Time to Upgrade

[SgtToastie]

Hello everyone, I've lurked over these forums for awhile now and I decided to just give in and make an account. As my first post here I would like your opinions as I rebuild my computer with some new parts. One of my friends had some components that he was swapping out for the i7 processors and he handed out some parts to my friends and I. These new parts require me to upgrade in order to use them to their full potential.

I currently have the following components:
~Intel E7300 2.66G 775 socket
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132&nm_mc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-N82E16819115132

~G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209&nm_mc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-N82E16820231209

~And hard/optical drives to fill my case with.

What I need is a new MoBo and CPU Cooler for the E7300. I'm also getting a new graphics card (preferably ATI) and power supply. As far as what I use my computer for; I run AutoCad and various engineering applications for my work and as far as games are concerned I play Left 4 Dead, Bioshock, and Oblivion. I'm also trying to stay near $500(give or take $50) for the parts I'm buying. So after reading other posts and researching I've come up with these following candidates.....

Mother Board:
~GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358
I know it's sold out right now but I can wait on this build.

~ASUS P5Q-E
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296
I've heard these boards are very good and that either is a good decision.

Graphics Card:
~SAPPHIRE 100259L RadeonHD 4870 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810
Once again I'm willing to wait for a good product.

~ASUS EAH4870 RadeonHD 4870 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121290
I would rather buy the less expensive Sapphire though, that is unless this one somehow is worth the extra $15.

Power Supply (this is more of a toss up):
~Silverstone ST70F 700W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256045
On sale right now

~Xigmatek MRP-MC751 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815002
I like the reviews I've seen of this power supply. Although it says discontinued, it is only because they are currently out of stock. Once again my patience could be needed.

~Antec TruPower Quattro TPQ-1000 1000W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371012
Now I know everyone is thinking I'm insane but this thing is only $125 and has great reviews. My only beef with it is it's semi-modular design. And I've heard it's a tad bit heavier and longer than most power supplies. Although my case has room for it.

CPU Cooler:
~Thermaltake CL-P0508
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106124
I'm willing to pay a little more for a cooler as my processor will be overclocked and I want something light on my mother board.


Now there is a color theme to my internals (black with small hints of blue and blue lighting) and luckily many components meet this requirement. But I am willing to sacrifice aesthetics for performance if the price gap is significant. Also this system will be slightly over clocked. All opinions, suggestions, comments, and questions are welcome!

And let me add that for the mother board I am thinking of using a crossfire setup in the future, so a board with 2 Express 2.0 slots is a preferred option.

 

[engiNURD]

I doubt the Gigabyte matches your color scheme. Anyhow, as an alternative, the P5Q Pro is a better value than the E, IMO.
$115 - ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ($15MIR)

I don't see why the Asus would be worth more, but the choice is yours. I like VisionTek because of their lifetime warranty, but who keeps these cards longer than 3yrs anyways? (I guess I'm the only one)

What size monitor do you have? If you have a 24" or smaller, then there's no need for a Crossfire upgrade path. You'll be better suited with a single vidcard, and you could sell your old card to help offset the cost of the new gen card.

As for a CPU HSF, the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is nicely priced and performs on par with the more expensive TRUE120 (probably the best cooler on the market).
$32 - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
$9 - XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket

If you want to spend $60 on a HSF, at least get the TRUE120 or Noctua NH-U12P.

Your system does not even need 500W, so I'm curious as to why you're choosing between a 750W - 1KW unit? Though, that Silverstone 700W for $100 is a pretty good deal, thats the most I'd spend for your build. You could save some money and go with Silverstone 650W instead, too, for only $70. Though, if you don't mind rebates, the Corsair 650W is probably the best value, with 52A on its combined +12V rails.

 

[GonzoP]

There are some decent combo deals with Seasonic PSU's and the Asus mobo. $197 for the Asus and a 550W or $20 for the 600w 550w combo. Basically you're deciding between 41A on the 550 or 48A on the 600.
If you intend to OC there are not any good light coolers. Since price is a factor you will likely end up going with either the AC Freezer 7 Pro or the Xigmatek S1283. Those are around $25-35.
This puts you at $230-250 spent. Which does allow you just enough $$ to step up to 1gb 4870 for less than $270 Here and keeps you right around your $500 limit

 

[SgtToastie]

Sorry, forgot to mention I game on a 19" so 1gb 4870 isn't really necessary for me. The largest monitor I see myself using on my computer is a 22".

I picked the Asus P5Q-Pro because it's only about $10 more right now and gives me an optical plug. Which will make my klipsch's happy.

I'm still debating on the other parts...I'll probably go with the corsair 650W PSU and Xigmatek cooler.

As for the video cards, what's the benefit of Visiontek's 4870 over Sapphire's 4870? Also which company has better support/drivers/reliability. (I've never really gotten too much into gaming until a roommate got me hooked and so this is my first big graphics card purchase cause my current one is stumbling through Left 4 Dead and Bioshock.)

Also thanks for all the help, I guess my eyes just got big when I saw a 1000W psu for less than $150.

 

[Dangman]

Sorry, forgot to mention I game on a 19" so 1gb 4870 isn't really necessary for me. The largest monitor I see myself using on my computer is a 22".

I picked the Asus P5Q-Pro because it's only about $10 more right now and gives me an optical plug. Which will make my klipsch's happy.

I'm still debating on the other parts...I'll probably go with the corsair 650W PSU and Xigmatek cooler.

As for the video cards, what's the benefit of Visiontek's 4870 over Sapphire's 4870? Also which company has better support/drivers/reliability. (I've never really gotten too much into gaming until a roommate got me hooked and so this is my first big graphics card purchase cause my current one is stumbling through Left 4 Dead and Bioshock.)

Also thanks for all the help, I guess my eyes just got big when I saw a 1000W psu for less than $150.

Visiontek has the better support and better warranty. With that said, I recommend going with the cheaper GTX 260 Core 216 since those cards perform about the same yet the GTX 260 Core 216 is cheaper and is supported by better companies (eVGA, BFG, and XFX):
eVGA 896-P3-1265-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB PCI-E Video Card - $240

Also, for $10 more and if you don't need modular cables, I highly highly recommend that you get this better quality and bigger amperage PSU:
BFG Tech BFGR800WESPSU ES-800 800W PSU - $110

If you want modular cables, stick with the Silverstone. Yes the ES-800 is overkill for your PC but it's not that much more.