Improve My Sub-$2000 Build

A

ajkates

Weaksauce
Joined
Jul 1, 2008
Messages
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So after everyone's expert opinions about upgrading my old box in a previous thread, I decided that I'm going to build a new one (my frist build).

After reading a bunch of threads on these forums about componnets, I'm considering the following build that will hopefully give me the a good price/performance ratio. I'd like some advice as to what needs to be changed/upgraded/downgraded.

Ideal Build: NewEgg Link
Case: Cooler Master Cosmos 1000-RC
PSU: PC Power and Cooling S75QB
Motherboard: Asus P5Q Deluxe
CPU: Core 2 Quad Q9450
GPU: 2X Asus Radeon HD 4850
Ram: 2x2GB Corsair Dominator
HDD: 2X WD Caviar 640GB (Raid 1)
Sound: Creative SB X-fi xtreme gamer
Drives: Lite-on Blue-Ray ROM + LG DVD+/- RW
Cooler: Zalman CNPS9700

Total: $1957 (more like $1800 after rebates)

I could definitely spring for the above if it would be worth it. However, I'd like to spend less if possible, and this may be more power than I need. Could I get better price/performance from a $1000 build with a Q6600, single HD 4850, a cheaper case, non-crossfire mobo, cheaper 800 RAM a single 640GB hard drive, & 500W PSU? That would save about $800 when it's all said and done. I was messing around with configurations but I'm not sure which components should be downgraded. I can post my in-progress ~$1000 build if you'd like.

Also, this is my first build so is there anything else I need to order with this stuff? Do I need thermal paste? SATA cables? Static mat?

Notes:
1.) I won't be ordering for 3-4 weeks, so keep that in mind.
2.) I hook this to my 37" 1080P Westinghouse HDTV, and I like playing games at 1920x1080. (Do I need to 2x 4580's to do this effectively?)
3.) I'm more of the Oblivion/Bioshock/RTS/RPG/MMO type of gamer rather than an FPS gamer.
4.) While I do want gaming performance, I'll spend just as much time in Photoshop, watching blue-ray movies, and doing other productivity tasks.
5.) I don't plan on over-clocking right away but may in the future.
6.) PC will stay on most nights overnight, so stability is key.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate the help. If someone wants to suggest an entirely different build that's cheaper but still suits my needs I'm totally open to that.
 
Some cheaper options are...

... this OCZ 4GB kit instead of the Corsair Dominators...
... the much better Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (and the retention bracket) instead of the CNPS9700...
... omit the sound card for now...
... and, maybe, consider getting the HD4870 instead of two HD4850s (though that really depends on how much of a gamer you are).

Most of the stuff you'll already get from the case and motherboard... and the CPU cooler comes with its own thermal compound... so, other than a screwdriver, you don't really need anything else.
 
Thanks for your reply Tiraides. The 4GB OCZ is actually what I had lined up for my cheaper build if I were to downgrade. The Ximatech also sounds good, other people on these forums seem to like it too.

Not sure about the GPU's though. So you're saying the HD 4870 would be a better choice over the two HD 4850's? Seems like the dual 4850's are much better in the benchmarks, but cost almost the same thing ($310 for the 4870 vs. $330 after rebates for 2x 4850s). Am I missing something? Seems like a no--brainer to me until there are better deals on the 4870.
 
if you have a microcenter around you, you can save on shipping by picking it up for $169.99
 
You could save a few bucks without losing much performance by getting a cheaper case, PSU, and motherboard. Try to find a case with free shipping.

For a 1080p HDTV, a single HD4850 should give reasonable performance, especially in the types of games that you play. If you're going to just use a single card for a while, then you can get a less expensive P35 or P43 board with just one x16 slot. If you do want to get two HD4850's in Crossfire, then you'd be better off with a X38/X48 board like the Abit IX38 QuadGT or the ASUS P5E Deluxe which are priced similarly to the P5Q.

If you have enough money, your current system will not disappoint.
 
Intel's price cut on July 20th has the Q9550 dropping down to $316 so I would switch your CPU over to that. The Corsair TX750 from Provantage is a better deal than the PCP&C unit.
 
I'll be watching -- no reason to bother making suggestions until a week or so before purchase.
 
Makes sense, will revisit. Thanks all for the comments! Much appreciated! :)
 
ajkates said:
Thanks for your reply Tiraides. The 4GB OCZ is actually what I had lined up for my cheaper build if I were to downgrade. The Ximatech also sounds good, other people on these forums seem to like it too.

Not sure about the GPU's though. So you're saying the HD 4870 would be a better choice over the two HD 4850's? Seems like the dual 4850's are much better in the benchmarks, but cost almost the same thing ($310 for the 4870 vs. $330 after rebates for 2x 4850s). Am I missing something? Seems like a no--brainer to me until there are better deals on the 4870.
Click to expand...

The OCZ kit will perform just as well as the Corsair Dominators, so it's not a not a downgrade at all. (Each kit of RAM, at a 1:1 ratio, can match FSB speeds up to 500MHz.)

As for the 4850/4870 argument, I wasn't really paying attention to after-rebate prices -- but I'm not a fan of mail-in rebates. I recommended the HD4870 so that you have the second PCIe x16 slot available, but I forgot about checking out the benchmarks for comparison.

But that's all I have to say for now.
 
tiraides said:
The OCZ kit will perform just as well as the Corsair Dominators, so it's not a not a downgrade at all. (Each kit of RAM, at a 1:1 ratio, can match FSB speeds up to 500MHz.)
Click to expand...

Are the OCZ better for running 4 sticks? I was considering the same Corsair memory as the OP, but those OCZ have me drooling, at $75 less for 8 gigs. Seems like people aren't having as many issues with them filling all the DIMMs also.
 
UrielDagda said:
Are the OCZ better for running 4 sticks?...... Seems like people aren't having as many issues with them filling all the DIMMs also.
Click to expand...

That really depends on your motherboard, not the RAM themselves. Filling up all the DIMMs requires additional voltage in/to/from the Memory Controller Hub or MCH or Northbridge, which may limit your overclock ability with some motherboards. It's really YMMV.
 
Thanks again everyone. I may have to drop the price of my build, we'll see how things shape up and how I'm feeling 2 weeks from now. I'll return to this thread at that time.
 
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