Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Scotch on October 03, 2010, 06:20:13 PM

Title: New build thoughts?
Post by: Scotch on October 03, 2010, 06:20:13 PM
Decided to say screw a laptop and go for something with more bang for the buck. Put this list together with Spikes help. Thought it'd be good to get some secondary opinions/advice. This will be my first build. Everything look okay? Power supply big enough? Enough go juice to run AH decently? Anything better for the price?

    
    NZXT BETA EVO Classic Series CS-NT-BETA-EVO Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
    Model #:CS-NT-BETA-EVO
    Item #:N82E16811146059

    AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX
    Model #:HDZ555WFGMBOX
    Item #:N82E16819103846    

    ASUS M4A77TD AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
    Model #:M4A77TD
    Item #:N82E16813131603

    SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
    Model #:100283-3L
    Item #:N82E16814102873

    G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model  F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ
    Model #:F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ
    Item #:N82E16820231190

    Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
    Model #:WD6401AALS
    Item #:N82E16822136319

    LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
    Model #:iHAS124-04
    Item #:N82E16827106289
 
    OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ...
    Model #:OCZ600MXSP
    Item #:N82E16817341017
    
   
Acer X203HCbd Black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
    Model #:ET.DX3HP.C02
    Item #:N82E16824009218
    

    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
    Model #:GFC-00599
    Item #:N82E16832116754

~$800
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: columbus on October 03, 2010, 06:58:03 PM
nice build, great upgrade path available for the future!
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: 1701E on October 03, 2010, 07:19:27 PM
PSU may be the only thing I'd see lacking but I don't know exact power requirements on the 5770.  Not sure how people feel about modular anymore (was a bit of a clash about it a while back on here), but if you don't mind non-modular the OCZ StealthX700 is a very nice one.  If you can afford it SeaSonic is the top recommended brand since PC P&C is gone.
Only other thing may be the 1GB GPU, I heard the 512MB counterparts normally run faster but I don't think the difference would be enough to worry about at all.

Rest of it looks fine, running the same CPU myself (OC'd to ~3.7GHz) on a 785 (vs 770) motherboard chipset and coupled with 2GB RAM and a GTX 260 runs great.  System will run great for AH, should be able to run everything maxed with 4K shadows (smoothed) at ~60Fr.
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: maddafinga on October 03, 2010, 10:41:13 PM
Scotch, that's just about the same as my build I put together last year, except I got a different psu and I got the overclocked MSI 5850, and a different model of Asus mb. You'll want a bigger psu I think, if I remember right the mb I had wanted 600 or 650 as the bare minimum.  At any rate, it'll do the job nicely for you I think.  Don't forget that you'll want a powered usb hub for your stick/throttle/pedals.  I kinda lucked out and got a really good Samsung 22 inch monitor when CompUSA was going out of business, for not much over a hundred bucks. 

Dug up the thread where I posted it...  ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX
                                   
                                   AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor

                                   G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)

Very similar rigs and this one runs it like a champ, everything possible on and nary a problem.
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Masherbrum on October 03, 2010, 11:30:54 PM
Scotch, looks great, but get this for $40 more.   You'll be glad you did.   

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006)
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Scotch on October 04, 2010, 01:06:05 AM
The PSU calculator says I'd need about 405W, but then throw in CH gear etc, and any future potential upgrades...yeah, I'll get something with more power. Spikes had also suggested the one below with a similar quad core build up. Maybe I'll go with that...

SILVERSTONE DA700 700W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256035

Karaya yours looks good too. +50w over the one I posted for only $20 more. The only thing is the feedback that calls it an octopus due to the mass of wiring hanging out everywhere... Tons of wires bug the crap out of me. They're also a little intimidating heh. I might go with it though
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: BaldEagl on October 04, 2010, 02:07:05 AM
I didn't look at the posts but I'd get at least a 750W 80+ certified PSU.  Seasonic would be my first choice followed by Corsair at this point.  Preferably a single 12V rail, 60+ amps, non-modular.
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Scotch on October 04, 2010, 04:00:33 AM
Newegg is driving me crazy! Always another way to throw another couple dollars into it.

If I go with the PSU from Karaya, which I will, I can buy it as a package with a 1.5TB version of the hard drive I was looking at, for just $5 more (after rebate) than what I'd be paying for the psu and smaller hd. I think I'm spending all of my beer money...  :uhoh  :airplane:
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Spikes on October 04, 2010, 06:05:34 AM
Scotch, looks great, but get this for $40 more.   You'll be glad you did.   

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006)
Coming from the one who suggested the 600w modular to me. :(

Up to you Scotch but I run 2 5770's on mine.
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Scotch on October 04, 2010, 06:45:40 AM
Hmm.  :uhoh
You're using the same 600w Spikes? You pretty much built the main setups I'm looking at so I trust ya.
From reading the reviews on the 5770's, seems like most people are running 600-650w...range going from 400w-750w that I've read so far. It would be nice to save the $ since I'm already over budget. Three guys telling me to get more power can't be ignored though.  :headscratch:
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: BaldEagl on October 04, 2010, 07:12:26 AM
You can get by on 600W but if you ever decide to add a second card or if power requirements rise on newer cards in the future (likely to happen) you'll probably have to upgrade the PSU at that point.  So the choice is spend a little extra now for insurance or possibly spend a lot more down the road.  Also, at 750W you'll likely be able to swap that right into your next machine.
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Dragon on October 04, 2010, 07:25:26 AM
I too agree with getting the bigger PS.  700-750.


The 1 Gig and 512k VC discussion was a long time ago and IIRC focused on the 9800GTX.  Really doesn't apply to these new cards.


To bring up another discussion, just a short time ago, people were having lot's of problems with 1 TB hard drives.  Not sure if the 1.5's are having the same failure rate.  You didn't mention the brand of the bundled HD.  :(

I have done several builds with the 320 and 640 GB AALS series drives and they have been flawless.


My .02
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Masherbrum on October 04, 2010, 09:19:07 AM
Hmm.  :uhoh
You're using the same 600w Spikes? You pretty much built the main setups I'm looking at so I trust ya.
From reading the reviews on the 5770's, seems like most people are running 600-650w...range going from 400w-750w that I've read so far. It would be nice to save the $ since I'm already over budget. Three guys telling me to get more power can't be ignored though.  :headscratch:

I have a 750w PC Power & Cooling PSU myself.   To get a clean look, grab some zip ties.   Take just the leads you'll need and run them to the "window side of your case".   Bundle the rest (as tidy as you can, getting the tightest bundle you can) with a single zip tie.   Then take the "unused leads and put them out the rear side panel behind the MB tray.   Then take each wire and affix them neatly to the back of your MB tray.   It's a PITA (I know, because I did it) but the airflow will agree with your PC more.   Then connect your components with your "need to use leads".

I'm not trying to insult you bro.   Just giving you an easy way to do some Cable Management.   I have the NZXT Tempest EVO with a window, so I enjoy looking at the "pay off".   Even if you don't have a window, the airflow makes a little difference in the case.

Scotch if you want I can show you what I did and snap some pictures if you like.   Just let me know.   But the Corsair's and Seasonic's (they do have a $175 modular PSU) are tops now that OCZ killed PC Power & Cooling.


Spikes, IIRC, you were adamant on a 600W.    I usually will recommend 750's as BE said "they are more future proof than a 600W".   
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: TilDeath on October 04, 2010, 03:18:25 PM
I agree with every that says about the psu.  I would no get that OCZ PSU nor would I ever use that one in any of my builds.  The Corsair 750 is the way to go.

TD
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Spikes on October 04, 2010, 03:27:11 PM

Spikes, IIRC, you were adamant on a 600W.    I usually will recommend 750's as BE said "they are more future proof than a 600W".   
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s162/spikesx/Computer/IMG_2364.jpg
I've used it in a few builds and it works flawlessly.

I love the Corsair 750 however he was on a budget so I try to respect it. ;)
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Dragon on October 04, 2010, 04:40:42 PM
Just a thought.......


No Hardware and Software thread is complete without Spikes' "re-movable hardware"






Just sayin
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: JustEric on October 04, 2010, 07:49:55 PM
Hey Scotch, 

I’m looking at buying a penny wise setup.  What was your final item list and price?  What sort of frame rates do you think you can get at what settings?

Thanks for posting your item list.  That was just what I was looking for. 
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: DREDIOCK on October 04, 2010, 08:06:13 PM
Looks good. I really like that case but...

Wheres the power button?
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Spikes on October 04, 2010, 08:23:24 PM
Looks good. I really like that case but...

Wheres the power button?
It's on the left side under the CD/DVD-rom drives.
The one on the right is the reset button and also doubles as the HDD indicator.
Title: Re: New build thoughts?
Post by: Scotch on October 07, 2010, 04:22:37 PM
Hey Scotch, 

I’m looking at buying a penny wise setup.  What was your final item list and price?  What sort of frame rates do you think you can get at what settings?

Thanks for posting your item list.  That was just what I was looking for. 

I haven't bought yet, but I will let you know. I think it's pretty cool we'll have similar/clone systems. :) I expect to get great frame rates with most/all settings on. You might end up getting yours before mine, so keep me updated!