Gaming PC

[fizban140]

Sorry to do this again but here if my final build and thoughts, I might switch up a few things though.

My budget is about $1200 but I am willing to spend whatever to get the best price for performance, with an edge towards performance. I also want a build that will last a while and be able to be upgraded. I know it is low but I have no decided on a monitor yet, if anyone could recommend one that would be great. I saw dell has a lot of great deals and if I wait out slickdeals.net long enough I can find one. Right now this is what I am looking at.
Case
HDD
MB
GPU
RAM
CPU
PSU
Also getting 2 120mm fans and some arctic silver five. I am debating on if I should go with an intel cpu instead, possibly even the i7 which seems like it would be a better socket that will last longer although I doubt I will need that kind of processing power for games so the money seems wasted. Also the graphics card is a little expensive but I can afford it, it there any real performance increase over a 4870 or a 260? Both of which are cheaper.

I am purchasing all these parts from and to the US, do not intend on overclocking but it is something I am interested in. I have no brand preference, just quality preference. Input deviced, speakers and all that will be from my current build.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: fizban140
Sorry to do this again but here if my final build and thoughts, I might switch up a few things though.

My budget is about $1200 but I am willing to spend whatever to get the best price for performance, with an edge towards performance. I also want a build that will last a while and be able to be upgraded. I know it is low but I have no decided on a monitor yet, if anyone could recommend one that would be great. I saw dell has a lot of great deals and if I wait out slickdeals.net long enough I can find one. Right now this is what I am looking at.
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
HDD : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161276
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231207
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009
Also getting 2 120mm fans and some arctic silver five. I am debating on if I should go with an intel cpu instead, possibly even the i7 which seems like it would be a better socket that will last longer although I doubt I will need that kind of processing power for games so the money seems wasted. Also the graphics card is a little expensive but I can afford it, it there any real performance increase over a 4870 or a 260? Both of which are cheaper.

I am purchasing all these parts from and to the US, do not intend on overclocking but it is something I am interested in. I have no brand preference, just quality preference. Input deviced, speakers and all that will be from my current build.

Links don`t work...very few people myself included will do the required steps to make those links work for us...such as copy and paste...plz fix.

 

[fizban140]

Sorry I did not see that, it should work now. Also would it be worth buying a new sound card? Right now I have the Razer Barracuda AC-1.

 

[fizban140]

I am considering going with a new mb, DDR3 and an i7, how much more performance would that be? Does anyone have any charts?

 

[Lunyone]

Okay, first off, I like most of your build, but don't know which CPU you selected, becasue the link didn't work for me. Usually it best to list the part and then show the link to it. This way it's easier for those helping to see what your build is, without having to click on the links. Not too big of a deal, just it's hard to help much when we don't have all of the information.
Okay onto your questions:
DDR3 and i7 would be a good setup, but I'd rather have a decent CPU (priced well too) and the biggest/baddest GPU that I can afford. This combo will generally will give you the most bang for your gaming buck!!!
* Personally I think the PhII x3's are a good bargin right now and are plenty of CPU for ~90% of people.
* The 4890 is a good decent GPU to have and should last quite a bit. Yes nVidia has some good options too, but generally when you purchase an AMD system w/X-fire mobo, you should at least get an AMD GPU (this will allow X-fire later, if you really think you need it).
* The PSU you selected is one of the best you can get for the $. Others to consider are:
Corsair 550vx (Single GPU's) 41A on the 12v rail
Corsair 650tx (Single GPU) 52A on the 12v rail
Corsair 750tx (possible X-fire/SLI setups) 60A on the 12v rail
PCP&C 610 Silencer (Single GPU) 49A on the 12v rail
PCP&C 750 (X-fire/SLI PSU) 60A on the 12v rail

You could even go with the Corsair 450vx (33A on the 12v rail)
or
PCP&C 500w (35A on the 12v rail)

for your current setup. Now this wouldn't leave much room for upgrades later, but it should workout for your current configuration.
* Your mobo/case/HD all look pretty good
* The memory should be fine, but I'd consider something a bit different.
G.SKILL HK 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
They are about $10 more, but run at 800mHz, CAS4 speeds (4-4-4-12 timings) and run at stock voltage of 1.8-1.9v, which will be friendlier to OC'ing if you decide to do that later.

It's up to you what you want to do, but a decent CPU (which AMD's are) and a really good GPU combination, will allow you a good gaming experience and not break the bank too!!

 

[fizban140]

Sorry about that I tried to re edit my first post but it was too late. Here is my CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail

 

[Lunyone]

Nice CPU there and should do you well. Like I stated before, you could get by with the x3, but having the 940 BE is a very nice choice. IMHO I think it is a smarter choice than the i7 right now. It costs less and does pretty good against the i7.

 

[fizban140]

Should I get a heatsink and fan for my CPU?

 

[Spoelie]

You can put an AM3 cpu in a AM2(+) mobo, but you can't put a AM2(+) cpu in a AM3 mobo like the given setup. Either switch boards or switch cpus.

i7 is worth every penny when you're doing content creation (video encoding/3d rendering/...) - for gaming for the foreseeable future there's no real added value, but if the price delta with an AM3 system is small, will prolly be more future-proof.

i'd just put my money in the GPU tho

@heatsink/fan: only if you want a whisper quiet setup or heavy overclocker

 

[fizban140]

AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail
That is my CPU, it is AM2 and it should work on the MB right?

Also is that RAM decent for overclocking?

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: Spoelie
You can put an AM3 cpu in a AM2(+) mobo, but you can't put a AM2(+) cpu in a AM3 mobo like the given setup. Either switch boards or switch cpus.

i7 is worth every penny when you're doing content creation (video encoding/3d rendering/...) - for gaming for the foreseeable future there's no real added value, but if the price delta with an AM3 system is small, will prolly be more future-proof.

i'd just put my money in the GPU tho

@heatsink/fan: only if you want a whisper quiet setup or heavy overclocker

The mobo she linked says it's AM3/AM2+/AM2 compatible, so I'd assume it should work fine, unless I'm missing something obvious.
The RAM should work, but for OC'ing I'd recommend the set of RAM that I listed in the previous post.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: fizban140
Should I get a heatsink and fan for my CPU?

Thanks for making your links work!

I would not get a heat sink fan if you were going to over clock say 10%.
If you were going to really push the issue---then YES get an aftermarket heat sink!

Very nice PSU!! I use nothing but PC Power & Cooling PSU`s......opps except for my present build that I bought prebuilt. But I will be switching out the PSU because of the video card I am fixing to buy!
My present PSU came with my machine and it`s a Delta 350.......

Good Luck. Sounds like a very nice build.