New PC

[crimson5pheonix]

Don't wait for the 480, the 5870 is gonna be cheaper and has almost the same performance. The six gbs of RAM is good, it's what I've got, it'll serve you well. Don't do the Blu-Ray, waste of money imo. Unless you need a Blu-Ray player, just get a regular DVD drive.

Oh, and think about an SSD, cause they're cool.

Is a SSD actually worth the huge amount of money though (money vs. capacity I mean)?

The blu-ray drive is because I have a PS3 and a Blu Ray player so I wouldn't mind burning some Hi Def things (and copying rentals ahem...)

I guess it will depend on when I actually get the money together whether I get a 5870 or a 480. That is if they are at the same price.

You could buy a small SSD, I think they're pretty cheap. I've heard some good things about them, but as someone who doesn't have much money, I can't say personally, but if you find 32gb on, it shouldn't be all that spendy.

That's a good reason to have a Blu-Ray drive, them, you'd use it. I prefer DVD because they're faster, and I prefer to have hard copies of my games, but if you are actually going to use it, then get it.

The 5870 v. 480 is gonna be pretty tricky. If you want to spend less money, get the 5870. I'm gonna make an educated guess and say it's gonna be a bit cheaper. If you're gonna get the 480, then I would recommend thinking about saving for a little longer and getting the HD5970, which is The Best Around [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qae_TUTeGo]. If you want to see the benchmarks of the card, go here [http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-480,2585.html]. The 480 and 470 are shown against the 5870,5970 and a few others. Hope this helps.

But admittedly, the 5970 will draw more power than a 480. It will mean having to get a bigger power supply in addition to the price of the card. The 5870 can be cheaper than the 480, or it can be the same price, but it is usually a bit cheaper. The average price difference on Newegg is about $50.

 

[The_Healer]

In regards to that one motherboard issue, EVGA makes some damn nice Mobo's. But them, Gigabyte usually, and I'm told MSI. I had one MSI board and it failed, but it happens, it's probably not a sign of their over all quality. But I can only speak for Gigabyte and EVGA out of experience. Also, EVGA makes really good Nvidia cards.

One question, sort of relates.

Does the producer of your video card eg. Gigabyte or EVGA, have to be the same as the motherboard? I don't really understand how all that works.

 

[Horticulture]

If it costs as much as the 5970, then there is half my budget blown in one go.

Also, on the benchmark front, the 480 seems to be topping everything out at the moment. It even beats the 5970 in a fair few situations. I'm leaning towards it.

2 more sets of benches/reviews at Anandtech [http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-480,2585.html]. According to the Tom's Hardware review launch price in the US will be around $500, compared to the ~$400 we pay for a 5870. If you end up getting one of the GTX 400s, make sure you have a well-ventilated case and reliable power supply as they're very hot and power hungry. IMO the most compelling reason to wait for Fermi availability is the possibility of a 5870 price drop.

For cases: Antec's 900 is a good mid-tower, as is their cheaper 300. If you're considering full towers, the Cooler Master HAF 932 is great to work with and keeps everything cool.

CPU: For a single-GPU gaming system, any i7 is overkill. An i5 750 will give virtually identical gaming performance. i7 makes more sense once you get into SLI or Crossfire builds that need the X58 platform's extra PCI-e bandwidth. 6 gigs (i7) or 4 (i5) is plenty for 64-bit gaming. If you're into video or audio editing, however, an i7 with piles of RAM is more sensible.

Power: 750w is more than enough, even for an OC'd i7 and GTX 480. You could drop down to 650 with no ill effects. Good brands include Corsair, SeaSonic, BFG Tech, PC Power and Cooling, and Antec. Some companies overstate the wattage their supplies produce, so check total amperage on the +12V rails.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

In regards to that one motherboard issue, EVGA makes some damn nice Mobo's. But them, Gigabyte usually, and I'm told MSI. I had one MSI board and it failed, but it happens, it's probably not a sign of their over all quality. But I can only speak for Gigabyte and EVGA out of experience. Also, EVGA makes really good Nvidia cards.

One question, sort of relates.

Does the producer of your video card eg. Gigabyte or EVGA, have to be the same as the motherboard? I don't really understand how all that works.

Nope, but sometimes they offer a bonus if you do get matching products. There's no need for it though. Right now my Mobo is Gigabyte and my VGA card is EVGA.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

If it costs as much as the 5970, then there is half my budget blown in one go.

Also, on the benchmark front, the 480 seems to be topping everything out at the moment. It even beats the 5970 in a fair few situations. I'm leaning towards it.

2 more sets of benches/reviews at Anandtech [http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-480,2585.html]. According to the Tom's Hardware review launch price in the US will be around $500, compared to the ~$400 we pay for a 5870. If you end up getting one of the GTX 400s, make sure you have a well-ventilated case and reliable power supply as they're very hot and power hungry. IMO the most compelling reason to wait for Fermi availability is the possibility of a 5870 price drop.

For cases: Antec's 900 is a good mid-tower, as is their cheaper 300. If you're considering full towers, the Cooler Master HAF 932 is great to work with and keeps everything cool.

CPU: For a single-GPU gaming system, any i7 is overkill. An i5 750 will give virtually identical gaming performance. i7 makes more sense once you get into SLI or Crossfire builds that need the X58 platform's extra PCI-e bandwidth. 6 gigs (i7) or 4 (i5) is plenty for 64-bit gaming. If you're into video or audio editing, however, an i7 with piles of RAM is more sensible.

Power: 750w is more than enough, even for an OC'd i7 and GTX 480. You could drop down to 650 with no ill effects. Good brands include Corsair, SeaSonic, BFG Tech, PC Power and Cooling, and Antec. Some companies overstate the wattage their supplies produce, so check total amperage on the +12V rails.

But by the sound of it, he's going to use it for video editing and 3d modeling first and gaming second. An i7 may be just right.

 

[Horticulture]

But by the sound of it, he's going to use it for video editing and 3d modeling first and gaming second. An i7 may be just right.

Ah, I see the post now. i7 for sure.

 

[The_Healer]

But by the sound of it, he's going to use it for video editing and 3d modeling first and gaming second. An i7 may be just right.

Ah, I see the post now. i7 for sure.

So an i7 930 will be more than enough? I don't have any reason to go to the 960?

That means I can spend more on the case, which sounds like a good idea. I had until now overlooked cooling somewhat.

My favorite full tower is the Cooler Master HAF 932, but the Antec 1200 is popular as well.

Is it worth paying for a case like this, they aren't cheap?

 

[crimson5pheonix]

But by the sound of it, he's going to use it for video editing and 3d modeling first and gaming second. An i7 may be just right.

Ah, I see the post now. i7 for sure.

So an i7 930 will be more than enough? I don't have any reason to go to the 960?

That means I can spend more on the case, which sounds like a good idea. I had until now overlooked cooling somewhat.

Definitely don't need the 960. If you feel it's a bit slow (which would be hard for it to do) just overclock it to the same speed as the 960.

 

[Grand_Pamplemousse]

No matter how powerful your machine you will still be limited by your screen. It's like buying a V8 engine and sticking it on a bicycle - accept that would be awesome.

Anyway, you should set about getting a AFFS or IPS panel. STAY AWAY FROM TN PANELS! I recently delved into the world of lovely computer screens and honestly? Crysis - the super benchmarking tool - was more beautiful at high with the screen than at very high before buying the screen.

I recently went onto this website which had screens that were several hundred dollars up to about a thousand, they were specialist screens for doctors or forensic scientists.

Bloody pretty however, but you'll be paying a high price.

 

[The_Healer]

No matter how powerful your machine you will still be limited by your screen. It's like buying a V8 engine and sticking it on a bicycle - accept that would be awesome.

Anyway, you should set about getting a AFFS or IPS panel. STAY AWAY FROM TN PANELS! I recently delved into the world of lovely computer screens and honestly? Crysis - the super benchmarking tool - was more beautiful at high with the screen than at very high before buying the screen.

I recently went onto this website which had screens that were several hundred dollars up to about a thousand, they were specialist screens for doctors or forensic scientists.

Bloody pretty however, but you'll be paying a high price.

Ok you have defeated me with your acronyms. Or are they just brands I have never heard of.

Anyway, I just got myself a 24" Benq screen so its a little late.

Definitely don't need the 960. If you feel it's a bit slow (which would be hard for it to do) just overclock it to the same speed as the 960.

Is that easy to do? And safe? Damn I feel like a massive rookie.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

The main reason I was thinking i7 though is because it will longer before I have to upgrade.

'Future proofing' is a mug's game. Sure, it all sounds good in theory but the problem is once you've built yourself a powerful rig you want to keep it as powerful as you can.

 

[Grand_Pamplemousse]

No matter how powerful your machine you will still be limited by your screen. It's like buying a V8 engine and sticking it on a bicycle - accept that would be awesome.

Anyway, you should set about getting a AFFS or IPS panel. STAY AWAY FROM TN PANELS! I recently delved into the world of lovely computer screens and honestly? Crysis - the super benchmarking tool - was more beautiful at high with the screen than at very high before buying the screen.

I recently went onto this website which had screens that were several hundred dollars up to about a thousand, they were specialist screens for doctors or forensic scientists.

Bloody pretty however, but you'll be paying a high price.

Ok you have defeated me with your acronyms. Or are they just brands I have never heard of.

Anyway, I just got myself a 24" Benq screen so its a little late.

Sorry, the different acronyms stand for different ways of using the crystals in the screen.

AFFS - Advanced Fringe Field Switching (Essentially gives you deeper, richer blacks)

TN - Twisted Nematic (most commonly used due to relative cheapness and it can be made into the largest screens, the other ones become incredibly expensive when the reach 24". Worst colour reproduction)

IPS - In-Plane switching (Has double the transistors for each pixel than a TFT screen, I think this one has the best colour reproduction but it is the most energy demanding.)

I always think people underrate the importance of a good screen.

EDIT: What type of Benq 24" screen do you have, do you have a model name or number?

 

[SpAc3man]

I would highly recommend a Corsair power supply. I've built several computers with these and they are amazingly quiet and are all 80+ certified so are efficient. Oh they look awesome too. The 750 watt models have a big quiet 140mm fan and come in either a modular version (HX-750) or regular (TX-750). The HX-750 comes with a 7 year warranty and the TX-750 has a 5 year warranty which is always good

As for a case.. Antec are great I would recommend the Antec 300 (add a front intake fan) for value or 900 for better features/performance, NOT the 200 just DONT go there unless you have a dusty PC fetish.
Coolermaster are great too but they do have a few lemons in the mix. Silverstone have very high quality cases with heaps of great features but are lots more expensive. The best rule to follow is have more fans going in than out and/or dust filters on all intakes.

 

[The_Healer]

I would highly recommend a Corsair power supply. I've built several computers with these and they are amazingly quiet and are all 80+ certified so are efficient. Oh they look awesome too. The 750 watt models have a big quiet 140mm fan and come in either a modular version (HX-750) or regular (TX-750). The HX-750 comes with a 7 year warranty and the TX-750 has a 5 year warranty which is always good

Whats the difference between modular and regular exactly? Mmmmm Warranty....

 

[Grand_Pamplemousse]

Corsair have always been fantastic with their warranty.

 

[Horticulture]

Whats the difference between modular and regular exactly? Mmmmm Warranty....

Modular supplies have detachable cabling to reduce clutter. All of the cabling on nonmodular supplies is hardwired to the PSU, so you have to tuck unused connectors away somewhere.

 

[The_Healer]

Whats the difference between modular and regular exactly? Mmmmm Warranty....

Modular supplies have detachable cabling to reduce clutter. All of the cabling on nonmodular supplies is hardwired to the PSU, so you have to tuck unused connectors away somewhere.

Ooo that does sound useful. I think I will invest in one of the modular ones then.

The main reason I was thinking i7 though is because it will longer before I have to upgrade.

'Future proofing' is a mug's game. Sure, it all sounds good in theory but the problem is once you've built yourself a powerful rig you want to keep it as powerful as you can.

Yes but a man can dream can't he?

 

[Calatar]

Is a SSD actually worth the huge amount of money though (money vs. capacity I mean)?

SSDs aren't about capacity, they're all about the speed. If you <3 fast boots you'll buy one, if you don't care, you don't care. If you have regularly used software, you put it on your SSD and it starts faster.
Fast reads, slow writes.

It's unnecessary, but if I was building a dream computer I might have one. My friend has 2 in his computer, as well as a 1TB HDD and 3TB RAID5 Array. He clearly <3s them, I'm somewhat ambivalent about those few seconds you save every day.

's up to you.

 

[SpAc3man]

I would highly recommend a Corsair power supply. I've built several computers with these and they are amazingly quiet and are all 80+ certified so are efficient. Oh they look awesome too. The 750 watt models have a big quiet 140mm fan and come in either a modular version (HX-750) or regular (TX-750). The HX-750 comes with a 7 year warranty and the TX-750 has a 5 year warranty which is always good

Whats the difference between modular and regular exactly? Mmmmm Warranty....

Modular has cables that plug into the power supply as well as the components so you only have the ones you need so your pc has better airflow and looks neater inside. Regular just has cables that you cant remove.

 

[Abedeus]

Is a SSD actually worth the huge amount of money though (money vs. capacity I mean)?

SSDs aren't about capacity, they're all about the speed. If you <3 fast boots you'll buy one, if you don't care, you don't care. If you have regularly used software, you put it on your SSD and it starts faster.
Fast reads, slow writes.

It's unnecessary, but if I was building a dream computer I might have one. My friend has 2 in his computer, as well as a 1TB HDD and 3TB RAID5 Array. He clearly <3s them, I'm somewhat ambivalent about those few seconds you save every day.

's up to you.

Yeah, but a 256GB SSD costs as much as a new GeForce GPU...