New build

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
Ok, I've been thinking about buildling a new system for myself. What I have right now is the system in my sig. Not sure if it would end up being the same performance or not. I wanna go AM3 Quad core, although I guess I should wait until Bulldozer but why??? Is the performance gonna be really that much better? As the only games I really enjoy playing are FPS. I want to get back involved in it as I spend way to much time on CF. So here is a list of what I basically want. Nothing extravagant. I will use my current Raid 0 set for data and possibly programs if I run out of space on my SSD. Right now I'm not even using 25GB for XP and programs, so I should be good for windows 7 and programs on a 60GB SSD. I also will in the near future buy a 32" 720P HD LCD TV to run as my monitor. Most likely either one of these.

VIZIO 32" Class LCD 720p 60Hz HDTV, E320VL - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vizio-E320VL/13904831

or

VIZIO 32" Class 720P Edge Lit Razor LED-LCD HDTV 60Hz, E320VP -

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vizio-E320VP/13904832

Would any of the 2 be good for FPS games and normal computer usage?

So for what I want to use this system for, I really don't need the new Bulldozer technology do I?

One other question I have for users that run windows 7 with HD5000 series cards. Is anyone having blue screen issues the ATI/AMD driver? The reason why I'm asking is that I can't update the drivers for my HD 3870 past October 2009 or my system bluescreens with the ATI driver causing it. Mind you I'm running XP not windows 7, as I'm not sure if there is an issue with the new drivers and XP or if there is an issue with the card. MInd you again, my son has the same card on XP and when updating it past October 2009 it blue screens as well. Has anybody heard of driver issues or know what could be causing the BSOD's after updating to the latest drivers?

Enough ranting. Here is my list, total of about $1050 USD.

Motherboard

Gigabyte GA-880GA-UD3H - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128444

or

Asus M4A87TD EVO - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647

CPU

Phenom II X4 965 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Case

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

GPU

SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873

Memory

CORSAIR XMS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145339

PSU

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

SSD

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148357

or

Corsair Performance 3 Series CSSD-P364GB2-BRKT 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233153


Operating System

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Optical Drives x 2

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Writer - Bulk - LightScribe Support - OEM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106333

I should have no problems putting the 5770 in that case correct? Looks like there would be plenty of room for it.

Any my last question is....

Does everyone think that I'll be happy with this build? Anyone got any rants about the hardware I picked? Any bad experiences with any product? And don't say Lite-On drives cause thats all I buy and I've never had an issue with them.
 
Try this Memory Lower CAS Latency and high performance memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

You can save some money by going with the 955.
And with a 32' Screen you would have to have a distance of 4 feet atleast.Otherwise it will be very uncomfortable.
For gaming basically a lower response time is preferred.Something similar to 5ms or lower that is why the TN panels are good for gaming but the response time of that TV is not that good.The 9ms response time is average atmost.
I like that the TV has LED backlighting but still the Resolution is 720p.
I would go with 1080p since its a new build.
As for video card the HD 5770 if you are worried about the blue screen issues then -
In the same budget more or less you can have these cards
The GTX 460
$115 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390
I really like the cooler on this one - $130(after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127519


GTX 550
$134
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187139

Choose any one of them.
The GTX 460 is way better than the HD5770
but the GTX 550 and the HD5770 are comparable according to the reviews I read about it.


I would go with the Gigabyte motherboard.

Your last question - Yes you will be completely happy with this build.Get a nice HSF and you can even overclock it like crazy.It wont have problem doing anything let alone the FPS games.
 
This blue screen issue is really killing me as I can't figure out why its happening. I've looked online and I can't find anyone having this specific problem. I mean I can't imagine I would have an issue with the 5770 using windows 7 but I would hate to take the chance you know?

As far as going nvidia instead of ATI, that was one of my options but I am partial to ATI. But I do like the Asus card you linked to, a 3 year warranty too. Since I really don't like the msi card.

As far as the lcd tv goes, I will be at least 3 feet away and it looks like I may be forced to get something like this one.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vizio-E322VL/15250091?findingMethod=rr

But of course by the time I get ready to buy the tv, they will have something better out.

I like to play the COD and MW series games and hoping to get involved in the newer battlefield games.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
This blue screen issue is really killing me as I can't figure out why its happening. I've looked online and I can't find anyone having this specific problem. I mean I can't imagine I would have an issue with the 5770 using windows 7 but I would hate to take the chance you know?

As far as going nvidia instead of ATI, that was one of my options but I am partial to ATI. But I do like the Asus card you linked to, a 3 year warranty too. Since I really don't like the msi card.

As far as the lcd tv goes, I will be at least 3 feet away and it looks like I may be forced to get something like this one.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vizio-E322VL/15250091?findingMethod=rr

But of course by the time I get ready to buy the tv, they will have something better out.

I like to play the COD and MW series games and hoping to get involved in the newer battlefield games.

Thanks for the suggestions.
The GTX 460 is a better card and in almost the same price.

I dont think 3 feet is far enough.
I use a 19'' monitor from 1,5 feet and I find it completely of appropriate size.I think you should go with a smaller screen like a 26''.
 
Thanks for the opinions, I may even go dual 22" monitors. Playing around with dual screens now, as I brought my sons 22" monitor out of his room. I kind of like it but then kind of don't so I don't know.

Anybody else with different ideas? Don't want to spend any more then say $125-150 on the GPU.
 
Of the 3, I think I like this board the most, and as a bonus it brings the 6850 within the $150.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.599457

Modular?
XFX XXX Edition P1-650X-CAG9 650W ATX12V 2.2 / ESP12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular ...

Of your chosen SSD, I'd personally go with the C300 (Sata III) because of the $40 dif. Or the Vertex 2 (Sata II) for $119(usually a rebate on it) and the faster writes.

You've probly seen this, good deal :good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.613828

I agree with the 955, and as you know there are combos with cooloers if going that route or want.
 
Last edited:
I now have the system in my sig. Haven't had a chance to play any FPS games yet, hopefully tonight.

Thinking very soon, I'm just gonna have 7 as my only OS and get rid of XP. Windows 7 is loaded on the SSD drive and its amazingly fast. Boots into windows in like 15 seconds or less running in AHCI mode. I need to read over your guide and see how to set up trim and other options.

I think I'm gonna be extremely happy with this build.
 
Back
Top