First timer, help required

[cavitycreep]

So I've been playing around with the idea of building my own rig for the past few years but I've never had the initiative nor the money to do it. Well, I've finally decided that now is the time to start. I'd like to build a GOOD gaming computer, nothing too fancy, just some thing to run modern video games on medium and some times high settings at a good framerate.

My current computer is:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 6000+
NVIDIA GeForce 8500GT with 256mb
DVD+RW Super Multi Drive
500 GB SATA II (WD5000AAJS-00TKA 7200RPM)
2048 MB DDR2 Dual Channel RAM

Basically, this things a piece. I can barely play any games even on low settings, but I will be using the monitor (1440x900), speakers, DVD drive and hard drive in the one I'm building. I might get another 500GB HDD but we'll see in the end.

Anyway, I've read a few different websites to see what parts could fit together and what each of them does, and here's what I've come up with for the new rig:

CPU: AMD Phenom II Quad-Core 955 3.2 GHz 4x 512KB L2 Cache 6MBL3 Cache
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Video: Two EVGA GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI-e 2.0 x16 in SLI
Mobo: ASUS M4A79XTD
Case: Rosewill DESTROYER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V/EPS12V

I'm not really big on sound, so I'd be using the onboard audio. I've already got the monitor, speakers, and DVD drive, like I said earlier, along with the HDD. So now, I've got just a few questions:

1.) Do I need anything else? I checked this thread, but I didn't understand what some of the things on that list were (still printed it out though).
2.) Will all of these components work together, and well?
3.) Do you think I'll run into any difficulties putting this baby together?
4.) Will I have to solder anything?
5.) Should I replace the HS+Fan on the Phenom II?
6.) Will the new rig be able to run games on medium and sometimes high settings?
7.) Is the PSU going to be enough?

The only couple of things that I'm not familiar with are the PSU and the case. I'm not sure if I need to find some thing special, or if they have to match up with any other parts, or what, so if I did some thing wrong please let me know! Also, if you could give me any advice or links on putting it together, that'd be amazing and incredibly helpful! Thanks a lot in advanced.

[glc]

Video: Two EVGA GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI-e 2.0 x16 in SLI

Not recommended. Those are power hungry obsolete cards. We recommend one strong up to date card. For the same price, you can get an ATI 5830. Also, that motherboard does not support SLI.

[David M]

You did not mention a budget but with a 750 watt PSU you could go as high as a single 5970.

Whats the most you want to spend? That info is really helpful for others to have in order to design you a good gamer.

[cavitycreep]

I see. I'm really more biased towards an NVIDIA chipset, but is the difference between ATI and NVIDIA huge? What are the differences, even? Well, besides the Crossfire.

Is this card a better choice, then?

BFG Tech BFGEGTX260MC896OCDE GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16

Edit: David, I'm looking around, at most, $1000. I'd prefer to cut it close, or under that.

[orbrit]

Here's a good reference for Video card comparisons..

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...rd,2569-6.html

[cavitycreep]

Ok, I've decided to go with the SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 instead of the NVIDIA card. It performs better and it's cheaper than the GTX285. Will getting a 750w PSU do any thing to improve the computer? Or will the 650w work?

Will the ASUS M4A79XTD still work with this card? I checked to make sure that it will, but I just wanted to ask you guys to make sure.

Thanks for the link, orbrit!

[orbrit]

The Mobo will work and is Crossfire ready if you ever decide to add a second 5850 (why you'd need it I don't know!) and the PCIe lanes are a single x16 or dual cards at x8.

650W PSU will be just fine for a single card.

Using the Antec calculator you're expected consumption is only 312 W


ATI certifies the 750TX for CrossfireX with the HD5850

[David M]

Originally Posted by cavitycreep Ok, I've decided to go with the SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 instead of the NVIDIA card. It performs better and it's cheaper than the GTX285. Will getting a 750w PSU do any thing to improve the computer? Or will the 650w work? Will the ASUS M4A79XTD still work with this card? I checked to make sure that it will, but I just wanted to ask you guys to make sure. Thanks for the link, orbrit!

A higher wattage PSU does not make your computer faster. It makes it more flexible if you ever want to add or exchange hardware that draws more power. According to the Newegg PSU calculator, a high quality 650 watt PSU will be sufficient for your hardware. It came up with a 444 watt draw for the system you have designed. You could drop it down to a 550 watt PSU if you wanted to save 10 or 20 bucks....but I wouldn't. Its nice to have a decent amount of extra power over the minimum you need. The closer any electronic device gets to producing its maximum power, the more likely it is to fail.
http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html


You would only want an Nvidia chipset if you want SLI. An Nvidia chipset is required to run SLI in fact. The fact is that the Intel chip sets are more reliable. Additionally, for reliability it is much better to go with a single graphics card. This applies to both SLI and Crossfire. An Intel chipset will of course work with either brand of graphics cards

[orbrit]

The Newegg calculator puts my system at 388W consumption.
My peak measured AC input (using a Kill a Watt P3) is 224 with Prime 95 and a 3D torture tool running at the same time to max out CPU and GPU. (assuming 80% efficiency that would be 180W DC output)

The Antec calculator put my system at 239W.

So the 650 will work. It won't be certified for Crossfire use (it may still work), but will definitely work for your single card.