Building new system. GPU suggestions needed

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mugenkid18

mugenkid18

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Sep 24, 2011
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I'm working on building my first DIY system from scratch. I've been doing homework for weeks! Some topics are a little harder to find solid information on, and instead are full of opinion based info. I just need some pointers to help complete my build.

Firstly, you should know that the system is 90% for gaming, mostly mainstream but some higher end games, and 10% internet, movies, and TV. I hear that many people benchmark there systems playing Crysis... a game that my old system is far from attaining playability on. I think that's the direction I'm trying to go with my new system. I'm using a single 23" Samsung 1080p LCD screen and currently have no plans to replace it, or add another screen.

I had started upgrading my old Dell E520 before deciding to start fresh. I need to know if the parts I had purchased are still worth keeping for the new build:

Rosewill RV2-600 ATX v2.2 (+12v @ 19a - 2 rails)
Zotac Geforce 9500GT PCIe 16 (SLI ready)
Western Digital Caviar 320gb 7200rpm SATA 3g/s


Here's the build list thus far. These parts have been purchased and are awaiting assembly:

Cooler Master Storm Scout ATX mid tower
Intel Core i5 2500k
Cooler Master V8 cpu cooler
ASROCK Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3
G.Skill Ripjaw 2x(4gb) DDR3 1333mhz 9-9-9
NZXT Sentry 2 fan controller

These items have yet to be decided upon:

SSD
Audio Card
Graphics Card
Add 8gb more ram?
Windows 7, 64bit or 32bit?

So I'm most concerned with the graphics card situation. I know the poor 9500GT will be the weakest link of my build, but I'm curious if adding another one in SLI will put me above the current mainstream level of cards on the market? However, I know the Rosewill PSU will be sufficient in supplying the system using a single 9500GT, but would I need to toss it if I did go with SLI cards?

If my girlfriend knew how much I've already spent on my new "toy" she'd vice-grip my testicles considering I don't want to blow money for the new patio furniture that she wants.. So please keep in mind I do have some kind of budget. A $280 graphics card with $150 PSU is not within my grasp at the moment.

Thanks for the help
 
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Thanks for the quick reply. I've already made the purchase for the cpu/cooler as well as the case, mobo, and some ram. I went with the 2500k to have the ability to OC in the future. The issue mostly lies with what route to take with the gpu and if the psu will need to be replaced as well. I'm looking for a medium-high framerate at 1080p with new release games on Directx 10 and 11
 
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Thanks greg. I like the sound of SSD to cache windows for quick bootups. This computer will be used like a media center. Sit down, play a game, watch a movie, put it to sleep or shutdown... same thing tomorrow.
 
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It really depends on if the PSU needs to be replaced. If the new card will run on the current PSU, then my budget increases... ballpark $180-200

Is 9500GT in SLI really that lousy? I can grab a 2nd one for like $50 :na:

I still have to buy windows, possibly more ram, possibly SSD, and possibly audio card (though I hear the onboard audio of Z68 should be pretty good)

AND I forgot to include an optical drive. I would like a bluray player / dvdrw

I'd like to call my system complete within $300-350 in addition to what I've purchased thus far
 
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I'll look at the 560Ti again. I believe the Rosewill 600w should support a single card with some room to wiggle.

As for windows, I get a nice government discount through my job. I haven't priced it yet, but I managed to pickup office suite 2010 for $10. Hopefully the OS will be available for a similar discount. I'm definitely going to go with 64bit, as NO ONE recommends 32 lol.

And as for the cpu cooler.. what's done is done. I couldn't return it without losing money on return shipping and restocking.

Does anyone use a SSD for caching windows or games? I'm really curious to hear about it first hand!
 
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okay sooo looking at the specs: The 560ti requires 30a on a 12v rail which is out of reach for the rosewill (12v @ 19a)

EDIT
I'm looking at microcenter.com for graphics cards. They seem to have the best prices around, and almost everything has a mail in rebate. The EVGA 550Ti 2048mb can be had for $165 after rebate, which leaves some funding available towards a new power supply. Maybe I can scrounge up a few bucks for my gently used rosewill psu, g.skill 4gb ddr2 memory, and 9500gt on craigslist. I may actually just part out the whole Dell system including the core 2 e6700. Think I could get $150 for everything?

EDIT AGAIN
So something is confusing me. According to the specs page of a 560Ti the card draws a maximum of 170W. On 12v that equates to about 15a. Why then does it state a minimum "500 Watt Power Supply (with 30A on the +12V Rail)"? That's a large rail for a 2 rail psu. Or is it assuming a single 12v rail that is running ALL the computer internals?

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0365382
 
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there are alot of PSU's that say 500w, but dont REALLY put out that much. probably just a safety measure for nvidia so people that OC and run lights and such in their systems can handle the juice@ max load with everything going. you also need to think about your board and such, you have a 125w cpu, and everything else to run too not just the gpu.
 
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Yes the 2500k is 95w at the factory settings, so ~10a. Both rails on the rosewill are 12v @ 19a, which leaves ~9a on the first rail for bells and whistles on the mobo. The other 12v rail should be able to handle the 560ti, correct?
 
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2500K is a 95watt chip
Click to expand...
really? i thought it was 125.... im stupid.
anyhow, my point still stands though that your GPU might only take 170w but you have an entire system to run as well. a quality psu or something capable of steady power will do just fine. you have a 600w with claimed efficiency of 72%. if that is true then power wise you are ok. if that isnt true, and rosewill lives up to their name, it will die on you. worst case scenario, you have to buy a new psu, but can then justify it to the GF that it doesnt work and its a necessity to buy a new one, and takes precedence over lawn furniture
 
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lmao at some of the responses. Yes, I've heard not-so-positive things about the Rosewill, but it was a budget minded upgrade for the Dell E520, not necessarily intended for this project.

So here's my gameplan. "Invest" in the 550Ti or 560. "Invest" in a higher quality PSU ~800w (for room to grow). Attempt to sell off the Rosewill, DDR2 ram, 9500GT and E6700 on craiglist to recover from my investments lol
 
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Thanks for posting those! Saved me some effort doing the research myself and weeding out the bias.

Some of my stuff has come from newegg, but I'm also using superbiiz.com and microcenter.com
 
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Sorry, yes. I saw it and got distracted and forgot about your post.

thanks for the link. is that site pretty reliable? and do you know where they ship out of? I'm in SC, and i hate when something gets shipped out of CA ground shipping. Seems like a month before I get my package, and risk of damage increases dramatically over that kind of distance.
 
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I know they initially were and are a Canadian new egg like site, and they are reputable, but I have personally never used them. They now they are trying penetrate the American market.

I know NCIX from watching their reviews of products on youtube, they seem to know their stuff. As for the shipping ground shipping promo (whatever the hell that means) is free takes 2-8 days. UPS ground is 2-6 10.00.

I had to make an account to figure that, probably could have done it a diff way but i figure I will buy from them in the future.

they also have free insurance up to 100.00, I dont know all of there policies as far as rma or doa, probably similar to egg, but have to look into it more.
 
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