New *TIGHT BUDGET* build

N

ndame121

New Member
First off im new here, first post :) so moderators i apologize in advance for the rules I might break in this post. I'm also new to computer building as this will be my first official build. I won a Nvidia GeForce GTX 480 graphics card in a raffle so that will be my gpu. I'm looking to play BF 3 in highres mainly but possibly other games i.e. skyrim/call of duty.
First off my budget is anything under 600$ I should really only be around 550$ 580$ is really my max and that is stretching it a lot.
So far just about the only thing im absolutely certain about is I wan't the Cooler master storm scout case.

Here is my current list of components-

-Rosewill 750w modular PSU-new egg link

-G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 new egg link

-ASUS M5A97 EVO AM3+ MOBO, I chose this board for native esata and usb 3.0 plus it has a fron panel esata connector i can use with the storm scout case. Newegg Link

-AMD phenom ii x4 965 BE 3.4 ghz processor, this was recommended to me over the fx 4170. Newegg Link

I have no idea what im doing for a HDD but factor that into the budget probably going to go cheap around 90$.

I am going to pick up a dvd burner localy so no need to worry about that. I think that just about covers it.
First of all will this work? Secondly any suggestions (I'm very open to suggestions given you have a valid argument)
Before you start typing furiously my only guidelines are price vs. performance, I am open to AMD or Intel CPUs, this being said I would like to keep the fanboy bickering to a minimum and keep on task. I am mainly concerned with choosing the right cpu and mobo, these are the two hardest decisions for me, probably because there are so many choices and I know so little.
(One note: native usb 3.0 and eSata is important to me, a front panel eSata would be quite nice but willing to sacrifice if there is a good trade off)
 
Last edited:
Looks good to me! Yep that's a good CPU, board and RAM combination, all will work fine. Drop that power supply though, yuck, it's horrible! Get this instead for the same sort of price http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020 it's 100W less I know but it's a quality 650W PSU from Corsair and should be able to power your 480. Can't believe you won a card like that in a raffle! ;)

The Strom Scout is a good case my friend, get that definitely. :) Hard drive wise this would be good http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136801 500GB WD Caviar Green for 80 bucks. That sound good?
 
vistakid10 said:
Drop that power supply though, yuck, it's horrible! Get this instead for the same sort of price http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020 it's 100W less I know but it's a quality 650W PSU from Corsair and should be able to power your 480.
Click to expand...
I know what people are saying about the HIVE series PSU but I have been reading many reviews on it and people are saying good stuff about it. Also I am looking for a modular PSU, that is also continuous output and has a single 12v rail system. Also dual graphics cards possible in the future.
 
Last edited:
ndame121 said:
I know what people are saying about the HIVE series PSU but I have been reading many reviews on it and people are saying good stuff about it. Also I am looking for a modular PSU, that is also continuous output and has a single 12v rail system. Also dual graphics cards possible in the future.
Click to expand...
Nah you want a good branded PSU, especially if you're going to be running a power hungry card such as the GTX 480. Rosewill is kind of a generic brand. If you want a good modular PSU, the Corsair TX750M is a good choice. It's $120 but worth paying for it http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139030 seriously pay the extra and get that PSU.

You can get the hard drive Byteninja recommend too, but it's $10 over your budget.
 
Not sure 600W is going to be enough for a GTX 480 though. The GTX 480 requires a minimum of a 600W PSU with 42A to the +12V rail remember. The OP also said he may want to do a multi-GPU setup in the future, and if he wants to add another 480 or two high-end cards, 600W won't be enough.
 
Yeah my OCZ is working just fine over 2 months on from purchase, but I'd still go for a Corsair if I had to buy a new PSU today. I like XFX too, but they're very expensive, Corsair's prices are pretty good.
 
all good suggestions

I definitely can't go down to 600w it wont handle two of these cards, i have thought about getting 1600mhz ram instead is there a clear improvement in performance when upgrading.
I will most likely go for that 1tb you mentioned although I am skeptical of the intellPower thing. I assume this is one of those HDDs with no set RPM.
I am having a tough time finding a PSU that compares to the rosewill, the rosewill has everything I am looking for at the right price with good reviews overall. They def arent know for there PSUs but I think that unlike previous attempts they may have done something right here. As of right now I can't justify spending more money on a different brand name. As I understand it the internal components are for the most part are manufactured by outside companies, enclosed, and resold by companies like rosewill, ocz, corsair and so on. not that this is a bad thing but, I do believe that rosewill utilizes the same internal components as the ocz z series. I cannot confirm any of this information personally but I was reading this somewhere a few days ago as i was trying to wrap my head around the never ending complex cluster that is computer building.:confused:
( also I just checked and the rosewill psu is backed by a 3 year parts/labor warranty)
 
Last edited:
No, Rosewill/Roadkill doesnt use the same manufactures as OCZ. Plus most OCZ are so so at best. Some OCZ that are made by Channel Well or FSP are ok. But Roadkill is neweggs house brand and goes to the cheapest bidder. Most Roadkills are made by ATNG/Solytech/Wintech/Youngyear. Stick with Corsair/XFX/Seasonic/Silverstone/PC Power&Cooling or Antec
 
Last edited:
You are right about 750 watt for sli.Also, though, dont forget, dual gpus in sli require 2 of the same graphics cards, and that gpu needs 2 power connectors, so you are going to need to choose another psu for 2 480s as that would use 4 power connecters, that psu only has 2.
 
Last edited:
Thats right, the new Hive series are made by Highpower which does make some OCZ. But they are still a so so quality. The 750W model only has 648W and 54 amps on the 12V rail. The same as a quality 650W model would have.
 
Psu

Each 480 is rated at 250w that's 500w alone if I do decidide to get another, then you tack on the 125w cpu and then add the fans the hdd the ram dvd drive peripherals ans whatever else I decide to add down the road. I mean it may work but I would rather play it safe.
Yeah ill stick with the intellipower thing and for the psu, I will start looking else where I guess. I would like something continuous and modular (doesn't have to be fully modular) with a single 12v rail. (Atleast 700w preferably 750w) that doesn't put meover budget.
 
No you need a minimum of 600W for one GTX 480 and two GTX 480s require 850W minimum. If you look here http://www.computerforum.com/186629-power-supply-psu-tech-guide.html you can see how many amps you need too.

Get the Corsair TX750M for the time being. It's a modular 750W PSU by Corsair. It will power one GTX 480 fine. It may be a bit over budget, but it's worth it. If not then OCZ makes a 700W ModXStream PSU which is semi-modular I believe and I'm sure the other brands have products to offer as well.
 
And Corsair tx750 would power 2 480s as it has 4 pcie connectors, each 480 requires 2, for a total of needing 4 pcie power connecters for 2 480s.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top