Another new PC thread - It has arrived.

[Turbo Lag]

Here's the parts list I came up with..

Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4P Intel Mainboard - 4x DDR3 / 8x Sata Raid / 1x IDE / Dual Gigabit Lan / LGA 1156 - $208.00
Antec Nine Hundred - Black Ultimate ATX Gaming Case (No PSU) - $134.20
Intel Core i7-860 / 2.80GHz / 8MB Cache / LGA1156 - $351.00
XFX ATI HD5770 xXx Edition PCI-E 2.0, 1GB, DDR5, 128bit, Dual DVI, HDMI, DX11, Fan (HD-577A-ZNDC/HD-577A-ZNDK) - $209.00
Kingston DDR3 6GB PC-10600/1333 (3x2GB) CL9 Value Ram - $195.00
LG GH22NS50 SATA DVD Re-Writer (22x - Black) - $30.80
Corsair TX-650 650W ATX Power Supply - $127.00
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit DVD - OEM - $150.70
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM 32MB SATA 3Gbs - $81.00
Leadtek Winfast DTV2000H Plus PCI - Hybrid HDTV, FM - $64.00

Sub-Total: $1,550.70 (+$50 for build and install, so 1600)

I have a budget of around $1800 AUD, but I really want to keep the price down as much as possible as I don't really need anything better than this. This will all fit together nicely shouldn't it?

Are there any suggestions to anything I should replace on this list?

It'll be running on a 23" HD Monitor, possibly on a 46" TV for whatever, etc. It should be fine as far as I can tell.

I don't need mice, keyboards, speakers etc. because I already have a plethora of them.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Where are you buying from?

You want a 64 bit version of Windows, otherwise 2.x GBs of your memory will be not used. I'm not sure which exact drive that is, but the 1TB Seagates haven't been exactly reliable. You should also possibly consider a modular power supply.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Buying from here, Centrecom. I can't really find any place cheaper than that anyway.

What about WD 1TB drive? I suppose I could spend a little more on a decent HDD, but anyway 1TB should be about enough.

I'm honestly not too sure about the 32 or 64 bit versions of Windows, what are the flaws and such? All I (now) know is you can't run more than 4gB of RAM on 32 bit. I do run a lot of older games (From 2005~ onwards), but I want to be prepared for future games and apps too. If all these will work on 64 bit then I think I might have to go for that.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

The WD drive should be good.

I'm honestly not too sure about the 32 or 64 bit versions of Windows, what are the flaws and such? All I (now) know is you can't run more than 4gB of RAM on 32 bit. I do run a lot of older games (From 2005~ onwards), but I want to be prepared for future games and apps too. If all these will work on 64 bit then I think I might have to go for that.

My experience with 64-bit versions of Vista and 7 has been pretty smooth. I did have trouble installing Battlefield 2, but in the end I got it to run. You should probably check on google if there are any problems with running those games though to be on the safe side.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Thanks for that, I better check all this anyway. However, I still have my current PC which is perfectly fine for running most modern games on low settings with a smaller res. Basically I want this PC prepared for at least 3 years or so, and it won't exactly be replacing my current PC. The only reason it isn't replacing it is since my parent's computers are simply getting too old and unreliable.

One more thing, is there a way to connect the same set of 5.1 speakers to 2 PC's at the same time? It's probably not possible, but I'm just wondering if it is. With the new PC running, I'd like to have my 5.1's connected to that, but in case I need to run whatever older games on my current PC, is there a way to keep those connected to this PC as well? It's be even better if you could run both at the same time but this is stretching it, lol. I simply want to keep it so that I don't need to change connections every time I want to switch.

Edit: Right, I've been thinking of a way to achieve this seemingly impossible switch idea.

Since I'll be running both PC's side by side, I should be able to plug (using some cable?) the "Slave PC's" line-out audio into the "Master PC's" line-in shouldn't I? Doing this should essentially allow me to play the line-in on the Master PC, however only using the front 2 speakers because I think the line-out on the Slave PC will only output stereo not surround 5.1 sound.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I wouldn't know about that.

But apparently that DVD writer is a bit dodgy. Either of the Lite-on units should be fine.

http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=49&page=1&sort=3a&products_id=44462

 

[Casio]

Thanks for that, I better check all this anyway. However, I still have my current PC which is perfectly fine for running most modern games on low settings with a smaller res. Basically I want this PC prepared for at least 3 years or so, and it won't exactly be replacing my current PC. The only reason it isn't replacing it is since my parent's computers are simply getting too old and unreliable.

One more thing, is there a way to connect the same set of 5.1 speakers to 2 PC's at the same time? It's probably not possible, but I'm just wondering if it is. With the new PC running, I'd like to have my 5.1's connected to that, but in case I need to run whatever older games on my current PC, is there a way to keep those connected to this PC as well? It's be even better if you could run both at the same time but this is stretching it, lol. I simply want to keep it so that I don't need to change connections every time I want to switch.

Edit: Right, I've been thinking of a way to achieve this seemingly impossible switch idea.

Since I'll be running both PC's side by side, I should be able to plug (using some cable?) the "Slave PC's" line-out audio into the "Master PC's" line-in shouldn't I? Doing this should essentially allow me to play the line-in on the Master PC, however only using the front 2 speakers because I think the line-out on the Slave PC will only output stereo not surround 5.1 sound.

So you want this, but like times 5, and a crap load of speaker cables.

And you're buying my PSU and saving moneyz. Hell, I'll even throw in 10 speaker wires to make your crazy set-up work.

Also i5-750 over 860, and UD3P over UD4P (Unless you really need dual LAN???). And then you have spare moneyz for a 5850 over a 5770.

If ya gunna spend $360 on a 860 you should just go the i7 930 in my opinion. (Especially when you put 3 Ram sticks in your build) Not worth it as 1156 isn't triple channel, go two sticks or four.

 

[Turbo Lag]

No I'm not buying your PSU, lol.

Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 intel Mainboard - 4x DDR3 / 6x Sata Raid / 1x IDE / Gigabit Lan / LGA 1156 $151.00
Antec Nine Hundred - Black Ultimate ATX Gaming Case (No PSU) $134.20
Intel Core i7-860 / 2.80GHz / 8MB Cache / LGA1156 $351.00
XFX ATI HD5770 xXx Edition PCI-E 2.0, 1GB, DDR5, 128bit, Dual DVI, HDMI, DX11, Fan (HD-577A-ZNDC/HD-577A-ZNDK) $209.00
Corsair DDR3 8GB PC-12800/1600 (4x XMS3 2GB) CMX8GX3M4A1600C9 Ram $349.80
Lite-On Super AllWrite SATA DVD Re-Writer OEM (24x - Black) $34.10
Corsair HX-650 ATX Modular Power Supply $145.00
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit DVD - OEM $150.70
Western Digital Caviar Green Power 1TB 7200RPM 64MB SATA 3Gbs $81.00
Leadtek Winfast DTV2000H Plus PCI - Hybrid HDTV, FM $64.00

Sub-Total: $1,669.80 (+$50 for build, so 1719)

How does that look then?

 

[Casio]

I'd still swap the 860 for a 750 + 5850 but whatever floats your boat, you don't need more than 4GB of RAM at this stage unless you're using applications you know will use it (Not games). I'd go 4 and get more down the track if you need it. Spending close to $400 on RAM which won't be used most of the time is a bit silly in my opinion.

 

[Turbo Lag]

If I go for a 5850, I suppose I can have 4gB faster RAM rather than the 8gB, and the price will be around $50 higher. That's very tempting..

Oh yeah if I go back to 4gB, I can still use 32 bit.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

If I go for a 5850, I suppose I can have 4gB faster RAM rather than the 8gB, and the price will be around $50 higher. That's very tempting..

Oh yeah if I go back to 4gB, I can still use 32 bit.

Faster RAM won't have much of a difference. But if you're planning on playing games at 1920 by whatever then the 5850 might prove handy.

You should still go for the 64 bit. I wouldn't even consider 32 bit for a new system, unless I was running 2GB or less of RAM.

 

[Casio]

Yeah faster RAM will make like no difference. I think the original spec for the 1156 was 1333Mhz, so over that won't make much difference unless you're overclocking, but 1600 is a nice medium. You may get some real world benefit with tighter timings but again it's not worth the outlay to get it.

If you don't need an FM Radio you can also get a DTV1000 tuner (I think that's the model) which is exactly the same minus FM for around $30 less.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Nah the DTV1000 still has that, the 2000H is a hybrid.

I do plan on playing games in full 1080P so I guess it's worth for me. I'm going to get overkill since I'm planning it rather for the future.

What about Crossfire though? What about like, two 5750s (Or even two 5770s) instead of a 5850? Dual 5770s go bit over the price of a 5850, but the dual 5750s look alright, if I have a 750W Corsair Modular PSU, it should work? I've got no idea about compatibility issues though, if 'x' game doesn't support Crossfire, that means only one card will be dealing with it etc. Is it worth the lower price, higher priced PSU, and compatibility?

 

[Casio]

Nah the DTV1000 still has that, the 2000H is a hybrid.

I do plan on playing games in full 1080P so I guess it's worth for me. I'm going to get overkill since I'm planning it rather for the future.

What about Crossfire though? What about like, two 5750s (Or even two 5770s) instead of a 5850? Dual 5770s go bit over the price of a 5850, but the dual 5750s look alright, if I have a 750W Corsair Modular PSU, it should work? I've got no idea about compatibility issues though, if 'x' game doesn't support Crossfire, that means only one card will be dealing with it etc. Is it worth the lower price, higher priced PSU, and compatibility?

Two 5770s will generally out perform a 5850. They've got great crossfire performance for newer games. I'm not 100% sure but I wouldn't think two 5750s would match a 5850. As an example

Or just buy this and be done with it.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Leadtek Winfast DTV2000H Plus PCI - Hybrid HDTV, FM $64.00
Antec Nine Hundred - Black Ultimate ATX Gaming Case (No PSU) $134.20
Intel Core i7-860 / 2.80GHz / 8MB Cache / LGA1156 $351.00
Corsair DDR3 4GB PC-12800/1600 (2x XMS3 2GB) CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 Ram $136.40
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 intel Mainboard - 4x DDR3 / 6x Sata Raid / 1x IDE / Gigabit Lan / LGA 1156 $151.00
Lite-On Super AllWrite SATA DVD Re-Writer OEM (24x - Black) $34.10
Western Digital Caviar Green Power 1TB 7200RPM 64MB SATA 3Gbs $81.00
Gigabyte ATI R585OC-1GD RADEON HD5850 OC, 765MHz, 1GB, GDDR5, PCIe2.0, HDMI, DVI, DP $352.00
Corsair HX-650 ATX Modular Power Supply $145.00
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit DVD - OEM $150.70

Coming to a total of $1650, built, installed, and stress tested.

Will probably be going for this. 👍

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

That looks good except switch the hard drive back to the Blue. The Green series is a power saving series. They can make for good storage drives, since they save power and should cost less than the Blue and Black series.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Tomorrow I'm placing an order, however once again, run into a bit of an issue. I've been advised to get 8gB RAM for an extra $70 or so, however I think it's completely pointless since I'd probably never use 8gB. Is it worth switching to triple-channel, with 6gB and an i7 930 instead? I do multitask a lot, and currently, completely finish my 2gB RAM very quickly.

Edit: I've just had a budget limit, about $100 or so extra, is it worth getting a 5870 over a 5850?

 

[Casio]

8GB is a waste. Go the 930 and 6GB with the extra.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

That's a tough one. 8GB does seem like a bit too much. But you could start out with 4GB and then add another 4 later if you think you need it. It probably doesn't matter, but the i7-860 + 1156 motherboard combo is a bit more power efficient than the 930 one.

On the other hand a 930 build would be great too.


Here you can see the 5850 vs 5870 for yourself. You should also look at the GTX470. But the 470 is a bit power hungry, 90 watts more over the 5850 at load on Crysis.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Odd, we just called up the place, they considered the parts and gave us the estimate of around 1600~.

I suppose power efficiancy should not be a big deal, but the PC will constantly be on, I suppose over the three years, it's going to take it's toll on the power bill too. I'm slightly leaning towards the 870 (Read below) now.

But, just then as we spoke, their 870 (Yes, not the 860), has dropped to the same price as the 860. I know it's basically the same but 0.13GHZ factory overclock (essentially).

It must also be noted that I will not be upgrading the PC at all, so once it comes, that's it, which is why I was considering the 8GB RAM since it's going to be the same for at least 3 years.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

8GB might not be bad then.

 

[Casio]

It must also be noted that I will not be upgrading the PC at all, so once it comes, that's it, which is why I was considering the 8GB RAM since it's going to be the same for at least 3 years.

You know that's stupid right?

I've got 4GB of pretty decent RAM ($150+). In 2 years time when I'm actually going to use another 4GB I'll buy it for half of half that price. That and is the easiest thing to upgrade cause you're going to have spare slots anyway.

If you're not going to upgrade spend the extra on a higher end graphics card/PSU

 

[Turbo Lag]

I know it's stupid, I too would rather go for 4gB now and upgrade down the track however there's restricting factor that you surely would know of... stubborn parents. Whatever I say, they say they simply won't let me upgrade, price or not, so they told me to buy whatever I may need for the next three years, at least. I know I won't need any more than 4gB right now, but in the two years time, who knows. I rather be future proof.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

You can get this power supply. Good quality, more power and it costs less.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Antec Nine Hundred - Black Ultimate ATX Gaming Case (No PSU) $134.20
Intel Core i7-870 / 2.93GHz / 8MB Cache / LGA1156 $348.00
Gigabyte ATI R585OC-1GD RADEON HD5850 OC, 765MHz, 1GB, GDDR5, PCIe2.0, HDMI, DVI, DP $352.00
Corsair DDR3 4GB PC-12800/1600 (2x XMS3 2GB) CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 Ram (x2) $239.80
Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 intel Mainboard - 4x DDR3 / 6x Sata Raid / 1x IDE / Gigabit Lan / LGA 1156 $149.00
Lite-On Super AllWrite SATA DVD Re-Writer OEM (24x - Black) $34.10
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit DVD - OEM $135.30
Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 7200RPM 32MB SATA 3Gbs $108.00
Leadtek Winfast DTV2000H Plus PCI - Hybrid HDTV, FM $64.00
Antec TruePower New Series 750W ATX Power Supply $148.00
Sub-Total: $1,712.40 (+$50 build)

I'm not too worried with the HDD or anything since I now have an extra 2TB anyway. But this is probably what I'll go with tomorrow. I think I'm going to go for the dual channel with the 8GB RAM.

 

[Turbo Lag]

...and this is how it runs.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

You could probably knock those RAM timings down.