~$1000~ Budget Build - Critique Appreciated

[kjr]

Dudes/ladies:

I've been doing a lot of research in order to compile this build, and now I want to see what the Tom's community thinks about it. Basically, I'm wondering if there is anywhere I can shave off some money (either swap one part out for another that but still have the same level of performance), or if any of the parts I currently have might not have been a wise choice in the first place.

Here is my list of goals/needs for the build:

1. I do plan on overclocking.
2. I still need an OS, but I am currently a graduate student (thinking about hitting up a friend in the engineering dept. for Windows 7).
3. I do not currently need a monitor (using 40" Sony Bravia TV via HDMI).
4. HD size is not that important (I stream almost all anything I watch/listen too), but retrieval speed is.
5. My budget is around $1000, but anything lower than that with the same level of performance is gravy.

With that being said, here is the build:

1 COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $89.98

1 ASUS P7P55D-E LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $129.99

1 GIGABYTE Super Overclock Series GV-N470SO-13I GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - $349.99

1 CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - $89.99

1 Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760 - $199.99

1 Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339 - $89.99

1 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $64.99

1 Microsoft Black PS/2 Wired Standard Business Hardware Pack - $34.99

1 LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - $16.99

1 COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - $29.99

Subtotal: $1,096.89

Thanks for any help/comments/criticisms.

-KJR

 

[Mr Pizza]

Looks good to me, but i would change some things.

This graphics card would do fine, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121372&cm_re=gtx_470-_-14-121-372-_-Product
You do not need a "super overclock series"

Change out the memory to some g.skill eco
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321&cm_re=g.skill_eco-_-20-231-321-_-Product

Faster hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product

Consider the HAF 912. (just a suggestion)

 

[katiklysm]

Thumbs up on Pizza's suggestions for a faster HDD (have that Samsung, its a good one) and RAM.

Would suggest that if you're looking to buy now, you ought to go buy your i5 760 *right now*

Using Promo Code: EMCYTZT162 will get you the processor for $171, but only for another few hours...

Optionally, you could also consider one of the EVGA P55 SLI + i5 750/760 combos- ends up being a great price when you factor in EVGA $40 rebate, the combo savings, and a company known for great support.

I think you'll like the HAF line of cases. Also, if you're on a budget- you may consider a GTX 460 over a 470? Performance dip is not much at all and you get a cheaper, cooler, more efficient card. Just an option.

 

[kjr]

Thanks for the comments.

@Pizza: I read a very good review of that super overclocked card on the Tom's website, so I thought it seemed like a good deal. However, I do like the savings on that Asus card. Thanks.

@Kotik: Where is that promo code for Katik? Newegg? I can't seem to find the special on the website.

 

[brennon7]

Build this... It will out perform the GTX 470 by quite a bit..

basically its GTX 460s sli

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=14406132

 

[Mr Pizza]

But with GTX 470 in SLI it will kick the gtx 460 sli's ***

Stay with the GTX 470, if you want to add another, you can. If you wanna add another after that you can. Tri-SLI is a great feature that the gtx 460 just doesn't have.

 

[kjr]

That's what I was thinking Pizza. I guess I'd need to get a motherboard that has SLI capability though since I think my current one is single card only. I think I see some combo deals on Newegg that might save me some $, so I'll look into those a little more. I probably won't have the funds to build until October anyways.

 

[brennon7]

Price is a factor here...For $1k two Gtx 460 own the 470 at the same price.. Tri SLI isn't going to happen on a 1156 board.....good luck finding one that supports it at x8 on all three slots and if you do find one that is tri sli double slot capable it will be at x4..\

Look at that chart... SLI 470s net you 10fps more for an additional $340 just not smart...get the 460s

EDIT: correction 9fps more with sli 470s over the 460s...


Question..Will my suggested build out perform yours? YES. If you want to pay more for less, go ahead.

Here is a real suggestion...buy the 460s and take that money you were going to spend on another 470 down the road and pick up 2 more monitors for 2d surround and play like me....

http://www.youtube.com/user/TWOdSurround?feature=mhsn

 

[kjr]

I suppose I expected an SLI build to be more expensive than a single card setup, but that looks pretty reasonable in terms of price and performance. Did you have a problem fitting two video cards and a good cooler for the CPU in that case though?

 

[brennon7]

I suppose I expected an SLI build to be more expensive than a single card setup, but that looks pretty reasonable in terms of price and performance. Did you have a problem fitting two video cards and a good cooler for the CPU in that case though?

I have the HAF 922... not the 912. But the 912 will fit a 2x 5970 once the extra hard drive cage is removed..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv7mFfWhERY

Deal right now MSI cyclone GTX 460.. $150 after rebate...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127512

 

[kjr]

Okay guys, I've had to make a bit of a budget adjustment. I'm now at between $700 to $800. This is what I've come up with given that budget and my previous requirements. Also, I would like to use SLI in the near future, so hopefully I'll be able to buy a second 460 like the one listed in this build:

1 COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $59.99

1 AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX - $159.99

1 ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm Ceramic CPU Cooler - $29.99

1 ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - $109.99

1 MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5/OC GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - $174.99

1 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $54.99

1 LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS-324-98 - $21.99

1 G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - $86.99

1 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - $9.99

Subtotal: $708.91

Here are my questions:

How's my bang for the buck ratio? What parts could be exchanged to improve performance while still staying within the allotted budget? Would it be better to get a HAF 922 since it has so many more fans included that the 912 does out of the box? Thanks for any additional comments/critiques/praises.

 

[brennon7]

Haf 922 is good but you can get by with a much cheaper case. I have an extra NZXT gamma case and it is very nice. I got it for $29 with free shipping... it even has black interior. Going for 39 on newegg.com but keep an eye on it price always goes back to 29.99 with free shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061&Tpk=nzxt%20gamma

 

[kjr]

Best answer selected by kjr.