Upgrade Path for new Rig? Help please

[JrRacinFan]

More than enough
http://tpucdn.com/reviews/AMD/HD_6790/images/power_maximum.gif

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTS_450_TOP_DirectCU/images/power_maximum.gif

 

[Widjaja]

HD 6790 it is.

THe next question is that would my PSU be enough. I've read review that the Antec VP450w is a great PSU, but the 6790 (as the manufacturer says) needs a least 500w.

Should I change or stay with the VP450?

This is based on a fully loaded system and the assumption that the PSU has the average amperage on the +12v rails for a 500w PSU.

Fully loaded system is one which has all available slots, fan headers, USB ports and sata ports used.

Since the system is not fully loaded, the PSU is definitely enough.

 

[loloTHUNDAH]

Thanks guys! Feedbacks here are real quick compared to other websites. So here's my final Setup:

Processor: Core i3 - 2100
Mobo: Asus P8H77
Ram: 4gb DDR3
GPU: PowerColor HD6790 1gb DDR5
PSU: Antec VP450
Case: Cooler Master Elite 371

I left out the other things since they're generally needed.

Next up: Case Modding!

 

[loloTHUNDAH]

Guys, after a lot of consideration, I've pushed my budget to $670 (which is roughly around PHP30,000 ) But I won't push to far. Just thinking of changing my PSU to a Huntkey Jumper Modular 550w from an Antec VP450w.

Kinda wanted a Modular setup since I don't want stray cables in my case. And also they're sleeved (unlike the Antec VP450w)

I've read reviews and they said it's a great 550w PSU.

So should I change or not?

 

[JrRacinFan]

Huntkey PSU's aren't bad. Good 2nd tier OEM. I say get it if you want it. Brings up the valid point: how old is your current psu? I mean if you can wait to change out the power supply why not invest it into an even stronger video card or maybe up to the i5 2xxx lineup?

 

[loloTHUNDAH]

Well the i5 setup is really just outta my league ( I don't want to get ahead of myself here, plus I just started college) Plus I don't want my mom (yes she's the budget caller in this rig, I don't want her to find out I'm making a gaming build.)

A core i3 is enough for me now. I'll just upgrade in december to a Core i5 or better, An i7.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Gotcha. Must ask you this; What PC will you be moving from? Just curious ....

 

[loloTHUNDAH]

well from an ANCIENT rig

Processor: Pentium 4 2.8ghz
Mobo: Asus xtreme (forgot the model)
Ram: 1 gb DDR
HDD: 80gb
PSU: imaster 450w
GPU: Emaxx FX 5500

that's the desktop system I used whenever my sister uses her laptop
My sister's laptop is:

Processor: Core i3 350m (2.2ghz)
MoBo: Don't care, it's a laptop )
Ram: 2gb DDR3
HDD: 500gb 5400 rpm
GPU: Nvidia GeForce 310m (1gb DDR3)

lol this new rig is actually a blessing

 

[JrRacinFan]

You will probably be shocked but the FX5500, consumes very close to the same amount of power as the HD6790. Yeah it is going to be almost like culture shock once everything arrives and after you got it built. Comparitively, this thing will "rock your socks". Enjoy!

 

[Widjaja]

You will probably be shocked but the FX5500, consumes very close to the same amount of power as the HD6790. Yeah it is going to be almost like culture shock once everything arrives and after you got it built. Comparitively, this thing will "rock your socks". Enjoy!

Wouldn't be surprised.
DDR was about 2.5v avg while DDR3 is 1.5v avg

 

[loloTHUNDAH]

Well bad news, the H77 board I choose then (an Asus one) was out of stock (haven't ordered yet though but ran out in pretty quick)

I've got three choices for a new H77 board and here's the options:

Asus P8H77 (the site I'm buying from says the LE edition but the link goes to the non-LE one, either way here's both of the links)
The site where I'm buying parts http://pcx.com.ph/asus-p8h77-m-le-h77-vsl.html
P8H77 http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8H77M/
P8H77 LE http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8H77M_LE/ (I don't see any connectors for the case's power button and restart button at the lower right of the motherboard :|)

MSI H77MA-G43 http://www.msi.com/product/mb/H77MA-G43.html

AsRock H77M http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H77M/

EDIT: or get this Z77 board from ECS http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Pr...oryID=1&DetailName=Feature&MenuID=103&LanID=0 which is around PHP 4400 (or $100)

So which is better?

 

[JrRacinFan]

Go with the As rock.

 

[Aquinus]

Go with the As rock.

I have to disagree with JrRacinFan, no offense. Any particular reason for recommending the Asrock board? I've never had good luck with Asrock so I tend to give them a wide berth. Personally from those choices I definitely dig the MSI board, even though lately I've been leaning towards Asus, the MSI board looks more complete to me, versus the P8H77 (both of them.)

 

[Fourstaff]

I have to disagree with JrRacinFan, no offense. Any particular reason for recommending the Asrock board? I've never had good luck with Asrock so I tend to give them a wide berth.

No problems with AsRock here either, they make very decent bang for buck stuff.

 

[Aquinus]

No problems with AsRock here either, they make very decent bang for buck stuff.

I've heard that they've gotten a lot better, but I don't tend to take that risk despite what others say, maybe some day. Personally, I've had great luck with Gigabyte, MSI, and Asus for motherboards and MSI has been exceptionally good with my GPUs. That is just what I've experienced with the machines I've built. The last two Asrock motherboards I got sported overclocking, agp voltage, dram voltage, but not CPU voltage. I was livid, I gave them two chances with the same result. Granted that was back with the Athlon XP and Pentium 4 where all the rage (skt478 and early skt775.)

MSI has also been the only company to actually work with me to fix motherboard issues, they've sent out a BIOS chip free of charge after I flashed the wrong bios the board (975x Platinum vs 975x Platinum Power-Up,) and even though the BIOS chip didn't work they fixed the motherboard even though I broke it. That is pretty good service if you ask me. I've never had to send Asus products back either, which says something in itself, but granted this is my experiences and I'm sure there are people who have had terrible experiences with MSI or Asus and have had great luck with Asrock.

 

[JrRacinFan]

I've never had good luck with Asrock

I can say the same for MSI and every EVERY AsRock board I've owned (since my Socket A days) has been rock solid so why not continue a tradition.

 

[Fourstaff]

I've heard that they've gotten a lot better, but I don't tend to take that risk despite what others say, maybe some day. Personally, I've had great luck with Gigabyte, MSI, and Asus for motherboards and MSI has been exceptionally good with my GPUs. That is just what I've experienced with the machines I've built. The last two Asrock motherboards I got sported overclocking, agp voltage, dram voltage, but not CPU voltage. I was livid, I gave them two chances with the same result. Granted that was back with the Athlon XP and Pentium 4 where all the rage (skt478 and early skt775.)

MSI has also been the only company to actually work with me to fix motherboard issues, ...

Good service for you in US, but not necessarily repeated across the whole world. All of the major motherboard manufacturers are pretty decent when it comes to problems, so I don't see why you would say no to either AsRock or MSI.

 

[loloTHUNDAH]

So guys I EDITED this post to show you what I'll be getting by August or September.

Processor: Core i3 - 2100
MoBo: MSI H77A-G43
RAM: 4GB DDR3
Vid Card: Powercolor HD 6790
PSU: Thermaltake Litepower 700w (it only produces 600w though)
HDD: 500GB 7200rpm 64mb (something something...)

Any more suggestions?