General Gaming Rig, Looking to play PS2

[termhn]

Here's my current thinking. Most parts are being ordered off of newegg, with the exception being a hard drive, which I will be buying at a local store because they have good deals on hard drives for some reason :P

1. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes? ~450 dollars (without graphics card, though another 4850 for crossfire would be nice if I could fit it in, such as here: http://www.compuvest.com/Desc.jsp?iid=1731732 ) and it includes shipping/taxes.

2. Where do you live? South-west US

3. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)? Gaming, video editing, run a smallish minecraft server (possibly)

4. What parts will you need for the computer? Please list what parts specifically. RAM, MOBO, CPU, HD, PSU.

5. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so please say what parts. Yes, and old crappy case (spray painting it, don't really care about looks that much), a DVD drive, and a HD4850 card.

6. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer? 1280x720-1920x1080 depending on the game. Hopefully 1080 for ps2.

7. Do you have a legit OS? If so what OS and is it 32-bit or 64-bit? Not currently, planned to buy W7 64-bit.

8. What are you looking for the motherboard to have feature wise? Like SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, USB 3.0, Sata 6.0 Gb/s, and so on. Crossfire, Firewire, Sata 6.0 Gb/s. USB 3.0 not necessary but if it's possible why not ;)

9. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU? Not particularly.

10. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts? About a week.

My current build goes as follows:
Intel i5-2400
Radeon HD 4850 (512Mb I think)
HD: Whatever is a good deal at the time, hopefully 320GB or more.
PSU: Coolmax (I know, not the most well-known) ZX-600 80 plus certified
Crucial Ballistix 8GB DDR3 RAM
Biostar H61MGC Mobo

Depending on how much I get for it, another possible path would be to sell the 4850 and buy a nVidia 460.

[Goku]

I suggest waiting for Ivy Bridge to come out. Should be very soon. Current plan looks solid too.

[termhn]

Yeah, I've thought over Ivy, and from early benchmarks it looks like performance increase is only 5-10% over Sandy, except in the graphics department. The onboard graphics are like a 100% increase, but that doesn't really matter to us gamers because we have discrete graphics anyway. Thanks for the feedback :)

[Goku]

With it being so close it really makes no sense to get SB at this point.

[termhn]

With it being so close it really makes no sense to get SB at this point.

Meh, they might drop prices a little... IMO if there's little difference it won't really matter for me, and I'm pretty anxious to get this thing built, lol :D

[Goku]

Let me look into the time frame of the launch again. Pretty sure it was Mid April, if its later and you do not want to want SB will just be as good of a processor as IB is anyway.

[termhn]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I heard it was mid-late april, though I think I want to order my parts within the next week.

[Goku]

This drives me nuts. The processor went from being launched in November -> March -> April. Now the launch date is the end of April. I perfectly understand if you do not want to wait, 20 days is a good amount of time.

Do you know the prices on all those items from the store? Is there a frys/microcenter in your area?

What case do you have specifically? Even if you do not want to buy now I highly recommend moving up to a better case in the future. These last multiple builds so there is no reason not to invest in a good one, not just for looks but also cooling capabilities.

I don't recommend 4800 crossfire at this point in time. A GTX 460 would yield similar performance, but without the issues of multi gpu and only having 512MB vram.

That PSU doesn't have any reviews. There is known quality PSUs for that price point (goes for $50 on NE), so you are better off with one of those IMO.

I'll post up a build later, so you can compare it to what you are currently looking at.

[termhn]

Yeah, I've gone back and forth on it. I think I would probably go to dual 4850s first, then to a 460. Reason being that I really only get a significant amount of money 2-3 times per year, and 2 of the main ones are close to each other. In that time, I get enough money to probably even go to a 6870 or whatever the equivalent is next year, and I think the CPU should last at least a few years as well as most of the rest of my build.

EDIT: I have no microcenters near me, but I have two Fry's locations close. That's where I'll be buying my Hard Drive. For that matter, I could by most of my parts (or compareable ones) for about the same price at Fry's.

[Goku]

Frys is good. Can you avoid sales tax going newegg or amazon?

About the cards. You can find deals on 460s for $100 after Mir. That you are better off with. I can only recommend going xfire if it's like a 6 month gap filler till you can get a better one.

[termhn]

That's pretty much what I was thinking it would be... however, I have a little bit of a new plan cause I have about $70 more than I originally guessed :D I might try and sell the 4850, and if I can get $60-$70 for it, I could get a 6850 I think :D Oh and yeah, I can save tax by using Newegg/Amazon.

[Goku]

That is too much for a used 4850. These days I would expect no more then $40 and $50. Well I wouldn't spend anymore anyway.

6850 is also a good option verse going for a 460/4850 Xfire.

[termhn]

Here's my current plan:
1. Put together build as currently stands
2. Receive a bit more money in a week or two
3. If I need to, try to sell 4850 at about $50 price point, can probably drop lower depending on how much I get, or maybe not at all
4. Buy either 460, 6850, or 6870

[Goku]

Before I do this build how serious are you about multi gpu? It requires a more expensive mobo is all.

[termhn]

Probably not. Single more powerful is what I'd like ;)

[termhn]

Also, my budget is now $550 not $480, so if that affects anything (sorry for double post)

[Goku]

How critical is firewire? Cheapest board on Newegg has it for $100, but you can get multi gpu with it.

[termhn]

Firewire is pretty important to import from a video camera live :/ IDK, one with one without? Also, if you could add a case on there that would be great, just to see what you would go with.

[Goku]

Let me see what I can do.

[Goku]

This is getting tight right now due the motherboard going up in price. I'm at $517 right now with everything, but the case. I have a 1.5TB for $100 in the shopping cart right now. $35 less you can get a 320GB, but way less storage yet that gives you money for the case. What do you think?

[termhn]

How much is the case you're looking at? It's possible I could stretch another 10-20 bucks... I like the look of 1.5 TB for video :P

[Goku]

Most cases I recommend are $65+. I am going to wait for Newegg to send out their promo deals tomorrow before doing a complete build. I'm hoping for a few potential deals on HDD, PSU, and maybe a case.

[termhn]

Most cases I recommend are $65+. I am going to wait for Newegg to send out their promo deals tomorrow before doing a complete build. I'm hoping for a few potential deals on HDD, PSU, and maybe a case.

OK... Here's my current build:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=14204609

[Goku]

Motherboard doesn't have Firewire and I would stay away from that Raidmax PSU too. I'll post up a full build for you tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.

[termhn]

No problem... I forgot, about the MB, instead of going to a much more expensive MB, I can just get a firewire PCI board, no? Also, why stay away from the PSU? I had another one originally selected, I'll swap a few things out in my build here in a minute...

[termhn]

Alright, I updated it with a different PSU, and added the little firewire board :D

[termhn]

Ok, I've trimmed down a bunch, factored in suggestions from a bunch of people over on Tom's Hardware, check out the link to my wishlist above. I'm going to re-use the case I already have, just buying a couple extra fans and mounting hardware because I don't have them.

[Goku]

Is your case mATX? If not I would get on this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128538). Its cheaper after MIR with the coupon code then that Asrock one. It has more features like firewire and more slots.

For a extra $20 you can get this 1.5TB HDD (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148725) too. 3 times the storage for that much money seems like a much better deal.

Are those fans you are mounting at least have inlets to get air in or out?

[termhn]

Is your case mATX? If not I would get on this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128538). Its cheaper after MIR with the coupon code then that Asrock one. It has more features like firewire and more slots.

For a extra $20 you can get this 1.5TB HDD (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148725) too. 3 times the storage for that much money seems like a much better deal.

Are those fans you are mounting at least have inlets to get air in or out?
I'll measure the case when I get home, not sure off the top of my head. Yes, there's vents where the fans will go :) Yeah, that 1.5 TB looks nice, I might go for it. Hopefully I'll get enough money to buy the 6850 or nvidia 460 depending. I probably will get enough, but I need to keep the components under $500 so that I can get windows (my dad works at a university so I can get special pricing :D ) I'll check that mobo..

[Goku]

Ok will do.

[termhn]

OK, I'm pretty sure it's an ATX mid-tower.

[Goku]

Yeah go for the gigabyte then.

[termhn]

Know how long a price match review from NCIX should take? I've heard they price match microcenter, so I put that price in and they have to review it, but it still says they're going to review it. I put the request in before noon today :P

[Goku]

Is it cheaper then newegg?

Yeah it is once you factor in the 10% coupon and the $20 MIR. What are you thinking? lol

[termhn]

No, not the MB, the i5 2500K :P I can get it for $10 less than a 2400 on newegg :D Or, I could try to pricematch the 2400 and get an extra $40 for other upgrades O.o Not sure, which should I try? :P

[Goku]

If you dont want to over lock best off with the 2400 and putting the $$$ towards a better gpu.

[termhn]

If you dont want to over lock best off with the 2400 and putting the $$$ towards a better gpu.

Yeah, but that's the reason I kinda wanted a K series, so I could. Put the z68 mobo to use :P

[termhn]

I wouldn't overclock past like 3.8 with the stock cooler anyway, I guess. Better off with the 2400 probably.

[termhn]

Ok, I'm going to be ordering tonight or tomorrow hopefully. I decided on the 2400. :)

[Goku]

NCIX price match?

Also the CX500 has a coupon code EMCNFJN27 for $10 off. Don't forget about the MIR.

Are you buying a card now or later?

If you want to save $3 go with this RAM kit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422).

[termhn]

Didn't go through with the match. Checked back in the morning and nothing had changed :P Gonna go for a ebay deal, it's new and saves $15 after shipping, good enough. Got the coupon code :D

[termhn]

Do you think it would be worth it to go for this case? And if I did, would I need to trash the included PSU? Too bad it doesn't give more info :/
http://www.frys.com/product/7008141#detailed

[Rbstr]

Eh, my thoughts on cases probably might skew a bit different from most of the guys around here.
I like something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112304
A case is something that should last for several builds, and a PSU can too, so I wouldn't be looking to skimp on either. That one seems sketch to me.

[termhn]

Meh, yeah. I was just going to re-use a case I already have, but that one looked cool. My thought was the same on the PSU. Guess not then.

[Vancha]

Eh, my thoughts on cases probably might skew a bit different from most of the guys around here.
I like something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112304
A case is something that should last for several builds, and a PSU can too, so I wouldn't be looking to skimp on either. That one seems sketch to me.

I think you'll find most of us here lean towards classy over adolescent chic. I've never understood the appeal of cases, fan shrouds or peripherals that look like the cheap brandless knock-off toys you find in 99c stores.

[Goku]

termhn can you give us a breakdown of what you already bought?

[termhn]

In what way? Like new ones for the build? I haven't bought any of the parts yet, I'm going to today hopefully, if not tomorrow.

[Goku]

Lol. I thought you bought stuff already. Sorry. Let me go through everything again and see if I can find anything on sale.

The original Gigabyte mobo doesn't actually have the firewire port. IDK why it showed on on the listing search as having one earlier in the week. The one in the build now does have it for sure. Good thing you didn't order :D. The new one also properly supports multi gpu if you really want to try 4850 Xfire.

There is a 1TB and 1.5TB Seagate for $100. The 1TB is faster due to the 7200RPM, while the 1.5TB is slower at 5900RPM. I'm going to let you decide which best suites your needs.

Here is what I came up with:
CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W - $49.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027) w/ CC EMCNFJN27 ($20 MIR)
G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 - $32.30 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422) w/ CC EMCNFJN27
GIGABYTE GA-P67X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 - $119.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128488) ($20 MIR)
Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz - $189.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074)
Seagate Barracuda Green ST1500DL003 1.5TB 5900 RPM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148725)/Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840) - $99.00

Total = $507.95 - $15.70 (CC) = $502.20 - $40 MIR = $462.20

If you feel like spending another $30 on a 2500K (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072) I recommend that. Just due to being able to overclock now with the P67. A year or two from now if you feel you need more speed spend 10 minutes in the bios and you can get it to 4.5GHz with ease.

[termhn]

I really do want to go for the 2500K... problem is that if I do, I might not get enough for a 6870 in about a week, not sure how much I'll get :/ IDK, kinda on the line. I think I've got everything else sorted out, but thanks for the help. It looks pretty similar to your recommendations, but a bit different. Also I think I'll just get a PCI firewire card when I end up needing it... I can use my current computer for video importing for now.
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=14204609

plus a 2400 or 2500K, whichever I decide. The excitement is building :rofl:

EDIT: oooh, just found this: http://www.centralcomputers.com/commerce/catalog/product.jsp?product_id=78306 Basically $195 after shipping to my postal code.

[Goku]

Asrock mobo is a bad choice. Better off with the gigabyte in my build. $5 more after rebate and you get way better board plus warranty.

I would go 2500k and just resave for the 6870 if you can.

As for the Hard drive if you can Spend the other $20 for 1TB. Twice the storage for that price easily makes it worthwhile.

[termhn]

Why is the ASRock so bad? It has good reviews. I know Gigabyte and Asus are generally the most trusted ones, but ASRock seems to be 3rd, and it's a good deal. Plus I generally don't like MIRs.

[Goku]

First off its matx. You are limiting your number of expansion slots. The warranty is only 2 years vs 3 years on the Gigabyte. Limited number of dimm slots verse the 4 on the gigabyte. Future added cost of getting a firewire card when its already on the gigabyte. I hardly see Asrock as the being in the top among mobo makers. The big three really are ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI currently. There is no issues with MIRs as long as you get them in a timely manner also. Gigabyte isn't known for screwing people over for that.

[termhn]

First off its matx. You are limiting your number of expansion slots. The warranty is only 2 years vs 3 years on the Gigabyte. Limited number of dimm slots verse the 4 on the gigabyte. Future added cost of getting a firewire card when its already on the gigabyte. I hardly see Asrock as the being in the top among mobo makers. The big three really are ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI currently. There is no issues with MIRs as long as you get them in a timely manner also. Gigabyte isn't known for screwing people over for that.
Meh, you're right. Problem is squeezing out the extra $40(?) dollars before the rebate.

[Goku]

Do you not have the spare funds? The total was around $500 for my build with the coupons included. Comes to $460ish after MIR.

[termhn]

No, I have 'em, I just wanted to save some for my graphics card fund :P I need like an extra $10 so I have enough for windows too... I can probably scrap that together from change :P

[Rbstr]

You definitely want the 4 memory slots. That's an easy upgrade route.

For mobos if you want the Z68, same price as the Gigabyte: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131781
also this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138344

[termhn]

yeah, but those are more expensive because of the MIR (after MIR). on a different note, I don't get why the 550 ti is so popular, the 460 is much faster and about same price point O.o

[Rbstr]

500 is bigger than 400, the power of marketing, i guess?
But it also uses way less power, which is something people might like for media PC kinda stuff.

[Vancha]

Just wanted to say, ASRock, Biostar and ECS are on the up, while Gigabyte have been having issues. Pretty sure ASRock are near enough on-par with the other big three these days.

[Knocky]

In my 2 year update cycle I used a ASRock (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=asrock%20z68%20extreme3%20gen3) instead of my typical eVGA.

Cant say I am disappointed yet. Still haven't OCed my 2500k yet though. Going to buy a new case and CPU fan before I do that.

[termhn]

Yeah. Is Z68 the only one that is capable of GPU overclock?

[Knocky]

Yeah. Is Z68 the only one that is capable of GPU overclock?

Nope, the P67 chipset OC's just fine.

Interesting read if you are getting a 2500k or 2600k CPU (http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/43205-intel-z68-review-sandy-bridge-platform-expands.html)

[termhn]

No, GPU overclock. Not CPU. I though I read that somewhere.

[Goku]

The only major difference between the Z68 and P67. Is the use of the onboard graphics within the CPU that the Z68 can use.

As far as GPU overclock. If you mean a video card like a 6870 you can overclock that and any other one on a P67, Z68, or any kind of mobo. None limit the GPU overclock.

Those boards Rbstr linked don't have the firewire port either.

[Knocky]

No, GPU overclock. Not CPU. I though I read that somewhere.

Sorry...I don't OC my GPU through the MoBo...I use eVGA's Precision X for OCing the GPU when i do.

[termhn]

OK, thanks for the help :)

[termhn]

How 'bout this bad boy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131828

[Goku]

Only 90 day warranty. ASUS P67 are known for having issues as well.

[Goku]

Xfx 6870 on sale for $130 after mir $160 regular.

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/72702/amazon.com-xfx-radeon-hd-6870-1gb-pci-express-video-card?token=AAkBBQAAAAAFO0CrWg