Critique my build please

tkelsay · Jul 28, 2009

billdo02 · Jul 28, 2009

1. get rid of the IDE DVD drive and go SATA
2. go to FRYs and get this:
http://www.frys.com/product/5972174
it has your case, a 650 W Antec PSU, and extra case fans for $230
since you would have to pay shipping on the 900 from newegg you would be paying more from there.

skora · Jul 28, 2009

COMBOS!!!!!!!!!!!! Save you tons here.

Asus 790FX and 955 $320
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212581

If you really want that MSI board, $315
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212202

Ram is triple channel. It would work as single channel in your board. Get a 4 gig dual channel kit like this: Others will work, try to get lowest Cas for the price and at least 1333 speed. Look for combos.

If overclocking, throw in a HSF.
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm#INTELHEATSINK

HDD, spend the extra $5 and the the caviar black, better performer.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231200

After updating you're build, please also inlcude the info requested in the sticky for better answers.

tkelsay · Jul 28, 2009

billdo02 :

Hey, thanks for the reply.

I swapped out the IDE DVD drive for an SATA one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

I just looked at that deal from Fry's, look's good but unfortunately it says shipping is unavailable and that I would have to pick it up in the store. I don't live in any of the states that the pickup was available at, so I think I have to pass on the deal.

billdo02 · Jul 28, 2009

no problem. looks good. what graphics card are you running? will you be adding any case fans? will you be OCing?

CPU fan if OCing
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185096

tkelsay · Jul 28, 2009

skora :

Hey, thank you for the reply.

I went ahead and updated the HDD to the caviar black.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Also, I am using that 2nd combo that you listed, with the MSI board. Is it worth the 5 dollars more for the first combo that you listed, I'm not too familiar with motherboards.

I updated the RAM to a 4 GB dual channel kit that I found here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227324

Anything else?

Thanks for your help!

tkelsay · Jul 28, 2009

billdo02 :

Hey,

Here is the graphics card that I picked out:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

Honestly, I've had the hardest time picking the graphics card, deciding between the 4850, 4870, 4890 or a GTX card. It seems the Radeon is cheaper than the GTX in general and offers very similar performance, so that's why I picked Radeon. I'm not sure if it's worth it to spend the extra money to go up to 4890 so that's why I settled with the 4870, but I am definitely open to suggestions!

I don't plan on adding case fans and also I don't plan on OCing.

Thanks for your help!

tkelsay · Jul 28, 2009

Sorry to not include this in first post.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: today
BUDGET RANGE: $1000.00

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, videos, daily-use

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, sound system, monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD Phenom II X4 955 CPU

OVERCLOCKING: No / Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes / Maybe (upgrade down the line)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 normally

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: a gaming PC that will last a few years

billdo02 · Jul 28, 2009

personally, I like the card. At this point the difference between the 4870 and 4890 in performance isn't worth it unless you are a die hard gamer. The 4850 uses DDR3 instead od the DDR5 in the 4870 and 4890 so if you have the extra cash deffinitely ignore the 4850 cards.

skora · Jul 28, 2009

The 4870 1gb is more card than the 1680x1050 monitor needs. Not by much, so will will run games at max for another year and maybe longer.

Look at the combos too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205082.22-136-319
Same HDD and OS for $5 savings.

Please update the complete build and cost too if you get a chance.

tkelsay · Jul 28, 2009

DVD Drive - Samsung - $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

Case - Antec 900 - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Graphics Card - Radeon 4870 1GB - $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

PSU - Corsair 650W - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Memory - OCZ 4GB Dual-Channel DDR3 1600 - $75.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227324

CPU & Mobo combo - Phenom II X4 955 + MSI 790FX - $314.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212202

HDD & OS combo - Caviar Black 640GB 7200RPM + Vista 64-bit - $179.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205082.22-136-319

Subtotal = $947.92
Total after shipping = $980.99

Do you think I should stick with the MSI mobo or get the other combo that you listed for 5 dollars more here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212581

shortstuff_mt · Jul 28, 2009

I would stick with either Asus or Gigabyte for the motherboard. I haven't had good luck with MSI at all lately. The combo with the Asus board that skora linked above is a higher quality board and only costs you an extra $5. You can get a RAM kit with tighter timings for the same price as the one you chose.

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P16004GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227297 $75.99

tkelsay · Jul 28, 2009

shortstuff_mt :

Hey, thanks!

I updated to the newer combo and the RAM that you listed.

Just for anyone else, the updated list now uses this combo and RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212581
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227297

This puts my totals as follows:
Subtotal: $952.92
Total after shipping: $985.74

shortstuff_mt · Jul 28, 2009

The Corsair 650W PSU is a very high quality unit, but would be pushing it with crossfire 4870's and a quad core CPU. You might want to spend an extra $10 and get the 750TX.

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx $109.99

billdo02 · Jul 28, 2009

Whenever possible get your case locally or find it with free shipping. Shipping a case and PSU are expensive. Try this....
Antec 900
Earthwatts 650W
for only $170 with free shipping. That will save you $30 plus the cost of shipping. Wish I had seen this earlier....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129064

Deffinitely get the Asus board. And switching the RAM is good too.

billdo02 · Jul 28, 2009

Are you planning on going Xfire or SLI? if so a beefier PSU would be a good idea like Shortstuff said. If not then the case/PSU I mentioned would work fine.

shortstuff_mt · Jul 28, 2009

billdo02 :

tkelsay :

tkelsay · Jul 28, 2009

Hey, thanks again guys.

I do plan on doing crossfire down the line, so I will go ahead and get the case and PSU separate, spend the extra 10 dollars and get the Corsair 750W PSU. This puts me at $995 with shipping.

I will update with a final list as purchase seems close.

tkelsay · Jul 28, 2009

DVD Drive - Samsung - $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

Case - Antec 900 - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Graphics Card - Radeon 4870 1GB - $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

PSU - Corsair 750W - $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Memory - OCZ 4GB Dual-Channel DDR3 1600 - $75.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227297

CPU & Mobo combo - Phenom II X4 955 + ASUS 790FX - $319.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.212581

HDD & OS combo - Caviar Black 640GB 7200RPM + Vista 64-bit - $179.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205082.22-136-319

Subtotal = $962.92
Total after shipping = $995.74

shortstuff_mt · Jul 28, 2009

The build looks good! The text for the CPU + motherboard combo still says MSI, but the link goes to the Asus board combo. Nice job, and you're under budget by $4.26.

It doesn't get much closer than that.

tkelsay · Jul 28, 2009

oops! I edited it

Thanks again for all the help, everyone!

billdo02 · Jul 28, 2009

shortstuff_mt :

D'oh!!! forgot he came back with the extra info. sorry.

It would still be worth it to check out his local dealers and see if they have good prices on cases. I know when I shipped a case before it was $10-20 shipping for that alone. Try deleting the case and seeing the total shipped price to compare. You might be surprised how much shipping you are paying on that 1 item. Then compare with local stores (take into account total cost with shipping when comparison shopping).

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140146&prodlist=froogle
no taxes + free shipping for $108. course I have never bought from them before, but I saw normal shipping costs between $15 and $25.

skora · Jul 28, 2009

zipzoomfly is a good etailer. I use them often. They also have the 750tx for $100 amir and free shipping. So buying both from them is $210 delivered amir instead of $210 + ~$20 for shipping from the egg.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140146
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007112

And if you want to save another $30 amir, there's this 4870 1gb
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010111&prodlist=celebros

tmro · Jul 28, 2009

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (This week-Today)

BUDGET RANGE: ($800-$1000)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, some CAD work, Office work, movies.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, DVD/CD drive. Case Lien Li P-60

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Same as listed by TKELSAY

OVERCLOCKING: No

CROSSFIRE: Maybe in the future.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure, I have a NEC CRT 21" monitor.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Im thinking about building the identical system as above and I have two questions

(1) Can I fit all of these components in the Lien Li P 60 case?
(2) Can I run Windows XP professional on this hardware?

Hope I put this in the right format. I know my way around a computer, but this will be my 1st complete build.

shortstuff_mt · Jul 28, 2009

@ TMRO - You need to start your own thread instead of hijacking this one.

Critique my build please

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