My Budget Gaming Build - Final Review

[mishimaBeef]

Sorry to make a new thread about it but I just wanted to focus the attention on this new build.

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1. What YOUR PC will be used for:
Gaming, general multitasking (internet browsing, playing music, downloading content, instant messaging, etc.)

2. What YOUR budget is.
Before taxes, to be $800-$900 CAD = $775-$875 US.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Canada (City of Toronto).

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
Just looking for quality.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Only have a mouse to use.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Oh yeah! I've been researching this stuff non-stop for about 2 weeks now.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
If I am 99.9 percent certain that nothing will go wrong then I would try it. Otherwise I will hold off until I get another computer as a backup (this is my first build).

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Plan to order as soon as possible, built and running smoothly before 3 weeks elapse.

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.
I would appreciate comments as long as they are rational.

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Hi, this is my first time building a computer and I am just about ready to order my parts unless some big concerns surface. Going with these local suppliers makes my shipping cost $0.

Here is my build.

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Supplier 1: www.canadacomputers.com

Asus VH242H 23.6" 1080p LCD - $180 AR
http://www.canadacomputers.com/produ...dq43tjh7pg9qa0

Antec 300 Case - $50 AR
http://www.canadacomputers.com/produ...dq43tjh7pg9qa0

2 x Cooler Master 120 mm LED fan - $20
http://www.canadacomputers.com/produ...dq43tjh7pg9qa0

Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 OEM - $10
http://www.canadacomputers.com/produ...dq43tjh7pg9qa0

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Supplier 2: www.ncix.com

Athlon II X4 635 2.9 GHz Processor - $105
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...D&promoid=1008

Asus Radeon HD EAS5770 1 Gb Video Card - $140 AR
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...S&promoid=1008

2 x 2 Gb G.Skill DDR3-1333 RAM - $98
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=30167&...acture=G.Skill

OCZ Z-Series 650W 80+ Silver Power Supply - $40 AR
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=45236&...y&promoid=1008

Asus M4A77TD Motherboard - $70 AR
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...S&promoid=1008

Seagate 500 Gb SATA Hard Drive - $40
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=36050&...e&promoid=1008

Samsung 22X SATA DVD Writer OEM - $23
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...g&promoid=1008

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit OEM - $106
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...t&promoid=1008

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Total: $882 CAD ($856 US)

Thanks guys.

P.S. Please let me know if you feel the CPU/Mobo/RAM are not compatible. I don't want to run into issues. I know the motherboard isn't the best one out there but I'm pretty happy with it's value.

P.S.S. I was just slightly concerned about the GPU. I was pretty happy with the price and the fact that its a Radeon HD 5770 but I have been checking out some of the reviews for it and am thinking perhaps I should go for a card that has had a better success rate. What do you guys think?

 

[mfenn]

I'm not the biggest fan of OCZ PSUs or Seagate HDDs, but those are some damn good prices. Everything else looks fine.

 

[mishimaBeef]

Yeah, heh if I could get those prices for WD and Corsair I would!
The WD HD are $10 more and the PS is just a raw good deal. What would you do?

So you think the Asus EAH5770 is okay? It's the only component of my build that has a sub 80% (4/5 + 5/5) rating on newegg.com reviews.
The OCZ power supply has very few reviews but they are all 5/5 on both newegg.com and ncix.com. I am really thinking about going with a different 5770 model even though my friend said they are overpriced for their performance @ around 160-180$.

 

[mishimaBeef]

By the way, there's a deal going on that I can get a BFG 550W power supply for $45 when I buy one of the featured video cards. Do you think I should take that and choose the $10 more expensive Western Digital HD?

I was just considered as usual about not having enough juice but I guess 550W enough too right?

 

[mfenn]

Yeah, heh if I could get those prices for WD and Corsair I would!
The WD HD are $10 more and the PS is just a raw good deal. What would you do?

So you think the Asus EAH5770 is okay? It's the only component of my build that has a sub 80% (4/5 + 5/5) rating on newegg.com reviews.
The OCZ power supply has very few reviews but they are all 5/5 on both newegg.com and ncix.com. I am really thinking about going with a different 5770 model even though my friend said they are overpriced for their performance @ around 160-180$.

Do not, under any circumstances pay more than $150 for a 5770. It's just not worth that much. The ASUS card will be fine. It has a 3 year warranty, so if it breaks, ASUS will take care of you.

By the way, there's a deal going on that I can get a BFG 550W power supply for $45 when I buy one of the featured video cards. Do you think I should take that and choose the $10 more expensive Western Digital HD?

I was just considered as usual about not having enough juice but I guess 550W enough too right?

Even 400W is plenty for a 5770 and 635.

 

[mishimaBeef]

Yeah, I guess you are right about the warranty although I have read some stuff about games crashing from this card. Do they warranty that as well? Or is that just an inconvenience you will have to live with for a card that works great most of the time?

About the power supply and hard drive then I think I will switch them if you think BFG 550W and Western Digital 500Gb would be better.

EDIT: Also that the card runs at high temperatures due to commonly defective heatsink/fan units.

 

[mishimaBeef]

However, the BFG 550W power supply in the deal has only a 1 year warranty.

I'm open to suggestion on the power supply.

EDIT: Also, the BFG 550W supply isn't 80+ certified (it seems this is a big deal even though I don't know the specific technical implication of this).

Here is the link: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=37325&vpn=BFGR550WGSPSU&manufacture=BFG%20Technologies

It's $45 as a combo with certain video cards.

 

[mishimaBeef]

I found an XFX 5750 for $145, the reviews are a lot better for it.

 

[mfenn]

I found an XFX 5750 for $145, the reviews are a lot better for it.

XFX is good too.

EDIT: Didn't see that it was a 5750. DON'T BUY! Get the 5770.

 

[mfenn]

However, the BFG 550W power supply in the deal has only a 1 year warranty.

I'm open to suggestion on the power supply.

EDIT: Also, the BFG 550W supply isn't 80+ certified (it seems this is a big deal even though I don't know the specific technical implication of this).

Here is the link: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=37325&vpn=BFGR550WGSPSU&manufacture=BFG%20Technologies

It's $45 as a combo with certain video cards.

80+ means that it gets over 80% efficiency above 20% load.

 

[Sp12]

I found an XFX 5750 for $145, the reviews are a lot better for it.

5750? or 5770? The 50 is probably worth around 120$.

 

[mishimaBeef]

Guys thanks so much for your help so much I promise this weekend I will put the order in and stop badgering you all with so many questions ().

Here are a few things I have been looking at since I posted last:

Sapphire 5770 V2 $166
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...E&promoid=1008

Been also looking at the western digital hard drives.
Can you guys recommend me one from this site?
http://www.canadacomputers.com/advan...=55a&filter_id=

Seems to have good prices but I don't know if Caviar Blue, Black or Green is right.

Also been looking at the Corsair 400W because there's a great deal going on but I am concerned about needing more power. How exactly do I calculate my power needs? I can see the CPU and GPU power requirements on the specs but what about all the other components of the system?

EDIT: I guess the BFG 550W is some no-name brand and avoid it?

 

[mfenn]

Guys thanks so much for your help so much I promise this weekend I will put the order in and stop badgering you all with so many questions ().

Here are a few things I have been looking at since I posted last:

Sapphire 5770 V2 $166
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...E&promoid=1008

Been also looking at the western digital hard drives.
Can you guys recommend me one from this site?
http://www.canadacomputers.com/advan...=55a&filter_id=

Seems to have good prices but I don't know if Caviar Blue, Black or Green is right.

Also been looking at the Corsair 400W because there's a great deal going on but I am concerned about needing more power. How exactly do I calculate my power needs? I can see the CPU and GPU power requirements on the specs but what about all the other components of the system?

EDIT: I guess the BFG 550W is some no-name brand and avoid it?

Not sure what's wrong with that ASUS 5770?

For a WD system drive, only get a Black.

You're freaking out about the PSU. 400W is fine. If you google around, you can find the TDP for everything out.

BFG is a reputable brand.

 

[mishimaBeef]

Well I was doing some digging on the ASUS and found a lot of horror stories about the card running hot and crashing games. Kind of disappointing, I dunno what do you think?

Okay I will check around the internet for the wattage required. Thing is there's a Corsair 400W for $30 or a Corsair 450W for $45 or an Antec Basiq 430W for $30 or a Cooler Master 460W for $40.

Then I am thinking for Western Digital Caviar Black 500 Gb for $60.

EDIT: But if I plan to overclock the CPU and GPU later, add another hard drive and install an aftermarket heatsink/cooler, do you happen to know how much more wattage that will require?

 

[mishimaBeef]

Yeah so far I'm having difficulty finding the power consumption for the RAM. Even the manufacturer website doesn't seem to list anything about it.

 

[mfenn]

Well I was doing some digging on the ASUS and found a lot of horror stories about the card running hot and crashing games. Kind of disappointing, I dunno what do you think?

Okay I will check around the internet for the wattage required. Thing is there's a Corsair 400W for $30 or a Corsair 450W for $45 or an Antec Basiq 430W for $30 or a Cooler Master 460W for $40.

Then I am thinking for Western Digital Caviar Black 500 Gb for $60.

EDIT: But if I plan to overclock the CPU and GPU later, add another hard drive and install an aftermarket heatsink/cooler, do you happen to know how much more wattage that will require?

I don't put much stock in Internet horror stories because you never know the full story. Did the person stick the card into a case with no fans? Did they let it become clogged with dust? You never know.

You will be fine with the 400W. You're looking at about ~200W for the CPU and GPU, which are the most power-hungry components by far. I'd be surprised if everything else added up to another 50W. That leaves plenty of headroom for overclocking.

The Black is a good drive. I would much rather have that than a Seagate.

Bottom line: you're overthinking this and freaking yourself out for no reason.

 

[mishimaBeef]

Okay cool man, so I will switch over to the caviar black and the Asus 5770 card.

About the power supply would you take advantage of the BFB 550W $45 combo with the video card or just snag a $30 Corsair CX400W? Or grab one of the other ones I listed?

 

[mfenn]

Okay cool man, so I will switch over to the caviar black and the Asus 5770 card.

About the power supply would you take advantage of the BFB 550W $45 combo with the video card or just snag a $30 Corsair CX400W? Or grab one of the other ones I listed?

It's all good.

Yeah, the combo is pretty good, so if you want to get that, go for it.

 

[llee]

Anyone thinking about buying a Seagate drive should read this THG article:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/hdd-reliability-storelab,2681.html

 

[mishimaBeef]

Thanks so much for all your help and sorry about how many questions I managed to generate. I'm gonna order the parts tomorrow morning. Cheers.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks so much for all your help and sorry about how many questions I managed to generate. I'm gonna order the parts tomorrow morning. Cheers.

:thumbsup: You will enjoy the rig!

 

[Blain]

However, the BFG 550W power supply in the deal has only a 1 year warranty.

I'm open to suggestion on the power supply.

EDIT: Also, the BFG 550W supply isn't 80+ certified (it seems this is a big deal even though I don't know the specific technical implication of this).

* Anyone considering any BFG component should think long and hard about their customer support.
* "Certification" is basically a marketing ploy (in a "green" wrapper), that power supply manufacturers pay for.
Certification isn't done by an independent testing lab, the PS makers pay to have their units tested.

My 2 cents

 

[mishimaBeef]

@Blain

Darn, well I already bought it so lets hope.

@mfenn

I built the rig yesterday and it is running great! I had a few issues with getting the cooler down and I had to reseat it twice, luckily I bought some MX-2 thermal paste. Then at one point I was picking the motherboard up by its heatsink and I heard a big snap as if the heatsink broke off a bit. Man I was so concerned that I dislodged the heatsink but everything seems to be working. Dunno... thanks for all your help.

Now to make the software run just as smooth for a long time

 

[mfenn]

:thumbsup: Glad you like it!

 

[mishimaBeef]

Recently noticed that when I was running a heavy graphics intensive mission of starcraft 2, I heard a medium speed ticking noise. I opened my case and put my ear next to the parts and it seems to be coming from the video card. Any ideas?