Review My New Build

Jon/xpm

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
165
My original plan was to wait and build a new computer when games like Diablo 3, WoW Cataclysm and Starcraft 2 came out so I could build around them and have great performance. However, my current PC seems to be almost dieing and needs to be replaced.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming (WoW, CS, CS:S, L4D), movies, web browsing, school programs (words, excel, access)
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Up to $1500
3) Where do you live?
Plano, TX
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Everything! (Expect Keyboard, Mouse, and Monitor)
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic Sound Card
6) Will you be overclocking?
No
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
ASUS VW222U
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Tonight and tomorrow.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Basic
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Windows XP Pro 32 / Plans on ordering Windows 7


Build Core i5
Case
Antec P183 ** Bought from Micro Center for $120**
PSU
Corsair 750 HX?
CPU
Core I5 Micro Center has it for $150
RAM
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB
Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12
CPU Cooler
Open
Video Card
XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB
MOBO
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R
DVD Drive
SAMSUNG SH-S223B DVD Drive

Core i7 Build
Case
Antec P183 ** Bought from Micro Center for $120**
PSU
Corsair 750 HX?
CPU
Core I7 Micro Center has it for $200
RAM
OCZ Gold 6GB OCZ3G1600LV6GK
Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12
CPU Cooler
XIGMATEK Dark Knight 120mm CPU Cooler
Video Card
XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB
MOBO
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58
DVD Drive
SAMSUNG SH-S223B DVD Drive

Questions:
Should I get the GA-P55-UD3R or GA-P55-UD4P?
In WoW any performance difference between the 4870 or 4890?
What would be the Pro's and Con's for the I5 or I7?

Thanks
Jonathan
 
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- Go with the UD3R since you said your mobo needs were basic.
- There will be a performance difference between the HD4870 and HD4890 in WOW.
- Dude, just google it. But quick advice:
Your needs seem relatively light. So there's no reason for you to spend the extra cash for the i7 unless you're doing heavy video/audio editing, photoshop work, or a ton of VMs.

PSU wise, the Antec Truepower Blue 750 can be had for $105 and is roughly similar in quality to the Corsair 750HX:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022
 
Danny Bui- Someone put that PSU did not work with the UD3R moob. Has this been resolved?
 
Go with the LGA1366 platform if you plan on overclocking, otherwise stick to LGA1156.
 
Danny Bui- Someone put that PSU did not work with the UD3R moob. Has this been resolved?

Explain who said that and what (s)he meant by that comment. The PSU should work with no problems with virtually any motherboard.
 
Likely some random review on newegg. I wouldn't read much into any user review on newegg.
 
I have an Antec TP 2.0 and that was a good buy in the past but now I hear that is has tons of issues.
 
I have an Antec TP 2.0 and that was a good buy in the past but now I hear that is has tons of issues.

Back then the computer hardware world didn't know any better about PSUs. Now we do. The Antec Truepower New 750 Blue has been properly tested and is based on a completely different platform, the same PSU platform used in many other quality PSUs. So yeah, very very little worry about the Antec Truepower New 750 Blue being of crap quality later on.
 
Back then the computer hardware world didn't know any better about PSUs. Now we do. The Antec Truepower New 750 Blue has been properly tested and is based on a completely different platform, the same PSU platform used in many other quality PSUs. So yeah, very very little worry about the Antec Truepower New 750 Blue being of crap quality later on.

That is good to hear.
 
Build Core i5
Case
Antec P183 ** Bought from Micro Center for $120**
PSU
Antec TruePower New TP-750 Blue 750W
CPU
Core I5 Micro Center has it for $150
RAM
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB
Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12
CPU Cooler
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212
Video Card
XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB
MOBO
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R
DVD Drive
SAMSUNG SH-S223B DVD Drive

Does this look good before i buy it?
Can anyone confirm about the length of the cords on the PSU?
Any good combo deals on the stuff im buying?
 
the cables should be long enough.
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
Here is a random question for you. I purchased Arctic Silver 5 on on 8/5/09. How long does this stuff last and should i pick up a new tube?
 
Here is a random question for you. I purchased Arctic Silver 5 on on 8/5/09. How long does this stuff last and should i pick up a new tube?

It can last for years if properly stored.
 
How do you properly store it? WE put it in a zip lock bag in the house.
 
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Keep it in cool temperature.

5) Storage of Arctic Silver 5
To keep Arctic Silver 5 fresh for future applications, always replace the cap on the syringe after each use. The syringe should be stored tip down so that any separation between the particles and suspension fluid will be at the back end of the syringe. Like any mix of particles that are many times heavier than the suspension fluid, there will be some separation in the compound over time when stored in the original syringe. Because all thermal compounds eventually experience some separation in storage, storing in a cool place like a refrigerator will also lessen the separation over time. However, this does not affect the performance of the un-separated or remixed compound.

I have an Antec TP 2.0 and that was a good buy in the past but now I hear that is has tons of issues.

The funny thing is, those TP2.0 and SP2.0 models were notorious for premature failure in moderate to high heat conditions due to a mix of their inadequate cooling and faulty fuhjyyu caps. The newer TP units are better, especially the TP New (as opposed to the TP Trio/Quatro, the gen between 2.0 and New).
 
Keep it in cool temperature.





The funny thing is, those TP2.0 and SP2.0 models were notorious for premature failure in moderate to high heat conditions due to a mix of their inadequate cooling and faulty fuhjyyu caps. The newer TP units are better, especially the TP New (as opposed to the TP Trio/Quatro, the gen between 2.0 and New).

Good to know. Thanks!
 
Will this memory work with the mobo i purchased?

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB
Model Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

Mobo
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R LGA 1156

The reason why I asked is because I do not see it on the listed from the Gigabyte website but I could be wrong.
 
Will this memory work with the mobo i purchased?

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB
Model Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

Mobo
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R LGA 1156

The reason why I asked is because I do not see it on the listed from the Gigabyte website but I could be wrong.

Should be fine. We've recommended the same RAM and Gigabyte mobo combo together in the past and haven't heard of an issues with it.
 
Should be fine. We've recommended the same RAM and Gigabyte mobo combo together in the past and haven't heard of an issues with it.

The true test will be tomorrow if all this works :)


THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP GUYS (MAYBE GALS)

Jonathan
 
For my new build. Under task manager it only shows 4 boxes for CPU usage history. However, for my father's i7 920 build it shows 8. Is something wrong with my set up?
 
For my new build. Under task manager it only shows 4 boxes for CPU usage history. However, for my father's i7 920 build it shows 8. Is something wrong with my set up?

Nope. The i5 750 doesn't have HT like the i7 920 does so yes the task manager readings are correct.
 
Nope. The i5 750 doesn't have HT like the i7 920 does so yes the task manager readings are correct.

That is good to hear. How do i check to see if it is reading the CPU correctly?

Also, the device manager on Windows7 is different from XP. For XP it would show yellow question marks when something was not set up. How do you read the device manager page for windows 7 ?

Thanks again Danny Bui for your assistance.
 
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