First Gaming Rig Build

I

Insomnimrod

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Jul 6, 2009
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Here is a system I am planning on building. Will use mainly for gaming (Crysis, GTA IV, Call of Duty 4, etc.) I would appreciate any input. I have done lots of research, but never built rig before. This build comes in at a hair under $1400 at newegg, I have budget of $1600. I was thinking the case could be better, but don't really know which ones are considered high quality.

Rosewill R5730-P BK 120mm Fan Pre-Installed on the Top and 80mm Slim Fan Cooling HDD,ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

XFX Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor

Crucial 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory

HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725050GLA360 (0A35415) 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Acer X233Hbd Black 23" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22LP20 LightScribe Support

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders
 
Welcome to [H]ard|Forum! Not bad. You'll probably want at least DDR3-1333, if not DDR3-1600. Though, you should really answer the questions in the sticky first. Also, I'd switch to the WD6400AAKS or WD6401AALS over that Deskstar. Oh, and pickup a SATA DVD burner instead of IDE. BTW, Win.7 upgrade is only $50 for Home Premium right now. ;)

There's a couple stickies (threads at the top of the GenHard page) you should check out, since this is your first build. First, however, check this one out:
Asking for Build Help?: ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST
 
Core i7 is a waste of money for gaming (single video card+core i7=...why?). Spend the it on a non TN(non garbage) panel monitor instead.
 
So, which cpu do you recommend? AMD Phenom II, Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad? I was simply aiming at "future-proofing" this rig. Don't really want to have to upgrade anything anytime soon...with exception of adding Crossfire if prices/performance dictate.
 
No such thing as future proof. But with your budget i7 is the best road for you.
 
Insomnimrod said:
So, which cpu do you recommend? AMD Phenom II, Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad? I was simply aiming at "future-proofing" this rig. Don't really want to have to upgrade anything anytime soon...with exception of adding Crossfire if prices/performance dictate.
Click to expand...

For future proofing go for an AM3 motherboard and a Phenom II processor. Upcoming CPUs from AMD will be compatible with AM3 and you can just do a drop in upgrade.

IMO, i7 is not good for his budget. That money can be put to better use.
 
i7 is one way to go... I was merely pointing out that what Jospeh said was true. You really don't need an i7 for a single vidcard gaming system. However, its still the fastest CPU out right now, if that matters to you. Core2Duo and Quad still outperform PhenomII's (X2/X3/X4). Though, with recent pricedrops, the PhenomII's are the better buy since they can perform similarly to the Core2's yet cost less.

If you stick with i7, be sure to make the changes I listed above.

You can browse the other threads around here for lower budgets that are based on the PhenomII's. ;)
 
Regarding the Mobo/CPU...it's only $80 more for the i7 over the Phenom X4 955. Isn't that worth getting the better combo? What about the case? The Rosewill I have in OP seems to have adequate cooling and has received decent reviews, and newegg has it for $40...it that a good deal or is it a poor case? I don't want to throw money away, but I don't want to skimp on something important either.
 
Case looks fine. Personally, I'd choose something else, but cases are subjective. That Rosewill case has 120mm front and rear fans, so thats a plus, as well as the rotated drive cage. Though, it does seem a bit cramped if you get a large vidcard. Danny Bui has a huge list of cases that are good choices, but I think he's on vacation right now, lol.
 
Here's a combo at newegg for $210...a savings of $240 over the i7 920

# AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor
# BIOSTAR TA790GXB A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX ATX AMD Motherboard

Good Motherboard even thought it's DDR2 1066?
 
yup... now its up to you if you want to save that $240 or not, lol.
 
Insomnimrod said:
Here's a combo at newegg for $210...a savings of $240 over the i7 920

# AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor
# BIOSTAR TA790GXB A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX ATX AMD Motherboard

Good Motherboard even thought it's DDR2 1066?
Click to expand...
The motherboard is free after rebate but it isn't AM3 so next gen processors may or may not work with it.
The DDR2 wont affect performance but DDR2 is being phased out...I guess it's not a big deal with DDR2 prices so low though.
That isn't the greatest motherboard but it should be fine...
Personally I'd just go for it. Future proofing is meaningless anyway...
 
OK...thanks to all who responded. I think this is the build I have settled on. Had to talk myself out of going overboard on the GPU. I think the 4890 is more than enough, and can crossfire in the future if I need to. How does it look?

LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS50

SILVERSTONE Kublai Series KL02-B Black Aluminum front panel, SECC body ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Acer X233Hbd Black 23" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor

XFX Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7

OCZ Fatal1ty Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders

AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor

BIOSTAR TA790GXB A2+ AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX ATX AMD Motherboard
 
Insomnimrod said:
Acer X233Hbd Black 23" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
Click to expand...
TN panel...
22" Dell UltraSharp 2209WA for around ~280$ Dunno other good 22" monitors.

240PW9EB
LP2475w
few others
500-600$ for a decent 24"

FW900 off ebay if you want the best display and don't mind it being a CRT.
Click to expand...

copy and pasted from a different thread. Don't buy any monitor with a TN panel. They look terrible (picture sucks due to TN panel's inability to reproduce colors accurately) and their viewing angles are shit. Even if you are practically still the god damn picture changes if you move your head ever so slightly. Avoid these things like the plague if you can help it...

EDIT: Also, do you have speakers?
 
Yes, Logitech Z-4 2.1 Speakers...Thanks for the advice on the monitor, now I know why that LCD was so cheap ($170). What are the most important factors in selecting a monitor? Newegg and other websites don't label monitors as "TN Panels". Please pardon my newbieness.
 
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Insomnimrod said:
Yes, Logitech Z-4 2.1 Speakers...Thanks for the advice on the monitor, now I know why that LCD was so cheap ($170). What are the most important factors in selecting a monitor? Newegg and other websites don't label monitors as "TN Panels". Please pardon my newbieness.
Click to expand...

Basically panel type is most important. IPS panels are generally the best. TN panels are terrible. PVA panels are...well just go for an IPS... You need to google to find out what panel the monitor is using. Usually <400-500$ 24" will be a TN panel. Personally, I'd buy a decent pair of speakers as well but whatever.
 
Whether you like a TN panel or not is up to you. You'll have to check one out in person, so if possible, go to a B&M store and see them for yourself. Many people think they're fine, while others dread them. Personally, I don't mind TN panels despite having IPS panels around.
 
enginurd said:
Whether you like a TN panel or not is up to you. You'll have to check one out in person, so if possible, go to a B&M store and see them for yourself. Many people think they're fine, while others dread them. Personally, I don't mind TN panels despite having IPS panels around.
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They are bad. After putting them side to side and testing for about an hour I really noticed the IPS panel looks much better. I don't see the point of putting up with a TN panel if you can avoid it. It's like playing on lowered settings except worse. In Crysis the colors that looked realistic and vivid on the IPS were dull and plain wrong on the TN panel. Picture quality is noticeably worse on TN panels.

I can put up with 50$ speakers but I'm not going to if I can get better ones.
I can put up with a Radeon HD 4830 but I'm not going to if I can get an HD 4890.
ect...
It's not really a matter of preference for TN panels. If you can't afford a good monitor and have no room for a CRT, sure get a TN panel. But for a 1500$ computer? You gotta be shitting me if you're going to use a TN panel for that if you plan on enjoying anything visual on it.
 
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Jospeh said:
They are bad. After putting them side to side and testing for about an hour I really noticed the IPS panel looks much better. I don't see the point of putting up with a TN panel if you can avoid it. It's like playing on lowered settings except worse. In Crysis the colors that looked realistic and vivid on the IPS were dull and plain wrong on the TN panel. Picture quality is noticeably worse on TN panels.

I can put up with 50$ speakers but I'm not going to if I can get better ones.
I can put up with a Radeon HD 4830 but I'm not going to if I can get an HD 4890.
ect...
It's not really a matter of preference for TN panels. If you can't afford a good monitor and have no room for a CRT, sure get a TN panel. But for a 1500$ computer? You gotta be shitting me if you're going to use a TN panel for that if you plan on enjoying anything visual on it.
Click to expand...

My post wasn't directed at you. ;) Whether someone likes a TN panel or not is up to them, and is their choice. I can see the difference between them, but I don't mind. This topic is purely subjective, so it doesn't help to keep repeating yourself. :p

$1500 computer or not... whether they enjoy it on a TN panel or not has nothing to do with you, its all on them. Some people just don't see it... you can tell 'em its there, but if they don't see it, then whats the point spending the money on it if its for them and not you?

My dad has the shittiest monitor in the world, one of the first TN panels; but thats ok, cuz its HIS monitor. I put it side by side with an IPS panel and he can't tell the difference! Now why would he go and spend money on an IPS panel? Just because he can afford one? nonsense.
 
You can't not see what is there. It is not possible. Probably they did not get a good side to side comparison of them or something. The real question is whether you mind degraded image quality or not.
 
I hope this doesn't irritate anyone too badly, but why do they (i.e. sources on web) call TN panels "gaming monitors" if they suck so much? Wouldn't a "gamer" require a better monitor by definition? I only ask because I have a 5 year old Dell 17" LCD and a shitty 14" laptop that I am used to...won't a 23" TN Panel be an improvement?
 
Insomnimrod said:
I hope this doesn't irritate anyone too badly, but why do they (i.e. sources on web) call TN panels "gaming monitors" if they suck so much? Wouldn't a "gamer" require a better monitor by definition? I only ask because I have a 5 year old Dell 17" LCD and a shitty 14" laptop that I am used to...won't a 23" TN Panel be an improvement?
Click to expand...

They're called gaming monitors because their response times are the lowest, despite there not being a standard method for measuring such a thing. TN panels don't look that bad to most people -- in fact, they look "good enough" to most gamers, especially since they're cheap, hence their popularity. They're not for photo buffs or video editors, or anyone sensitive to image quality. ;)

Jospeh said:
You can't not see what is there. It is not possible. Probably they did not get a good side to side comparison of them or something. The real question is whether you mind degraded image quality or not.
Click to expand...

My dad doesn't see it. What is there to do about it? lol. Nothing. He also can't tell the difference between black and navy blue. You need two things to "see" anything... your eye and your mind. If he doesn't see something, one of the two, or both, is/are defective, obviously. Buying the more expensive monitor isn't going to fix what he sees. :p
 
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