New parts for friend

[TheStu]

So, my buddy has finally decided to scrap his nearly 6 year old computer.
He might keep the 7800GTX (PCIe) that he has, as well as his hard drives. He also has 2 GB worth of DDR2 (2*512MB, 1*1GB)

He needs a new PSU, mobo, CPU, monitor, more RAM, and case, he has a license for Windows 7 and his budget is $700, with a 10% swing.

Here is what I have for him so far

CoolerMaster Elite 335 Case - $50
Hanns-G 1680*1050 Monitor - $170
Antec EarthWatts 650W PSU - $80 (This is actually for me, he will be getting my old 500W and I will give him the $40 difference)
AMD Athlon II X3 2.7GHz - $70
Crucial 2GB DDR2-667 - $45
Asrock MicroATX DDR2 Mobo - $70

Total ~$490

However, I was looking at a couple of enhancements to really push his dollar.

CoolerMaster Elite 335 Case - $50
Antec EarthWatts 650W PSU - $80
MAG 21.5" 1920*1080 LED Monitor - $170
Asrock ATX DDR3 Mobo - $60
XFX 4890 1GB GPU - $210
AData 4GB (2*2GB) DDR3-1333 - $95
AMD Athlon II X4 2.8GHz - $100

Total ~$770 (remember to knock $40 off that)

Any points you guys have? Would it be worth it to get the X3 and try to unlock it on the more expensive system? Better GPUs for 1920*1080 at that price range? DX11 would be nice for future-proofing, but my understanding is that the 5000 series cards in that price range under perform the 4000 series cards usually.

 

[MisterDonut]

5770 is similar to the 4890, with the 4890 coming out faster by a bit. Either card should handle games pretty well. The second build looks good, gets my +1. I'd probably drop the PSU down to a 500w though.

 

[TheStu]

5770 is similar to the 4890, with the 4890 coming out faster by a bit. Either card should handle games pretty well. The second build looks good, gets my +1. I'd probably drop the PSU down to a 500w though.

As I said, the PSU is actually for me, he is getting my OCZ 500W PSU. He is leaning toward the second build as well.

 

[MisterDonut]

Oh sorry, I skimmed the post really lightly. Yeah, just go for the second build. You can get a 5770 for cheaper. Otherwise, I'd shell out a little more for the 5850, but that's overkill at the resolution.

 

[TheStu]

Oh sorry, I skimmed the post really lightly. Yeah, just go for the second build. You can get a 5770 for cheaper. Otherwise, I'd shell out a little more for the 5850, but that's overkill at the resolution.

If it really was just a little more for the 5850, sure I would tell him to get that, but it is another $100 on top of an already stretched budget.

 

[batuchka]

Hmm i would actually advocate Option 1 with a DDR3 twist 😛 Reuse his 7800GTX and if he really needs to game await the impact of Fermi on HD5k prices? Could be at that LCD resolution HD 5750/5770 is about right down the road too ^^ $460 free ship

 

[TheStu]

Hmm i would actually advocate Option 1 with a DDR3 twist 😛 Reuse his 7800GTX and if he really needs to game await the impact of Fermi on HD5k prices? Could be at that LCD resolution HD 5750/5770 is about right down the road too ^^ $460 free ship

That is a pretty good setup, but as I said, he is leaning more toward option 2, he wants to be able to trounce my system, and option 2 will do that.

 

[MisterDonut]

Hmm i would actually advocate Option 1 with a DDR3 twist 😛 Reuse his 7800GTX and if he really needs to game await the impact of Fermi on HD5k prices? Could be at that LCD resolution HD 5750/5770 is about right down the road too ^^ $460 free ship

I doubt Fermi will impact 5xxx prices significantly. Nobody I know has plans to buy one, though the hype has been nonetheless exciting. If prices are gonna drop, it'll be new releases from ATI and not Nvidia.

I haven't checked 5850 prices recently as I already have mine, but when I was looking around, places had blowout sales for $260-270. I also saw some more for $280-290 which isn't shabby for a beast of a card. Unfortunately, they probably got backordered and won't happen again 🙁. I'd just go with the 5770. It'll have better support and save about $50 if you're tight on that budget. BTW, is he overclocking this?

 

[TheStu]

I doubt Fermi will impact 5xxx prices significantly. Nobody I know has plans to buy one, though the hype has been nonetheless exciting. If prices are gonna drop, it'll be new releases from ATI and not Nvidia.

I haven't checked 5850 prices recently as I already have mine, but when I was looking around, places had blowout sales for $260-270. I also saw some more for $280-290 which isn't shabby for a beast of a card. Unfortunately, they probably got backordered and won't happen again 🙁. I'd just go with the 5770. It'll have better support and save about $50 if you're tight on that budget. BTW, is he overclocking this?

I will probably give him a moderate OC, just as far as I am confortable pushing the stock cooling.