSU's

Did you mean to type ...HD 6950 aren't that power hungry...?

Tom's did an article on Radeon vs/ GeForce scaling and found that a system with two 6950s (not overclocked) pulled something like 432 watts (if memory serves) at the wall. I have an XFX 650w PSU and in a few months I'll know if it can power two of these cards.

 

[jerreddredd]

This is indeed a very good monitor!



Did you mean to type ...HD 6950 aren't that power hungry...?

Tom's did an article on Radeon vs/ GeForce scaling and found that a system with two 6950s (not overclocked) pulled something like 432 watts (if memory serves) at the wall. I have an XFX 650w PSU and in a few months I'll know if it can power two of these cards.

Sorry, yes AREN'T power hungry.

in theory a 650W is sufficient. +50amps on the combined 12v Rail (about 20 amps on each if separate rails). you get about 6amps off the PCIe bus it self. if memory serves me correctly. an you should allow for about 100watts for other system devices (8.3 amps). you also don't want to max your PSU out all the time. 80-85% is this sweet spot.

the XFX has about 52 or 53 AMPs on the 12v rail depending on the model. used worst case 52 amps 624 Watts. 80% load would be 499-531 watts. so 2 x 6850CF + system over head =532w. this is full load and you wont be doing that often so you have plenty of head room. I always build CF and SLi with 750w just to be safe unless I using 480/580 OC's then its 850W.

 

[WienelPistor]

I really like that Monitor, I think I will go with that one lol. I haven't even been paying attention to the 5800 video cards. I figured they'd still be pretty expensive so I never really considered them, but I am really digging the price on that card. Definitely a better deal than the 5770.

With the CPU, yeah I'm just going under the assumption that I'll be lucky and be able to unlock the other two cores, or even one more core. I've been in a heated battle with myself over the i3-2100 and that 555. But I am trying to keep this build as cheap as I can, and I have a friend who has a basically new 555 that he'd sell to me for I believe he said $50. I also figure that with AMD's new line coming out very soon, and IvyBridge in also not that long, prices will drop on all other CPUs, and I'll grab myself a 2500k for less than they are now. But that's just me being optimistic lol.


I play a lot of WoW, some BFBC2, and I'm also somewhat building this for BF3. I think/hope the 555 will suffice for those tasks and last me a little while. I'm not completely sure though. What do you guys think? Cheap 555 with the hope that I'll be able to unlock other 2 cores? Or i3-2100 now?


And also, thanks for all the help you guys.

 

[nd_hunter]

If you can afford it, get an i3-2100 now. If it games better than a 955, it will demolish the 555, especially if you can't unlock both cores.

Ivy Bridge is marketed towards a different demographic, the enthusiast (extreme) pc consumer. I doubt Sandy Bridge will see a price cut, and if there is, I doubt it will be significant.

Basically, my rule is "get the best of what you can afford." I totally respect going the inexpensive route, and if I hear you splurged for the i3 and had to eat Ramen for a month, I will find you. :lol:

You should be able to play games with that 555. I'm just affraid that when BF3 hits shelves, that 555 will be underpowered. I'd say that 555 is a good 'in the meantime' CPU.

My 2500k and 6950 have spoiled me. I used to game at lower settings and was happy if I could get mostly smooth graphics on older games. Now I don't know what'd I do if I had to turn down the eye candy. I'm hoping my rig will be able to play BF3 maxed at 1080p.

 

[WienelPistor]

So turns out it was a 955 that my friend had, not a 555. For $50 I'd say that's quite a good deal I think I'm gonna go with that 955 and later on (hopefully not for a year or so) upgrade to something solid that I won't have to replace for a few years. But thank you all very much for all your help. Have found a new and better video card (that 5850 suggestion), the monitor, and power supply. The case I guess I will just have to keep searching for. I know that dream case for me is out there somewhere... In all, my build will be a bit over $1k including speakers, headset, keyboard & mouse, Monitor, and OS.


Now here's hoping it all functions well together when I build it lol. And I'll be rooting for your build to max out BF3 when it comes out hunter!

 

[nd_hunter]

So turns out it was a 955 that my friend had, not a 555. For $50 I'd say that's quite a good deal I think I'm gonna go with that 955 and later on (hopefully not for a year or so) upgrade to something solid that I won't have to replace for a few years. But thank you all very much for all your help. Have found a new and better video card (that 5850 suggestion), the monitor, and power supply. The case I guess I will just have to keep searching for. I know that dream case for me is out there somewhere... In all, my build will be a bit over $1k including speakers, headset, keyboard & mouse, Monitor, and OS.


Now here's hoping it all functions well together when I build it lol. And I'll be rooting for your build to max out BF3 when it comes out hunter!

Haha. Thanks! A 955 for $50. Nice, I wouldn't pass that up either. Make sure to get a nice aftermarket cooler. Good luck to you also.