Source
r/buildapc•
Azoreo

Critique My Build (please)

I`m planning on using Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit.

CPU: i5-760, 2.8ghz, QCore, 8mb Cache ($210)
Motherboard: Asus P7P55D-E Pro ($180) [has a high pitched whine issue?] Video: 460GTX - 1GB - Cyclone ($200)
PSU: Corsair 650W (modular) ($120)
HD: Samsung 500gb Sata 3.0gb/s ($50)
RAM: 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333 G.Skill ($85) [looking for diff. ram currently]

Comments, Suggestions, Criticisms? I`d really like motherboard suggestions. I know the PSU is overkill, but I wanted the option to SLI it in the future.

Posted Feb 21, 2011, 10:26 PM UTC · edited

312
HopeThisNameFi•

That CPU is a good bit slower than the similarly priced i5 2500(K) (some benchmarks). I would recommend waiting for the updated s1155 motherboards and taking that route.

2
AzoreoOP•

I can`t wait, unfortunately. I was going to go with an i5-2500, but I need a computer now.

Not a big issue as this will become my wife`s eventually (6 months?).

2
just_unmotivated•

Go for it then. Depending on what you plan on doing 8gb of ram may be overkill, especially as you can always add more later if you do need it.

1
AzoreoOP•

I went with 4GB. I took the comments to heart and did some research, and realized 4GB was definitely enough.

Thanks :)

1
just_unmotivated•

nice I'm glad. This is more important to a differnet thread I think, but make sure you get 2x2gb instead of 1x4gb

1
ACDCGAMER•

What exactly is your budget? Is it around the $800 mark (from that list you're spending $795 total on your components)? If so, I would allocate your budget more on some areas than others. Not that your build is bad as it is (it's really not bad at all), but I think you can do a bit better overall for the price.

First off, where's the case? You didn't really specify if you need to get a new case or if you're reusing one. Same with the optical drive if you need to get one (although you can get a good DVD burner for like $20).

Great CPU. Stick with that one, or you can go for the i5-750 for a little less, I believe.

That's a great motherboard but you won't be able to SLI with it since it only has 1 PCI Express slot. You'd need to get something like the P7P55D-E Pro (which I have, it's an awesome motherboard) but you'll have to pay on average an extra $50 for it compared to the LX model.

You're looking at the Corsair 650HX, right? That's a great PSU but it's overpriced; this XFX Core Edition 650w is also modular, costs $30 less before rebate, and an additional $20 less if you go for the rebate. It also has a combo with this XFX Radeon HD 6870 which is a fantastic performing card and will outperform the GTX 460; after the rebates, you'll be spending $240 total on both the PSU and the GPU, which is a fantastic deal and will save you a lot of money if you go for those rebates. You can use the money you save to put towards a better motherboard capable of SLI/Crossfire like the P7P55D-E Pro if you're still within budget.

You're using this for gaming, right? If it's just gaming, you really don't need more than 4GB of RAM. You can get a good DDR3 1600 kit for around $50 or less.

Are you getting the Samsung Spinpoint F3? It's a great hard drive but you can get the 1TB version for $15 more for double the capacity. I personally have one and it's a fantastic drive.

1
AzoreoOP•

Just moved back to Brazil and have $750 of my own money from selling my old box before leaving (gracious of the wife to let me keep it). Parents will cover whatever else I spend - so while I could hit $1,500+, Im trying to keep costs down. Once the wife and I are settled somewhere, Ill build my (more expensive) primary gaming rig.

I have a monitor, case, a 19 inch Acer and an NZXT Apollo. I just moved back to Brazil, so Im recycling parts I had at home. Im going to see how the Apollo does before deciding whether or not to switch cases.

Please note that I changed the Mobo model from the LX, to the Pro, and then wiped it. Id forgotten about the issues with the LX (you can choose between USB 3.0, Sata 6gb/s, or 16 lanes on your PCIe2.0, but not all three at the same time. And on the Pro, theres a high pitched whining noise a lot of people get. I`m looking at the GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 right now - but may stick with the Pro.

I will look at the XFX Core Edition - newegg is doing some weird crap which makes it hard to see reviews right now.

Not sure if Im ready to give ATI my business again. I had nothing but problems with ATI cards way back when. Once I switched to Nvidia its been smooth sailing.

Yes - its a gaming rig :) As for the RAM - I figured why not throw 8 gigs in? It wont hurt - but will it help (at all)? Could it possibly help in the next 1-2 years?

HD size isn`t an issue for me, so I just went with whatever seemed to be the most reliable. I find it hard to fill up a 500gb drive, so 1TB seems excessive. Depending on how things pan out (total cost) I may spring for the 1TB version.

1
ACDCGAMER•

That's weird regarding the whining noise, I've run into no problems with my P7P55D-E Pro at all. That Gigabyte board looks good but the other PCI Express slot runs at 4x and will likely bottleneck a second card in the future. If you want to "future-proof", I would highly suggest going for a board capable of x8/x8 SLI/Crossfire.

Wait, though; you say you're living in Brazil? Unless you have a means of buying from Newegg, they don't ship internationally outside of the U.S. and Canada.

For gaming, I highly, highly doubt games will use up more than 4GB of space in the future. They still don't today and I don't see how more RAM usage would be a viable option for developers.

As for ATI, they've gotten much, much better over the years and are pretty much on par with NVIDIA. I have a 5850 and I've encountered no issues with drivers or anything of the sort.

1
AzoreoOP•

I was living in Brazil, I moved back. Before leaving I sold my old, trusted, much-loved box (minus the 8800GT with its fan issues).

I think Ill run with the Pro and see how it works out. Ill think about sticking with just 4GB for now.

I really appreciate your input ;0

1
ACDCGAMER•

Ohhh, you moved back from Brazil. Sorry about that, I misunderstood you.

It's my pleasure, dude! I'm glad to help! :)

1