Please review this build

[davidstone]

It means - playing undemanding games, like Chess and Solitaire from time-to-time.

My question about video-card was more about whether (or not) it was powerfull enough for 1920X1200 HD monitor...?

Well, it looks to me as though the most demanding uses are prefaced by "light," which is subject to a lot of guessing. For example, for gaming, it might mean "frequent play, but undemanding games," or it might mean "newest, most demanding games, played rarely," or some variance of that. Guessing wrong means some will howl about overkill, and others will scream "anemic!" OP, we need more information please.

 

[davidstone]

The 5770's are only $180 not $230.

Sure are on NewEgg, but i am in Europe...

And the MOBO is fine but you could go lower on price for no OC or crossfire.

Here is two Asus's that will work for alot cheaper:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131604&cm_re=ASUS-_-13-131-604-_-Product

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131410&cm_re=ASUS-_-13-131-410-_-Product

 

[nekko]

The 5770 will do fine at that resolution also.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

This motherboard would work fine since you prefer Asus and don't need Crossfire support.

ASUS P7P55 LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $119.99

I think it's funny that you follow up saying that an Asus motherboard is a "given" by asking about an ASRock board.

Edit: nekko beat me to it on the motherboard suggestion.

 

[davidstone]

BTW, what the "LE" and "LX" means...

The 5770's are only $180 not $230.

And the MOBO is fine but you could go lower on price for no OC or crossfire.

Here is two Asus's that will work for alot cheaper:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131604&cm_re=ASUS-_-13-131-604-_-Product

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131410&cm_re=ASUS-_-13-131-410-_-Product

 

[nekko]

This motherboard would work fine since you prefer Asus and don't need Crossfire support.

ASUS P7P55 LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $119.99

I think it's funny that you follow up saying that an Asus motherboard is a "given" by asking about an ASRock board.

Edit: nekko beat me to it on the motherboard suggestion.

Thats the same board I said, just saying.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Thats the same board I said, just saying.

I guess you missed my edit.

 

[nekko]

And about the LX and LE I am not sure, I guess its just a model difference like ABC1 and ABC2. I'm sure its just like the cars, ones more expensive and has more to offer than the other. But you only need this one for what you want to do: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131604&cm_re=asus_p55-_-13-131-604-_-Product

Honestly

 

[nekko]

I guess you missed my edit.

:lol: Sure did! You edited it before I posted.

 

[davidstone]

Well I am curious... as Asus owns ASrock...

This motherboard would work fine since you prefer Asus and don't need Crossfire support.

ASUS P7P55 LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $119.99

I think it's funny that you follow up saying that an Asus motherboard is a "given" by asking about an ASRock board.

Edit: nekko beat me to it on the motherboard suggestion.

 

[nekko]

Then just go with what ever is cheaper honestly. You do not need a high $ MOBO at all, just make sure it i5 compatible and thats basically all. Go for what brand you want and for the cheapest.

 

[nekko]

Here is you an ASRock for $99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157170

 

[davidstone]

Thanks...

BTW, what's the deal with those Foxconn connectors...?

Is it really that big of an issue on 1156...?

Here is you an ASRock for $99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157170

 

[nekko]

Not real sure, but I have herd alot about it so it may be, read here where people are discussing it: http://forums.ebuyer.com/showthread.php?t=52469

But I do know it mainly with OC'ing HIGHLY, also mainly heat.

So you should be fine.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The Foxconn socket issue mainly effects highly overclocked systems. Asus has only put an updated socket in their expensive boards. I've had great luck with Gigabyte boards. If you're willing to go with Gigabyte, here's a nice board that's been updated to not use a Foxconn socket. The board also has SATA 3.0 and USB 3.0.

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $134.99

 

[Onus]

The only ASRock boards I have bought were socket AM2+ (Asus, Gigabyte, and Abit for Intel), but they have performed flawlessly. My aging, orphaned Abit may get replaced soon, and ASRock will be on the short list.

Your games are undemanding, but your resolution is high. I see you did comment on the CUDA support in nVidia offerings being important to you. The 9800GT you've chosen is probably sufficient; but you may want to get an additional card (perhaps a 9600GT) to dedicate to CUDA while the other one renders. If so, choose a mobo with two PCIE slots, although one can be x4. The 550W Corsair PSU should have enough juice for the pair, or get 650W for only $10 more for more headroom.

 

[belial2k]

I think the cheapest nonFoxconn board is this Biostar one...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138160
And your resolution only matters if you are running demanding 3D games at those resolutions. Even the worst modern integrated graphic cards will do what you need at your resolutions, and even the cheapest card on newegg right now supports 25x16 graphics
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131144
I hear what you guys are saying about DX11, but it only matters if you plan on buying and playing DX11 games (if you can find one you want)...and it sounds like the OP has no interest in this.

 

[davidstone]

Thanks,

The Foxconn socket issue nonetheless scares the sh_t out of me, as I literally building the system from the scratch (my last desktop PC being a Pentium III from '98; I've been using laptops ever since).

I am paying altogether 1,500$ and surely don't want to end up with fried CPU due to faulty socket. Even here on TH website, they have removed the recommendations for ALL 1156 boards until the Foxconn issue is clarified.

With this in mind, I wouldn't mind adding an extra 200$ and going X58 with i7 920 instead.

So, my dilemma is whether to take the 1156 risk or not, as X58 platform surely would be an overkill for me.

The only ASRock boards I have bought were socket AM2+ (Asus, Gigabyte, and Abit for Intel), but they have performed flawlessly. My aging, orphaned Abit may get replaced soon, and ASRock will be on the short list.

Your games are undemanding, but your resolution is high. I see you did comment on the CUDA support in nVidia offerings being important to you. The 9800GT you've chosen is probably sufficient; but you may want to get an additional card (perhaps a 9600GT) to dedicate to CUDA while the other one renders. If so, choose a mobo with two PCIE slots, although one can be x4. The 550W Corsair PSU should have enough juice for the pair, or get 650W for only $10 more for more headroom.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The Gigabyte motherboard I posted above has an updated socket that eliminates the problem. I highly recommend that motherboard.

 

[davidstone]

That's great to know, thanks indeed.


Nowever, the P55A-UD3 is not listed in the store where I buy.

They have P55-UD3 AND P55-UD3R... how about these 2?

BTW, what1s the diference between "A" and non A models, what does that "A" stands for...?

The Gigabyte motherboard I posted above has an updated socket that eliminates the problem. I highly recommend that motherboard.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The "A" motherboards are the ones that use the new non-Foxconn socket. The two boards available to you DO use a Foxconn socket.

 

[davidstone]

Damn!

OTOH there are Gigabyte P55A-UD4, P55A-UD5 and P55A-UD6 models, although substantially more expensive.

Anyway, thanks for this info, I really appreciate it.

The "A" motherboards are the ones that use the new non-Foxconn socket. The two boards available to you DO use a Foxconn socket.