HELP on ~ $1500 Gaming Desktop

ninjoe8

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Mar 17, 2010
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Hi, i haven't built a desktop computer since Pentium III was released.

Basically, my laptop isn't cutting it for playing WoW (which is currently the only game i play). I want to build a desktop that'll improve the game's performance in Dalaran. I also plan on getting Starcraft II, Diablo III, etc.

Can someone tell me if this is a decent build and any suggestions on how much memory/brand of memory i would need?

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W - $110
CPU: i5-661 Clarkdale 3.33Ghz 87W - $200
Heatsink: ZALMAN CNPS10X QUIET - $58
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4P - $185
Video: 2 X SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 - $660
Case: Haf922 - $90
Hard Drive: WD Caviar Black 750GB 7200 - $80
Memory: ?
Optical Drive: SAMSUNG Black 22X... - $20

Also, what are the benefits of having a Crossfire 5850 setup over a 5870?

Any help/suggestions you could give me would be great!





 
That's a really bad build. Here's a much, much better one.

CPU: i5-750 $200. Don't mess with the fake quads.
Mobo: Gigabtye GA-P55A-UD3 $135. You don't need Crossfire with the 5970. If you absolutely want it, pick up the Asus P7P55D-E Pro, as it doesn't disable USB 3/SATA III speeds when you Crossfire, unlike that Gigabyte.
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
GPU: HD 5970 $700. Same thing as 2x 5850s at stock, but it's actually 2x 5870s on one card. Worth the extra $40.
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 1 TB $90. Faster, bigger, quieter, cooler and cheaper/GB.
PSU: Corsair 750W 80+ $100 after rebate
Case: HAF 922 $90
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $23
HSF: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus $35. One of the best, and one of the cheapest.

Total: $1,488.
 

alteredform

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Feb 14, 2010
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Just curious, but isn't a 5970 overkill for Wow and the games he intends to play? Wouldn't he be better off going i5 - 750 or even i7 930 and 5770 or single 5850, then upgrading the video card if Diablo III dictates the need for more graphical power?

 
It is, but that's the best gaming build for $1,500. You could make the following changes:

CPU: i7-930 $295
Mobo: Asus P6X58D Premium $310
RAM: Corsair XMS3 3x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $175
GPU: HD 5850 $315

Total: $1,433.

Of course, that's overkill for WoW as well.

If you really wanted something just for WoW, this would be enough:

CPU/Mobo: X3 440 and Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $195 after rebate
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
GPU: HD 5770 $150 after rebate
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 500 GB $55
Case/PSU: Antec 300 Illusion and Earthwatts 650W $125
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $23
HSF: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus $35

Total: $698
 

ninjoe8

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Mar 17, 2010
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thanks! this helps a lot. on a side note, why is it that everyone links to newegg? is it just easier to find products to link to or is it the cheapest website available?
 

coldsleep

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Dec 18, 2009
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Newegg is also much easier to search than many other websites.

You could also go with one 5870. From my perspective, especially since WoW doesn't recognize dual graphics cards, there is no benefit to going with 2x 5850. You cut off an upgrade path for later, and you get worse performance in WoW. It's possible that for other games a 5850 CrossFire setup would be better than a single 5870, but I susbscribe to the "1 big card" graphics card school.

If you go with a single card with the intention of CrossFire-ing later, it's possible/likely that there will be better tech out there, or that another copy of your original card will be rather cheap. If you start out with two cards, you basically have to throw away the whole investment if you want to upgrade.