My Computer Build

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bigirishfan22

n00b
Joined
Sep 10, 2009
Messages
25
Hey guys,

This is my first computer build so I'm prepared for any criticism. I found everything on Newegg except for the PSU which is from Xoxide (which is going out of business apparently). Also, I'm open to any OS suggestions.

1. Criteria: Gaming (kinda intensive), web browsing, school
2. Budget: $650-$750 (with shipping/taxes)
3. Location: Orlando, FL
4. Need: CPU, Mobo, RAM, Case, PSU, Optical Drive, Video Card
5. Have: monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers
6. Overclocking?: Maybe in the future
7. Monitor: 19"
8. ETA: Within the next month
9. Mobo features: Not sure
10. OS: Windows XP 32-bit

Here it is:

Processor: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor
Item# N82E16819103649
COMBO w/ Video Card: $317.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

Motherboard: ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD
Item# N82E16813131398
$99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

Case: NZXT BETA EVO Classic Series (its a brand new model, very similar to the BETA. Main difference I see is that the PSU is on the bottom instead of the top. Any advantages/disadvantages?)
Item# N82E16811146059
$54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146059

Optical Drive: Sony Optiarc Black DVD Burner
Item# N82E16827118030
$29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

RAM: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
Item# N82E16820148262
$64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB
Item# N82E16822148433
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

Video Card: HIS H489FT1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB
Item# N82E16814161278
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161278

PSU: Logisys 650w UV Sleeved Power Supply w/ 120mm Fan (Modular) (Too little/much power?)
http://www.xoxide.com/logisys-650w-uv-sps-120.html
$41.50

Total Damage: $699.43 (w/o shipping/taxes)

Any kind of feedback, good or bad, would be great. Thanks!
 
Last edited:
You might consider waiting for the new video cards that are coming out in the future. Like within in the next month or so, I believe.
 
Looks pretty solid. My only gripe would be the Logisys PSU. I'm not a big fan of most of their products.

Might I suggest the Antec BP550 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016)? It's what I have installed in my current rig and has been running great for 4 months now. It's a little bit more money, but its modular and its reliable, and it'll give you enough juice for your setup (I estimated 313watts w/o oc'ing).
 
From the sticky at the top of the forum:
3) This forum is for prebuilt, OEM systems that you would buy from companies like Dell or Falcon Northwest. If you are looking for a venue to discuss or recommend home built systems, General Hardware is where you want to be.
Click to expand...
 
Some suggested changes

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail $80

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail and ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail combo $224

XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card $150

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $50

4890 would be complete overkill for your rig with just a 19" display. I would suggest a 4870, so that when you get a bigger display like a 22"-24".

I suggest the G.Skill as you stated, you might overclock in the future and these very good for that purpose.
 
Thanks guys for the help.

I'm definitely going to go with a better PSU, like the Corsair. And as far the video card goes I'm thinking of upgrading to a 22" monitor.

Anything else?

P.S. When does the new ATI card come out?
 
I like the NZXT case but my only gripe is that it doesnt have a window there for lighting effects BUT you could check the company they may have custom side panels they sale for this model or you could buy a window kit
 
Well I'm planning to have my computer in a cubby thats part of my desk so I'm not going to need a case with a window. Unless having my computer in the cubby is a bad thing...?

Also I've been reading other threads and I'm just wondering what does it mean that the X3 720 is unlocked?

And I'm going to wait for the Radeon 5850 but I can't find out when its coming out and exactly how much, if someone can help me with that. People are all over the place about the new video cards.

Thanks guy for all the help!
 
Does this cubby have good airflow? If not, it may be a bad idea.

The X3 720 is simply a quadcore with one core disabled/locked. With a certain southbridge, you can unlock the 4th core, if your chip is good enough.

Last report I read was Sept. 22nd.
 
Thanks for the quick reply!

For the cubbie, there is no backing or front and there's a lot of room.

For the X3, is there an advantage to unlocking the 4th core? I'm assuming it would make it an X4 then?

EDIT: And do I have the southbridge that would do that?
 
Thanks for telling me about that. I can't wait to try!

As far as fans go, are they all pretty generic or do certain ones have pluses and negatives? Since xoxide.com is going out of business I'm thinking of buy some cheap fans from there. I don't care about the LEDs and all since I have no window on my case.
 
Get some Yate Loon fans from Jab-Tech. They're cheaper and work just as well as the more expensive types.
 
xoxide doesn't have much left in stock. :( I agree with tiraides, yate loons are your best bang for buck that are relatively quiet.
 
Yeah I just checked...bummer.

I'm trying to figure out how many fans I should get. The case can handle six (6) 120 mm and the option of two (2) 140 mm fans. I'm not exactly sure what it means by the "option" but I'm thinking three (3) 120s and one (1) 140.

Also, do all CPUs come with a thermal compound? If not, I'm thinking of getting this:
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100008

And comboing it with this:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125
 
bigirishfan22 said:
What are the budget cards? Is it the Radeon 5000 series?
Click to expand...
No. These are next generation cards.

bigirishfan22 said:
And I'm going to wait for the Radeon 5850 but I can't find out when its coming out and exactly how much,
Click to expand...
If you're looking for the "latest, greatest" gadgets, yes it makes sense to wait. But if you are on a limited budget, I would advise not considering the next generation cards. These are generally for early adoptors who are ready to pay a premium. If you're counting on prices of current cards dropping based on the new gen coming out, yes it will happen, but you might have to wait a while and could be disappointed because GPU prices are already good.

bigirishfan22 said:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125
Click to expand...
As the the CPU cooler, there are better options, such as the megahalems or TRUE. I would generally get one that can handle a 120mm fan as it is less noisy than a 92mm fan. And both those options have better performance than the arctic cooling freezer 64. However they are a bit more expensive so up to you.
 
If you're not trying to break OC'ing records, the AC Freezer 64 Pro is fine. If you want something a bit more quiet and better, go for the Cooler Master Hyper 212 w/ 120mm fan. These come with thermal compound, but its best to get a tube of AS5 or MX-2 (I prefer MX-2 since it doesnt require curing time for optimal performance and its non-conductive, while performing on par with AS5).

Option means optional -- not included with the case. Buy 6x 120mm and 2x 140mm. Choose to install however many you like. If you don't use them all, keep the leftover as spare when the others die. They're cheap anynow.
 
Ideally, you would have at least one fan in the front of the case, serving as an intake fan, and one fan in the rear, serving as the exhaust fan. You can have multiple fans in the front, as well as the side and top of the case, but you don't really need more than four case fans for the entire case. If you live in an area where it's constantly hot, or you have some pretty poor performing case fans, then put in as many as you can... but make sure there's about a 60:40 ratio of intake to exhaust fans.
 
So I've decided that I'm going to splurge a little more and get the Radeon HD 5850. Just wondering, is this suitable with my current build? I've been doin some research and saw that this one doesn't consume as much power as the 4800s, so I don't have to worry about that. Also, should I go with XFX or wait till other brands come put with theirs? It seems that HIS are a better quality card.

I haven't started building or anything so I'm still up for suggestions, thanks!
 
bigirishfan22 said:
So I've decided that I'm going to splurge a little more and get the Radeon HD 5850. Just wondering, is this suitable with my current build? I've been doin some research and saw that this one doesn't consume as much power as the 4800s, so I don't have to worry about that. Also, should I go with XFX or wait till other brands come put with theirs? It seems that HIS are a better quality card.

I haven't started building or anything so I'm still up for suggestions, thanks!
Click to expand...

I'd recommend waiting for XFX to release their HD5850 since XFX has far superior customer support and warranty than any other ATI manufacturer. And yes, the HD5850 will be suitable.
 
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