Need opinions between two gaming builds

[derrickwmartin]

After doing tons of research and getting help from people in the forums here at TH I have narrowed my choices down to two, with minor but I deem significant differences. I am still open to opinions/suggestions as I have not bought anything yet.


Build 1:

CPU and Motherboard:
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

$369.98

HSF:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

$29.99


CD ROM:
Samsung 22x
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

$19.99


Monitor:
ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 20000 :1 (ASCR) Built-in Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

$199.99


Case/PSU:
Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058

Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026

$194.90


OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

$99.99


GPU/RAM:
OCZ Obsidian 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3OB1600LV4GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227495

ASUS EAH5850 DirectCU TOP/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121370

$423.98


HDD:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

$54.99

SSD:
Kingston SSDNow V Series SNV425-S2/64GB 2.5" 64GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139132

$137.99


TOTAL: $1531.80



Build 2:


All the same components as the last build but the following will be different:

GPU:
XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476

$399.99


RAM:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

$109.99


HDD:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

$79.99


SSD:
NONE


TOTAL: $1504.81



I have a 1TB WD Caviar Green drive I have from an external enclosure that I will be throwing into the case as well for added storage.

If you could please look over and suggest which one is a better "bang for the buck" that would be greatly appreciated. Like I said, there are a few but major differences in the build such as RAM and GPU and HDD/SSD.

Also, I am open for suggestions for replacement parts or a total new build along the same guidelines as these above. I am not trying to spend more than $1500-1600.

Thanks in advanced,

Derrick

 

[samdsox]

100% build two

 

[samdsox]

graphics is way more important then ssd

 

[gahn]

check http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/280219-13-gaming
the 500Gb F3 is the better HDD

 

[buzznut]

I would go with the SSD for sure, nothing speeds up a system like an SSD. However if it was my money I would spend a little more and get the 80GB Intel drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167016

Use your green drive for data. I hear good things about the ripjaws.

As for the video cards, flip a coin. the 5870 will obviously be faster, but is it $70 faster? Plus that particular card seems to have some negative reviews lately, could be a bad batch. When someone says, "large paperweight" I tend to take notice.

 

[snowgoer1998]

+1 on Build Two

Better GFX, Better Ram

For my taste, $$$/performace just isn't there yet for SSD

you could drop a few bucks if you went with this CPU/MOBO combo:

CPU: Athlon II 440 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103843 - $75

MOBO: ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631 - $150


That saves ~ $145 ...now if you wanted to stick with the budget in mind... (you'd be a few buck over the $1600 limit)

Intel X25-M - $215

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167023

 

[derrickwmartin]

So what 5870 would y'all reccomend instead of the XFX one?

I've noticed that some have higher core and memory speeds, is that something I need to look at when purchasing, even if I plan to OC it?