Need help choosing mobo, psu and case

[slicedtoad]

I'm building a computer with 3 things in mind:
-high performance
-best cost to performance ratio (looking at benchmarking sites)
-upgradeable

I'm buying all parts from newegg.ca (note the '.ca'). I know there are several other decent Canadian sites, but this is one of the largest and i save on shipping if i stick with one store.

I've never built a computer before so while i know what level of gpu and cpu i need, i have limited to no knowledge about mother boards, cases, cooling, power supply, etc.

Here's what i have so far (tentatively):
ATI Radeon HD 5850 by Gigabyte
Intel i7-2600 should i get the 2600k instead so i can eventually over clock?
8GB ram (brand and speed might change)
some 1TB 7200rpm sata6 HDD (wtvr is a good price when i order)
maybe an ssd (i'll choose when i order)
Disk Drive (I'll probably change this for an equivalent on sale as well)

Motherboard- needs to support the above as well as usb3.0, sata6.0Gb/s and crossfire with two of the above gpu.
Would this search filter make sense?
-Motherboards > Intel > LGA 1155 > Intel H67 > dual PCI Express 2.0 x 16
This filter displays 6 results, could someone tell me which ones are acceptable?

Case
I can't stand flamboyant cases (lights, colors, etc). Other than that, i don't really care about how it looks.
One case i liked is Athena Power CA-601B80 because it comes with a psu of 600, 800 or 950 watts.
If this isn't a good choice (psu sucks, ventilation isn't acceptable or wrong size) could someone either recommend a case or give me the right search filter?

PSU
Unless i get the athena case i need a psu. I have no idea what wattage/brand to get. It needs to be strong enough to eventually support crossfire but i don't plan on any other upgrades.

With the athena case, that will cost me about $1,150 after shipping and taxes. My budget is around $1500 so with a screen, mouse, keyboard and anything else i might need, i shouldn't be too far off.

Please tell me if i'm missing something or doing something wrong.

Thanks,
Sliced

[David M]

How will you be using the computer? Which applications?

You don't want a PSU that comes with a case. Unless it is an Antec it is probably junk. Read this...
What Power Supply should I get? How many Watts? Who made it? Guide Inside.

You are missing an OS which will cost around $100 USD.

With your on sale optical drive, make sure it has a SATA connector. You shouldn't have to pay more than about 20 bucks.

[slicedtoad]

I'll be using it for high end games, Visual studio 2010 and several programs from adobe's cs5 suite.
The reason i chose what i think is a higher end cpu than gpu is because you can add a second gpu when you need it, while upgrading the cpu makes less sense.

For the OS, i get windows 7 professional free through my college.

PSU
neweggs calculator says i need 713W. Thats with i7 LGA1156, High End mobo, Radeon HD 5850 x2, 4GB DDR3 x2, 1 optical, and one 7200rpm hdd.

Will this 850W corsair be ok?

[David M]

At $1150 it won't exactly be a high end computer but it will be a pretty decent one. Don't expect to run Crysis 2 at full game settings. Given what you said, get the 2600K and overclock it a bit. Then later when you want to spend the money get a high end graphics card so you can play those high end games with the fancy graphics so you are not playing what looks like Donkey Kong.

[slicedtoad]

Originally Posted by David M At $1150 it won't exactly be a high end computer but it will be a pretty decent one. Don't expect to run Crysis 2 at full game settings. Given what you said, get the 2600K and overclock it a bit. Then later when you want to spend the money get a high end graphics card so you can play those high end games with the fancy graphics so you are not playing what looks like Donkey Kong.

Wooaah! Thank you SO much for that comment, i just realised a mistake i made. I had been looking at the 6850 gpu and accidentally added the 5850. The 6850 is cheaper by 10$ and is rated higher at this site.
With two of these i should i be able to run just about everything, i think.

This also puts me down to 612W by neweggs calc.

So, here's my updated build:
AMD radeon HD 6850 by ASUS
Intel i7-2600k
8GB ram
850W corsair PSU
some 1TB 7200rpm sata6 HDD (wtvr is a good price when i order)

I still need help with the Mobo, thx.

[David M]

No, don't put two cheaper cards together thinking the processing power will be the equivalent to a faster card at twice the price. Cards processing power does not add up like that. You never get a one plus one equals two with the processing power. It might be something more like 1 + 1 = 1.5

The better bang for the buck is with a single card.

[slicedtoad]

I'm not sure i can afford a better card, but what would you recommend?

and what size tower do i need? the options at new egg are ATX Desktop, ATX Full Tower, ATX Mid Tower and alot of micro/mini options.

[David M]

Unless you want a really small computer I would go with an ATX mid tower. This is what you would call your typical sized computer that you might see at BestBuy, Costco or Fry's

As for your card, if you want something that fits in with your budget and how you described you plan on using your computer I would look in the $200 to $300 range. Nvidia and AMD are both good brands.

I tell people to look through Tom's Hardware which has the ranking and prices for graphics cards. Any card whose price is out of order with the rest of the prices is either expensive or a bargain. You will see what I mean. Pick a benchmark which most represents the type of use that you will be using your computer for.

At the higher end of your budget is the $270 2 GB 6950 with nothing beating it at that price.

At the lower end of your budget at around $210 is the 1 GB 6870.

I better throw this in before George gets after me for not doing so...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...6990,2879.html

[slicedtoad]

Argh, the naming convention for amd cards is blowing my mind. I used to think it was a simple, logical way to name them but after several hours of reading their names and differences they made me dyslexic and killed my mind.

ok, I might change my opinion tomorrow when i can think again but...
The video card i think i'll upgrade to a radeon hd 6950 2GB since it's only 20$ above the 1GB version. I also don't think i'll be adding another one anytime soon, so my mobo doesn't need crossfire compatibilities. (Though i wouldn't reject them). Instead, when i need more performance i'll see if i can mod it to a 6970.

Which of these is better:
This Asus card or this Saphire card?
or another similarly priced one from this page.

[Nuclear Krusader]

If you are using Adobe applications, you better get an nVidia GPU. Adobe relies on CUDA, which ATi has not.

[David M]

Originally Posted by slicedtoad Which of these is better: This Asus card or this Saphire card? or another similarly priced one from this page.

Nuc is right..but to answer your question...

Asus. This is why...
Video Card Rating

[slicedtoad]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader If you are using Adobe applications, you better get an nVidia GPU. Adobe relies on CUDA, which ATi has not.

I should probably clarify. I use Flash, Photoshop, Illistrator and dreamweaver. I don't use their video editing stuff and don't plan to ever learn. Is it safe to assume that a 2gb 6950 will run non-video adobe apps without any problems?(They run only slightly slow on my pavillion dv7-2270us laptop which has an HD 4650 1GB mobile)

The reason i've been sticking with ATI cards has nothing to with personal preference, they just happen to be better for whichever price range i'm looking at.

edit:
also, i don't need usb 3.0 ports on my case because the mobo has them right?
If so, is this one ok and will it fit my gpu? COOLER MASTER ~ $85

[Nuclear Krusader]

ATi also has more buggy drivers. But yes, it will run. Just make sure that the card is compatible with OpenGL 2.0 and Shader Model 3.0 and that it has at least 512MB of RAM. Ideally, in this day, you don't want the card to have less than 1GB of RAM, especially if you plan on using more than one monitor later on.

[slicedtoad]

I've been looking at mobos.
After reading a bit, i kind of decided on Asus's Sabertooth P67 because it seemed perfect and even looked nice. It's out of stock, so unless they send me the 'auto notification' email very soon, i won't get it.

Gigabyte also had several options. They all seemed worse than asus's and not much cheaper.

Next i checked out Biostar's TP67B+.
Reviews say the bios settings are glitchy but with consistent glitches (you're able to get around them with a guide). Other than that, it seems to be a decent board, especially considering it's only $130.

[Deathdiesel]

I dont think anyone around here will advise any other Mobo brand than Asus. Idk if its this fourm(i doubt it) but even from reviews they generally seem to make the best overall mobos. If your planning on ordering tommorow or the next day then do what you can, but id personally wait for an Asus board.

[glc]

Can you handle $1200 shipped?

Newegg.ca - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Newegg.ca - ASUS SABERTOOTH P67 (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.ca - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K

Newegg.ca - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B

Newegg.ca - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.ca - LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.ca - EVGA 01G-P3-1380-KR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) SSC+ 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Newegg.ca - CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

[slicedtoad]

Originally Posted by Deathdiesel I dont think anyone around here will advise any other Mobo brand than Asus. Idk if its this fourm(i doubt it) but even from reviews they generally seem to make the best overall mobos. If your planning on ordering tommorow or the next day then do what you can, but id personally wait for an Asus board.

I'm not sure if i'll order tomorrow or in a week or two, depends on a couple unrelated factors. If i order before they get Asus back in stock, I think i'll get the Biostar. Khalil's guide does say it's medium quality, has good customer support and fast RMA service, so if it breaks i shouldn't be left hanging. Other than that, some people at the tomshardware forums have managed to get past its buggy bios in order to oc (which seems to be the only persistent complaint about this board).

Can you handle $1200 shipped? Newegg.ca - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case I looked at this case, but i liked this Cooler Master better. Any reason the antec is preferred? Newegg.ca - ASUS SABERTOOTH P67 (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard ffing awesome motherboard, but sold out. Also wouldn't mind saving 90$ if i can manage with the Biostar. Newegg.ca - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K planning on this one Newegg.ca - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B planning on this one Newegg.ca - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive I have a new ssd that i was planning on putting in my laptop, i think i'll put it in this instead so i'll probably go with the caviar blue drive for 30$ less Newegg.ca - LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners I like this one better, i dont need it to burn and it comes with cables. Newegg.ca - EVGA 01G-P3-1380-KR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) SSC+ 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card Downgrading from the 6950 is something that sounds very tempting. I would also likely wait for the saber tooth restock because i would oc and add another card sooner. My question is whether the 6850 would be a better choice for me. According to this Tomshardware review: The main differentiators are Eyefinity multi-monitor support for the Radeon, while the GeForce has access to the 3D Vision infrastructure that includes 3D gaming and Blu-ray 3D support. I personally hate 3d and will never use it. On the other hand, i may use multiple monitors Newegg.ca - CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply Planning on this one

[slicedtoad]

Sabertooths are back in stock!

Here's my build:
ASUS SABERTOOTH P67
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz
ASUS Radeon HD 6950 2GB - might change to a gtx 460 or 6850
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1600
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W
COOLER MASTER CM 690
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 7200 RPM 6.0Gb/s
LITE-ON Blu-Ray Disc Reader

With this i should only need:
-Screen - 1920x1080 2x.x inch (any recommendations that won't further blow my budget?)
-Mouse - razer, r.a.t. or lg gaming mouse
-Keyboard

Can i assume this is EVERYTHING i need? (i don't need a wireless card, burner or OS)

thx alot guys.

[glc]

The CM690 is a great case. I only recommended the Antec because you said you wanted a "minimalist" case - the CM has pretty lights.

I highly recommend a drive that will at least burn CD's and DVD's just in case you need to make a bootdisk for running diagnostics.

I still recommend a Black drive for the longer warranty and better speed.

Newegg.ca - Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers ASCR 10,000,000:1

Newegg.ca - ASUS VH238H Black 23" Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250 cd/m2 ASCR 50,000,000:1

[birddog_61]

Personally I would add up the cost of all your components minus the graphics card, figure out exactly how much left you can spend and buy the best card you can afford. Nvidia cards will support 2 monitors just as well as ati so if your not planning on 3 or more then your fine with a single nvidia card. If you do decide you want to run 2 cards nvidia will support 3 monitors its just not as refined as ati's eyfinity system.

[slicedtoad]

ok, first i think i've decided on the 2500k instead. It's $100 less and recommended for gaming as the biggest difference is lack of hyper-threading.

Second, would a 750W Corsair PSU be able to run 2 x 6950s possibly converted to 6970s with an oced 2500k? (it'll be a while before i do this but i want the option.) According to neweggs calculator, it's not enough, but they don't have sandy bridge CPUs in their options so i chose the i5/i7 1156 option. I don't "need" a modular psu but it would be nice (though i'm not spending another $50+ for an 850W modular).

Originally Posted by glc The CM690 is a great case. I only recommended the Antec because you said you wanted a "minimalist" case - the CM has pretty lights. I like the case better except for the lights, so i'll turn them off I highly recommend a drive that will at least burn CD's and DVD's just in case you need to make a bootdisk for running diagnostics. i have another computer i use for storage, burning and torrenting, if i need to i'll move one of it's 3 drives over I still recommend a Black drive for the longer warranty and better speed. ok, i'll get the black one Newegg.ca - Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers ASCR 10,000,000:1 Thanks, i think i'll get this one Newegg.ca - ASUS VH238H Black 23" Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250 cd/m2 ASCR 50,000,000:1

[glc]

The AX750 is certified for two 6950's or 6970's, so the HX750 should be sufficient. There's only 2 amps difference on the +12v rail between the 2 units.