New Cruncher/ Gaming Box Critique

[Jmarcelo]

Hopefully I am not breaking any rules but I am going to post the newegg.com links because I don't feel like posting each stat.
Case: Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Motherboard:Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-770T-USB3 AM3 AMD 770 USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

Gpu: Newegg.com - EVGA 768-P3-1362-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

PSU: Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply

CPU: Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX

RAM: Newegg.com - CORSAIR 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model VS2GB1333D3 G

HDD: Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

I could be replacing my cpu with either the 965 or the 970 version of the same series.
This will be for gaming and crunching with Boinc applications. I have a somewhat limited budget at $1000 but I am a little flexible and go over by a few bucks.
Any suggestions?

[glc]

1. I would use the 1gb version of the GTX460.
2. Save some money and get the 650TX power supply.
3. Buy a dual channel ram kit - and I'd recommend a 2x2.
4. Recommend a WD Black hard drive. Do you really need 2tb?

You aren't breaking any rules, and what you did is what we prefer.

[Jmarcelo]

1. This one look good? Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1373-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
2. Thanks on that one. Saved 50 bucks
3. RAM is kinda a grey area for me. What am I really looking for in RAM.
4. Yes I need 2TB because I have a lot photos, games and tons of big documents and downloads for school. I already maxed out all of my drives on my current machine, about 750 gb. I found one Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD2001FASS 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive only 10 bucks more.

Thanks on the advice. Any tips for a AMD Quad Core? I don't go with Intel chips because they have given me a spot of trouble in the past and they are way more expensive.

[Jbc223456]

For RAM, you will probably be looking for a 2x2GB (since there are rarely any program that will utilize more than 4GB of RAM). You want to look for a matched pair (i.e. newegg has them listed as 2x2GB) and probably low voltage (1.5V) 1333 RAM.

[Nikon]

as far as gaming on amd goes, the 900 series phenom IIs are the best you can get. my personal preference is the 965.

[glc]

Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1333C9A G

[pally01]

Keep a sharp eye on prices especially for a 1GB GTX 460. I could've bought a superclocked EVGA for $159CDN this weekend. There's bound to be some similar prices again soon.

[Jmarcelo]

I am probably getting the 3.4 ghz phenom II x4 and I've Been looking at a evga 460 or 470 depending on how much money I get for Christmas. Is there a big difference with the 192 and 256 bit memory interface? Because when I look at price the 256 are 50 dollars more

[David M]

Video memory does make a difference especially as you start getting into monitors with more pixels.

[glc]

I don't think he's asking about the amount of video memory - he's asking about the interface width.

To the OP: I recommend you read this article:

Best Graphics Cards For The Money: November 2010 : November Updates

It's updated monthly.

[Nuclear Krusader]

The more I look at the VC market, the less sense I can make of it.

[glc]

Bottom line - specs are less important than the final result - comparative benchmarks can be useful but actual in-game performance is what counts.

[Jmarcelo]

I think ill stick with a superclocked evga GTX 460. Its way less than the the others by $50 bucks and has comparable stats as to a 470.

[Jmarcelo]

Heres my new box which I will be ordering with Christmas money.
Case: Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

HDD:Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Mobo:Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-770T-USB3 AM3 AMD 770 USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

GPU:Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1373-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

PSU:Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1373-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

RAM:Newegg.com - CORSAIR 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model VS2GB1333D3 G

CPU:Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX

OS:Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - Operating Systems

I guess the major difference is that I am using windows 7 because its 64 but using the VM I can still use legacy programs. It comes out to 1 grand or so with rush shipping because I want to have it by the end of Christmas break.
So if you have anything to rage on about let it loose! Thanks i most part to glc and the others on the first version of this. To mods if I need to merge this with the original just tell me!

[David M]

Which applications do you plan on running?

[Jmarcelo]

High end games, Seti@home and distrubuted computing tasks. Lots of HD video browsing.
notably Test Drive unlimited 2 http://www.game-debate.com/games/ind...0Unlimited%202

[glc]

Threads merged.

Please do not buy a Seagate hard drive. Get a Western Digital Black.

Get a 2x2 dual channel ram kit, not a single 2gb module.

You have listed the video card again instead of a power supply.

You are missing an optical drive.

[Jmarcelo]

I am reusin a cd/dvd drive that I have, Psu:Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Could you give me a good set of dual channel? I am currently buy 4 of the corsair RAM
HDDNewegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD2001FASS 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
I will be using this hard drive for just games and extra data while anything important will be on a 250Gb Western Digital black that I already have.
Thanks for merging.

[glc]

You want 8 gb ram?

Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX8GX3M2A1333C9

[Jmarcelo]

How big of an upgrade are they? its only 5 dollars more for that so I am probably going to get them regardless.

[glc]

I'm asking you if you DO want 8 gb ram - or do you want 4 gb?

Could you give me a good set of dual channel? I am currently buy 4 of the corsair RAM

[Jmarcelo]

Yes I would like the 8 gig of ram. I am asking if dual channel is that much of an upgrade. I am shaving some of the things down like downgrading my operating system to home edition and buying the case locally for 12 bucks! I know that ATI are the complement of AMD as they are basically the same company now. Would having a ATI to complement my AMD chip allow me to gain anything and is the price/performance better than the nvidia I am looking at? I am posting this rather late at night so I am sorry if things do not make perfect sense.

[glc]

You need to use dual channel for best performance. Single modules may or may not match up properly. The set I recommended is two 4gb modules which is preferable to four 2gb modules.

Both ATI and Nvidia cards are good, and which CPU you have is immaterial. The equivalent to the 460 1gb is the Radeon 6850. After rebate, it's going to be hard to find a card as good as that factory overclocked EVGA you have in your list - overclocked 6850's start at $190.

[Jmarcelo]

Great I am glad all my research paid off! Thanks a lot Glc and have a good holiday!

[Jmarcelo]

Almost ready to buy and I am looking at slightly more expensive gpus. I want to stay in the 460 GTX EVGA superclocked area but I wonder about the variations. What does External exhaust do for me? Is it worth the 10-30 bucks extra?

[glc]

I personally don't think more expensive 460's are worth it. I would stick with EVGA or Asus.

[Nikon]

the FTW version of the 460 performs on par with a 470. check it out here
On The Bench: EVGA GeForce GTX 460 FTW : EVGA Overclocks The GeForce GTX 460

[Jmarcelo]

Thanks nickon, but my other question still stands what the heck is EE?
The FTW is about 20 bucks more than my current card. Is it worth it?

[ChoboSeki]

External Exhaust is the fan on the back front of the video card. The top fan will blow inward, instead of outward, then blow it out the case.

[Jmarcelo]

Thanks a lot. I don't think I will be investing in a FTW because it is a 40 dollar difference for a small improvement.