Final Checks - $800 Gaming Build

[purplecliff]

(Mah first time, I'm new to all of this.)

Approximate Purchase Date: Today/tomorrow

Budget: $860

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming > Lightweight video editing > Surfing the web

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: http://pccasegear.com or http://www.oo.com.au/

Country of Origin: Australia

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Negative

SLI or Crossfire: Nope

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


Build so far:

Case/PSU: CoolerMaster Centurion 5 II With 500W PSU (Black)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13521

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3 Motherboard
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17839

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 840
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16670

GPU: ASUS Radeon 6870 1GB DirectCU
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17194

RAM: Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13237

HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB HD103SJ
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=12711

Optical: Samsung SH-222AB SATA DVDRW Drive
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17348

Monitor: LG E60 Series 23'' Ultra Slim HD LED Monitor
http://www.oo.com.au/LG_E60_Series_23_58cm_Ultra_S_P86873C1427.cfm

Total: $853


- Are all of these parts compatible?
- Will I need any extra case fans or anything?
- Is the PSU in that case removable, in case I upgrade in the future?

- Any other suggestions/improvements?

Many thanks!!

 

[rolli59]

Yes
No but you have places to put them one at the top would not be a bad idea.
The PSU is replaceable which is a good thing that basic CM unit is the weak part of the system.

 

[purplecliff]

Cool thanks very much!

I think I can squeeze the AMD Phenom II X4 840 up to an AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition, if that's a good idea. http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=11301

But now I'm slightly worried that PSU will fail me or something :S

Nevertheless, if no one else jumps in to change anything - I'll buy this in about 10 hours.

 

[rolli59]

The 955BE is a better CPU and a good choice. The PSU should handle it the same with either CPU.
You could always go with a cheaper case http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_31&products_id=14859
and a known quality PSU http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_226&products_id=15135

 

[purplecliff]

Oh excellent. I'll probably try my luck with the CM PSU though.

Just one more question: I see that the monitor comes with a 'VGA' and a 'DVI' cable. When I actually put all this stuff together, which port should I use? I assume it will go into the back of the graphics card?

 

[rolli59]

DVI digital is better (cleaner) signal than VGA analog a difference that gets noticed by some people at higher resolutions. Use the DVI.

 

[purplecliff]

Best answer selected by purplecliff.

 

[purplecliff]

I've made the purchase. Many thanks again rolli59.

Time to watch a whole heap of pc-building-videos so I know what I'm doing xD

 

[rolli59]

Here is our guide http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/274745-13-step-step-guide-building