Final Build, ordering tonight!

[smooney]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (ASAP) BUDGET RANGE: US$500-800

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Running several apps at once w/ no lag, movies/music, some gaming (CS:S)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, mouse/keyboard, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200 (I think this is correct, i have a Gateway LP2407)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Need to output to 2 monitors, would like it to be quiet and simple looking (no leds or bling)

Here is my build so far, any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

CPU/MOBO Combo:
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190732 $269.98

CASE:
Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025 $144.98

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W 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=N82E16817139005 $99.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 $74.99

RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166 $58.99

VIDEO CARD:
SAPPHIRE 100277L Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102835 $99.99

CD/DVD:
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136152 $24.99

LG Black bezel 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model GDR-H20N - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136165 $15.99

OS: Plan on using Windows 7 and purchasing next spring, or old copy of XP.

Thanks!

 

[dragonfang18]

Well If you are gonna order tonight, there is nothing I can do to change your parts. You try to cancel one part, you cancel the whole order.

 

[smooney]

Well If you are gonna order tonight, there is nothing I can do to change your parts. You try to cancel one part, you cancel the whole order.

Havent ordered yet, waiting for final approval/recommendations
Thanks

 

[dragonfang18]

oh in that case...

It looks solid and reliable. Im not expret, firsttime builder, but in my forum experiences, it is good build. I do suggest waiting for another's opinion...

 

[xthekidx]

Looks good to me. You will want to get a more powerful GPU configuration most likely for that resolution, so adding another 4770 in the future would be my recommendation. You can go lighter on the PSU if you want, but that PSU you chose is solid.

I don't see the reason for getting two Optical drives, but if you really want them then I guess that is fine.

If you want to overclock, then I would suggest getting a cooler for your CPU like the Xigmatek HDT-S1283.

 

[gkay09]

Very nice build...
And as for overclock, if you are planning for a slight overclock, then the stock should do fine...but if you want to overclock more than 400MHz, then better off getting the CPU cooler what xthekid has suggested...

 

[dragonfang18]

@gkay I've been trying to figure that out too! thanks for info. I think I asked that along with a RAM question, and all I got is if you can afford so and so GPU then you can afford an aftermarket HSF.

 

[croc]

For the res. that you are proposing (19x12) and two monitors, you might want to consider a 4890. Depends on how you plan to use the two monitors. If in gaming, then definitely look at a better GPU. Or a second 4770, but CF / SLI is a case of diminishing returns IMO.

 

[xthekidx]

Or a second 4770, but CF / SLI is a case of diminishing returns IMO.

As is going for a more expensive GPU. Consider the 4890 at $250 USD. It is out performed by the 4770 and the 4830 in CF in most games, unless you turn the AA up (benchmarks), which costs $200 USD. I think you have to go for the one that has the least amount of diminished returns. Yes more performance is lost due to scaling in a crossfire or SLI setup, but the amount of money you pay for that performance is much less, so your net performance/dollar ratio can often times end up higher going with two lower-end cards in crossfire/SLI. The 4770 also uses much less power than the 4890, even in crossfire (there was talk about whether or not the 4770 would even need a PCIE connector because it was so easy on power before it was released, I think its like 54w or something load power consumption).

 

[croc]

As is going for a more expensive GPU. Consider the 4890 at $250 USD. It is out performed by the 4770 and the 4830 in CF in most games, unless you turn the AA up (benchmarks), which costs $200 USD. I think you have to go for the one that has the least amount of diminished returns. Yes more performance is lost due to scaling in a crossfire or SLI setup, but the amount of money you pay for that performance is much less, so your net performance/dollar ratio can often times end up higher going with two lower-end cards in crossfire/SLI. The 4770 also uses much less power than the 4890, even in crossfire (there was talk about whether or not the 4770 would even need a PCIE connector because it was so easy on power before it was released).

I hate being quoted out of context....

"For the res. that you are proposing (19x12) and two monitors, you might want to consider a 4890. Depends on how you plan to use the two monitors. If in gaming, then definitely look at a better GPU. Or a second 4770, but CF / SLI is a case of diminishing returns IMO."

I believe that this reply was directed to the OP, not you. I was implying a query on what the OP was planning to use the dual monitors for, as well as what res. of monitors the OP was planning on using. If the OP is indeed planning on using two 19x12 monitors in tandem to game, then a 4890 or a 285 may very well be the 'best bang for the buck'. The 4770's in CF will probably do the job (depending on the game) but will NOT give 2x one 4770 returns on investment. Best scaling I have seen is ~ 90% on ONE game, with most averaging less than 80%, down to 50%. It would be best if the OP would reply to this thread and further explain his intentions. Then we could better advise on options.

 

[xthekidx]

croc, it wasn't a personal attack, so you don't need to take it personally. I was just pointing out that there is often (not always) better value in crossfire. There is a lot of value in CF 4770's, for $200 you can't get better framerates.

If you look at those benchmarks that I linked comparing 2 vs 1 4770, cf 4770's gave over 100% increase in FPS of COD 4 vs 1 4770. Of course that isn't typical, but of the games they benchmarked, cf gave about an 80% increase, which is very good scaling. That review is of course somewhat biased, the games they chose are not very dependant on GPU memory throughput which is the 4770's weak spot (128 bit), so in other games like crysis or far cry you would likely see different results. I never said cf equaled 2x the performance of one GPU, that would be quite ignorant.

I agree on going with a dual monitor setup, 4770's would not at all be ideal, you would have to get a better GPU(s). I was assuming that he would only be using one monitor for gaming, since split screen gaming is obnoxious IMO (especially FPS games). Perhaps I shouldn't have assumed this.

 

[croc]

No offense meant, none taken. My purpose for my first post was to make the OP aware that there were ramifications to what he was proposing, and that there were options that the OP had. Given that the OP has yet to respond, I think we are ATM just beating our gums. I hope that the OP is happy with whatever decision he makes.

 

[Outlander_04]

the OP should be able to game at reduced setting with a single 4770 on a 1920 x 1200 screen . Its not ideal but ok for casual gaming .
The option to add a second 4770 looks like a good plan .

Nice case .

 

[smooney]

I plan on using only one monitor for gaming and two for work/multitasking. My most graphically intense game is counter strike source. A single 4770 should be able to run that at 1900x1200 pretty well yea?

I will add another 4770 or a different graphic card in the future if i need to.

 

[ajcroteau]

This is a great build. I think you will definitely get some mileage out of it. I do agree with some others, that graphics card will definitely get the job done however at some point your going to want to want to swap it out for something else.

I like that fact that Intel with the new X58 boards are giving consumers the ability to switch from Crossfire to SLI and back... Unfortunately, where as Intel really isn't committed to either technology, i can see where AMD/NVidia would be having trouble allowing SLI/Crossfire enabled on their chipsets...

On the other hand, NVidia is supposed to be coming out with a SLI DDR3 enabled chipset for the AM3 processor, unfortunately, either they or the motherboard manufacturers had been dragging there feet getting one to market. From the rumors though, it appears to be a copy and paste of an existing chipset...

AJ

 

[xthekidx]

Yes gaming in older games will be fine using the 4770, CS:S included.

 

[dragonfang18]

Judging by the approvals, you should have ordered them by now... Have fun with your rig!

 

[smooney]

Judging by the approvals, you should have ordered them by now... Have fun with your rig!

Yep ordered it all last night.
Thanks all for the suggestions