First build, input appreciated!

lithilk

lithilk

lithilk

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29 May 2010
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As I've moved out, got myself on my feet (finally), I would very much like to build a computer that can be used for gaming. I've got a LAN coming up and I don't want to feel shame when I look at the pc I've brought. I've done some reading around, specifically the sticky's here, and made a shopping list, which is below. Your input would be greatly appreciated, as I really need to learn more
 
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faster, I will be back with a i7 spec.
 
5850, change the ram to triple channel ram should cost much more and you get extra 2 GB, and maybe a different HDD, something like F3 or WD black.
 
Not a bad first spec, however, there are a few things I would suggest changing.

The CPU is great, but you should still be able to get an i7 920 chip for a good deal less than a 930 if you know where to look.

The motherboard is also excellent, great choice.

However, the GPU is a bit on the old side. For the same kind of money you can get the faster DX11 ATI HD 5850, or are you needing the Nvidia-only features?

The PSU is fine, personally I would suggest spending a bit more on something by Antec, Corsair or Seasonic, but the OCZ is a decent PSU.

I have only heard good things about the Zalman case, so it looks like a good case for the money.

The RAM however is not quite right. This RAM will work fine and run in dual channel mode - however the X58 is able to run 3 sticks of RAM in triple channel mode for even more memory bandwidth. Also the 3 stick kits cost less per GB than the 2 stick kits in general. Therefore it would make a lot of sense to get a good 3 stick kit (3x2GB) like this one.

The Toshiba drive you picked looks a bit crappy in comparison to all the top-end kit you are putting it with. I would suggest a drive like this if you are not planning to get an SSD.

DVD drive is fine.

CPU cooler is one of the cheaper ones, but it is a good unit. It is relatively quiet and will allow you to give a decent overclock to your i7 chip. However, if you are aiming to overclock to 4GHz or more then you should consider something beefier like a Prolimatech megahalems.

Best of luck with your first build. Have you got a good monitor, keyboard, mouse and headphones/speakers to use with your new system?
 
cmndr_andi said:
Best of luck with your first build. Have you got a good monitor, keyboard, mouse and headphones/speakers to use with your new system?
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Thanks, I have an average monitor that will be changed to something better when I have the funds. I have Sumvision SV-512MV Headphones with a mic, they seem to be adequate. Oh and I have Razor Krait and Lycosa.

Thanks for the advice and recommendations, guys, keep it coming. :)

What would be a better GPU? I have to admit to being a nVidia fan...

Oh and also, I've never known. Is it possible to upgrade just a processor later on, as long as it takes the same socket? I've seen those Intel i7 Gulftown cpus and am in total lust.
 
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I've went i3. Not the most powerful, it does the job though. Buy doing this you get a better case, PSU, an SSD, a GTX465 etc...

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lithilk said:
What would be a better GPU? I have to admit to being a nVidia fan...

Oh and also, I've never known. Is it possible to upgrade just a processor later on, as long as it takes the same socket? I've seen those Intel i7 Gulftown cpus and am in total lust.
Click to expand...

At the same kind of price bracket - the main cards are the Nvidia GTX465 (~£240) and GTX 470 (~£300), on the ATI side you are looking at the 5830 (~£165) and 5850 (~£230).

This review puts the performance in games, heat, noise and power of each of these cards in perspective (including the GTX 285). You may feel safe with Nvidia as you have used them before, but I would suggest you evaluate the cards from each company on their own merits.



As for your other question, yes it is possible to do a drop-in upgrade of the CPU, so long as the motherboard can support the new CPU. The Gulftown hex-cores for example are compatible with all s1366 X58 boards now - so if you bought one in the future you could simply drop it in and use a new six core. However, even newer processors based the Sandy Bridge architecture will not be compatible with any current intel socket/chipset - so new boards will be needed for these chips (expected to be released in Q1 2011 for the mainstream and Q3 2011 for the high-end).
 
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Ain't 2011 stuff using new sockets? I know one is 1155. Mind, I would say try out Ati, but I got some errors, but most are fixed now, so nows probably the time to switch to Ati :)
 
Don't bother with ssd they are not worth it at all; get yourself a raid0 setup with a couple of samsung F3's and you have far far better value for money. Assuming you are going to be using windows 7 it is a piece of pie to setup.

As others have said make sure you sort the RAM, do not get dual channel with that mobo/processor.
 
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