Building new comp...help with mobo/ram/cpu/gpu

[Dackz]

Hello all,

I am building my first new comp in quite some time. I have the case and PSU picked out...corsair 650 watt psu and a generic case but it will be good...atx size mid tower.

I just bought 4gm of ddr2 800mhz ram (corsair) a couple weeks ago and hoped it would help out my current pc and it did to a degree but I realized my weakness is the CPU (e4500 intel, 2.19ghz and locked to due being a dell). So I would like the new comp to be able to use that ram and not be a waste, but if its THAT much better and cheap to get a new mobo/ddr3 1600mhz or whatever it is, I would. Trying to get best bang for buck, so far Im at $120 with case and PSU. Want this cpu...

http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-HDZ...1775184&sr=1-2

I will probably overclock it a bit too, why not, its easily done. I need a decent fan for it, so suggest away there and suggest away at a mobo to go with this thing, and also suggest on the ram. Oh yea, on board audio support on the mobo would be good...I just do stereo gaming and listening...nothing fancy needed.

ON the HD side, western digital cavier blue 500, like $60 good and fast? I have a current 500g and 250 external, but why not get a new one, since I am clean installin win7 pro anyways.

GPU, radeon or nvidia, not sure...dont need dual monitor support but would like a good one, but not the fastest and most expensive..like I said, bang for buck.

Case I plan on getting (this thing wont move unless I move to a new house so doesnt need to be perfect)
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master...ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1261778000&sr=1-3http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A9B09ZK9BZJQ6&v=glance
PSU
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMPSU...ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1261777975&sr=1-1http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

 

[MisterDonut]

Do you have a budget?

 

[Dackz]

Do you have a budget?

Not really, but dont want to break the bank either...was hoping to keep it 7-800ish. Like I said, bang for the buck. I just do some gaming and MIGHT get into some video editing in the future, thats why going quad core. If it ends up beink 1k, so be it.

 

[MisterDonut]

The AMD is a great way to go for bang for the buck, and benchmarks show that it matches the quad cores in gaming. I can't say much about the subject because I've worked with only Intel =/. Sorry. Are you planning to keep all the parts you pick up for this build for a long time ? The 5770 is a great card at a very reasonable price, but if you want to splurge, a 5870 can be had (Buddy got one for christmas. Fired up Crysis near maxed out @ 1920, no problemo). Supports DX11 for the future too. However, a 5870 may be breaking the bank, so perhaps, I would look into the 5770/5850. Personally, I wouldn't pick up any of the old architecture (e.g. 4890/gtx), but that's just me...I like to keep machines I build for a long time . Don't get me wrong, they are excellent cards. I could give some more information on Intel, if you would like to go that route =/. Cheers

 

[Dackz]

I think I would rather stick with AMD, Intel only if the price/performance could stay the same, and I could overclock as easy.

For gpu though, Im with ya, Id rather get the newer stuff. I plan on not having to build a system for a couple years again, usually end up with a new comp every 2-3 years, Im using my old one for parts (DVD-rw drive, 3.5" 17-1 reader, fans, etc.)

Would I notice a terrible difference with this http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-57...ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1261783932&sr=1-4 as opposed to a 5770? 5850 is just a tad expensive, LOL. Not worth the $300 for what I need

Do I need ddr3 or stick with my 4gig 800mhz ddr2? If the mobo = a few $$ diff, then its $110ish for 4gig ddr3 ram. Is the performance diff worth it, or will ddr3 be the new standard?
http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Modu...ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1261787039&sr=1-3

 

[schenley101]

since you already have ddr2 there is no real point of getting ddr3. The 955 can work with both. i would probably go with the 5770.

 

[MisterDonut]

I don't think you really need the ddr3 if you already have a ddr2 set. Works just as fine, and yeah, the 5770 would be the perfect choice for ya

 

[Dackz]

I actually went a little overboard, haha, but I think this setup will smoke.

I ended up getting all this

Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3P mobo - $200 in combo with corsair 850watt PSU (total)
AMD Phenom ii x4 955 3.2ghz quad core - $165
Radeon 5850 (got it with a combo deal on newegg) $300
Win 7 Pro 64 bit OEM version ($129 in combo)
gskill 4gig ddr3 1600mhz, cas 7 (certified with the mobo) $95
coolermaster atx case, has loads of fans and should be fine, $45

Total came out to right at $900ish, shipped. I just need to find a HDD, was going to get 500gb samsung but everyone is sold out. Western digital caviar black doesnt seem bad though

 

[MisterDonut]

the WD Caviar black actually outperformed the Samsung because of some architecture dual processor or something...or at least that's what my friend thought it was. If you haven't actually bought the RAM yet, the G.Skill ECO series has gotten great reviews.

 

[Dackz]

the WD Caviar black actually outperformed the Samsung because of some architecture dual processor or something...or at least that's what my friend thought it was. If you haven't actually bought the RAM yet, the G.Skill ECO series has gotten great reviews.

Yea, I ended up with the caviar black, had a GC to best buy to use so I got it there since it was virtually the same price as the online stores.

Ram wise, the one specific one I chose to get is actually certified by gigabyte to work with my mobo, the eco one wasnt, thus my decision there. Not to mention my PSU is certfied to run the 5850, I should have all my eggs in the same basket incase something were to go wrong.

Thanks for the info though, I appreciate it. Now I just need the days to clock down while it ships, I have no plans for the 31st except to build this thing should it all arrive by Thursday, which it should I hope.