New high end gaming build. Please help!

bernardstachman · October 13th, 2009, 09:25 PM

Hi all, and thanks for being expert! I've been doing a little research on TechIMO and have learned a lot already. I used to build computers, but it has been a few years since my last build. I already have a display, and can figure out my own keyboard/mouse (unless someone's burning to suggest something). I have already purchased:

2 x Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F2EG HD154UI 1.5TB 5400 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
(Plenty of space for storage, but fast enough for high end gaming? Should I consider a smaller, faster drive for the OS and/or game installs?)

EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
(I want a MOBO that supports at least dual SLI, but pref 3-way. Should I worry about buying another 275 now to SLI with or wait on getting a second card?)
-----

So that means I still need a case, processor, fan (2?), RAM (should I get DDR3?), MOBO, PSU, Blu-Ray drive and I think I'll be set. I am hoping to get the rest of this for under $1000. Is this likely?

Processor: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
any reason i should spend the extra money on the i7? it seems excessive for my needs...

Blu-Ray: Newegg.com - LG 8X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 6X BD-ROM 2MB Cache Blu-ray Burner Model BH08LS20 - Blu-Ray Burners
suggestions?

RAM: I think 6GB of DDR3 should do. Ideas?

MOBO, PSU, case, cooling: ?

Please help me live out my nerd dreams, and thanks in advance!

KarmaKiller · October 13th, 2009, 10:04 PM

Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD5 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 Video Card - 1GB GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0, CrossFireX Ready, Dual DVI, Display Port, HDMI at TigerDirect.com
I know it's not from newegg, all of theirs are out of stock. But for the price point of a 275, you can get the new DX11 5850, which performs better.
I'm a nvidia guy for the most part, but you can't deny the bang for buck value of the ATI cards.

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Trident 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory Model F3-16000CL9D-4GBTD - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply - Power Supplies

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
These drives are extremely fast as is. If you need more storage then that then pick up a couple, or get one of these for a storage drive:
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Green WD15EADS 1.5TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
or
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Umm... lets see.. what did I miss?
If you want to overclock, check into a good after market cooler. I'd recommend the Mugen II.
Newegg.com - Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

Think that's it.

bernardstachman · October 13th, 2009, 10:26 PM

Thanks for the quick reply! So I would have no problem running a 275 and 5850 together? I've always been keen on nvidia but am willing to consider ATI. I don't plan on overclocking right away, should I still worry about getting a CPU cooler? I'm thinking one of the 7200 RPM HDs will suffice for OS and Game installs if I partition, though I might go for 2 drives. Does partitioning affect access speed? And 4GB of ram will be enough you think? Thanks again.

:techimolove:

Aaron_8015 · October 13th, 2009, 11:12 PM

Im not sure 'KK' noticed you already have the 275 and the hard drives (those hard drives will be very slow for gaming mainly for only being 5400RPM) Use the two you have as storage only and pick up the caviar black like 'KK' listed....

You cannot mix the two cards on the same board, but atm that 5850 costs less and is way faster than that 275. As you already have the GPU don'y bother with the Ati....

Go with everything else in the list though.

ShyguyXPC · October 13th, 2009, 11:31 PM

atm the 5850 costs the same,$250-260 range vs the 250ish range for an OC'd 275.

GTX 275 Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Video Cards & Video Devices,Desktop Graphics / Video Cards,GeForce GTX 200 Series,GeForce GTX 275

vs

5850 Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Video Cards & Video Devices,Desktop Graphics / Video Cards,Radeon HD 5000 series,Radeon HD 5850

but yes, it is more faster.

and unless your going to be Overclocking, this ram is a bit cheaper and will more than suffice for now, until DDR3 prices come further down, Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL - Desktop Memory

KarmaKiller · October 13th, 2009, 11:47 PM

Oops.. Didn't notice you had the 275 already. Sorry..

And the point of the RAM that fast was so he wouldn't have to OC it.

bernardstachman · October 13th, 2009, 11:53 PM

well, since i already have the 275, is it more worth my money to SLI with a 285 or wait for an afordable nvidia card that supports DX 11?

i noticed this deal:
Open Box: MSI N285GTX-T2D1G-OC GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

worth it? should i have concerns because it is MSI (im not familiar with them)/open box?

Aaron_8015 · October 13th, 2009, 11:55 PM

You can't SLI with different cards.... they have to be the same type but not same crad manufacturer eg.... EVGA 275 + XFX 275...

ShyguyXPC · October 14th, 2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarmaKiller

Oops.. Didn't notice you had the 275 already. Sorry..

And the point of the RAM that fast was so he wouldn't have to OC it.

still needs to go into the bios and change settings to get it run that fast though

also if their not going to OC for a while, or are unsure if they even will, makes more sense saving some cash now and just getting that kit for $30 less. thats $30 saved or used elsewhere in the upgrade.

ShyguyXPC · October 14th, 2009, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernardstachman

well, since i already have the 275, is it more worth my money to SLI with a 285 or wait for an afordable nvidia card that supports DX 11?

i noticed this deal:
Open Box: MSI N285GTX-T2D1G-OC GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

worth it? should i have concerns because it is MSI (im not familiar with them)/open box?

as the others have said, can't SLI that with the 275.

but will comment on it, if you were to buy a new card, its a great card.

have that same exact one now, also bought it Open box, but about $10 cheaper a few months ago. MSI is usually a pretty good brand to go with.