soul reaper

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (e.g.: this week (the closer the better))

BUDGET RANGE: up to 1450 before rebates, may go slightly over if needed

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Watching Videos, Internet, MS office ect.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Complete PC
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (newegg, or cheaper sites)

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Biostar mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case)

OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (1920x1080)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: last around 5 years for gaming



Currently have:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK

IN WIN Ironclad Black SECC Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

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

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM

ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 12000 : 1) Built in Speakers

X4 955 + 5850 ASUS OC'ed

ASUS Crosshair IV Formula - AM3 - AMD 890FX - DDR3 - Republic of Gamers - ATX Motherboard

Totals about $1250
 
Solution
I suggest you follow the guidelines from the link in my signature. I KNOW we can put together a better build than Cyberpower...

A few things that automatically strike me as a bad idea. First, the X2 550 is an expensive CPU that isn't that great. Second, you're replacing a POS PSU with another POS PSU. Sounds like a waste of money to me...
 

soul reaper

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Well I just don't feel that comfortable assembling a pc from scratch so Cyberpower's service was the most cost effective one that I saw, plus it has the case I wanted. If theres a better site to go to for pre assembled (or partly assembled) computers please tell :)

Also, how exactly is the 550 BE a bad choice? it provides a decent 3.1 ghz and a possibility to be unlocked to a quad.
 

fastx21

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I can't see the windows, it says spoiler to me.

Anyway build your own, build your own, build your own.

How many times have you wanted to fix your own car when something broke? If you built it you would know how to fix it no?


And it's a bad proc because it's a dual not tri or quad. And it has 1 meg cache L2 instead of 2 MB (512x4) as in the 955. More is just better and yes in this case it's worth paying extra for the better proc.

And I don't know what digital storm is but build your own, you'll thank us when you boot up your computer for the first time.
 

tecmo34

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Don't be scared to build your own. It is not as difficult as you are afraid of. Take a look at my step-by-step guide in my sig. Also, you can reach out to friends or other Tom's members that might live close by to help with the build. For example, I'm near the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio area so I could help out if you are from around there.
 

fastx21

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Looking at that list it says alot about nothing.

And what's this all about "Memory: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module (Corsair or Major Brand)." OR major brand?............................

And a Rosewill psu is not the best way to spend $100.

(Btw I did click it before and nthing was happening, but it works now for some reason :))
 

soul reaper

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Alright so I tried buying parts separately and ended up with a more expensive system than that at cyberpower >.<

here is what I've collected so far, Missing a few items too.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ArcsvUkm3vR-dFljUGdrM1kzSWUyMDdxOVFqT0FPZEE&hl=en
some of the items might be of better quality as I suck at comparing parts -.-

I updated my cyberpower config, they don't have a 555 so it looks like I can only go with the 550 or maybe the athlon 635 with a cheaper mobo.
Case: * In-Win Maelstrom Full Tower Gaming Case w/ Sound Absorbing Foam [+57] (Black Color)
Internal USB Extension Module: None
Neon Light Upgrade: None
Extra Case Fan Upgrade: Maximum Enemax 120MM Case Cooling Fans for selected case (Maximum Silent Operation) [+29] (500-1,200 RPM White Color with White LED Twister Bearing 8-14 dBA [+16])
Noise Reduction Technology: None
CPU: AMD Phenom™II X2 550 Black Edition Dual-Core CPU w/ HyperTransport Technology [+44]
Freebies: FREE 4GB MP3 Audio Player
Cooling Fan: Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283V Gaming CPU Cooling Fan (Double layer H.D.T. technology for maximum cooling) [+7]
Motherboard: Asus M4A89GTD Pro/USB3 AMD 890GX Chipset Hardware Core Unlocker CrossFireX Support DDR3 Sckt AM3 ATX w/ Built-in ATI HD4290 Graphic, HDMI, DVI, 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, IEEE1394, USB3.0, SATA-III, RAID, 1 Gen2 PCIe, 1 PCIe X4, 1 PCIe X1, & 2 PCI [+86]
Motherboard Expansion Card: None
Memory: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module (A-Data Gaming Series with Heat Spreader)
Freebies: None
Video Card: None, or Onboard ATI Radeon 2100 based Integrated Graphics [-52]
Video Card 2: None [-52]
Video Card 3: None
Dedicated PHYSX Card: None
Free Game: None
Multiple Video Card Settings: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
Power Supply Upgrade: 900 Watts Power Supplies [+122] (CoolerMaster Ultimate Circuit PSU UCP - Quad SLI Ready [-26])
Hard Drive: 1TB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+18] (Single Hard Drive)
Data Hard Drive: None
Hard Drive Cooling Fan: None
External Hard Drive (USB3.0/2.0/eSATA): None
USB Flash Drive: None
Optical Drive: Sony 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive [+2] (BLACK COLOR)
Optical Drive 2: None
Sound: ESS 3D WAVETABLE SOUND PCI [+12]
LCD Monitor: None
2nd Monitor: None
Speakers: 600Watts PMPO Subwoofer Stereo Speakers [+15]
Network: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
Modem: None
Mega Notebook/Netbook/Server Bundle: None
Keyboard: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
Mouse: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
Gaming Gear: None
Extra Thermal Display: None
Wireless 802.11B/G Network Card: Zonet ZEW1642 IEEE 802.11b/g/n Draft 2.0 PCI Wireless Adapter Network Card [+29]
External Wireless Network Card: None
Wireless 802.11 B/G/N Access Point: None
Bluetooth: USB Bluetooth 2.0 Adapter [+10]
Flash Media Reader/Writer: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer [+10] (BLACK COLOR)
Video Camera: None
Headset: Connectland™ Stereo Headphone with Microphone [+8]
Printer: None
Cable: None
Power Protection: None
IEEE1394 Card: None
USB Port: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
Floppy: None
Operating System: None - FORMAT HARD DRIVE ONLY [-83]
Media Center Remote Control & TV Tuner: None
Office Suite: None
Ultra Care Option: Ultra Enhanced Packaging Solution - Protect Your Dream System During Transit [+19]
Professional Wiring for All WIRING Inside The System Chassis - Minimize Cable Exposure, Maximize Airflow in Your System [+19]
Service: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Rush Service: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS


Thanks for everyone's suggestions, if I can make this cost as much or lower as the cyberpower PC, i'll think of building my own. The bare bones config I have for it is only 850, and thats with max enemax fan upgrades and a 900w power supply (that seems pretty decent)
.
 
So, I'm assuming your budget is $1,450 for everything (tower and monitor, no OS). Here's what you can get if you build it all yourself:

CPU/Mobo: i5-750 and Asus P7P55D-E Pro $375
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $120
GPU: HD 5870 $395
HDD: Seagate 7200.12 1 TB $85
PSU: Corsair 750W $100 after rebate
Case: HAF 922 $90
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $20
HSF: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus $30
Monitor: Asus 23" 1080p $180 after rebate

Total: $1,395. Leaves some room for the extra crap you probably don't need (wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

This is massively better than your build. You get a better CPU, a better HSF, better GPU, and quality everything.
 

soul reaper

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Wow, thats a pretty nice build but I've been wanting to get the maelstorm ever since I saw my friends.
1450 is about the max I can spend so I would like to try to get one cheaper, but with more expandability later on.

The gpu, I'm planning to crossfire later on so I figure I might as well save and get a 5850 and then another when it gets cheaper in round 2-4 years

I'm going to keep on part hunting, but if you find some more suggestions using the Maelstorm cast and the 5850 please let me know.
 
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soul reaper

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Looks? as in appearance? I don't really care about that, I read some pretty good reviews. BTW I found the i5 for 180 at microcenter. Now I'm not sure how the performance goes between the i5 and the X4 series for gaming, my primary concern? I would like value, but I also want the cpu to last about 4-5 years without an upgrade. (taking overclocking into account also)

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317379

edit: I've been reading on how you can have a dedicated nvidia card for physx working along an ati card with some sort of driver hack, do you need an intel cpu for this and is it worth it? I see what looks like a 50ish% boost for ati cards with physx enabled games
 
The i5 is slightly better, but that $20 doesn't overcome the $50 increase in the price for a LGA1156 board, and you'd lose the deals above. If you want to compare builds, the HD 5870 would cost around $400 by itself, and a great i5 board is the Asus P7P55D-E Pro which is usually around $190.

I have no idea on running a hybrid setup. I've never tried it and haven't really seen any configurations that use it. I haven't seen any benchmarks for it or any recommendations.
 

soul reaper

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here is the benchmark for the hybrid setup
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/evga-gtx275-coop-physx_11.html#sect1
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=460&Itemid=72&limit=1&limitstart=8
What I don't know is if I can incorporate that on an amd board.

I'll play around with the builds you sent me, I think I'll downgrade to the 5850, as that seems cheaper than the bundle.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121375

I also found this, 150 dollar saving o_O
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0331303
 

soul reaper

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Alright I read some reviews on CPU and the 555BE seems to be a good value core+ it may be able to unlock to quad
I have two builds I'm thinking of that differ only by CPU and Mobo
Base build:
Case: Maelstorm: $120
GPU: ASUS HD5850: $320
Cooler Master Hyper 212: $30
SAMSUNG F3 1TB HDD: 85
Sony Optical: $20
ASUS 21.5 5ms 1080p screen: $170
Total: $1,280.00


http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0331303
Newegg Links
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138162
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108190&cm_re=in_win_maelstrom-_-11-108-190-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121375
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051

any suggestions? Cheaper but about same quality alternatives would be nice

edit: I found a cheaper power supply that seems to be of decent quality
Thermaltake TR2 TRX-750M 750W
$75.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153117
 

soul reaper

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Alright I have another option for it
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817611008&cm_mmc=LMCDBanner-_-CPC-_-NA-_-NA
it got good reviews from http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/955/10 although it just barley makes 80 bronze apparently

The intel system looks solid to me, only bad part is that I have to fork over some more for an compatible mobo :(
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157189
this one looks like a good deal for me, lowest one that supports usb 3.0 and crossfire.
Is getting usb3.0 and sata3 compatibility worth it?