Help with a new build

[Venom20]

Firstly I would like to say that I have built in the past, but I am entering new territory. I have always built AMD machines, but right now it looks like intel has the better product. This is a computer for my wife, I only have funds to build hers for now, I will build mine at a later time.

* CPU
* Mobo
* SSD
* HHD?
* RAM
* case
* video card
* PSU

She will be playing games on it. I have not decided on a PSU yet. I'm not planning on overclocking it, so I would imagine that her current PSU would be sufficient. She doesn't need anything too fancy, so she doesn't need a top notch video card, but I'd like something that will at least last the next few years. Perhaps a mid card? I was thinking of installing applications on the SSD but moving her documents and storage folders to a normal HDD. I currently have a couple WD green drives that might do the trick, but they're large at 1.5 TB. Eventually I was going to finish setting up my server, so that's where I was going to place the large HHD's. Also, I know it's only one question at a time, but how are the WD greens in a RAID format. I hear they don't fair too well. Any insights would be appreciated, as I said, I've never dealt with intel chips before.

edit: after reading more about it here, perhaps I'd be better off going with a Gigabyte mobo instead. I also forgot to note that I am going to be installing win7 professional on it. Also, I was anticipating getting one good video card rather than wasting time with sli or crossfire. I usually use nvidia cards, but it looks like the ati's are looking nice at the moment.

edit x2: answers to questions

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
- mild gaming (guild wars 2, Diablo 3, nothing fancy)
- nothing else fancy, office tasks

2. What YOUR budget is.
- not looking to spend much more than $1300 (CAN) if I can (pre tax and shipping)
- ~1500 would be my max since I don't need a monitor

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
- US or Canada

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
- always have used AMD, but this build will be my first intel
- I have always used nvidia cards, but was looking into a radeon this time

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
- monitor
- PSU (if I can) the PSU can be used in another rig, so please feel free to suggest something else

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
- yes, but I don't know if I should link to them. I have read several on this forum

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
- not planning on overclocking

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
- I'm not sure
- I cannot answer this question without seeing what they look like
- is 1360*768 good, she probably wouldn't go any higher than 1680*1050
- it is a widescreen monitor

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
- I was hoping to finish it by the end of april

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.
- deal

 

[mfenn]

Please post answers to questions the sticky in this thread. That helps us figure out your constraints when picking out parts.

 

[BoomerD]

While that PSU is far from great, it should be more than enough power for any build using a single video card solution. (depending of course, on the age and condition of the PSU.)

 

[Venom20]

after looking around, I might get this Gigabyte mobo instead. Everyone seems to frown at the Asus', and I heard that Gigabyte was very swift in remedying the recall.

 

[aphelion02]

This XFX 6950 is only a few dollars more than the 6870 after rebate:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-523-_-Product

Also, there are CPU + mobo combos with that Gigabyte board you should look into.

 

[BoomerD]

after looking around, I might get this Gigabyte mobo instead. Everyone seems to frown at the Asus', and I heard that Gigabyte was very swift in remedying the recall.

I'm happy as hell with my ASUS P55 board. I'm not one for "bargain motherboards." I've never had any luck with them...so I spend a bit more and buy "premium boards," and almost never have any problems.

 

[dma0991]

Since you are not into overclocking the Core i5 2500 would be sufficient. That PSU is not the best there is but don't push your luck with a multi GPU setup. Although you prefer a single powerful GPU like the GTX580, I don't think you want to stress that PSU that much. A HD6950 is good, even better if you can unlock it to the HD6970.

It would be better to use that WD Green in a single HDD configuration instead of RAID for this particular rig. If you were to put it in RAID 0, either one of the HDD dies and all your data is gone. For storage purposes it is better to put it in RAID 1 or just use a single HDD and backup all the important data on an external HDD.

 

[Venom20]

This XFX 6950 is only a few dollars more than the 6870 after rebate:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-523-_-Product

Also, there are CPU + mobo combos with that Gigabyte board you should look into.

That's a good find. I was looking briefly at the 6950's. Perhaps I will take advantage of that MIR. Thank you.

I'm happy as hell with my ASUS P55 board. I'm not one for "bargain motherboards." I've never had any luck with them...so I spend a bit more and buy "premium boards," and almost never have any problems.

I personally have never had any issues with ASUS boards, this one would be my fifth. But after reading several posts on this forum, people tend to be favouring Gigabyte. Especially after their performance with the recall. I too dislike purchasing "bargain mobos". I have read through this comparison. Perhaps I should forgo my original ASUS and my other Gigabyte and go for this Gigabyte instead.

That PSU is not the best there is but don't push your luck with a multi GPU setup. Although you prefer a single powerful GPU like the GTX580, I don't think you want to stress that PSU that much. A HD6950 is good, even better if you can unlock it to the HD6970.

The PSU is about 1.5 years old, excellent condition. I do not need to use it again, I'm always up for suggestions of replacement. There are other machines that could use this PSU until it dies. Also yes, these days I don't really feel it's necessary to get dual graphics cards (unless you are heavily rendering or editing images/videos). I read the post on these forums about people getting higher than needed PSU's, it made me chuckle. 600W is entirely way more than I need, I'm sure (especially with this CPU).

 

[dma0991]

I wouldn't get that Gigabyte if you intend to get a single GPU only. The Asus P8P67 Pro and the Gigabyte P67A UD4 both can handle CF/SLi and just an added cost to your rig. I would stick to the Gigabyte P67A UD3 that you mentioned earlier if you intend to save your money for other important part.

600W for your rig is pretty good already if you are pairing it up with the HD6950. Having more a little bit power won't hurt the PSU but having less is not a good thing as you don't want to stress the PSU at 100% load during heavy use.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-064-_-Product
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-019-_-Product

 

[mfenn]

I personally have never had any issues with ASUS boards, this one would be my fifth. But after reading several posts on this forum, people tend to be favouring Gigabyte. Especially after their performance with the recall. I too dislike purchasing "bargain mobos". I have read through this comparison. Perhaps I should forgo my original ASUS and my other Gigabyte and go for this Gigabyte instead.

This is where Boomer and I differ greatly. There is absolutely no difference in build quality between the high-end and low-end motherboards of a given manufacturer. The things are build on the same assembly line, the only difference is the component choice. By buying a fancy motherboard with features that you'll never use, the only thing that you're accomplishing is creating a hole in your wallet. I recommend getting the i5 2500K + GA-P67A-UD3 combo. The K ends up being cheaper than the non-K with the combo discount.

The PSU is about 1.5 years old, excellent condition. I do not need to use it again, I'm always up for suggestions of replacement. There are other machines that could use this PSU until it dies. Also yes, these days I don't really feel it's necessary to get dual graphics cards (unless you are heavily rendering or editing images/videos). I read the post on these forums about people getting higher than needed PSU's, it made me chuckle. 600W is entirely way more than I need, I'm sure (especially with this CPU).

The OCZ isn't the greatest quality, but it's not worth replacing IMHO. As you say, the power output will be more than sufficient.

* CPU
* Mobo
* SSD
* HHD?
* RAM
* case
* video card
* PSU

Now, for a critique of your individual parts:
- CPU & mobo: Get the i5 2500K + GA-P67A-UD3 combo for reasons stated above
- SSD: Sandforce is a good controller, but I would avoid OCZ because of their firmware issues. Check out the Corsair Force 60 instead. Same controller, cheaper, and better firmware
- HDD: 60GB is a bit small to be the only drive in the system. I'd pick up a Samsung F3 1TB to go with it.
- RAM: Way too expensive for 8GB of DDR3. Grab this DDR3 1333 instead. It's cheaper, has no heatspreaders to get in the way, and you won't be able to tell a performance difference outside of memory benchmarks
- Case: Good
- GPU: That's a bit pricy for a 6870, in fact it's almost in 6950 territory. In reality though, even a 6870 is going to be more than sufficient for 1366x768 or 1680x1050

 

[Venom20]

I think I will pick up that Corsair CX600 PSU, a local computer shop has it on sale until the 23rd for 59.99. My brother needs a new PSU, so I can always give him this OCZ.

I've been hearing alot of negative things about OCZ products lately. Perhaps I will look into the Corsair SSD's. I'm still wondering if a 50 or 60 GB drive would be enough for win7 and games/applications. I would like to pair it with a storage drive as well, would the WD green drive be an ok one to pair it with for storage and whatnot?

In regards to the RAM I had selected. I agree that newegg's cost is too high. A different local computer shop currently has the RAM I linked to on sale until April 30 for 87.99 (much better than newegg's 115)

As many people have suggested, I think I will pick up that XFX 6950 for that price, it's a good deal.

 

[mfenn]

I think I will pick up that Corsair CX600 PSU, a local computer shop has it on sale until the 23rd for 59.99. My brother needs a new PSU, so I can always give him this OCZ.

I've been hearing alot of negative things about OCZ products lately. Perhaps I will look into the Corsair SSD's. I'm still wondering if a 50 or 60 GB drive would be enough for win7 and games/applications. I would like to pair it with a storage drive as well, would the WD green drive be an ok one to pair it with for storage and whatnot?

In regards to the RAM I had selected. I agree that newegg's cost is too high. A different local computer shop currently has the RAM I linked to on sale until April 30 for 87.99 (much better than newegg's 115)

As many people have suggested, I think I will pick up that XFX 6950 for that price, it's a good deal.

Corsair Force SSDs are good stuff, though I wouldn't expect to store too many games on a 60GB one. For that reason, I would suggest going with a fast 1TB drive like the Samsung F3 instead of the WD Green. The F3 will give good performance for any games that are installed on it, whereas the Green probably will not.