Input on midrange build

[skewer]

Below are the parts listed that I'm about to purchase from Newegg. I already ordered a 650W Rosewill power supply (Item N82E16817182101) and an evga P55 motherboard (Item N82E16813188055). Yes I know the mobo does not have usb3 or sata 6gb/s, but it's already shipped so a bit late for that (total for the two was 205, and there is a rebate possible on the mobo)

Here is the rest:

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$19.99


Rosewill ARMOR Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,Full mesh design front bezel, comes with Six Fans
Item #: N82E16811147047
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$99.99


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
Item #: N82E16820231311
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
=
$149.99


MSI N470GTX-M2D12-B GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814127501
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760
Item #: N82E16819115067
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$30.00 Instant
-$24.99 Combo
=
$483.99

The grand total of everything included the previously ordered mobo and psu is about $955.

I chose the i5-760 as it is supposedly one of the best price/performance cpus available currently, and the 470GTX as it is supposed to offer "exceptional" performance at 1920x1080. Speaking of, I wouldn't mind suggestions for a nice led or lcd in the 23-27" range, there are a LOT of options in the 180-300 range for those. Also, opinions on whether the stock cooler is worth it, or if I need something aftermarket. What do you think of the case?

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Davidh373]

I would cancel your order on both... they are both low quality...


The rest is ok.

24" monitor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236102

 

[muskie32]

Seems fine...
I dont see a Hard Drive?
And maybe a SSD?

 

[mfenn]

Yeah, I wouldn't have gotten the EVGA mobo, they are a pain in the butt to deal with. I usually don't recommend Rosewill, but according to the folks on the jonnyguru forums, the Libertas is surprisingly decent.

The rest of your parts looks fine. What were you planning to use for an HDD?

 

[skewer]

Is the EVGA motherboard really that bad? I'm most likely not going to be doing any overclocking. To get a full refund on my Newegg order, I have to return it unopened, and I'm guessing shipping on a power supply and motherboard to send back is not cheap.

As for hard drives, I totally forgot to mention I have 2 unopened 750GB seagate sata drives I was planning on running in Raid 0. I've pondered the SSD thing but this build is already running me more than I planned, and from what I've read SSDs are sweet but not really worth the extra cost.

When it comes to the monitor .. no reviews at all. It SOUNDS great but do you have any experience with it?

If the motherboard is really that bad, what would you recommend as a replacement. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-412-_-Product ??

 

[mfenn]

The mobo is not "that bad," but would not have been my first (or second) choice. EVGA boards are a pain because they don't have the experience that a vendor like Gigabyte, ASUS, or MSI has. They are a reference GPU relabeler who is still trying to figure out this whole motherboard thing. The GA-P55A-UD3 is a solid board if you want to go with that. Return shipping can be just standard UPS ground, so it shouldn't cost you more than $7-9.

Regarding the HDDs, I would NOT RAID0 a couple of 750GB 7200.11 or 7200.12 drives. They're probably going to crap out on you anyway, so doubling the likelihood of a failure sounds like a bad idea to me. I would probably RAID1 them instead.

As for the monitor, one TN panel is going to be pretty much the same as any other. The price is right on that ASUS.

 

[Davidh373]

If you cancel the order before it shows up you can skip the shipping back.

Built in RAID on an EVGA board sucks. Believe me. Both my HDDs are technically "In a RAID" according to BIOS, but not in a RAID in my OS. Magical, man...

Anyhoo, you best hope those unopened seagates aren't anything modern, or one of them is probably bad already, likely followed by the other in 3-6 months.


I have no experience with it but everyone loves the others ASUS has put out. This one was $10 less expensive than their other 24" 1080p.

 

[skewer]

I actually talked to someone at Newegg about cancelling the order, they said I could refuse the shipping (which sadly I won't be home to do) or contact them about an RMA and then ship it back unopened for a refund.

If I ship back the full order, I'm going to need to order both a motherboard and power supply. What are your thoughts on that Rosewill power supply? Someone said they'd read it wasn't really a problem. I ask mainly because they currently have a combo deal on that PSU with the case I was looking at getting, which would save me $40. I like the modular bit on the power supply as I won't have a bunch of excess cables I don't need that I have to shove out of the way somewhere. If you do recommend a different power supply (is 650 good enough for an i5, 470gtx, and multiple hard drives?) what would it be?

Also for the setup do you think the 470gtx is necessary or should I save myself $70 or so by going with a 460 or 465?

I'm disappointed to hear about the raid situation and the hard drives. I believe they are refurb 7200.11 drives, so double oops on that situation I guess. Maybe I should pick up a spinpoint F3 and keep everything backed up until they die?

Anyway, sorry to be a pain, but thanks everyone for all the great advice and info, keep it comin

Edit: Almost forgot to add, anyone have input on the stock cpu heatsink/fan vs a retail one?

 

[Davidh373]

According to mfenn your PSU is ok. After all the trouble I've been through with my EVGA board is making me think I'm not buying another though. Don't go with a 465, either go with a 460, 5850, or 470. What resolution do you game at? If it's above 720p, go with a 470 or 5850, if it's not go with a 460 1GB.

 

[fffblackmage]

As for hard drives, I totally forgot to mention I have 2 unopened 750GB seagate sata drives I was planning on running in Raid 0. I've pondered the SSD thing but this build is already running me more than I planned, and from what I've read SSDs are sweet but not really worth the extra cost.

Are you kidding? I couldn't be happier with my 60GB Agility SSD. It's the most expensive drive I've ever bought, but it was well worth it. Heck, it made such a difference that I had to get a second one.

anyone have input on the stock cpu heatsink/fan vs a retail one?

Depends. If you want to overclock, then an aftermarket HS/F would be highly recommended. If you don't have plans to OC, then the stock HS/F is sufficient.

 

[mfenn]

As long as the PSU and mobo aren't in a combo, you can just send back the mobo. The PSU is probably fine. If you don't want to spend any more money on HDDs, put them in RAID1. Just be prepared to grab a new drive when one fails.

As for a new mobo, I would recommend the GA-P55-USB3 as a solid P55 board. It's only $104 after promo right now.

 

[Axon]

There tends to be a lot of freaking out over PSUs here. I've built a number of systems with "bad" manufacturer PSUs such as Rosewill and HTC, and I've never had an issue with them. The one PSU I have had crap out on me was from Antec. Go figure. PSUs tend to be all right if you don't push them to the edge, which you won't do with your system. (Except RAIDMAX PSUs. Kill it! Killt it!) If you had SLI I'd be concerned.

EVGA boards are overpriced and nice looking. That's about it. In the couple builds I've had with them, I've found them fine for overclocking, though doing so was more difficult than the superior ASUS, ASRock or Gigabyte boards. I never RAID so I can't speak to that.

The board isn't going to get up and punch you in the face, however. Up to you if its worth the hassle of returning, delaying your build, etc.