Noob builder seeks [H] wisdom

[Ratmonger]

Hello all, first time post here (yay for me) from a long time lurker. Was looking for your input on a proposed first time build.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming primarily though undoubtedly a lot of uni work (office, JMP, etc) and web browsing.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Approx $2500 AUD including shipping.
3) Where do you live?
Newcastle, Australia
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.
Building from the ground up so; CPU, GPU, Mobo, RAM, SSD, HDD, PSU, Case, Optical Drive.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Only input; Mouse, keyboard and speakers.
6) Will you be overclocking?
Never done it before but very keen.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
Samsung xl2370. 23inch 1920 x1080. In the future I'd like to acquire another, perhaps in a month or two.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within 2 weeks.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.
USB 3.0, SATA 6Gbs, Crossfire
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No


This is my proposed build:

CPU: Intel i5 2500K -$219
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD4-B3 -$229
GPU: MSI Radeon HD6950 2GB -$289
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL (2x4GB) DDR3 $99
PSU: Antec High Current Pro 850W -$219
SSD: intel 510 120GB -$373
HDD: Samsung 1TB Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ -$56
Case: Corsair 650D -$219
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324 24x DVDRW -$55
OS: Windows 7 Home Premum -$260

Total: $2018 AUD

I'd like to pick up another 6950 for Crossfire when I get another monitor. I'd really appreciate any comments, criticisms or suggestions you guys have.

Thanks, Rat.

 

[mannyman]

Hello all, first time post here (yay for me) from a long time lurker. Was looking for your input on a proposed first time build.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming primarily though undoubtedly a lot of uni work (office, JMP, etc) and web browsing.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Approx $2500 AUD including shipping.
3) Where do you live?
Newcastle, Australia
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.
Building from the ground up so; CPU, GPU, Mobo, RAM, SSD, HDD, PSU, Case, Optical Drive.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Only input; Mouse, keyboard and speakers.
6) Will you be overclocking?
Never done it before but very keen.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
Samsung xl2370. 23inch 1920 x1080. In the future I'd like to acquire another, perhaps in a month or two.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within 2 weeks.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.
USB 3.0, SATA 6Gbs, Crossfire
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No


This is my proposed build:

CPU: Intel i5 2500K -$219
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD4-B3 -$229
GPU: XFX Radeon HD6970 2GB -$389
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL (2x4GB) DDR3 $99
PSU: Antec High Current Pro 850W -$219
SSD: intel 510 120GB -$373
HDD: Samsung 1TB Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ -$56
Case: Corsair 650D -$219
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324 24x DVDRW -$55
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate -$372

Total: $2230 AUD

I'd like to pick up another 6970 for Crossfire when I get another monitor and I'm unsure about the choice of OS, simply chose Ultimate for convenience sake. I'd really appreciate any comments, criticisms or suggestions you guys have.

Thanks, Rat.

Get a 6950 reference 2gb card and unlock it and you can get 2, also get 8 gigs of ram rated at 1600 or 1333 on the sandy bridge there is no gain for ram faster than 1333 so anything more expensive because of the speed of the ram is pointless.

 

[Ratmonger]

Yep the Ripjaws are spec'd at 1333.

Thanks for the suggestion regarding the 6950, I'd completely forgotten about that little oversight. Can't say no to a $100 saving Are any brands notably better than others? I chose XFX as most people seem to consider it better in terms of customer support and quality though I am open to alternatives.

 

[Dangman]

Yep the Ripjaws are spec'd at 1333.

Thanks for the suggestion regarding the 6950, I'd completely forgotten about that little oversight. Can't say no to a $100 saving Are any brands notably better than others? I chose XFX as most people seem to consider it better in terms of customer support and quality though I am open to alternatives.

Stick to XFX, Asus, MSI, or Gigabyte branded cards. Your budget isn't low enough to justify a Sapphire or a HIS card.

In addition, zero need for you to get Ultimate. You'll be fine with Home Premium.

 

[mannyman]

Stick to XFX, Asus, MSI, or Gigabyte branded cards. Your budget isn't low enough to justify a Sapphire or a HIS card.

In addition, zero need for you to get Ultimate. You'll be fine with Home Premium.

Didn't XFX do a revision to there 6950's that makes them unable to unlock? i would stay away from them and get the msi.

 

[Dangman]

Didn't XFX do a revision to there 6950's that makes them unable to unlock? i would stay away from them and get the msi.

I was just talking about in general, stick to those manufacturers.

 

[Ratmonger]

In addition, zero need for you to get Ultimate. You'll be fine with Home Premium.

Thanks for the advice.

Didn't XFX do a revision to there 6950's that makes them unable to unlock? i would stay away from them and get the msi.

Thanks for the heads up, MSI it is.

Have changed my original post due to your suggestions.

 

[herfalerf]

Stick to XFX, Asus, MSI, or Gigabyte branded cards. Your budget isn't low enough to justify a Sapphire or a HIS card.

im a bit confused. i was under the impression that sapphire was the brand of choice for AMD cards and i havent heard anything bad about HIS apart from the fact that they are a heavily Christian organisation?

p.s. please don't misinterpret the above comment, i hold nothing against Christians or anyone who prescribes to a particular religion, i just feel that religion should be kept separate from business as it is from government (at least in the US - according to the law anyway.) and i do not support businesses that make any statement concerning religion.

 

[fudge2011]

what is MSI ?
also your suggesting ram under 1333 of something on a sandy bridge p67 board because anything over isnt having its potential used? is that kindov what is being said here? :S im new builder looking for tips,,,im also looking to get 6950 just wandering what this MSI is now and xfx vs non xfx 6950 pm if possible thanks or reply here

 

[tiraides]

MSI is a Taiwan-based computer manufacturer that also makes video cards. In the U.S., HIS is considered a low-tier vendor that make poor quality video cards.

Again, for emphasis, buy DDR3 RAM that runs at 1.5V. Some boards can't handle RAM that run at faster speeds.

 

[Dangman]

im a bit confused. i was under the impression that sapphire was the brand of choice for AMD cards and i havent heard anything bad about HIS apart from the fact that they are a heavily Christian organisation?

p.s. please don't misinterpret the above comment, i hold nothing against Christians or anyone who prescribes to a particular religion, i just feel that religion should be kept separate from business as it is from government (at least in the US - according to the law anyway.) and i do not support businesses that make any statement concerning religion.

I didn't even know they were a heavily Christian organization. huh, gonna look that up.

Sapphire isn't the brand of choice simply due to the low warranty and relatively crappy customer support. However, Sapphire cards tends to be the cheapest of AMD cards out there so that makes them a valid choice for those with low budgets or are cheapskates.

 

[Jon55]

Thanks for the heads up, MSI it is.

Have changed my original post due to your suggestions.

I think he was asking, not saying that XFX actually did.

im a bit confused. i was under the impression that sapphire was the brand of choice for AMD cards and i havent heard anything bad about HIS apart from the fact that they are a heavily Christian organisation?

p.s. please don't misinterpret the above comment, i hold nothing against Christians or anyone who prescribes to a particular religion, i just feel that religion should be kept separate from business as it is from government (at least in the US - according to the law anyway.) and i do not support businesses that make any statement concerning religion.

Uh, what? They are? Do you have a link/source on that?

Also, you don't have to get all politically correct on us. No one here is going to take you to court.