First gaming build

B

Bragarb07

Weaksauce
Joined
Nov 7, 2009
Messages
67
Hi guys, I've always been a console user and now I'm tempted to go to the PC side. Don't know much about hardware, but this last couple of days trying to figure out what to buy gave me some basic ideas.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming and web browsing
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
~$700
3) Where do you live?
Not in the US, but have a friend there who will buy all the stuff
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
processor, mother, ram, vga, hd
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I have already purchased an OCZ1000PXS-B ProXStream 1000W PSU for $70
I also have a Collermaster 690 case and DVD-RW
6) Will you be overclocking?
Don't think so
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
Not included in the $700 budget. 22" or 24" dell, not sure if TN or IPS (difference pricewise is really worth it?)
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
In the next 15 days
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Nothing specific (lack of knowledge)
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Windows 7.

I currently own a core2duo without vga and with a 15" crt so everything will be a huge difference for me. As I said I'm looking for a Dell 22" or 24", I don't know if 24 will be too much for gaming coming from a 15".
I already purchased an OCZ 1000W power supply recertified on sale for $70, I'll have more power than needed but I can always trade it. I also have an CM 690 and DVD-RW.
I'm also very interested in online deals, I don't know if there are any deals regarding motherboards or cpus, I always check on slickdeals but seem to find only laptops and full pcs. Used stuff could be an option too. (I want to spend as little as possible, so if I need to sell the PC I don't lose a lot of money)

This is the config I thought about:
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3L LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
G.SKILL Trident 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
RADEON HD5770 OR HD4890 ?
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"

Already have:
CM-690
OCZ1000PXS-B ProXStream 1000W
LG 20x DVD-RW

What would you guys recommend? I'm not sure yet about if it's better to get the 4890 or the 5770, considering future drivers that will come to the 5770.
Any help will be appreciated!
 
Can you return OCZ psu?

Danny Bui said:
Anyway, lt_shiro's build is pretty good as is. With that said, I do have a bias towards Gigabyte mobo so I would also recommend this combo deal:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.280597

The GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P is just as good as the Asus mobo that lt_shiro listed.
Click to expand...

I would suggest this combo

I don't suggest using green drives as main os drives as they are design too save on power and not on performance.
 
I don't see anything wrong with your build. You have plenty of PSU, and it's not a bad one at that. The 4890 vs 5770 is a weird issue. Usually the 5770 gets compared more to the 4870 right now. The 4890 is a very powerful card, and I don't see the 5770 catching it with driver updates. Could be wrong on that but it'd be a stretch. Is the money worth it you? The XFX 5770 is a pretty nice card, and has the peace of mind of a world class warranty. I tend to think depending what you run for games, and at what resolution your going to be running them the 5770 may be a better buy looking down the road. It may never offer the brute horsepower of the 4890 but has DX11 and eyefinity. It's really a toss up as to what you think you'll need more.

Take a look at this RAM. Has some higher clock speeds if you decide to OC. If you live near a Microcenter B&M you should grab your CPU there as you can save a good amount of money that way.
 
True but I have always found loud to be subjective, and is pretty easily fixed. He got a pretty good price on the unit so I don't really see the point in losing money by sending it back, then buying another unit. By the time your done you've spent at least another $30 on shipping and restocking fees. Money better spent on other parts since the current PSU is in no way a danger to his system.

The [H] review
 
Yes I figured it's more than enough for my config, plus works very well and I have plenty of power if I want to do crossfire. For that price I couldn't pass up, and I can always trade it for other.
About the RAM, I will definately check those out, thanks.
The combo is very nice, although I don't know about that RAM, would you guys recommend it? I wasn't going to spend more than $300 on cpu+mother anyways so it'll be pretty much the same. Don't have a MC near but maybe I hope I can score one here for ~165.
About the VGA, I think I'll go for the 4890. I get the sense 5770 is highly overpriced for coming out just now, while the 4890 has much more value.
 
Just paid for a 4890 for $135 shipped. I think I'll bite on a $58 caviar black 750GB

Also I can get an used i5 + Gigabyte P55 UD2 for $250, would you guys say I better wait or go for it?
I'm not sure about the MOBO, sounds like you have only 1 PCI-E slot (I don't think I'll ever use another, but anyways..) and 1 memory slot is blocked by one fan (same thing again, I'll probably use 2x2gb at first, then maybe add 1 ram more)
What do you think?
 
Bragarb07 said:
Also I can get an used i5 + Gigabyte P55 UD2 for $250, would you guys say I better wait or go for it?
I'm not sure about the MOBO, sounds like you have only 1 PCI-E slot (I don't think I'll ever use another, but anyways..) and 1 memory slot is blocked by one fan (same thing again, I'll probably use 2x2gb at first, then maybe add 1 ram more)
What do you think?
Click to expand...

If you look at it again, you can clearly see that the mobo has two PCI-E x16 slots. Whether or not the memory slot is blocked is totally dependent on which HSF you're planning to use. If using the stock HSF, no memory slot obstruction issues whatsoever.

It's a decent enough deal for $250. However make sure that hardware is thoroughly tested before you take it back to your home country. Last thing you want is a failed system and with no recourse for return or repair.
 
I've read that if the vga is "big" it also blocks the other pci-e slot. I don't think I'll use it so it's the same. About the ram slot, I don't know that much about HSF but I'll get into it.
And thanks for the advice, I'd hate any part to fail, I'll make sure everything is tested. On that note, can hardware work and still be damaged for OC or something? I know nothing about hard, but maybe when you get this deals on used stuff is because they're not working 100%?
Thank you!
 
Bragarb07 said:
I've read that if the vga is "big" it also blocks the other pci-e slot. I don't think I'll use it so it's the same. About the ram slot, I don't know that much about HSF but I'll get into it.
And thanks for the advice, I'd hate any part to fail, I'll make sure everything is tested. On that note, can hardware work and still be damaged for OC or something? I know nothing about hard, but maybe when you get this deals on used stuff is because they're not working 100%?
Thank you!
Click to expand...

Whoever wrote that probably had an abnormally large video card. Most double slot video cards will just block that first PCI slot.

There are some hardware that are perfectly stable at stock settings but will be highly unstable even with the tiniest overclock,
 
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