Is this a good new computer build? (been out of it for a while!)

[redsrule2500]

Hey guys...

I'm looking to buy these components for my new computer and want some expert opinion:

Case: RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power Supply - Retail
$89.99

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$109.99

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
$134.99

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX - Retail
$189.99

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$42.99

OS: Windows 7

Total Cost: $567.95

Thoughts/Suggestions? THANKS!

 

[Helloworld_98]

not really.

raidmax psu's are only good as paperweights and a 4770, due out in may, is pretty close to the GTX+ and 4850 in performance and only costs $99.

If it's a gaming build, switch the 940 for a 720 since 720's do better in current games because they have a higher HT, and then with the spare cash buy a better psu and gfx card, oh yeah there's a GTX 260 for $120 somewhere on newegg.

 

[dirtmountain]

I've got to agree with helloworld on Raidmax power supplies. You really should avoid them for a reliable system.

 

[redsrule2500]

any suggestions for a midtower case / PSU then?

 

[aevm]

I'd say an Antec 300, considering your budget.

The PSU depends on what graphics card(s) you end up with. For a GTX 260 (which needs a PSU with 36A or more), the minimum PSU would be something like the OCZ Fatal1ty 550W (37A), or even better Corsair 550VX (41A). If you go with something like HD 4870 for now and hope to add a second one later, then Corsair 650TX would do well. BTW, why are you getting a Crossfire motherboard and a SLI card? They would work together, but it's not future-proof.

 

[redsrule2500]

Thanks for the suggestions concerning the PSU.

I'd say an Antec 300, considering your budget.

BTW, why are you getting a Crossfire motherboard and a SLI card? They would work together, but it's not future-proof.

Basically because I really don't know what I'm doing I guess, haha. The motherboards/size/CPU and the future of them all confuse me so I just went with highly rated motherboards on newegg.

Why does an SLI card and that motherboard not be future proof? Should I change the GPU or Motherboard?

 

[dannyboy33]

Basically, ATI= Crossfire and nVidia= SLI, so you should pick one and stick with it. Since your board supports crossfire, you should get an ATI card so you can just buy another card in the future and run crossfire (the 2 cards together). This is pretty good and it has free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

or something like this for a little less (has free shipping and MIR):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161244

 

[redsrule2500]

Basically, ATI= Crossfire and nVidia= SLI, so you should pick one and stick with it. Since your board supports crossfire, you should get an ATI card so you can just buy another card in the future and run crossfire (the 2 cards together). This is pretty good and it has free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

or something like this for a little less (has free shipping and MIR):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161244

Ohhh! wow okay totally get it now.

I'm somewhat partial to the Nvidia Cards, is there motherboards out there that I could substitute instead?

 

[aevm]

Sure. There's a combo here for example,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.181993

That gives you a Phenom II 940 and a ASUS M4N72-E AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a motherboard. Add a GTS 250 card now and another later, for example. You'd need a Corsair 650TX (52A) or similar for that sort of thing.

Either way, I wouldn't buy a 9800GTX+ these days, especially with the GTS 250 cheaper.

Or you could buy a cheaper MB based on the 780G chipset, with a single PCI-E slot (no SLI, no Crossfire). Then add a single card (but a good one), e.g. GTX 275 or even GTX 285. Of course, that means paying for the more expensive card right away rather than half now and half later, so it may not be an option.

 

[redsrule2500]

Sure. There's a combo here for example,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.181993

That gives you a Phenom II 940 and a ASUS M4N72-E AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 750a motherboard. Add a GTS 250 card now and another later, for example. You'd need a Corsair 650TX (52A) or similar for that sort of thing.

Either way, I wouldn't buy a 9800GTX+ these days, especially with the GTS 250 cheaper.

Or you could buy a cheaper MB based on the 780G chipset, with a single PCI-E slot (no SLI, no Crossfire). Then add a single card (but a good one), e.g. GTX 275 or even GTX 285. Of course, that means paying for the more expensive card right away rather than half now and half later, so it may not be an option.

Thanks! That gives me a lot to think about, but really helps lay it all out