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Final Gaming Build Review - About to Buy

D

dmw16

Diamond Member
1. Will be used for gaming, very light photo editing, web surfing, etc

2. Budget is as little as possible, but really probably $1000 MAX

3. USA

4. No real brand preference. Just want the best bang for my buck.

5. Current parts are: WD 150GB VelociRaptor, WD 640GB HD, DVD-RW, Corsair 520W PSU, Keyboard/Mouse, speakers, monitor

5a. I have already purchased the following: Intel i7 860 CPU, Corsair H50 CPU cooler

6. Have read lots of other threads

7. I will probably experiment with overclocking

8. I would like to be able to run games at 19x12 (games include L4D, L4D2, ARMA2, other shooters)

9. Next 2-4 weeks

Here is the build I am planning on.

CPU: Intel i7 860 - $250 (purchased already)
RAM: 2x2GB G.Skill Ripjaws PC12800 - $86
MOBO: eVGA P55 LE - $144 (w/ MIR)
HD#1: 150GB VelociRaptor (already own)
HD#2: 640GB Western Digital (already own)
DVD: Samsung DVD-RW (already own)
GPU: HIS Diamond Radeon 5850 - $260
CPU Cooler: Corsair H50 (already own)
PSU: Corsair 520W (already own)
Case: Cooler Master ATSC 840 - $200
TOTAL - $936

Questions:

RAM - I found THIS on NewEgg today and it seems like a great deal, but the reviews seem make it sound like they don't work all that well. I have always liked Corsair products, but I'd love to hear comments on the OCZ or maybe even a 3rd option.

Motherboard - I like Gigabyte boards (have one currently), but I haven't been in the overclocking loop for a while and I am wondering if there are better options in the same price point area.

Video card - It seems like the 5850 is the best value right now. I'd consider the GTX285 if I found a great deal. Again, any other thoughts or comments are appreciated.

Thanks for looking.

EDIT:
I will be using Windows7 Pro 64bit.

Also, updated link to cheaper 4GB kit rather than the initial triple channel 6GB kit.

Made a change at motherboard based on the Foxconn socket issue. The eVGA have a lower chance of having the Foxconn sockets.
 
Originally posted by: dmw16
Here is the build I am planning on.

CPU: Intel i7 860 - $250 (purchased already)
RAM: 2x2GB Corsair XMS3 PC12800 - $86
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R - $140

Questions:

RAM - I found THIS on NewEgg today and it seems like a great deal (6GB for the same as 4GB of Corsair or 4GB for $60), but the reviews seem make it sound like they don't work all that well. I have always liked Corsair products, but I'd love to hear comments on the OCZ or maybe even a 3rd option.
Click to expand...
The P55 MB you're using doesn't support triple channel memory (like the X58 MB's do).
Your Gigabyte P55-UD3R only supports single and double channel memory.

In other words, the OCZ 6GB kits you linked = :thumbsdown:
 
Nice build I personally would like more than 4gb for my gaming build at least 6gb. Unless of course your OS is going to be Windows XP 32bit then the extra ram means nothing. Also 200 dollars on a case that seems a little extreme why not save some money on the case and get some more ram if you are going with a 64bit OS. Of course that is all my personal opinion.
 
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: dmw16
Here is the build I am planning on.

CPU: Intel i7 860 - $250 (purchased already)
RAM: 2x2GB Corsair XMS3 PC12800 - $86
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R - $140

Questions:

RAM - I found THIS on NewEgg today and it seems like a great deal (6GB for the same as 4GB of Corsair or 4GB for $60), but the reviews seem make it sound like they don't work all that well. I have always liked Corsair products, but I'd love to hear comments on the OCZ or maybe even a 3rd option.
Click to expand...
The P55 MB you're using doesn't support triple channel memory (like the X58 MB's do).
Your Gigabyte P55-UD3R only supports single and double channel memory.

In other words, the OCZ 6GB kits you linked = :thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

Good to know. How about the OCZ memory in general? They are selling the 4GB kit for $63. Will the motherboard get the job done in terms of overclocking?

Yeah, the case is pricey and could be cut out. But I've always cheaped out on cases with my builds and wished I hadn't. I have the money to spend and I think a case is a decent investment.
 
Originally posted by: dmw16
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: dmw16
Here is the build I am planning on.

CPU: Intel i7 860 - $250 (purchased already)
RAM: 2x2GB Corsair XMS3 PC12800 - $86
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R - $140

Questions:

RAM - I found THIS on NewEgg today and it seems like a great deal (6GB for the same as 4GB of Corsair or 4GB for $60), but the reviews seem make it sound like they don't work all that well. I have always liked Corsair products, but I'd love to hear comments on the OCZ or maybe even a 3rd option.
Click to expand...
The P55 MB you're using doesn't support triple channel memory (like the X58 MB's do).
Your Gigabyte P55-UD3R only supports single and double channel memory.

In other words, the OCZ 6GB kits you linked = :thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

Good to know. How about the OCZ memory in general?
They are selling the 4GB kit for $63. Will the motherboard get the job done in terms of overclocking?
Click to expand...
* Not as far as I'm concerned
* Buy this kit.

 
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: dmw16
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: dmw16
Here is the build I am planning on.

CPU: Intel i7 860 - $250 (purchased already)
RAM: 2x2GB Corsair XMS3 PC12800 - $86
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R - $140

Questions:

RAM - I found THIS on NewEgg today and it seems like a great deal (6GB for the same as 4GB of Corsair or 4GB for $60), but the reviews seem make it sound like they don't work all that well. I have always liked Corsair products, but I'd love to hear comments on the OCZ or maybe even a 3rd option.
Click to expand...
The P55 MB you're using doesn't support triple channel memory (like the X58 MB's do).
Your Gigabyte P55-UD3R only supports single and double channel memory.

In other words, the OCZ 6GB kits you linked = :thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

Good to know. How about the OCZ memory in general?
They are selling the 4GB kit for $63. Will the motherboard get the job done in terms of overclocking?
Click to expand...
* Not as far as I'm concerned
* Buy this kit.
Click to expand...

Not as far as your concerned about the motherboard?
 
Originally posted by: dmw16
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: dmw16
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: dmw16
Here is the build I am planning on.

CPU: Intel i7 860 - $250 (purchased already)
RAM: 2x2GB Corsair XMS3 PC12800 - $86
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R - $140

Questions:

RAM - I found THIS on NewEgg today and it seems like a great deal (6GB for the same as 4GB of Corsair or 4GB for $60), but the reviews seem make it sound like they don't work all that well. I have always liked Corsair products, but I'd love to hear comments on the OCZ or maybe even a 3rd option.
Click to expand...
The P55 MB you're using doesn't support triple channel memory (like the X58 MB's do).
Your Gigabyte P55-UD3R only supports single and double channel memory.

In other words, the OCZ 6GB kits you linked = :thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

Good to know. How about the OCZ memory in general?
They are selling the 4GB kit for $63. Will the motherboard get the job done in terms of overclocking?
Click to expand...
* Not as far as I'm concerned
* Buy this kit.
Click to expand...

Not as far as your concerned about the motherboard?
Click to expand...
The MB is fine. I was commenting on your question about the OCZ...
"How about the OCZ memory in general?"

 
u may want to consider the G.Skill F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH memory instead. Will cost about $10 more but has better timings

Would could also save some $$ with another case selection (ie Thermaltake Element S, Antec P182)
 
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