[my first build] gaming rig critique!

[henryyxyu]

Hi, been a long time lurker and finally registered to post up my gaming rig specs. Thought I'd make this my intro. post lol. First computer build for me so any tips/comments/feedback would be nice. Just gotta say this forum provided me with tons of info

Case: Thermaltake Level 10 GT

PSU: Corsair GS600 600W

Mobo: Asus M4A89GTD PRO/USB3

Graphics: Diamond ATI Radeon 1GB HD4870 (I know, a little outdated by today's standards...contemplating on crossfiring or getting a 6970)

Processor: AMD Phenom II X2 560 Black Edition (planning to unlock/overclock but keeping it stock for now)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master V8

RAM: Corsair 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 Vengeance LP

OS: Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate Edition

Hard Drive: Seagate Momentus XT 500GB hybrid drive


I reused all the other bits like the optical drives & card readers from my old desktop. The total build costed me about $700.

 

[fatfatr]

It's a weak build for $700, you could of saved $200 if you bought a cheap case. I guess that's just personal preference though. Did you unlock the X2 yet? I wouldn't pay that much for an X2 it would suck if you couldn't unlock the rest of the cores. HD 4870 isn't outdated, there's no need to hop onto the DX11 bandwagon. It's been 2 years since 5xxx series release when I began reading the forums here on tomshardware and we're still seeing DX9 console ports around. I'd say that rigs with 4xxx series cards are gonna be OK for another year.

 

[geekapproved]

$700??? Pesos?

That's very low end, if you paid $700 for that, return it.

 

[chillin15]

IMHO, this is the order of importance (and hence the price priority) you should have for each part. I base this on how much these parts affect your system (also basing this on a gaming build):

cpu > gpu > mobo + memory > psu > HD + OS > case > monitor > cooler > peripherals

Your case holds like the number spot in your build.

 

[jrwizbang]

Yeah. You could have gotten a much better rig for that. Here is a computer I'm helping a guy build on here (TomsHardware) For $700, of course, this setup is for a guy that wanted to use his computer on the internet with a wireless network adapter, and stream hdtv to his computer. So, if you exclude that stuff, its only about $600. And also, if you exclude the soundcard, it's even less.

Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1250 Hybrid TV Tuner /Video Recorder: $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6815116028

HT | OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card: $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6829271001

2xSeagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM: $60x2=$120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148697

Rosewill RNX-N250PC Wireless Adapter IEEE: $15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6833166033

Pioneer CD/DVD Burner: $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827129043

Crucial Ballistix Tracer 4GB (2 x 2GB): $28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148341

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb: $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103727

ASRock 770 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 770: $77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157195

RAIDMAX RX-500AF 500W: $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817152040

ZOTAC AMP! ZT-50402-10L GeForce GTX 550 Ti: $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814500194

Grand total: $700

 

[jrwizbang]

The psu I listed is a bit small but, excluding the cards like i said (network, tv tuner, and sound) you could get a nice 700w for pretty cheap. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152042&Tpk=raidmax

 

[The_One_and_Only]

Dude go sandy bridge you won't look back.

 

[jrwizbang]

Yeah. I agree. I was just showing what he could have done with a similar budget. If you get the i5-2500k, with something such as a gtx 570/580, or 6970, you will never regret it, and won't need to upgrade until new hardware comes out.

 

[henryyxyu]

Thanks for the feedback everybody! Well my build initially costed me about $350. I had the Antec 900 case, a Raidmax 620w PSU, planned to reuse a old hard drive, and reuse a Windows XP install disc. I later ended up upgrading everything and bought a new OS install disc (a cost I think some people forgot to factor in?). Either way. now that I look back it is a little pricey for what its worth so I'll keep that in mind and do more research the next time I start another build. As for now, I think I'll keep the 560 BE and upgrade to bulldozer when it comes out!