New computer for gaming/general use

[gar89]

Hi I've been putting together a computer for general use, gaming and photoshop. I was going to make an I7 but I don't think what I'd be doing on the computer would justify the price. I'm trying to keep it under 800 dollars, let me know what you think and what you'd recommend to change.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103471

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128387

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231166

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136319

Case and Power Supply: COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case COOLER MASTER RS-600-AMBA-D3 600W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.201730

Video Card: XFX GX260NADFF GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150329


Someone also suggested that I change the motherboard to GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard , http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128392 and the RAM to OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227297

Is this enough to play recent and new video games with good graphics? I want to make sure I get good performance out of games. If you see anything you think I should change let me know, this will be my first time building a computer and I can't wait. Thanks!

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: gar89
Hi I've been putting together a computer for general use, gaming and photoshop. I was going to make an I7 but I don't think what I'd be doing on the computer would justify the price. I'm trying to keep it under 800 dollars, let me know what you think and what you'd recommend to change.

Is this enough to play recent and new video games with good graphics? I want to make sure I get good performance out of games.

If you see anything you think I should change let me know, this will be my first time building a computer and I can't wait.

Buy a Dell and add a video card from Newegg.

 

[Lunyone]

Well the GTX 260 216 core should do fine for most any resolution. If you get up in the 30" range (25x16) you might want a different GPU. If you let us know your monitor resolution, it'll help us make sure your covered.

The Cooler Master case is a good selection, but I'm not sure if the PSU is a good one (Found a review here). It looks like it might be alright, but I don't usually recommend CM PSU's. For the price of the PSU alone, I'd probably recommend the Antec Earthwatts 500w or Corsair 550vx/650tx or Seasonic 600w or PCP&C 610w PSU. They will easily handle the GTX 260 and leave plenty of room for upgrades.

You could also go with the PhII x2 550 Black Edition for $102
or
PhII x3 720 Black Edition for $139

Both of those CPU's will easily OC by just adjusting the multiplier in the BIOS, so you don't even have to adjust any voltages!!! Now you might need to bump up the CPU voltage if you start to push the limits of the CPU, but that is up to you. I believe the x3 720 is the best buy, but I'm pretty sure the x4 that you selected might fair a bit better on the photoshop stuff. As far as games go, the x2 or x3 will do just fine and might even perform a bit better, due to the higher CPU speeds.

 

[gar89]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: gar89
Hi I've been putting together a computer for general use, gaming and photoshop. I was going to make an I7 but I don't think what I'd be doing on the computer would justify the price. I'm trying to keep it under 800 dollars, let me know what you think and what you'd recommend to change.

Is this enough to play recent and new video games with good graphics? I want to make sure I get good performance out of games.

If you see anything you think I should change let me know, this will be my first time building a computer and I can't wait.

Buy a Dell and add a video card from Newegg.

Why?

Originally posted by: Lunyone
Well the GTX 260 216 core should do fine for most any resolution. If you get up in the 30" range (25x16) you might want a different GPU. If you let us know your monitor resolution, it'll help us make sure your covered.

The Cooler Master case is a good selection, but I'm not sure if the PSU is a good one (Found a review here). It looks like it might be alright, but I don't usually recommend CM PSU's. For the price of the PSU alone, I'd probably recommend the Antec Earthwatts 500w or Corsair 550vx/650tx or Seasonic 600w or PCP&C 610w PSU. They will easily handle the GTX 260 and leave plenty of room for upgrades.

You could also go with the PhII x2 550 Black Edition for $102
or
PhII x3 720 Black Edition for $139

Both of those CPU's will easily OC by just adjusting the multiplier in the BIOS, so you don't even have to adjust any voltages!!! Now you might need to bump up the CPU voltage if you start to push the limits of the CPU, but that is up to you. I believe the x3 720 is the best buy, but I'm pretty sure the x4 that you selected might fair a bit better on the photoshop stuff. As far as games go, the x2 or x3 will do just fine and might even perform a bit better, due to the higher CPU speeds.

Thanks for the help, my monitor is 19" so I think I'm covered for resolution. I'm thinking about going with the Antec 300 with the Earthwatts 500w like you suggested, here is a link. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.196656

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: gar89

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: gar89
Hi I've been putting together a computer for general use, gaming and photoshop. I was going to make an I7 but I don't think what I'd be doing on the computer would justify the price.
I'm trying to keep it under 800 dollars, let me know what you think and what you'd recommend to change.

I want to make sure I get good performance out of games.

If you see anything you think I should change let me know, this will be my first time building a computer and I can't wait.

Buy a Dell and add a video card from Newegg.

Why?

Because Dell video card upgrades are too expensive.

 

[gar89]

I mean why get a Dell though? I'd rather build my own for fun and so I could build another in a couple of years.

 

[Eureka]

Originally posted by: gar89
I mean why get a Dell though? I'd rather build my own for fun and so I could build another in a couple of years.

You can usually get a pre-assembled Dell for a pretty good deal, and even more so through the outlet.

Of course you don't get to pick out your own parts, and you don't get the joy of building it yourself. Depends on what's more important to you.

 

[gar89]

Are the parts I picked out not worth it compared to a Dell or something? Unless I get a much better deal with dell I don't see why I shouldn't build it myself.

 

[Eureka]

Originally posted by: gar89
Are the parts I picked out not worth it compared to a Dell or something? Unless I get a much better deal with dell I don't see why I shouldn't build it myself.

There's no reason not to build it yourself. Check on Dell's prices though, they do have some cheap i7 rigs. See if the difference is worth it to you.

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: Eureka

Originally posted by: gar89
Are the parts I picked out not worth it compared to a Dell or something? Unless I get a much better deal with dell I don't see why I shouldn't build it myself.

There's no reason not to build it yourself. Check on Dell's prices though, they do have some cheap i7 rigs. See if the difference is worth it to you.

Only a couple of Negative things I have with pre-builts:
* No BIOS controls!!
* BLOATWARE!! enough said there!
* Somethings can have proprietary connections or configurations, not that you would get that, but in the past that used to be the norm, so I don't even consider them.
* You don't learn how to put a system together and the experience of doing it. This will allow you knowledge on troubleshooting future issues too.
* You don't always know what parts that you get. Is the RAM Corsair, Patriot, etc.? Is the mobo micro/mini/full ATX sizes??

Pluses on pre-builts:
* Usually cheaper than you can build, becasue they don't pay the $100 price for the OS that they install!
* You don't do any work for it.
* You have support for 1 yr. or more, depending on if you buy the extended warranty.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: gar89
Are the parts I picked out not worth it compared to a Dell or something?
Unless I get a much better deal with dell I don't see why I shouldn't build it myself.

With all due respect, that would be hard for you to judge seeing as...

Originally posted by: gar89
this will be my first time building a computer

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just give you solid advice. Which is what I assumed you were looking for by posting this thread.

Originally posted by: gar89
let me know what you think and what you'd recommend to change.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Go for a Phenom 720BE and an AM3 mobo - if you choose a motherboard with dual PCIe x16 slots snag an HD4870 to keep the option of a future CrossFire open.

If your gaming resolution is 16x10 ^ go for the 1Gb video card.

edit: The Antec 650w is $80 - it should be good for a future Crossfire.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: gar89

Originally posted by: Lunyone
Well the GTX 260 216 core should do fine for most any resolution. If you get up in the 30" range (25x16) you might want a different GPU. If you let us know your monitor resolution, it'll help us make sure your covered.

Thanks for the help, my monitor is 19" so I think I'm covered for resolution.

I think Lunyone was talking about resolution (pixels), not screen size. 19" could be 1440x900 or 1280x1024 (desktop LCD native), 1600x1200 (CRT) or some other combination. The total number of pixels to be handled is a major factor in graphics card recommendation of choice.

Fortunately your choice of GTX260(216) should be more than enough for the above three resolutions.

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: betasub

Originally posted by: gar89

Originally posted by: Lunyone
Well the GTX 260 216 core should do fine for most any resolution. If you get up in the 30" range (25x16) you might want a different GPU. If you let us know your monitor resolution, it'll help us make sure your covered.

Thanks for the help, my monitor is 19" so I think I'm covered for resolution.

I think Lunyone was talking about resolution (pixels), not screen size. 19" could be 1440x900 or 1280x1024 (desktop LCD native), 1600x1200 (CRT) or some other combination. The total number of pixels to be handled is a major factor in graphics card recommendation of choice.

Fortunately your choice of GTX260(216) should be more than enough for the above three resolutions.

Yes I was referring to resolution. I lumped in the 30" LCD size, because most people can relate to that. I wasn't trying to make things confusing in any manner. I probably should've been a bit more informative. Any resolution at or under 1600 x 1200 should do fine with the GTX 260, unless you get heavy in AA and want all of the eye candy on too. Generally the GTX 260 will do fine, just depends on what games you play and what expectations that you have.

 

[gar89]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: gar89
Are the parts I picked out not worth it compared to a Dell or something?
Unless I get a much better deal with dell I don't see why I shouldn't build it myself.

With all due respect, that would be hard for you to judge seeing as...

Originally posted by: gar89
this will be my first time building a computer

I'm not trying to rain on your parade, just give you solid advice. Which is what I assumed you were looking for by posting this thread.

Originally posted by: gar89
let me know what you think and what you'd recommend to change.

Sorry I should of been more clear, I'd just rather build my own computer for fun because it's been something I've wanted to do and it will be my first time but I will be using guides on the internet and there is a first time for everything.

Also is it worth it buying a DDR3 board if I'm not going with a Core I7? I don't know if there is a huge difference between DDR 2 and DDR 3 for a Phenom II X4, thanks for the help guys I appreciate it.

 

[Lunyone]

If IIRC there really isn't much difference with DDR2/DDR3 RAM, so I wouldn't let that sway your decision, unless you might want to add more RAM later. I would recommend a DDR3 mobo for the newest PhII CPU's. There isn't too much price difference between DDR2 and DDR3 now (~$20-30 generally). It's up to you, but your the one buying the parts and making the final decision on what you want to buy.

 

[StinkyPinky]

imo, you should always built your system yourself unless you know you lack the skill. The last pre-built system I had was a Pentium 2. You just have far more control doing your own build, and anyone with experience can build their own pc in less than an hour and then create their own image rather than use some bloated image done by Dell etc.

 

[heyheybooboo]

I think an AM3 motherboard will just give you a better upgrade path. The are some great AM2+ motherboards that are great with AM3 microprocessors but yah have to wonder how much longer AM3 procs will have both DDR2 & DDR3 IMCs.

Hats off to AMD for pulling it off --- but it ain't gonna last forevah

 

[jae]

Well, I personally, would get DDR3 now.