Partial Build

EDIT: (finally done) here is the new machine

Okay so I want this bundle: http://pccyber.com/?v=Product&i=BUNDLE000013 (707) (ram, cpu, mobo DONE)

Video Card: http://pccyber.com/?v=Product&i=VC-AS-EAH5870/2DIS/1GD5

Media Drive: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_54&item_id=027104

Power Supply: http://www.canadacomputers.com/prod...item_id=015708&sid=0jve5u8a41pbasbvqdj26tq0q5

Case: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?item_id=013501


Greetings!

I was doing some research on RAM for a partial build when I stumbled upon this web site, I read a lot of the threads that have been created and I saw that the community is quite helpful and extreamly knowledgable so I thought I would register and ask for you guys to pick apart my new build.

My MOBO just recently died (the last build I did for myself was in 2004 but I have done quite a few for my friends). I haven't been keeping up with hardware as my PC didn't need them but alas it is time to build a new.

Many great games are coming out soon and I guess this is also an excuse to beef up my system (or build a new one).

I will be keeping my current HD's (they are both Seagates one is 500 G and the other is 1 TB both are 7200 RPM one is SATA the other is 3.5). I've recently purchased a sound card (creative's XI-FI).

Essentially what I am looking to do is replace the MOBO but since my old video card is AGP I need to get a new one since almost no MOBO's have AGP anymore and obviously I need to get new RAM and a new CPU.

I have no idea what kind of video card to get. I'm looking for something that will have no problem with high def videos (1080p, bluray, ect...) and that will last me the next few years.

This is what I have put together so far, please be as straight forward as you need to be.

Mobo
http://pccyber.com/?v=product&i=MB-AS-P7P55D+PREMIUM

CPU
http://pccyber.com/?v=Product&i=CPU-BX80605I7860

RAM:
http://pccyber.com/?v=Product&i=RAM-OCZ3G1333LV8GK


Current price is ~ 820 CDN (plus taxes blah blah).

Please let me know what you think, what you recommend, or if I missed any information.

Cheers

Edit:

MOBO:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_583&item_id=028937 195$

CPU:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=4_65&item_id=025303 285$

RAM: (They don't have the OCZ that I wanted so when he sent me the quote he added this instead)
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_311_312_611&item_id=019859 110$

Video Card Again, they didn't have the original I wanted so he replaced it with this
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_557_558&item_id=030497 420$

Power Supply
http://www.canadacomputers.com/prod...item_id=015708&sid=0jve5u8a41pbasbvqdj26tq0q5 90$

CD DRIVE
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=3_54&item_id=027104

Case:
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?item_id=013501





Total: 1100
After 13% (bull$#!+ tax): 1243

Drek! I would say the MB and CPU look good to me. Some folks say go with the i5 750 and some say go with the i7 860 with s1156. I don't run either one so I can't really comment on which is better, but generally speaking if you are just gaming, the 750 will do. If you plan to use hyper-threading then go with the 860.

For a GPU I would pick a HD 5850 or a GTX 460/470. They are great cards that will play most games at higher resolutions and won't break the bank. I also think 8GB of RAM might be a bit much and would look for a 4GB kit instead. Well I hope that helps you out and I'm sure more knowledgable members will offer their opinions and help you in your decision making.

Thanks a lot for the input bda, I think I will go with this card here:

http://pccyber.com/?v=Product&i=VC-AS-EAH5870/2DIS/1GD5 (its a little bit pricier than that 5850, I can currently afford this as I am working full time but my semester begins in Sept so I want to take advantage of it while I can. If you think its not worth it let me know).

The ram will be toned down to:

http://pccyber.com/?v=Product&i=RAM-OCZ3P2133LV4GK       That's 100 less dollars.

So I'm up to 820+420-100 (feels like one of those mcdonalds skill testing questions before you win your price) ~1200.

Quick question for you guys - how do I determine the amount of wattage that I will require?

Have you seen the GTX460? It is the best bang for your buck in the video card market currently.

Do you think it would be smart to downgrade to the GTX460 and once 5870 comes down in price then snag it? I see the difference isn't that big of a gap (but is the 5870 worth the extra 220?)

The 5870 is an awesome card if you can afford it and are running at a resolution that needs it. My guess is at least 1920 x 1200 or higher. Keep in mind though the 5850 can be overclocked to 5870 speeds if you get a reference card version like the one you linked so the 5850 is a great price/performance card. I hear good things about the GTX 460 in SLI too if you want to go that route. The GTX470/480 will perform a little better than their ATI counterparts but their main drawback is that they consume too much power and throw off a bunch of heat compared to the 5850/5870.

At the moment I can afford that card specially since I toned down the ram a bunch (thanks!!) I have my current system hooked up to my 36' Sharp, its pretty much my home entertainment system so I have never minded spending an extra bit of cash on video cards. At the moment my machine will play 720p if I set the priority on VLC (or whatever program I am using to watch a video) to high but don't even think about 1080 or bluray quality - not happening.

I really appreciate your help guys, I will most likely be buying this system this Friday or early next week.

One more thing I am unsure about - how much wattage will I need? I have a power supply I might be able to salvage.

Drek said:

At the moment I can afford that card specially since I toned down the ram a bunch (thanks!!) I have my current system hooked up to my 36' Sharp, its pretty much my home entertainment system so I have never minded spending an extra bit of cash on video cards. At the moment my machine will play 720p if I set the priority on VLC (or whatever program I am using to watch a video) to high but don't even think about 1080 or bluray quality - not happening.

I really appreciate your help guys, I will most likely be buying this system this Friday or early next week.

One more thing I am unsure about - how much wattage will I need? I have a power supply I might be able to salvage.

Click to expand...

Drek,

If your power supply is from 2004, it probably isn't going to do the job and is old technology for your build.

Pick something from here at ~550w which will be more than enought for any single vid card:

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=589708

Bah! I knew I wasn't going to be able to get away with that. I guess this means a new case!

Alright so I guess I will add:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/prod...item_id=011143&sid=0jve5u8a41pbasbvqdj26tq0q5

Tower:
I've spent the last 30 minutes looking and I'm stumped! Suggestions? (I don't want to spend TOO much, facing the truth with the power supply was a bummer )

Thanks RollingThunder! You've saved me from dissapointment.

Drek said:

Bah! I knew I wasn't going to be able to get away with that. I guess this means a new case!

Alright so I guess I will add:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/prod...item_id=011143&sid=0jve5u8a41pbasbvqdj26tq0q5

Tower:
I've spent the last 30 minutes looking and I'm stumped! Suggestions? (I don't want to spend TOO much, facing the truth with the power supply was a bummer )

Thanks RollingThunder! You've saved me from dissapointment.

Click to expand...

That 5870 needs 2 - 8 pin PCIe connectors so that means the Corsair 650TX. It's on a great NewEgg sale in the USA after MIR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

See what NewEgg Canada has it for.

Wow, I am so glad I came here for advice on my build.

Absolutely awesome! It's only 100 $ here

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=Corsair 650TX

and even cheaper from canadacomputers

http://www.canadacomputers.com/prod...item_id=015708&sid=0jve5u8a41pbasbvqdj26tq0q5

What am I looking at to see if it will fit into a case? If it will fit into what I have at home now that will save me some $$ I have http://www.anandtech.com/print/1470

Drek said:

Wow, I am so glad I came here for advice on my build.

Absolutely awesome! It's only 100 $ here

What am I looking at to see if it will fit into a case? If it will fit into what I have at home now that will save me some $$ I have http://www.anandtech.com/print/1470

Click to expand...

Drek,

Good question, I dont know. The physical size of the power supply is 5.9"(W) x 3.4"(H) X 5.9"(L) and it's not an overly large size by today's standards. My little Corsair HX520 is the same size. Just measure your inside opening, it might fit and I don't think the rear screw pattern has changed for some time.

You can also measure your old power supply. If it's the same width and height as the Corsair, you're "in."

The PSU should fit in the Tsunami with no issue's, I had that case at one time and a normal ATX PSU (Such as the Corsair) will fit easily.

Sweet, thanks for the help guys!

If it doesn't fit into my Tsunami then I will put it in this bad boy here:
http://pccyber.com/?v=product&i=CC-ANTEC-NINE+HUNDRED-II

Updating the 1st post, that much closer to making a purchase.

Drek said:

Wow, I am so glad I came here for advice on my build.

Absolutely awesome! It's only 100 $ here

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=Corsair 650TX

and even cheaper from canadacomputers

http://www.canadacomputers.com/prod...item_id=015708&sid=0jve5u8a41pbasbvqdj26tq0q5

What am I looking at to see if it will fit into a case? If it will fit into what I have at home now that will save me some $$ I have http://www.anandtech.com/print/1470

Click to expand...

Drek,

If Scott says it fits, take it to the bank. You're good to go.

ScottinIndy said:

The PSU should fit in the Tsunami with no issue's, I had that case at one time and a normal ATX PSU (Such as the Corsair) will fit easily.

Click to expand...

RollingThunder said:

Drek,

If Scott says it fits, take it to the bank. You're good to go.

Click to expand...

I had the Fortron AX500A (Bluestorm) in my Tsunami and I don't think the dimension's on it vary much if at all from the Corsair models, While I never did a side by side comparison, I think the Fortron and my HX 520 are pretty much the same size.

Is there any way that I can use my old DVD burner? It's IDE and I'm wondering if there are any adaptors or such things? BTW Colts should have beat Saints

ScottinIndy said:

I had the Fortron AX500A (Bluestorm) in my Tsunami and I don't think the dimension's on it vary much if at all from the Corsair models, While I never did a side by side comparison, I think the Fortron and my HX 520 are pretty much the same size.

Click to expand...

Scott,

You're probably correct. This HX520 fit in every older case I had if I was going to use one and has the same outer dimensions as the Corsair 650. Most of the larger ATX2 power supplies will too with the only difference being their length. The Corsair TX750 is only longer by half an inch.

Alright, I think I will be making my purchase with the items listed in bold at the top. The only thing I am unsure about is how good that ram is =/!