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New machine is a few parts short...

J

jeece

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 27, 2004
Messages
316
Got a better job with a better pay and instead of upgrading my current rig like I've been planning for a while, the idea of starting anew grew on me... Most of the parts are figured out, I did my homework and spent hours comparing reviews but I'm just not sure about the video card and PSU yet. Oh and I'm in the dark about monitors too.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
General use: Gaming, web, desktop publishing (Photoshop), HTPC (watch programs online, DVDs). As far as gaming goes, I'm not that much into max FPS and uber realism, and I don't play as much as I used to, but I like my graphics medium/high. Planning to buy BF 3 among others. For most parts reliability and durability are important. Upgrading my PC isn't a monthly task for me. I tend to keep my computers for a few years. I also like to have some spare room for slight improvements while keeping the base untouched. Oh and the PC will probably be on 24/7.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Overall not a fixed amount. I'm mostly looking for decent specs/quality on the parts, with a good price ratio.
Video card: under 300 CAD, closer to 200-250 if possible
PSU: under 150 CAD, unless I need more wattage
Monitor: around 200 CAD
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Canada. Shopping from online retailers (Newegg, NCIX, Canadacomputers, DirectCanada...)
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Mostly looking for help in the video card and PSU department. And a monitor while we're at it.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Zalman Z9 Plus case and WD 1TB HDD
6) Will you be overclocking?
Moderately, not looking to be competitive about it but I want to squeeze some more power from my system.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Just bought a 46" 1080 TV and I'm looking for a new monitor, about 22-24" probably 1920x1080.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
ASAP. Before the sales end on the already choosen parts. Monitor can wait though.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
At least 2 SATA 6Gb/s, 2 USB 3.0 (plus a USB 3.0 front header) plus 4 or 6 USB, front audio, maybe one eSata. Dual video card setup is a possibility later.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Currently Vista Ultimate 64, may install Windows 8 Pro 64 if I find a deal.

Now I run:
Intel E2180 with Scythe Ninja cooler
DFI LanParty LP DK P35
2x2 Gb Mushkin ram
EVGA 8800GTS 768mb
Corsair VX 550 PSU
Samsung SyncMaster 955DF 19" CRT

What I've chosen so far:
Intel 3570k with Coolermaster 212 EVO
Asus Maximus V Gene (Overkill? Maybe but I like the features, has all I need)
G.SKILL TridentX F3-2400C10D-8GTX 2X4GB
Then maybe:
Gigabyte 7870 (seems like a good perf/price ratio)
PSU: Debating...
Corsair AX650
Corsair TX750 V2
Seasonic X650
XFX 750 XXX
XFX 750 Black
OCZ Fatal1ty 750

About the video card I came to the conclusion that a GTX 660/660 TI would be enough, plus I don't want to spend for a 670 or higher. But I saw the 7870 and it seems a best performer, as far as numbers go. If you have a better suggestion for around 200-250 CAD, go ahead! For a substancial gain I can chip in a little more, but no more than 300 for sure.

And for the PSU, I like modular ones though I'll have more than enough space to accomodate a wired one's unused cables. Not necessary, but if everything else is equal, I'll chose a modular one. Qualities I'm looking for first are reliability and stability. I *think* a 650 W should be enough, and four online PSU calculator confirmed this. Moderate overclocking, no add-on cards, 2 mechanical HDDs full-time (possibly a 3rd part-time), 5x120mm case fans... USB Devices: printer, 2.5" external HDD, webcams, digital camera (charge and data), scanner, Logitech Joystick and Nostromo N52... the occasional thumb drive. I can tolerate a slight fan noise (computer is in the living room).

Monitor, well, 22-24" range, 1920x1080, mid-high end. Speakers/webcam do not appeal to me. Good color rendition/contrasts and adjustments are a must (I do freelance desktop publishing). For gaming, is there really a noticeable difference between 2ms and 5ms? I want a solid unit, built to last while retaining image quality over time.

That's about it, I'll gladly provide more infos if needed... thanks all!
 
The motherboard is indeed overkill for your needs. Not to mention that unless you actually have a mATX case, that mobo isn't worth it considering your plans for a dual-GPU setup. With a regular ATX mobo, you'd have the extra slot worth of space for better cooling for two GPUs. So with that in mind, I recommend the Asus P8Z77-V LK motherboard.

As for the RAM, that RAM is a poor choice for two reasons:
1) You won't notice an iota of real world diffrence between DDR3 2400 and DDR3 1333 RAM speeds.
2) That RAM is rated at 1.65V which is well above the max RAM voltage of 1.5V for Intel CPUs. So you're risking CPU damage with that RAM.

For the PSU, I recommend the Seasonic X650 out of those PSUs.

GPU wise, go for GTX 660 TI.
 
Just gonna echo what danny said. While the 7870 is a good choice I'd still recommend the 660ti over it mostly due to some minor driver issues, frame skipping and stuttering has been reported in recent Amd drivers.
 
jeece said:
Monitor, well, 22-24" range, 1920x1080, mid-high end. Speakers/webcam do not appeal to me. Good color rendition/contrasts and adjustments are a must (I do freelance desktop publishing). For gaming, is there really a noticeable difference between 2ms and 5ms? I want a solid unit, built to last while retaining image quality over time.
Click to expand...

There is no difference between 2ms and 5ms. Those are just bullshit grey to grey measurements that aren't usually very accurate anyway and a lot of it is lies or being dishonest. It's more marketing than anything. You can read more about that with some searches.

If you don't need the color accuracy of anything better than a TN panel, like an IPS display, I would recommend the Samsung LED LCDs in the 23"-24" range for $140-$200. I have two of them and love them.

Danny Bui said:
2) That RAM is rated at 1.65V which is well above the max RAM voltage of 1.5V for Intel CPUs. So you're risking CPU damage with that RAM.
Click to expand...

Although that part is controversial (I did a ton of research on that and it seems for every person who says it's a big deal, someone else says "don't even worry about it". I've been running mine @1.65v for years on my i7 930, with no problems.), I do agree with the rest of what Danny Bui says about the memory.

As someone who bought a triple channel pair of the Tridents a few years ago, it's just not worth the money. I mean G.Skill sells some great memory, but unless you are going to be able to take advantage of it's rating and see improvements (not likely) it's just a waste.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everybody! ;)

Yeah I'm also partial to Samsung monitors. :D Asus and Viewsonic seem to have good offerings too.

I'll think about it for the motherboard choice. I just couldn't find one I really liked (spec-wise and well reviewed) until I gave the Maximus V Gene a shot (I dismissed it at the very start of my selection because of its size).
While the ASRock Extreme series look good, I just want more... maturity? Others on my list were the MSI mPower and GD65, Gigabyte UD5H and UP4 and a few of the ASUS P8Z77 variations. I'll look back at my notes to see if I can do a compromise and drop the bill a little.

Would this be a more reasonable RAM choice?
G.Skill Sniper 8gb DDR3 1600
Edit: It's also available in 1.25V version. Is it usually as stable?

The only good-branded 660TI I could find within my budget: Gigabyte GV-N66TOC-2GD
Sale is over soon!
Or this regular 660 looks great too: Asus GTX660-DC2O-2GD5
If I don't choose a new video card yet and wait for a sale, could I use my 8800GTS with a newer motherboard? Sorry I'm not very up to speed with current technology (PCI-E etc)! I used to know a lot back in the Socket A, DDR and AGP era but I've dropped behind a lot with the new standards. :eek:
 
jeece said:
Would this be a more reasonable RAM choice?
G.Skill Sniper 8gb DDR3 1600
Edit: It's also available in 1.25V version. Is it usually as stable?
Click to expand...
Either RAM choices are good as long as you don't pay more than $50 CAD for them.
jeece said:
The only good-branded 660TI I could find within my budget: Gigabyte GV-N66TOC-2GD
Sale is over soon!
Or this regular 660 looks great too: Asus GTX660-DC2O-2GD5
If I don't choose a new video card yet and wait for a sale, could I use my 8800GTS with a newer motherboard? Sorry I'm not very up to speed with current technology (PCI-E etc)! I used to know a lot back in the Socket A, DDR and AGP era but I've dropped behind a lot with the new standards. :eek:
Click to expand...

Again, aim for the GTX 660 TI. Yes you can use your 8800GTS with a newer mobo. You'd have to be desperate to go with the regular GTX 660.
 
Thanks for the input! Parts are ordered, though it ended up costing more than I thought (got an external HD and a few fans on top of it all, rebates were too tempting plus I've been wanting those for a while).

I opted for the Asus-branded GTX 660 TI and the Seasonic X650 PSU (30$ rebate on Newegg.ca). Both were over my price limit in their respective category but hey... I was able to save on other items and I know I get the best for my money, so it kinda eases my mind. :D
 
I bought the Maximus V Gene. :eek:

I also made the jump and got a cheap Crucial M4 256Gb SSD (the 6Gb/s version). While I know it's not the fastest around, it seems reliable enough and will outperform my WD Black. Can't wait to get those parts together!
 
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