Help with my first build! Gaming/Media

drambs8 · Dec 27, 2010

Hi guys, just joined the forums in search of some help! I am building a desktop for media and gaming. (Games such as Battlefield Bad Company II and MMORPGs such as WoW) My price limit is 800 which includes the monitor. This is my first build, I have torn apart computers and put them back together before, so I have knowledge of the building aspect.

So far I have picked these items out and want to make sure it is all compatible. Also, is there any items I have listed that you guys think I should swap with another item? All these items are from Newegg.

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146060
- NZXT LEXA S

Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148445
-Seagate Barracuda 750gb 7200 rpm

CD/DVD Drive/Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039
-Sony Optiarc

Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102859
-SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394
-GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152036
- RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-730SS 730W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Modular LED Power Supply

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227559
- OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3RPR1600C8LV4GK

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
- AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX

Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium

I am also looking at this monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236112

Now a few questions:

- The RAM: I heard that OCZ isnt the best brand, is this true? Also I would love 6 or 8 gb of ram but I also heard that this processor paired with Windows can only support up to 4 gb of i believe 1200 or 6 gb of 800. Is this true? If not what 6gb of ram is the best for me (please try to stay cheap)

- Is this power supply a decent unit? I just want to make sure it is reliable and lasts a long time.

Thanks in advance for any help.

BillOhio · Dec 27, 2010

OCZ doesn't have the best reputation for DDR3 RAM. They have discontinued making it. 6GB seems to be the popular choice for AMD boards. I don't think you would use 8 unless you are doing Video Encoding or 3D Rendering.

I don't believe Raidmax is on most people's short list of quality PSU's. Do you plan to run multiple graphics cards? if not you could probably spend a similar amount for a lower wattage of higher quality.

Seasonic is respected, as an example. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

drambs8 · Dec 27, 2010

Thanks for the reply

Do you believe the video card picked out is sufficient enough for gaming? The Motherboard also comes integrated with a ATI Radeon HD 4200, so I will CF the two together. If you believe the PS you mentioned is a better unit for this set up then I will definitely go with it.

Also, what RAM do you recommend if I go 4 gb?
Should I go 6 gb?

What is a good wireless receiver? I think I want to stay away from USB recievers. My desktop will be a far distance from my router, and my laptops wireless just gets the signal. My router is a cisco running at around 140 mbs on average

Should I be investing in a CPU fan? If so I was looking at this item: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Another question, is the sound card on the motherboard good enough for the average music listener?

Final question, the motherboard I just noticed is a micro, does this mean it is smaller? Is this bad or good? Any other motherboard I should look at?

Benny Boy · Dec 27, 2010

Gskill 1600 is a good brand/speed and it's been reasonably priced latetly. Mushkin and A-Data are just a couple of the other 'good' brands.

No, the 5750 isn't all that efficient. You can only Hybrid(means with obv)CF that 4200 with a 5450 and the gain is pretty nil/worthless. A stand alone 5770 will out perform the HCF. True CF is 2 add-on cards.

With your budget:
You could probly get a single 6850-6870 and that will play your games nicely.
You can also get a newer model mb w/newer chipsets. probly something in the 870-880 range. AM3 socket. For CF in the future you need a mb w/2 pci 2.0 or 2.1 slots (they are compatible w/each other), and best to get a psu big enough now, if you can. If no CF, 1 x16 slot will do,(but you may find one w/2 for near same price) along with a smaller psu.

The on board sounds is good.

In general, an ATX mb is roomier and may have better features. mATX mb's are good as well tho,, so perhaps let your budget be your guide. Just make sure the case accepts the mb size.
If your going to overclock much, you'll need a 3rd party cpu cooler, otherwise the one that comes with it will do.

Unless your a big oc'er, the 955 saves $ and can be easily clocked to the 965.

StrangleHold · Dec 27, 2010

Help with my first build! Gaming/Media

drambs8

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BillOhio

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drambs8

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Benny Boy

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StrangleHold

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