What do you guys think of this build I just bought?

[elconejito]

I think you are a little too worried about getting "the absolute best, unarguable, no debate, hands down, winner". As you can see from the discussion, there is no 100% correct choice. Every choice has it's pros and cons.

And just because it is more expensive does NOT mean it's better. Cost is based solely on what they think the market will pay, not it's actual worth.

There are some choices that are a guaranteed FAIL, and those have been pointed out (Apevia 900w). After that, there is really a whole ton of options where one is just as good as another.

For your optical drive, at newegg if you look at the images you will see which ones come with a disc so you can usually see which software program it comes with, like Nero. But that isn't even that crucial of a choice. Dealnews right now has a link to PC Microstore which is selling Nero 8 OEM version for $3 (free shipping) after the coupon code. Or there are always many good free choices out there as well.

 

[Sekkai]

Awesome, thanks!

What is your opinion on mobo? I see you have an UD3R model of Gigabyte -- what was the rationale there?

 

[Sekkai]

Eh upon further inspection I'll keep the UD4P... seems to be a solid model.

Might go back to the Corsair 850W. But that still leaves problems deciding video cards.

 

[Blain]

Order something already, this thread's getting too long.

 

[Sekkai]

I would but I have no idea what to order! I don't know the difference between motherboards other than the fact that one has more room for RAM than the other, and the video card issue is plaguing me.

 

[tvih]

As long as it can connect all your hardware, the motherboard you've selected is fine, pretty much. And it can from what I'm seeing, so I wouldn't worry about that. The only issue I really see is the GPU thing, but the options have already been pretty much laid out.

I'm in a bit of a similar situation myself in that I'm looking to buy a HD 4770, but the problem is that the new cards are indeed coming, and I don't know if there's going to be a better choice for me in those or not (my main concern is having decent performance with as low as possible power consumption). But at least my problem is with a low-price GPU and I can get by with the integrated graphics until then

For you, my recommendation would be the same as of many before me - a single HD 4890, since it can run any game very well for some time to come, and you can easily upgrade later and still save over the GTX295. Or you could wait to see what the new cards are going to be, but it could be a long wait to get one. It's all up to you in the end, and no one can make the decision for you.

 

[Sekkai]

Are there better mobos than the one I have selected?



I am really trying to future-proof many things. If I can last on an 850W Corsair for a while, I'm willing to get it. If I need more wattage, no problem. If I can use a mobo that'll allow me to eventually use 12 GB RAM or something, I'd rather get that one (would I even see gains of 12 GB over 6 GB? Do we even use 6 GB even under intense scenarios?).

I am tempted to just wait it out and partake in the DX11 cards... but I really want to make sure I get things that will churn through everything for a long while.

 

[Sekkai]

I've decided to wait for the 5870x2 card

I think the Antec case should be good, but I am reading some negative reviews about it too. Arrgh! Is there a more expensive case that virtually nobody complains about?


Are there any better mobos than this one right now?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128374

Or any that are significantly better coming out soon around the release of the 5870x2 card?

 

[Sekkai]

Anyone know?

 

[elconejito]

Originally posted by: Sekkai
What is your opinion on mobo? I see you have an UD3R model of Gigabyte -- what was the rationale there?

At the time I got it early this year, i7 platform (mobo/ram especially) was too expensive. The board i have is arguably the best overclocking board for S775. But it isn't relevant to your choices because you are on a different platform (i7).

Originally posted by: Sekkai
I am really trying to future-proof many things.

Don't try that. It's pure folly. New video cards are out every 6months, new CPUs every year. HDD get bigger and faster every year. You will pay through the nose to get the BEST right NOW, and in 6-12months there will be a system that will be 20% better at half the cost (OK, maybe I exaggerate a little)

Originally posted by: Sekkai
If I can last on an 850W Corsair for a while, I'm willing to get it.

A good power supply and a good case can last you several build cycles. The 850w corsair is very nice choice. There are others that are also good, but since you've chosen this one.... STICK WITH IT

Originally posted by: Sekkai
If I can use a mobo that'll allow me to eventually use 12 GB RAM or something, I'd rather get that one

As far as i know, all of the DDR3 i7 boards with 6 slots will support way over 12GB of RAM. Probably 24GB (6x 4GB) and higher.

Originally posted by: Sekkai
Arrgh! Is there a more expensive case that virtually nobody complains about?

No. Someone always complains about something. There is no 100% correct answer, find one that suits YOUR needs.

Originally posted by: Sekkai
Are there any better mobos than this one right now?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128374

Or any that are significantly better coming out soon around the release of the 5870x2 card?

Significantly better? No. Arguably better? Probably.

 

[jae]

OP, Calm down, take a breath, and digest the information being given to you. Go read the sticky on recommended parts, maybe youll understand that getting the most expensive/overkill stuff is not smart. And there is no such thing as futureproof.

 

[Sekkai]

1
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 LightScribe Support - OEM
$25.99

1
Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
$169.99

2
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
$189.98
($94.99 each)

1
ASUS VK246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
$219.99

1
EDIMAX EW-7728In 32bit PCI Wireless 802.11n Draft 2.0 PCI Card - Retail
$34.99

1
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
$139.99

2
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D - Retail
$359.98
($179.99 each)

1
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$259.99

1
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
$109.99

1
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
$279.99


Total (after combo deal/rebate/promo/shipping/etc): $1,766.71


I'm also getting the Prolimatech Megahelm from another site. I decided to look into the Full Tower case because I heard the Corsair 850 had a ton of cables that made management in mid-tower cases a chore.


Still needing:
Video card (I know I want the 5870x2 when it comes out, but for the time being...? Maybe a GTX 285?)

Issues:
Apparently putting your OS on a 1 TB drive is a bad idea?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Sekkai

Still needing:
Video card (I know I want the 5870x2 when it comes out, but for the time being...? Maybe a GTX 285?)

Issues:
Apparently putting your OS on a 1 TB drive is a bad idea?

* Your 24" monitor won't need a crazy powerful video card. Get a 4870 X2 and you'll be fine.
The thing is your 24" monitor tops out at 1920 x 1080, which is no problem for the 4870 X2.
IF you had gone with the 30" monitor I had suggested earlier, then you could have something to worry about. But with the little 24" it's not really an issue.

* A 1TB drive is also fine for your OS. If you want to be fancy get an 80GB Intel X25-M for your OS and use a 1TB for storage.

 

[Sekkai]

But I mean, what good is a faster drive if it isn't holding much? How exactly does it work when I have, say, most of my games on another drive but the OS on a faster main?

BTW is this the 4870x2? Apparently it runs quite hot

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102768

I am just curious if, by the time the system arrives and I get everything up and running, the 5870x2 will possibly be out, and I'd want that one instead. Aarghh, haha.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Sekkai

I am just curious if, by the time the system arrives and I get everything up and running, the 5870x2 will possibly be out, and I'd want that one instead. Aarghh, haha.

But you're only running a 1920 x 1080 24" monitor...
What good does the 5870x2 do you?

 

[Sekkai]

I guess I am a bit confused. The 5870x2 is a DX11 card, yes? How would a DX10 card (4870x2) compare when DX11 games start pumping through?

How does a 4870x2 compare to, say, a GTX 285/295? It seems reasonably priced, to boot, but very hot.

 

[Blain]

Put this thread on hold for one month.

 

[Sekkai]

Part of me is tempted to get a 80 GB SSD and then two 1 TB drives >.> <.<

What is your opinion of http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150349 which is the 4870x2 XFX brand versus the one I posted earlier, the Sapphire? I recall others saying XFX was good but I am not sure why.

And yes, a 30 inch monitor would be awesome, but it's so expensive and I'm not sure I need something so large. 24" is larger than anything I've ever used, and I figure playing high-res games on such a monitor would be sufficient.




Also I noticed:
http://ati.amd.com/products/ce...wersupplies.html#pstop
For the 4870x2, it doesn't seem to have the Corsair 850W that I was looking at (it has the more expensive 1000W and the 750W but not the 850W)... I am wondering if the 850W would still work or if I should just go for the Corsair 750W (assuming it would be enough for everything else!)

 

[tvih]

At this point the best advice is to go ahead buy SOMETHING and start enjoying the computer in its intended use instead of overanalyzing (I know I'm very prone to overanalyzing myself), otherwise you'll never get it done and no one can indeed make your decisions for you The specifics don't really matter that much, achieving a good end result does, and you've already been told what will give good results.

 

[AirCooledMustang]

what are you going to be doing playing crysis 24/7?

because 30-40 FPS is what the human eye can detect. 50-70 FPS is not needed you wont be able to tell the differnce, just make sure you get a set-up that wont drop you below 30. GTX 285.

Do you build around your Mobo, CPU, abd GFX card, PSU.

Memory, HDD, Case's, ect are the simply stuff or the build.

 

[Sekkai]

Yes, I am trying to build around my Mobo, CPU, and gfx for the most part. I am pretty sure I am finalized on everything except the GFX card and the PSU (and possibly the HDD's... possibly 1 SSD and two 1 TB drives? Still unsure about the speed relations when the OS is on a faster drive but the games are on another).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139011 looks like a really nice PSU but I don't know necessarily if any GFX card I choose will be compatible with it, or if I actually need more than 850W.

I plan to play at 1900 x whatever resolution that's usually standard for 24". I know the GTX 295 is likely too expensive and will shortly become outdated, and so I am looking into either the GTX 285 to tide me over, or the 4870x2... but I also worry about the scaling issues in the latter. I actually do enjoy Crysis but I hear the 4870x2 has a tiny bit of trouble handling it at max settings.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Sekkai
I actually do enjoy Crysis but I hear the 4870x2 has a tiny bit of trouble handling it at max settings.

Where did you get that information?
Got any links?

 

[AirCooledMustang]

Originally posted by: Sekkai
Yes, I am trying to build around my Mobo, CPU, and gfx for the most part. I am pretty sure I am finalized on everything except the GFX card and the PSU (and possibly the HDD's... possibly 1 SSD and two 1 TB drives? Still unsure about the speed relations when the OS is on a faster drive but the games are on another).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139011 looks like a really nice PSU but I don't know necessarily if any GFX card I choose will be compatible with it, or if I actually need more than 850W.

I plan to play at 1900 x whatever resolution that's usually standard for 24". I know the GTX 295 is likely too expensive and will shortly become outdated, and so I am looking into either the GTX 285 to tide me over, or the 4870x2... but I also worry about the scaling issues in the latter. I actually do enjoy Crysis but I hear the 4870x2 has a tiny bit of trouble handling it at max settings.

I would stick with a corsair PSU.
trust me, it better having a more expensive Brand Name PSU because it will last you for a long time, and you wont have to spend more money if you bought a crappy psu that just died (making you spend more money)

I would go with a 285. and if you have good cooling OC a little.

 

[Sekkai]

I just checked out http://www.google.com/#hl=en&s...g3&fp=35e5f905b5e4329b and looked at a few of the comments other people have left, also with http://www.google.com/#hl=en&s...i=&fp=35e5f905b5e4329b

AirCooled: Oh, Corsair no question -- I am just wondering which model I need (850W, 850W silver, 1000W, etc).

 

[AirCooledMustang]

Originally posted by: Sekkai
I just checked out http://www.google.com/#hl=en&s...g3&fp=35e5f905b5e4329b and looked at a few of the comments other people have left, also with http://www.google.com/#hl=en&s...i=&fp=35e5f905b5e4329b

AirCooled: Oh, Corsair no question -- I am just wondering which model I need (850W, 850W silver, 1000W, etc).

what GTX 285 where you looking at?

EVGA?
SPARKLE?
BFG?
MSI?
GIGABYTE?
ZOTAC?