Build for Friend

[BarbaricSoul]

Got a friend that wants a new gaming rig. Budget is approximately $1000 USD. Prefered etailer is newegg, but will buy from other trustworthy sites. Main use of the computer is gaming and listening to music. AMD/Intel ATI/Nvidia don't matter, I want the most bang for the buck. Build needs to include a monitor, atleast 22" widescreen. Also, he'll be needing a nice case as his current Cooler Master ATCS is really showing it's age. I'm thinking something along the lines of the CM 690. Build needs to be future proof as possible and upgradeable(this system will be replacing his current 6-7 year old xp2800 clawhammer system to give you a idea of how often he does full rebuilds). So let's see what you guys and girls can come up with.

Here is my current build-

GFX Card- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102849

MB- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223

CPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103696

RAM- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231281

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

HD- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Monitor- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824160047

DVD drive- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

CPU Cooling- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093

Case- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

total price $1070.90

 

[Athlon2K15]

ur link dont work barbaric..well it does but i have to log in?

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I've always had to log in to newegg to see wishlists

 

[BarbaricSoul]

no improvement suggestions to my build?

 

[TheLaughingMan]

You misunderstanding. You have to log in to see YOUR wishlist. We cannot see it because.....well we are not you.

Make the wishlist public and provide the public link, or just list the parts in a post.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

You misunderstanding. You have to log in to see YOUR wishlist. We cannot see it because.....well we are not you.

Make the wishlist public and provide the public link, or just list the parts in a post.

fixed

 

[JrRacinFan]

Heya Barbaric, just mentioning it that DFI has been a little lackluster lately. I'm not saying I have personal experience with that board but you may want to pass and look at a different one.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

1. Get the 95W Phenom II 945. It is the same processor, but generates less heat.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103696

2. The RAM's heat sink may be too large for the Mugen. That is a big ass cooler. Try something with standard heat sinks.

3. Anything else I would change is personal preference. I do think a GPU with a real dual slot cooler will run cooler in the real world. Example below, but that is just a suggestion.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161265

4. If you want some of my suggestions, just let me know.

 

[LittleLizard]

i would get the gd70 instead of that dfi. Much more features for the same price.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

feel free to provide builds of your own, I'm not dead set on my build.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

1. Get the 95W Phenom II 945. It is the same processor, but generates less heat.

Wouldn't the higher wattage CPU give better OC'ability because of being able to handle more watts?

2. The RAM's heat sink may be too large for the Mugen. That is a big ass cooler. Try something with standard heat sinks.

ok

I do think a GPU with a real dual slot cooler will run cooler in the real world.

Brand name and price is why I picked that particular 4870. I'm not all that familiar with ATI card vendors and XFX was the only brand I can remmeber mostly good things about. Suggestions are welcome.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

First, the TDP (Thermal Design Power) is how much heat must be disapaited for the CPU to operate within normal specifications. The higher this number is, the more heat is generated. While a good parallel, it has nothing to do with power the CPU will use. Simple rule of thumb for OCing, higher TDP the more cooling power you will need.

Mobo: ASUS M2A79XTD $119.99

PSU: Cosair 750TX $119.99

Case: Nzxt Lexa S $74.99

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws 1600 Mhz DDR3 4GB $79.99

HDD: Samsung F3 1 TB $74.99

GPU: HIS H487QT1GP $169.99

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 945 $169.99

Monitor: Acer X223Wbd $149.99

DVD burner: SAMSUNG Black 22X $27.99

CPU Cooler: Scythe MUGEN 2 $36.99 (Optional)

Total: $1,024.90 + Shipping on 3 items

Total minus Mugen II: $987.91 + Shipping on 2 items

 

[Rapidfire48]

I like all of what laughing man has posted except for the mobo. The MSI boards is a much better selection than the EVO.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

More opinions would be appreciated.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Here's an alternate board if you want to go SLI with your build:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130235

 

[n-ster]

btw, to show your private wishlists without needed to wait to make it public or whatever, http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=96240

Would a EVGA gtx 260 be a good buy? especially with the lifetime warranty and step-up?

 

[lemode]

what OS is going to be installed? i just didn't see any mention of it in your text or list.

 

[PaulieG]

Here's what I would do for around a grand. Can't really beat it IMHO:

 

[lemode]

Here's what I would do for around a grand. Can't really beat it IMHO:

http://img.techpowerup.org/090923/buildforfriend.png

I think your addition of triple channel memory was an oversight...

 

[PaulieG]

I think your addition of triple channel memory was an oversight...

LOL. I'm just accustomed to buying for i7. Get these, and subtract $5 from the total.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

what OS is going to be installed? i just didn't see any mention of it in your text or list.

I have XP, Vista and 7 available to put on it.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

btw, to show your private wishlists without needed to wait to make it public or whatever, http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=96240

Would a EVGA gtx 260 be a good buy? especially with the lifetime warranty and step-up?

I couldn't find a 260 for the price I can get the 1 gig 4870 for. Considering both GFX cards are eqaul in performance from everything I've read, I went with the 4870.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

Well some of the OCed GTX 260 are on a whole other level for about $170 to $200, but no big deal. Go choice and good luck with the build.