My Next Build

[faint545]

I've had this same machine for a while now. Over the years I've upgraded certain parts (even the MB) but I think it may be time for a whole new system so here's a list I came up with. Anyone that can possibly make this a better/less expensive build without sacrificing performance will be appreciated. I will be using this for gaming (much more than the average user) and image processing (Photoshop and such). Total cost for this is $1,592.90 and I would like to keep it around that number if possible. I already have all peripherals and OS so those aren't needed.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112244

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130275

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102884

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817176002

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103851

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145284

HDD (x2): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136322

CD/DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

CPU HSF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103055

[glc]

Asus motherboard recommended over MSI. Power supply is sold out. Standard XMS3 recommended over Dominator. Velociraptors are not worth the money, WD Black is plenty good, and if you are thinking RAID, not recommended. Keep it simple and don't pay a premium for technology that makes very little difference. If you want a boot drive that screams, get a SSD and use a Black for data.

[faint545]

I took you suggestions, aside from the RAM. I decided to pick out the G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB RAM set. G.Skill seems to have a very good price for performance correlation. I also decided that at this point in time, I don't feel as though an SSD is quite worth the price for me so I decided to cut back on the HDD and get two 7200 RPM WD Black drives, one for OS and the other for data. Total cost went down a few to $1,485.90

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131655

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139011

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231323

HDD (x2): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319

[glc]

G.skill, particularly Ripjaws, has been having compatibility and quality issues lately. You may be able to get a better selection and save a bit with two dual channel kits instead of a set of 4.

[faint545]

I went with your suggestion and couldn't find any reputable (8GB) dual channel kits that were within my price range other than the Ripjaws. I've got my eyes set on 8GB and I don't think I can talk myself down to 4GB so I'm going with the Corsair XMS3 8GB quad channel kit. Total price is now is just about $1,500 even.

BTW, this set is pulled from the ASUS QVL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...X8GX3M4A1333C9

Is there ANY difference between that and the one I picked? I can't find a difference at all except that the set that is on the QVL is more expensive.

[glc]

I'm suggesting you look at buying TWO 2x2 dual channel kits............that's 8gb, 4 modules total.

[faint545]

Ohh. I thought you meant just a single dual channel kit. I misread. Sorry

[faint545]

Here is an updated list of my projected new build..

HDD (x1): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150477
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139002
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131655
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139011
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103851
RAM (x2): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211364
CD/DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204
CPU HSF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103055

[glc]

Suggest this video card instead of a XFX:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161330

Why do you need a $50 aftermarket CPU cooler?

[faint545]

I like to keep my CPU temps relatively low. I don't doubt that the stock cooler is suffice but I've just always had a natural inclination to get an aftermarket cooler. Do you suggest a cheaper cooler or just the stock? I don't plan on OCing btw. Also do you think a 6-core is worth it? I would like this to be as much future proof as possible and a quad-core from AMD is about 30 or 40 dollars less.

[glc]

Stock cooler is ALL you need if you don't overclock. Preserves the warranty too.

I'm not qualified to offer an opinion on AMD processors and motherboards.

[faint545]

Do you think getting a Radeon HD 5870 is worth an extra 100+ dollars over the 5850? Spec-wise, they are relatively close.

[faint545]

Actually... I think I'm gonna not get a GPU since my GTX 260 is sufficient for now. I have an old 8800GTS that I can use in my current PC when I get the new one. This should save me some $$ for now.

Or maybe not.. 5850 seems to be much faster than the GTX 260.

[Nikon]

you are probably better off with an ATI card on an amd board.

the mobo you picked is quite good, and the cpu you picked is about the best one you can get from amd. its rated along side the i5 750 in performance according to assorted reviews and tomshardware articles.

the 5850 smashes that old 260. the gtx460 is about the closest you can get in performance to a 5830/5850.

unless you have some really really intense games/programs, the 5850 aught to be enough. you will have best results with an ATI card on that amd board (i think i said that already), plus xfire potential if you wish in the future. you cant SLI on that board.

[faint545]

Alright so, just ordered the parts from Newegg last night. I decided that once I get the parts for my new machine, I'll use my Corsair H50 CPU cooler that is in my old machine and use it in the new one and put a stock cooler on the old machine.

[David M]

I just noticed that I am too late but.....

What size monitor do you have? The amount of video RAM a card has makes a difference with larger monitors. If you have a 1920 x 1200 for example, I would go with a 5870. Its within your budget if you don't go crazy with the CPU.

Aftermarket CPU coolers can be nice if you don't like the noise of the stock coolers. I would try the stock cooler first. Maybe just hold off on the aftermarket cooler for now. The cooler in my signature is silent at slow to middle speeds. The fan speed will increase automatically as the CPU temp rises. Combined with a very quiet PSU, this makes the computer absolutely quiet when the computer is doing things other than the more graphics intensive games.

You picked a nice quiet PSU with a 140mm fan.

[faint545]

I already own a Corsair H50 so, I wouldn't be spending extra for a quiet cooling solution. My monitor is 25.5" and I do run it at 1920x1200.

[faint545]

I'm thinking of getting another GPU for Crossfire. What do you guys think?

[faint545]

I finally got the parts yesterday, spent about 5 hours putting it together and still not satisfied with my cable management job so I will have to spend more time on it. Everything works perfectly. Case is unbelievably huge though (which I really like). Much much bigger than the Antec 1200.

I've also decided not to go Crossfire and only do single GPU. Thx for your inputs

[David M]

The cable management is the very last thing I do. I make sure its all working first. Its seems that inevitably if you make the wires all pretty then you will need to remove something. It almost seems like bad luck to do this or to put the case panel back on before making certain everything is working correctly.

Enjoy your new computer.