Help me finish my build: GPU and Case

[kuripot]

Updated: Help me finish my build: GPU, Case and motherboard

Update: I got a case, Antec P180, but now I need to figure out which motherboard to use.

Going back to a desktop after using a laptop for the last 6 months. I'll play ME2, DA:O on it hopefully at or near 1080p resolution (though this isn't necessary) maybe 1-4 hours every so often. When I'm not playing games I don't want to hear it, which is why I got the AC Acc. Rev2, and will repurpose some quiet fans from my last build.

My old build was:
Phenom 550 X4 3.4Ghz/ SUnbeam CCT 120mm fan
Gigabtyte GA-MA790GP-DS4H
4GB DDR2 800
GTS 250 1gb
750GB WD Green
Antec Earthwatts 380w
Antec P182
Acer 23" 1080p max res.

I'll be reusing the:
Ph550
Sunbeam CCT cooler
750 WD Green
Acer 23"

New parts are:
ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO AM3 (mATX)
4GB Crucial Ballistix DDR3
600W OCZ ModXstream Pro
80GB Intel SSD G1
AC Accelero S1 Rev.2 vga cooler
GPU: ?
Case: ?

I got a really good deal with this board but I'm not married to it. SHould I stick with my old board combo or go with DDR3? Will I notice much of a difference?
I should be able to unlock the 550 with the new Asus, however, I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep as high of an oc since it doesn't have as good cooling solutions.

The max amount I'd want to pay is around $150 new or used for the GPU. I'd also be interested to know which GPU would match most effectively and what the highest card I could drive with the rest of my build. For the gpu I was thinking along the lines of a 4850, 4770, 5770. I had a GTS 250 last year which was nice.

For the case I was thinking about a P180mini, Lancool DragonLord PC-K62, CM690 II Advanced Black, original CM690. I don't want to pay more than $100 for the case.

I'm going to Frys right now to check out some cases.

 

[Bo$$]

Going back to a desktop after using a laptop for the last 6 months. I'll play ME2, DA:O on it hopefully at or near 1080p resolution (though this isn't necessary) maybe 1-4 hours every so often. When I'm not playing games I don't want to hear it, which is why I got the AC Acc. Rev2, and will repurpose some quiet fans from my last build.

My old build was:
Phenom 550 X4 3.4Ghz/ SUnbeam CCT 120mm fan
Gigabtyte GA-MA790GP-DS4H
4GB DDR2 800
GTS 250 1gb
750GB WD Green
Antec Earthwatts 380w
Antec P182
Acer 23" 1080p max res.

I'll be reusing the:
Ph550
Sunbeam CCT cooler
750 WD Green
Acer 23"

New parts are:
ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO AM3 (mATX)
4GB Crucial Ballistix DDR3
600W OCZ ModXstream Pro
80GB Intel SSD G1
AC Accelero S1 Rev.2 vga cooler
GPU: ?
Case: ?

I got a really good deal with this board but I'm not married to it. SHould I stick with my old board combo or go with DDR3? Will I notice much of a difference?
I should be able to unlock the 550 with the new Asus, however, I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep as high of an oc since it doesn't have as good cooling solutions.

The max amount I'd want to pay is around $150 new or used for the GPU. I'd also be interested to know which GPU would match most effectively and what the highest card I could drive with the rest of my build. For the gpu I was thinking along the lines of a 4850, 4770, 5770. I had a GTS 250 last year which was nice.

For the case I was thinking about a P180mini, Lancool DragonLord PC-K62, CM690 II Advanced Black, original CM690. I don't want to pay more than $100 for the case.

I'm going to Frys right now to check out some cases.

m59 is very nice whilst being cheap and xfx 5770

 

[eidairaman1]

5770

 

[Fourstaff]

I would advise against the 4xxx graphics cards, they aren't any better than the GTS250. Get a 5770 instead (I'm sure everyone else will say the same thing)

Edit: Have you looked at the Antec 300? Simple, relatively cheap and functional.

 

[CDdude55]

I just got a XFX 5770 and i love it.

I also love my CM690 case, had lots of areas to install fans and lots of room for your parts.

 

[hdwizard]

Case

I just did my first build and used an Antec 300 illusion, I like the case, system runs cool, wiring is clean. Just my two cents

 

[kuripot]

m59 is very nice whilst being cheap and xfx 5770

5770

Get a 5770 instead (I'm sure everyone else will say the same thing)

Edit: Have you looked at the Antec 300? Simple, relatively cheap and functional.

I just got a XFX 5770 and i love it.

I also love my CM690 case, had lots of areas to install fans and lots of room for your parts.

Haha, seems like I found the 5770 club!! I guess, I'll start shopping

@Fourstaff, I'll look into it, thanks!

@CDdude, ya, there are lots of reviews on this case, I'm going to look more closely at it at Frys.

So I'm guessing I should stick with my new board and the benefits of DDR3?

 

[bogmali]

CM690 II Advance is better than the original 690 and you can get it for <$100.

Here is a BNIB for $91 shipped.......LINK

I see that we're still living up to our screen name eh

 

[JrRacinFan]

Kuripot,

Do you still have the GTS250? What's your locale? Also after seeing many many users come acrossed a few bad OCZ psu's lately I say go with another Antec, maybe the Earthwatts 650.

 

[kuripot]

CM690 II Advance is better than the original 690 and you can get it for <$100.

Here is a BNIB for $91 shipped.......LINK

I see that we're still living up to our screen name eh

Bogmali, thanks for the link!! Frys has it for $85 after $10mir so after tax it'll be about $95oop.
Hmm, looks like the one you linked is the original 690, so I think the Frys deal is better.
Edit: on closer inspection, maybe it is the advanced model

There's a local guy that wants to trade my Gigabyte board for the Lancool PC-K62 case, so I may go for that to save some cash for the 5770 that it looks like I'll be getting.

Haha, ya, I'll change my screen name after i get a job. Then again, maybe I won't, haha.

Kuripot,

Do you still have the GTS250? What's your locale? Also after seeing many many users come acrossed a few bad OCZ psu's lately I say go with another Antec, maybe the Earthwatts 650.

I don't have the GTS250 anymore, gave it to my bro, along with the P180 case.

Thanks for the head's up on the OCZ issues. I got it cheap from Newegg and was intrigued since it was modular but never had a chance to use it. How's this as an alternative: Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W?

 

[1nf3rn0x]

I can't find this case anywhere else but it's SO MAD! It has a 25cm fan on the side, one intake fan in the front (120mm i think) and add a exhaust 120mm and it will be excellent with airflow! Only $65, looks awesome and probably is! It's ATX so it should fit a 5770 if you gonna get one!

Link: Can only find it on this website, but you can search around

http://ijk.com.au/branch/ijk/product_info.php?cPath=492_213&products_id=127023

 

[mdsx1950]

+1

Get the HD 5770.

 

[Dent1]

+1 on he 5770, or get a 5850 if your budget can stretch.

 

[kuripot]

Link: Can only find it on this website, but you can search around

http://ijk.com.au/branch/ijk/product_info.php?cPath=492_213&products_id=127023

Thanks for the rec, but I just picked up a P180 locally for $25! I know Bogmali would be proud of me He also threw in a Corsair 620HX for $65, so that should be more capable than the OCZ I was planning on using.

http://ijk.com.au/branch/ijk/popup_image.php?pID=127023

+1 on he 5770, or get a 5850 if your budget can stretch.

SInce I got the case so cheap I do have extra budget! What do you guys think of the 5830?

 

[kenkickr]

SInce I got the case so cheap I do have extra budget! What do you guys think of the 5830?

Your money would be better spent on the either the 5770 or 5850 depending on what gaming resolution you desire and if you mess with the extra eye candy settings or not.

 

[kuripot]

Your money would be better spent on the either the 5770 or 5850 depending on what gaming resolution you desire and if you mess with the extra eye candy settings or not.

Ok, then I may get the 5770 for now and wait for the 5850 to drop in price a bit.

 

[kuripot]

Still need advice on whether I should re-use my old Gigabyte DDR2 motherboard or go with the Asus mAtx DDR3 board. I read that I probably won't notice a difference btw DDR2 or DDR3, so the only thing I'll get is a smaller footprint with the Asus. What I may lose is the ability to OC as high as I did with the Gigabyte board since it has more robust chip cooling, and the future prospect to Crossfire.

So I'm leaning towards staying with the Gigabyte. What do you people think?

Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-DS4H

Asus M4A785TD-M EVO AM3

I totally appreciate everyone's input so far

 

[JrRacinFan]

I think you should stay with what you got until ddr3 comes down in price a little further. You can then use the extra budget towards your gpu.

 

[kuripot]

Haha, the thing is I have ram for both boards already! I originally wanted to build a small footprint pc which is why I bought the mAtx board, but that idea went out the window when I picked up the p180
So basically I;m checking with you guys to see if there would be any imminent reason to go with one motherboard over the other.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Haha, the thing is I have ram for both boards already! I originally wanted to build a small footprint pc which is why I bought the mAtx board, but that idea went out the window when I picked up the p180
So basically I;m checking with you guys to see if there would be any imminent reason to go with one motherboard over the other.

None that I can see tbh. Unless you already have chosen fast ddr3 ram(1600 CL7 or 1333 CL6).

 

[kuripot]

They are Crucial Ballistix 10600 CL6, are these fast or just standard?

 

[JrRacinFan]

Not bad. My suggestion then since you already have the case and ram, move up to an 880G rather than a 785G.

 

[kuripot]

Not bad. My suggestion then since you already have the case and ram, move up to an 880G rather than a 785G.

What does 880G have to offer? USB 3.0 support?

 

[JrRacinFan]

What does 880G have to offer? USB 3.0 support?

USB3/SATA3 also a little bit better of an overclocker.

 

[kuripot]

Sounds pretty nice. It sounds like the Asus board won't offer me anything over the Gigabyte, so I'll probably stick with the Gigabyte board and have more money for the gpu Then later this summer pick up an 880G and hopefully 5850 card will have dropped in price too!