Would like feedback on Potential new Build for Gaming

[Zabman]

Hi All,

I have been a long time lurker on these boards and would like some feedback on a new build I am planning. I am in New Zealand so haven't used newegg, but a local price comparison site. I haven't built a PC "ground-up" before, although I have replaced everything in my current rig except the mobo so would appreciate constuctive feedback positive or negative.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: hopefully before Christmas if funds permit

BUDGET RANGE: lenient, would not like to go above NZ$3000 but I don't know how that translates to USD!

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, watching Movies, surfin

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: www.pricespy.co.nz

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: New Zealand

PARTS PREFERENCES: No preference

OVERCLOCKING: Yes - although haven't done before SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes although not necessary immediately.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would like to know if there is anywhere I can get more "bang for my buck", I am not confident with memory so not sure I have the right one, GPU also because there are just so many out there. Would like to trim some cost if there is anything unecessary but don't mind paying slightly more if the performance would be worth it.

Complete Build: http://pricespy.co.nz/product_list.php?do=lista&k=3062

Case: Antec twelve hundred
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=294114

Mobo: Asus P6TD Deluxe
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=461399

CPU: Intel core i7 920
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=386067

Heatsink: Cooler Master V8
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=345696

RAM: Corsair XMS3 DDR3 PC12800/1600MHz
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=515131

GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD5850
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=495628

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=396262

PSU: Corsair CMPSU-650HX 650W
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=473866

DVD: Samsung SH-B083A
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=521927

Thank-you all in advance

 

[dpaul8]

For better performance, switch out the i920/X58 combo for a i750/P55 combo. For a single graphics card, the i750 computer beats the i920 every single time: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3641&p=7
If you add a second video card in crossfire, the two computers have nearly identical performance with the i750 computer beating out the i920 for some games, and visa versa, but the difference is insignificant:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i5-gaming,2403-4.html

Save a few bucks and get better performance with a i750/P55 computer.

 

[nofun]

With the current exchange that's roughly 2,200 USD.

DPaul8 is correct. While the i7-920/X58 does offer slightly better performance, it is rarely worth the extra money. You really only need the X58 setup if you plan to use several graphics cards, or if you are using your machine for video editing, photo editing, or high-end development which will take advantage of the hyperthreading and triple-channel RAM. Otherwise your money is better spent on the graphics card.

Go for the i5-750 for your CPU, and buy a good heatsink. For a motherboard, look at the GA-P55A-??? Series as they have been ranked very high in performance and include support for USB 3.0 and SATA 6.

 

[dpaul8]

The i7-920 is old technology which is past its prime. Next year, Intel will be coming out with the i9 processors, but these will be very expensive because they are not aimed at the home PC market.

The i5-750 is new technology which performs better than the i7-920 for single graphics cards, and equally well for systems with two graphics cards. Its a no-brainer, get better or equal performance at a cheaper price with the i5-750.

Keep in mind that the P55 motherboards for the i750 tend to be substantially cheaper than the X58 motherboards for the i920. In addition, for gaming you only need to buy two sticks of DDR3 ram for the P55 motherboard compared with three sticks for most X58 boards, which save even more money for the same performance. You should be able to save about $200 USD when you take into account the cost savings associated with the differences between the processors ($90), the motherboards ($80), and the RAM (2 versus 3 sticks, $30). Thats not a bad deal considering you are not sacrificing anything in performance!

 

[Zabman]

Wow!

Thanks for the feedback guys!

What you've said seems to make sense so I have had a look at the GA-P55A mobos and have ammended my build to include:

CPU: Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=461770

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD6
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=509812

I haven't yet had a chance to look at what RAM would go with this board. Would the PSU & GPU still be acceptable?

 

[dpaul8]

The Gigabyte UD6 is a top of the line motherboard aimed at users who want to get the absolute most out of overclocking. The Gigabyte UD4P will save you a few dollars and will still let you overclock the processor. The UD4P, as well as the UD6, support either SLI or Crossfire for use with two video cards. Both are good choices.

 

[dpaul8]

The Corsair 650HX is one of the best power supplies available. It will easily handle one graphics card, and should be OK for two graphics cards. However, if two graphics cards are in your future, then you should consider upgrading to a 750 W unit. The 5850 graphics card is also a fine choice.

 

[Zabman]

Awesome, thanks so much for all your help dpaul8!

I have changed to a 750W PSU as you suggested, and with the savings I have made on RAM, CPU & MOBO, it still works out cheaper than my initial build.

My only concern now is whether everything will fit inside the case and onto the Mobo! I know the CPU sink I have is quite big.

As mentioned, I would like to add an additional GPU and perhaps another 4G RAM in the next 4 months.

Complete build: http://pricespy.co.nz/product_list.php?do=lista&k=3062