Building a new computer

Hello all,

I am new to this forum, so I was unsure of the category that I should post this in, Hardware looked like the best fit for my post.

I am a PC gamer, I mostly play FPS and MMORPG type games and am building a new computer. I have not checked the market in 3 years, so I am kind of out of date in terms of new technology. The machine I'm building looks like this:

I7 930 2.80GHZ 8MB FSB1366 4.8GT/SEC
Kingston Hyper-X KHX1600C9D3K2/4GX or CORSAIR TR3X6G1600C8 Triple Ch.
ASUS P6X58D-E motherboard
Western Digital 1000gigs Black 64mo WD1002FAEX
Sapphire HD5870 1GB GDDR5
Coolermaster Silent Pro M 1000W (RSA00-AMBAJ3-US) or Corsair CMPSU-850TX 850 Watts
CoolerMaster HAF 932 Full Tower (RC-932-KKN1-GP)
LG BH10LS30 Blu-ray burner
Creative X-FI TITANIUM FATAL!TY CHAMPION RETAIL
G-15 Logitech Keyboard
G-9x Logitech Mouse
P2311 Dell monitor or U2410 Dell monitor

The whole thing will cost me around 2500$ CAN, I live in Canada

So my questions are:

Am I overkilling it if I want a machine that will last me a while?

If you think I am overkilling it, can you recommend what you would do?

Can you please give me your opinion on the ''or'' parts, memory, power supply and monitor?

Is there anything I am missing?

Are these parts compatible?

Thank you all in advance about your input

Peace

 

Nice build! Everything looks compatible, and that machine will hold its own for some time to come. I wouldn't say it's overkill either if you're intending to game on it for a few years and be able to tackle the newest stuff as it comes out.

Opinions on the 'or' parts:

If money is not a factor, the Corsair ram is going to be a bit faster than the Kingston on account of it being triple channel v. dual channel.

For the power supplies, if you look at the output voltage ratings of both, you'll see that each has a single +12V rail rated around 70amps. 850w should be plenty to power your machine, but personally I would look at a little bit better quality psu, for instance this.

Something else to consider:

Disclaimer- I'm biased towards Nvidia cards. That being said, and acknowledging that ATI makes good cards and has their share of supporters here, Nvidia cards have better support, stability, and fewer driver related issues than ATI, with a few notable exceptions. Take a look here, and compare memory clock, size, and interface. For the same price, you're getting a much better card there than with the 5870.

This is picky, but you might look for a case with 2 side fans as well as the front and top for airflow. Picky.

Also, you mentioned a price tag of $2500CAN- where are you buying, and does that price tag incude your OS, shipping, tax, etc? I priced your stuff at Newegg and came to a total of ~$1675CAN, not counting your OS, peripherals, monitor, shipping, and tax. Something else to consider maybe.

I think I'm out of words. Have fun building!

 

I have to second the Nvidia recommendation for a graphics card. Also, Nvidia tends to work better with Intel-based systems, whereas ATI tends to flow better with an AMD-based system.

I bought one ATI graphics card in my lifetime, and haven't swayed from Nvidia since! The only reason I ended up buying the ATI graphics card was because I was in South Korea, and my graphics went completely out, and the only thing I could find was an ATI card at a local shop.

EDIT: You don't even HAVE to spend US$500 on an Nvidia graphics card if you don't want to. The Nvidia GTX 465 ranges about US$300 +/- and will play any game out wonderfully. The GTX 480 is the best there is out right now, though.

One other suggestion -- Creative is known for driver and other issues. They are NOT the only sound card that can sound great. I personally have an HT Omega Claro. I've used Creative sound cards before... the drivers most times have issues with 64 bit systems, and the software tends to be a resource hog (never good with gaming!). I'd suggest an Oxygen-based sound card (such as the one I mentioned -- mine's middle of the line, they have better Oxygen cards out there, but unless you're a complete audiophile, the Claro would do you great).

Good luck with your build!

 

Cant help with your build.
All I can do at this point is say:
WELCOME to Major Geeks.


Some people forget their manners.rolleyes:-D:wave

 

First of all, thanks for the welcome and the help all.

Secondly, I think I agree with you guys about the Nvidia card, I've always been sold to Nvidia myself, I went for the 5870 because a friend recommended it, but I will definitely go for the Nvidia 480.

As for the power supply, I checked the one the you recommended Scooby and I like it, it is actually cheaper for me on newegg than my other choices, because I was buying them from a store near my place instead of buying from newegg.

In terms of budget, my budget is pretty open, I actually had started with a budget with 4k lol. The 2500$ includes all the peripherals btw, but does not include shipping and taxes, it also does not include the OS.

As for the sound card, I am actually an audiophile and tend to get bothered by the smallest detail in sound, so I will check the oxygen cards and try to find a high end one.

Scooby I see your point for the case, I will try to find one with openings on every side, anyone got ay to recommend?

Thank you

 

I personally bought a full ATX tower case a few weeks ago, and have nothing but good things to say about it. The case I bought isn't on the expensive side, but is also definitely not a budget case... it DOESN'T have a see-through side(s), so if you're looking for that, this isn't the case for you. It definitely has space enough for anything you're putting in it now plus anything you want to add in the future. The case I got is here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103011

 

mcsmc, those are the biggest fans I've ever seen on a tower! Between those and the vents up top you're bound to stay cool... those GTX480s can run warm but I wouldn't worry about it too much in that thing. This is mine but I think I like yours better! :-D

nbaidoun the psu is the last thing in your system you want to skimp on in my opinion- if it goes out in a bad way you can fry every major piece of hardware in your rig. I'm not personally familiar with Corsair as a psu manufacturer- they make good ram- but I've heard good things about them and the one you linked is probably going to be fine; it's not something I would shy away from buying for myself. Antec is a brand I've had a good bit of experience with and can recommend with more confidence on a personal level. The Coolermaster makes me a little skittish- have seen & heard of bad experiences with them more so than others and have an impression of them as a bargain brand.

And having been duly reminded of my manners- Welcome to Major Geeks! :major

 

Sweeett.
You can tell when it needs cleaning.

And thanks for reading the above.:-D

 

Would suggest corsair psu and ram as well. G.Skill RAM I like very much also. I have a Corsair TX750W and it runs my system very well. ZERO problems at all for about 8 months now. Extremely stable power and voltages.

Nice build BTW

 

Hello all,

I am in the process of ordering right now, and I noticed there are 3 different GTX 480 cards from EVGA, here are the links

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130558&cm_re=gtx_480-_-14-130-558-_-Product

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130551&cm_re=gtx_480-_-14-130-551-_-Product

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130552&cm_re=gtx_480-_-14-130-552-_-Product

So my question is this: Is there a noticeable difference with going with the stock, superclock or superclock+ one?

Thank you

 

Someone mentioned cases, I bought a CoolerMaster Sniper case, expensive @ $160 CDN but I love the wire management and the huge 200mm fans with a filter, two in and one out. Just love it!

If you're going to OC that beast, I'd recommend a Corsair Hydro H50 cooler. It's not that good at lower temps like @ idle but really shines when the CPU is at full load and is a nofuss/no muss water cooling installation. At 75 ambient @ full load, it's only 55C with my overclock.

As to PSU's, I like both the Corsair and Antecs, both running like champs here. I think that's it. It's going to be a glorious kick *** machine!

EDIT: BTW, try NCIX.com. I found them better than newegg.ca

 

Looking at the slight differences between memory, core, and shader clock, it looks like each is incrementally faster than the other one. Noticable? Probably not. If there is a difference to be seen it would be between the superclock and normal version. If you could tell a difference between the superclock and superclock+, I'll eat my sound card. ;p

 

I like that answer! I really wonder what superclocked means. After sorting the chips these are above par chips so we can sell them for more money.rolleyes It's a pre-overclocked board man! Who would ever want to buy one? It's like getting a Ford Focus on Nitrous! How long is that going to last? To the OP, don't get one of these please, it's not worth it unless on a benchmark IMHO.

 

Exactly. I'd go with the normal one and save myself $50.

 

Ok will go for the stock one.

Man, building a computer is getting complicated, I decided to buy the parts at my local store instead of going to newegg or ncix, because he told me he will match their prices if I paid cash which I am going to do. I told him to go ahead when he added a new dilemna to this build lol

With you guys I will find a solution to it hahaha! He recommended I go with an Asus GTX 480 instead of the eVga one, I've never trusted asus graphic cards because I bought 2 in the past and they both died on me, but what he is saying is that they have better service if anything happens under the warranty. Apparently Asus guarantees 3 full years, eVga guarantees for life or until the card is not available anymore.

What do you guys think? After this question, I will be done hopefully. He already took the full order, I already paid, he will wait for my confirmation by tomorrow for the card, both cards will cost me the same price.

Peace

 

That's a good shopkeeper there, wish I had one in my area!

Building your own is a lot more intensive than just buying some prefab rig and firing it up, but it's so much more satisfying to sit down at a computer you put together- not to mention you know it better, have tailored it to suit your needs, and have paid a lot less for a better rig when all is said and done.

Asus makes excellent motherboards, I have had good luck with their monitors, I can only assume they make a decent gfx card. As for being superior to Evga, I don't know. If the cards are exactly the same spec, then all you can do is put in in your machine and use it for awhile; personally I'd be comfortable trying Asus's cards, but I'd probably pick a cheaper card to make that distinction with- but that's me. Best of luck, and if you have any questions while you're putting it all together, ask away.

 

If you can do a jigsaw puzzle, putting your rig together should be no problem.

 

What if I can't put a jigsaw puzzle together? lol

Anyways, thanks for all the info guys, I appreciate the help, I will try out the Asus card, I will let you guys know how the machine fairs when I test it out.

Peace out!

 

Good Luck.
We're always here for backup.