newb mATX gaming setup

[Bioapb]

Hello everyone,

So I'm a newb, and would therefore like some input on my first attempt to build a computer. I posted nonce before but was told it would be better to post closer to when I am planning to build plus I have changed a few things. Here are the answers to the questions from the FAQ to give you an idea of what I am shooting for.

1. This build will be used for gaming, surfing the net, email, etc. I don't do anything (besides gaming) that is particularly demanding (no video editing, etc). I am not looking to build a godly gaming machine but I would like it to be able to run modern games (RTS mainly) decently and be able to handle stuff that will come out for the next couple of years.

2. My budget is ~$1000

3. Buying parts in US

4. No particular brand preference as long as everything is compatible, reliable, and within budget

5. I will be recycling a DVD R/W drive. thats it

6. I have been doing a fair bit of reading here and elsewhere to learn as much as I can about doing this

7. no overclocking

8. Looking to pull the trigger in the next week or so

build as follows:

case: SILVERSTONE SG03-B Black Aluminum MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811163085

CPU: e8400

RAM: A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820211188

GPU: GIGABYTE GV-R485ZL-512H Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814125238 this may change though as Bestbuy has them on sale for $150, however the BB ones don't have the after market cooler

PSU: Antec NeoPower 650 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371011 I want a bit of overhead here in case I want to get a more powerful CPU or GPU in the future

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128078

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD322HJ 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822152096

Thats it folks. Feel free to raise any concerns or point out any potential issues.

APB

 

[Roguestar]

Better hard drive:
Western Digital Caviar 640GB

Cheaper, minutely better RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122
G.Skill DDR2-800 4GB

I'd personally get a different PSU, probably the Corsair 550VX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...px?Item=N82E1681713900

 

[DaveSimmons]

check out this similar thread: sff gaming

The Silverstone looks nicer and would be perfect for a low-power low-heat HTPC system, but for gaming you might want to consider an Aprevia X-Qpack 2 case instead for better airflow and lower noise.

 

[Bioapb]

Roguestar - I checked out that PSU . I know Corsair is top notch but the reviews say that PSU has an abundance of long connectors so i think that cable managment in an sg03 would be a real hassle with that unit. The 520hx looks like a good unit however I am concerned it will not leave me enough overhead for a better processor or GPU in the future.

 

[DSF]

The 520HX has plenty of power for any single-card setup. Power requirements are generally greatly inflated.

 

[Skott]

I have a Corsair HX520w in my SG03. Cable management isnt that bad. Silverstone has a 500w unit with short cables if your really worried about cable management. I've seen pics of a 1000w psu in a SG03 before. Its a good case that can hold a lot of good things. The case will even fit inside a standard school/gym locker. I know because I sometimes keep mine in one at work. The biggest drawback of the SG03, like all SFF cases, is that you are limited to hsf size but if you are staying to stock CPU speeds then its not really a problem.

Edit: Using the Corsair 520w psu will not hinder CPU or GPU choices. I dont think they'll be increasing the length of video cards for a while considering they just did that last year and CPU size isnt the problem. CPU Heat would be more my concern. Some people use a Zalman 8700 hsf or the NT06-Lite. You can mod a fan under the NT06-Lite's fins to increase cooling. The fan blows the heat up through the fins and into the PSU's fan and then the PSU blows it out the back. You have to mount the psu a little differently to do this and it only works with certain PSUs. Corsair and Silverstone are two that do this. Both are high quality psu.

 

[Bioapb]

DSF and SKott (or anyone)...Keeping everything else constant do you think the 520hx could power this same rig with a Yorkfield quad paired with a 4870x2?

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: Bioapb
DSF and SKott (or anyone)...Keeping everything else constant do you think the 520hx could power this same rig with a Yorkfield quad paired with a 4870x2?

no.

 

[Skott]

The 520HX is a very good psu but its not enough power for 2x4870. Nor is the 620HX. You'll need to step up to at least a 750w psu I'm thinking. Possibly more. I dont run dual cards so I'm not sure what it'll take for 2x4870 to be honest. I'm sure someone here can tell you how much psu you'll need for that.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Bioapb
I posted nonce before but was told it would be better to post closer to when I am planning to build plus I have changed a few things.

Glad you took our advice. Now that you have changed a few things, you know why we wanted you to ask once you were much closer to buying. Well, at least one of the reasons.

Here's a review on the Anted EarthWatts 650W (AFAIK the first real review of a "Delta" EarthWatts). It got a really good score and should have enough +12v amperage to power any single video card, including the GTX 280 and the 4870x2. Heck, there's a dedicated rail with a 25A cap for just the two PCIe plugs (one 6, one 8 pin). That is a whole 300W available to the video card, for two plugs that are only rated by specification for 75W and 150W (225W total).

Anyways, your component choice seems fine. The big limitation is CPU HSF constraints for the case. Speaking of case, if you are wanting something this small to be portable, Silverstone makes a different version of this same case with an integrated handle. If you are not necessarily looking for pure portability but merely for something small that doesn't take up much space, consider the Silverstone TJ08 micro ATX case, or even the Antec NSK3480. Heck, the NSK3480 comes with a power supply that is good enough to power your new rig, including the single Radeon 4850.