i5 Build - Thoughts Welcome

izzop · 26 Dec 2009 at 13:27

Hi,

I'd like some thoughts on the following build, along with any changes or suggestions.

I'm also, not sure which cooler would be best suited, any thoughts?

Config: -

Thanks for you time & regards

TonyM19 · 26 Dec 2009 at 13:36

Any particular reason for 32 bit Windows 7?

scotty365 · 26 Dec 2009 at 13:40

Win7 needs to be 64-bit to use your 4GB of RAM effectively.
Spinpoint F1 - I would get the F3 for the small price difference as its quicker

TonyM19 · 26 Dec 2009 at 13:45

How much difference is there between a 275 and a 5770 or a 4890? Both are a big saving on the graphics card.

Didaco · 26 Dec 2009 at 13:54

5770 all the way
you will get less brute force graphics wise but it is dx11 consumes less power and is quiter and scales amazingly well in crossfire for the possibility of future upgrades

izzop · 26 Dec 2009 at 14:37

TonyM19 said:
Any particular reason for 32 bit Windows 7?

No... my mistake, would probably go with 64bit.

izzop · 26 Dec 2009 at 14:39

TonyM19 said:
How much difference is there between a 275 and a 5770 or a 4890? Both are a big saving on the graphics card.

Didaco said:
5770 all the way
you will get less brute force graphics wise but it is dx11 consumes less power and is quiter and scales amazingly well in crossfire for the possibility of future upgrades

So my choice of Graphics card isn't the best?

Didaco · 26 Dec 2009 at 14:52

not saying the 275 is a bad card it was amazing back in its day and still is

but its showing its age now and some a surpassing it

rodo · 26 Dec 2009 at 15:05

You have DDR2 memory and a DDR3 mobo - just to highlight.

I think the Samsung F3s are in high regard at moment too but someone else will be better informed to advise than me.

bJN · 26 Dec 2009 at 15:06

the GTX275 is overpriced for what it is, best bet is to get a HD4890 if you're not fussed about future-proofind and want good gains now, or a HD5770 with the possibility of adding another in the future. If your budget could stretch, try and pick up a HD5850 and you won't need an upgrade for a rather long time

OpenToSuggestions · 26 Dec 2009 at 15:06

For that price the 275 is pants (it is in the same region as the 4870 iirc)
As others have said, 4890 (high end last gen) or 5770 (mid-range current gen).

Also buy windows 7 64 bit home premium RETAIL, not OEM. Pro offers little extra for a personal pc (home computer) user.

Also £136 is a LOT of money for a case!! That sort of money is really in the enthusiast range imo.

bJN · 26 Dec 2009 at 15:09

rodo said:
You have DDR2 memory and a DDR3 mobo - just to highlight.

I think the Samsung F3s are in high regard at moment too but someone else will be better informed to advise than me.

Good spot, you'll need to get some Dual-Channel DDR3 RAM such as this.

PermaBanned · 26 Dec 2009 at 15:54

Use the money you save on a case to change the graphics to 2x 5770.

izzop · 26 Dec 2009 at 15:55

Thanks for all your replies...

So, a different Graphics card.. I will look at the recommendations.

Good spot on the RAM, I will make the change.

Regarding the case... anyone with any other thoughts or suggestions? I'm looking for a quiet case and do like the look of my 1st choice.

I notice nobody has advised on any cooling for the CPU, any thoughts on one?

The reason I picked W7 Pro was at it might be used for some work as well as gaming.

Regards

izzop · 26 Dec 2009 at 15:56

Superewza said:
Use the money you save on a case to change the graphics to 2x 5770.

If I do go for 2 x 5770, what would I need with regards to power?

PermaBanned · 26 Dec 2009 at 15:59

I wouldn't have thought that they use any more than a single 275... what are you planning on running it on?

bJN · 26 Dec 2009 at 16:23

izzop said:
Thanks for all your replies...

So, a different Graphics card.. I will look at the recommendations.

Good spot on the RAM, I will make the change.

Regarding the case... anyone with any other thoughts or suggestions? I'm looking for a quiet case and do like the look of my 1st choice.

I notice nobody has advised on any cooling for the CPU, any thoughts on one?

The reason I picked W7 Pro was at it might be used for some work as well as gaming.

Regards

Yeah as I suggested if you could afford a HD5850 or wait a little while longer for a price drop then you would not regret it, the performance reviews are rating it very highly.

The RAM is definately a vital change, so glad you changed it.

With regards to a case, at the end of the day it comes down to personal preference as you are the one that will be looking at it for the next however many months/years. Personally I like smart looking cases that aren't too flashy (which is why I bought a Coolermaster Cavalier 3) such as this ThermalTake or any of the Fractal Design cases.

The i5 CPU you've spec'd is the retail version so it should could with a fan/heatsink by default. It is unlikely you will need an aftermarket cooler unless you have a burning desire to seriously overclock the system (the i5 and i7 chips can clock quite high on stock volts and stock cooling anyway), in which case this Akasa cooler should suit well although I would personally choose this Zalman one over the Akasa any day of the week. If neither of these suit you then you could always try a watercooling system, this Corsair would do nicely.

Essexraptor · 26 Dec 2009 at 16:25

izzop said:
I notice nobody has advised on any cooling for the CPU, any thoughts on one?

This one seems to highly favoured by the air cooling brigade

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-010-NC

coupe69 · 26 Dec 2009 at 17:21

mglover070588 said:
For that price the 275 is pants (it is in the same region as the 4870 iirc)

What

The 275 is quite a bit better than the 4870, even a GTX 260 is slightly better than the 4870. However you are right that it's a bad choice.
The 5850 is the only way forward if you're thinking of spending 200 odd quid on the video card.

Out of all the old DX10/10.1 cards, the best value for money at the moment is the 4890.

dalex · 26 Dec 2009 at 17:26

just built this sucker

Intel Core i5 750 2.66Ghz (Lynnfield) (Socket LGA1156) - Retail + Colin McRae Dirt 2 Full Game Intel Core i5 750 2.66Ghz (Lynnfield) (Socket LGA1156) - Retail + Colin McRae Dirt 2 Full Game £149.99
(£130.43) £149.99
(£130.43)
XFX ATI Radeon HD 5770 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card + Colin McRae Dirt 2 Full Game XFX ATI Radeon HD 5770 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card + Colin McRae Dirt 2 Full Game £119.98
(£104.33) £119.98
(£104.33)
Gigabyte GA-P55-US3L Intel P55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 Motherboard Gigabyte GA-P55-US3L Intel P55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 Motherboard £93.99
(£81.73) £93.99
(£81.73)
Coolermaster Sileo 500 Silent Case - Black (500w Extreme Power Plus PSU) Coolermaster Sileo 500 Silent Case - Black (500w Extreme Power Plus PSU) £76.99
(£66.95) £76.99
(£66.95)
Geil Ultra Series 4GB (2x2GB) PC3-17000 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit (GU34GB2133C9DC) - OEM Geil Ultra Series 4GB (2x2GB) PC3-17000 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit (GU34GB2133C9DC) - OEM £69.99
(£60.86) £69.99
(£60.86)
Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (WD5001AALS) Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (WD5001AALS) £42.99
(£37.38) £42.99
(£37.38)
Pioneer DVR-S18L 22x DVD±RW SATA Labelflash ReWriter - Black (Retail) Pioneer DVR-S18L 22x DVD±RW SATA Labelflash ReWriter - Black (Retail) £19.99
(£17.38) £19.99
(£17.38)
dropped in windows 7 64 bit
and bobs your uncle

****** impressive and dam quiet ,keep looking to see if its switched on
Dave