• Another $1000 Build
    23 replies, posted
So I'm looking to buy the parts for and build a new PC some time in the next 2 months. So far, I have this: [quote]hard Drive 1: [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227738&amp;Tpk=OCZ[/URL] Vertex Plus OCZSSD2-1VTXPL60G 2.5" 60GB SATA I OCZ Vertex Plus OCZSSD2-1VTXPL60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $74.99, $64.99 w/ mail-in rebate Hard Drive 2: [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185[/URL] SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $139.99 CPU:[URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851[/URL] AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Thuban 2.8GHz 6 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT55TFBGRBOX $149.99 Motherboard:[URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130590[/URL] MSI 870S-G46 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard $69.99, $59.99 w/ mail-in rebate Graphics Card: [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161384[/URL] HIS H685FN1GD Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity $149.99 Memory: [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311[/URL] G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL $46.99 Power Supply:[URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017[/URL] OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Modular High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandybridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom $74.99, $49.99 with rebate ending on the 6th Case:[URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153[/URL] Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan $49.99[/quote] AFAIK these should all work together, but I'm way under budget, and I'd like to be able to eek out as much performance for my dollars as possible. In addition, I'd prefer a mobo that is abit futureproof, if those exist and arn't super expensive. Also, I know literally nothing about cases. All i've done is replace every part in a prebuilt that i got many years ago, so I've never worked in a case I chose, So i'm not exactly sure how to choose. Also, I'm the type of guy who like to attempt to lightly overclock his stuff, but that's just because it makes it more economical per performance unit. Heh.So yeah, I'm looking for suggestions for improvement, things that I'm missing, etc. I don't need a monitor (in fact, I use 2), speakers, keyboard, or mouse. An optical drive can be left out, too. I JUST replaced the one in this computer last month, so I'll just take that one. Generally, I'm looking for something that I won't need to replace a part in for 2-6 years, or only upgrade 1 or 2 parts in that time, and still maintain a relative "good" performance. Also looking to install the OS on a SSD, I hear that is pretty cool nowadays.<br> And just as a refernce for what I'm upgrading from, my current PC uses DDR2 RAM, a Phenom X3 processor (yes, just X3, no II, 1st gen.), and uses a Radeon 4650 HD graphics card. So almost anything is an improvement.
For $1,000 you want a 2500k /w P67/Z68, the Vertex Plus's have a data corruption problem (or used to, they released a firmware a month back which fixed it but I still wouldn't recommend them), go for an M4 Crucal 64gb. Someone else can fill in the rest.
I'd rather spend that money for that one SSD on a better GPU, you can easily make a wonderful i5 2500k and 560ti build with that amount of money.
according to this website: [url]http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html[/url] the 560Ti is only marginally better than the radeon HD 6850, bust costs $100 dollars more... is there something I'm not seeing here? Also, the lack of an HDMI port on some of the cheaper 560 Ti's is kind of a dealbreaker. One of my monitors only supports HDMI (I like my 24 inch HD monitor)
That's a single benchmark. The actual in-game performance differences are fairly significant.
[QUOTE=Levybreak;33150216]according to this website: [url]http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html[/url] the 560Ti is only marginally better than the radeon HD 6850, bust costs $100 dollars more... is there something I'm not seeing here? Also, the lack of an HDMI port on some of the cheaper 560 Ti's is kind of a dealbreaker. One of my monitors only supports HDMI (I like my 24 inch HD monitor)[/QUOTE] [img]http://puu.sh/8daM[/img] [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127594[/url] The 560ti is significantly faster, don't judge from one single benchmark, most other benchmarks show a +25% fps increase in comparison to the 6850. The twinfrozr II has a HDMI port, I've used that exact card myself. It has a miniHDMI, but it comes with a converter. Even the cheapest 560ti has a miniHDMI port. As for the whole build, well having the SSD leaves not a lot of room for a nice case, so its your choice. [img]http://puu.sh/8ddY[/img] You can of course only get 4gB of RAM and if you for some stupid reason insist on getting a 6850 drop the 560ti. Do whatever you like, but I wouldn't suggest either. Nor am i entierly sure about the quality of the psu you picked.
[QUOTE=Levybreak;33150216]according to this website: [url]http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html[/url] the 560Ti is only marginally better than the radeon HD 6850, bust costs $100 dollars more... is there something I'm not seeing here? Also, the lack of an HDMI port on some of the cheaper 560 Ti's is kind of a dealbreaker. One of my monitors only supports HDMI (I like my 24 inch HD monitor)[/QUOTE] You picked an obscure website using a single synthetic benchmark. That's a horrible way to see which card is superior. The GTX 560 Ti is best compared to the 1GB 6950. Also like naos says, all GTX 560 Ti's have at least a mini HDMI port with an adapter.
[QUOTE=naos;33150908] Nor am i entierly sure about the quality of the psu you picked.[/QUOTE] I only chose that one because it fit the bill and was pretty cheap w/ the mail-in rebate, but that ends tomorrow, so need to concern myself with that part of it, so I should probably find a more suitable one.
Well either drop down to a 6850 and loose a load of preformance, or just skip the SSD for now and buy it later, and get like a modular corsair or seasonic PSU.
[QUOTE=naos;33151470]Well either drop down to a 6850 and loose a load of preformance, or just skip the SSD for now and buy it later, and get like a modular corsair or seasonic PSU.[/QUOTE] Would a modular power supply be preferable? Also, I see that the 560 Ti requires 2 6x rails for power, and the mobo requires a 4x pin for CPU power and a 24x pin for main power. The newegg wattage calculator estimated required wattage at 495 watts, so does that mean I should only get a 500 or 550 watt supply, or should I go much farther up into the 600-700 range? (There's only 2 modular PSUs in both the 500-600W ange and the 600W-700W range, and the two of them that look like being worth considering are this: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189006[/url] and this: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189008[/url] If the smaller one is acceptable I could keep the SSD, and this would make me happy. It's only 50W less than the original one i suggested, and is actually $10 cheaper since that one doesn't have a rebate anymore) And if the power supply does end up being more expensive I probably would drop the SSD, but I'd really prefer to have it. Also, side note: Would the stock fan for the CPU and the case fans actually be enough to cool this computer to an adequate temperature under load? Edit again: Okay, so far I have this: [img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/99862/currentbuild.png[/img] AM I missing anything/is something horribly wrong?
So will this build run cool enough I don't need a non-stock fan on the CPU or what? And is 550W enough for the power supply?
It will run cool enough but for the extra $35 I would suggest getting a CM Hyper 212 EVO just cause it will run cooler than stock heatsink and its cheap and quieter.
Well, the solid state drive just went out of stock, so I guess I'll get the fan and the larger power supply, instead
Don't do that, get a different SSD like an agility 3 (maybe).
Alright, well now I have this: [img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/99862/buildmk2.png[/img] And I'm mighty close to my $1000 limit, keeping in mind there's still ~$20 shipping and 7% sales tax (I live in NJ so have to pay tax on newegg). (There's also a 10% off and free shipping code for the PSU now, that's why I changed it to that one.) So what do I cut/downgrade to get that SSD back into the build?
What do you even need an SSD for?
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065[/url] I wouldn't bother with the evo if it's >$5 difference [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020[/url] much better than the modxstream, for one it will actually output near 650w on 12V unlike the ocz which claims 552W [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311[/url] cheaper, no noticeable difference [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401[/url] cheaper 560ti you could use the savings to bump the mobo to [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271[/url]
[QUOTE=reapaninja;33194138][url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065[/url] I wouldn't bother with the evo if it's >$5 difference [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020[/url] much better than the modxstream, for one it will actually output near 650w on 12V unlike the ocz which claims 552W [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311[/url] cheaper, no noticeable difference [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401[/url] cheaper 560ti you could use the savings to bump the mobo to [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271[/url][/QUOTE] The evo is cooler than the regular 212+ because of the heatpipe technology, he really doesnt need it but I figured I'd suggest it, Also nice PSU, And maybe he wants to overclock so 1600 would be good but again he wont notice a difference, and I would just go ahead and get the MSI twin frozr since its a relatively cool card and they don't get hot very easily.
the difference between the + and evos heatpipes is the evo has them moved closer, I can't see this affecting temps that much and mostly just means you have to use a little less thermal paste than on other coolers with heatpipes directly touching the CPU heatspreader the couple degrees temp difference is more likely down to the better fan but its still not a big enough change to be worth more than $5 I have yet to see anything saying 1600mhz RAM will allow you to overclock more on SB and I've seen enough people hit the normal 4.5-4.8ish limit regardless of RAM 1333 to 1600 usually shows 1 FPS difference, if that, within margin of error so more likely to be doing nothing you'll only see a difference with AMDs APUs and synthetic benchmarks he wants to cut costs, easiest way there is to use a cheaper 560ti, get exactly the same card and only lose a better but not needed heatsink
[QUOTE=reapaninja;33194967]the difference between the + and evos heatpipes is the evo has them moved closer, I can't see this affecting temps that much and mostly just means you have to use a little less thermal paste than on other coolers with heatpipes directly touching the CPU heatspreader the couple degrees temp difference is more likely down to the better fan but its still not a big enough change to be worth more than $5 I have yet to see anything saying 1600mhz RAM will allow you to overclock more on SB and I've seen enough people hit the normal 4.5-4.8ish limit regardless of RAM 1333 to 1600 usually shows 1 FPS difference, if that, within margin of error so more likely to be doing nothing you'll only see a difference with AMDs APUs and synthetic benchmarks he wants to cut costs, easiest way there is to use a cheaper 560ti, get exactly the same card and only lose a better but not needed heatsink[/QUOTE] I agree with you I was just saying I would prefer cooler but this also isn't my build but you are right.
[QUOTE=Zerokateo;33194020]What do you even need an SSD for?[/QUOTE] Really fast boot times. That is about all. @reapninja: And if the OCZ PSU claims 552W on the 12V rail, isn't that more that more than enough for an entire system that should only require 495W? Also, the benefit of upgrading to that mobo is... getting PCIe 3.0? And the card I'm using is PCIe 2.0 anyways? It would seem that I'm skimping on cooling for your suggestions, to get a more feature-ful mobo and a slightly more powerful PSU?
Side note: Would this motherboard work?: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157270[/url] It's less expensive than the one I have listed, but the only downside (afaik) is that it can't SLI two graphics cards, which I'm not doing anyway, so... And perhaps this RAM: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-145-324&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo[/url] To save $5-$15, since it seems to be identical in all but brand.
Personally i wouldn't buy a motherboard with only two ram slots, 8 gigabytes is enough for most users as it is now, but who knows what will happen. And you can also drop down the ram to the gskill sticks to save further 7 dollars.
Done. I ordered/have everything. I ended up not getting a SSD. I bought a 1TB Seagate Barracuda from a local Best Buy for $75 w/ tax (last one in stock, too): [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697[/url] Everything else I bought from Newegg: Case: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233[/url] Mobo: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128523[/url] Graphics: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565[/url] PSU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171052[/url] CPU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072[/url] RAM: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233197[/url] Aftermarket Fan: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099[/url] OS: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986[/url] Total with shipping and tax: $948.46 +$75.00 for HDD $1023.46 -$55.00 from mail-in rebates $968.46 I think that seems pretty good, coming in under budget and all. Everything should work together well, and I believe I got a fairly good deal on some stuff. I upped the RAM amount (obviously) with the money I saved on the HDD, and improved the CPU fan. I combed the GFX card and CPU (for $18 savings) and the case and the PSU (for $15 savings). Technically, I still have $31 I could pimp this out with. :P
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