$1500 Gaming Build a few questions!

luciddre4m

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Feb 23, 2010
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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within the next month, on or before 3/21 BUDGET RANGE: up to $1500~ After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, browsing the web, playing movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: I prefer ASUS for my mobo, as far as other parts I have no real preferences. I heard XFX makes a good ATI card.

OVERCLOCKING: I might tune the RAM speeds SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 23.6" wide 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Trying to build a machine that will last a good long time. My current computer I built in Aug 2005 and has lasted me this long. I'm preparing for the next big Blizzard game so I'd like a machine that can handle StarCraft 2 etc. Most of the parts I selected based on articles on this website. Mainly looking for advice on the motherboard and whether or not I should upgrade it and to consider using Crossfire.

Also, any comments about ATI's drivers for the 5850 would be appreciated. I had a bad experience about 6 years ago with an ATI card so I switched to Nvidia and have used their cards ever since. I can't say their drivers are perfect either as I've had issues, but if ATI's current drivers are solid than I will feel more confident about the purchase.

As far as the storage capacity goes I don't use that much space. I'd like to run the OS from the SSD and use the HDD for storing music and stuff. I went with the OEM version of Intel's X25-M 80GB model since its so much cheaper. Is there any real danger in doing that versus spending an additional $80 for the retail version?


Case ($99):
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Motherboard ($149):
ASUS P7P55D LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

CPU ($195):
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail

Memory ($139):
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail

PSU ($99):
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail

Video card ($339):
XFX HD-585A-ZNBC Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB Black Edition 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported ... - Retail

Storage (SSD $219 HDD $49.99):
Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XXX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

DVD drive ($24):
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM

Current total = $1329.90 (includes a 2.5" to 3.5" mounting bracket for the SSD)


Thanks in advance for any advice!
 
Solution


Both the Antec 900 and CM HAF 922 are grate cases i like the CM 922 better

The mobo i picked is a good mobo for a single card setup and has USB 3.0 the other didn't

If your thinking of xfire/sli at a latter time, I would look into

MOBO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

I wound not worry about heat the 2 cases Have grate air flow + the HD 5850 run cool my temps have never got passed 60C on my GPU





I would do something like this, you get a HD 5870 for 60 bucks more vs HD 5850 thats 30% more GPU for 60 bucks + bigger HDD storage ICY DOCK for your SSD ( 650W PSU is more then enough for a single GPU setup ) + a HSF and better ram ( you wont need that 8 gigs of ram for gaming )

quantity of item 1


Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118030
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options27-118-030|hide options27-118-030)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info27-118-030.0.18)

* 1 year: $6.99
* 2 year: $11.99



$23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030
select item 2 quantity of item 2


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

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$20.00 Mail-in Rebate11-119-197

$109.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197
select item 3 quantity of item 3


Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822148395
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant


$59.99
$54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
select item 4 quantity of item 4


ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1B 2.5

ICY DOCK MB882SP-1S-1B 2.5" to 3.5" SSD & SATA Hard Drive Converter - Black - Retail
Item #: N82E16817994064
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant


$24.99
$19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994064
select item 5 quantity of item 5


XFX HD-587A-ZNF9 Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity

XFX HD-587A-ZNF9 Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150443
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy



$397.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150443
select item 6 quantity of item 6


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

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-139-005

$119.99
$99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
select item 7 quantity of item 7


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231279
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy



$139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279
select item 8 quantity of item 8


GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128412
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant


$139.99
$134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279
select item 9 quantity of item 9


Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant


$199.99
$194.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412
select item 10 quantity of item 10


COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16835103065
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy



$29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
select item 11 quantity of item 11


Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XXX 2.5

Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2XXX 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM
Item #: N82E16820167016
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy



$219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167016
Subtotal: $1,426.88
 

luciddre4m

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Feb 23, 2010
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Made a few changes based on your advice, thank you! I'll consider changing the video card and ram after I read a few more things.

Is there any specific reason you recommended a different case and motherboard?
 

letsrahk

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Dec 15, 2009
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On newegg there is some talk about the Intel X25-M OEM drive where people are getting shipped the SSDSA1 version or something that doesn't have a standard SATA power supply. I didn't see people specify what kind of power supply connection it is instead though.....
 

luciddre4m

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Feb 23, 2010
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Well for $80 cheaper I'll take the risk on the SSD I suppose. If they ship the wrong part I'll just have to send it back. I'm contemplating upgrading the mobo and psu for a potential future Crossfire configuration but I'm just turned off by the extra heat that comes with it.
 


Both the Antec 900 and CM HAF 922 are grate cases i like the CM 922 better

The mobo i picked is a good mobo for a single card setup and has USB 3.0 the other didn't

If your thinking of xfire/sli at a latter time, I would look into

MOBO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

I wound not worry about heat the 2 cases Have grate air flow + the HD 5850 run cool my temps have never got passed 60C on my GPU





 
Solution