Gaming Custom PC Build - Opinions?

[jceggbert5]

Thank you for yet another clarification, Marcus

So, is there any advantage of getting a SATA3 drive over a SATA2 drive (mech, not SSD), or is it just the coolness of having it 'rated for SATA3'?

 

[sweenish]

if it's possible, i would advise waiting until you can afford a graphics card. it will allow to pay for a motherboard that really puts its emphasis where it should be, like amazing north and south bridge chips and OC options and etc. as opposed to paying twice for graphics.

 

[qlum]

Another friend of mine has an i5-2500k and a very similar GPU, and it cannot emulate the Wii at 1080p with a full 60fps consistently, whereas I have (yet another) friend that has a near-identical-to-this-build computer and he has absolutely no problems. I also want it to be as 'future-proof' as possible...

(and, on a side note, you get more ooh's and aah's if you have an i7, but that is not a motivating factor)

Plus, hyperthreading, which the i5 does not have, is helpful with virtualization, IIRC.

----------

The computer will be on thick carpet, so I don't think the vented bottom will be much help...

As far as I know high clockrate Phenom 2 quad cores are also able to emulate dolphin at full speed at 1080p.
This would save you at least 150$ which you can use to get the gpu without having to wait till next spring.
While the Phenom 2 is not as good as the i7 it is good enough to not hold you back during gaming.
When they do you can upgrade again for the same price and most likely owning a better cpu than the i7 at that point.
I dont know how much you need hyperthreading as and cpu's dont have it.

 

[Chhotu uttam]

Thank you for yet another clarification, Marcus

So, is there any advantage of getting a SATA3 drive over a SATA2 drive (mech, not SSD), or is it just the coolness of having it 'rated for SATA3'?

Do you mean hybrid drive?
If so then no.The hybrid drives are expensive.Try getting a WD caviar Black drive if you want great performance(rather than SSD).

 

[marcus134]

Thank you for yet another clarification, Marcus

So, is there any advantage of getting a SATA3 drive over a SATA2 drive (mech, not SSD), or is it just the coolness of having it 'rated for SATA3'?
like I wrote earlier, they're cheaper than SATA2 ( the model you chose is 5 bucks cheaper than it's SATA 2 version)
They support newer NCQ stuff:
wikipedia.Isochronous Native Command Queuing (NCQ) streaming command to enable isochronous quality of service data transfers for streaming digital content applications.
.An NCQ Management feature that helps optimize performance by enabling host processing and management of outstanding NCQ commands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA#SA...A_6_Gbit.2Fs.29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Command_Queuing

the Isochronous Native Command Queuing will give the user the impression of better performances by prioritizing delay sensitive read/write.

They're minor addition to the sata standard but still nice addition, It's not a bad idea to run your primary hdd on a sata 3 port. Keep in mind that they can also function in sata 2 mode, so nothing stops you from buying a sata 3 drive and plug it in a sata 2 connector now or later.

To summarize:
The "5 bucks cheaper" should be the main reason of why you're buying a sata 3 HDD, the performances gains are minor and probably not worth extra money.
As of whether you're plugging your HDD on a sata 2 or a sata 3 port when you're building your computer is up to you.

 

[jceggbert5]

I bought this for $40 on ShellShocker yesterday...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817371048

 

[jceggbert5]

I found a weekend deal at a local store (MicroCenter) for the i5-2500k for $150. I bit.

That brings the total price down some, and I found some RAM for cheaper at another local store so I got 16GB for $90.

Its good to watch sales, eh?

I either have ordered or already have everything but the MoBo now

--------------------------

Is this cooler any better than the stock cooler that comes with the i5? I want something that will +1 it so I can overclock a bit more...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16835999018

 

[Originality]

It's... Not that good. For a cooler you want one that works with the airflow of your case (I.e. Sucks air from the direction of the intake fan(s) at the front/bottom and blows it at the exhaust fan(s) at the back. That one sucks air from around the chipset (potentially suffocating the VRMs) and blows it at the side of the comp, which isn't very efficient and does exactly the same as the stock cooler.

 

[jceggbert5]

It's... Not that good. For a cooler you want one that works with the airflow of your case (I.e. Sucks air from the direction of the intake fan(s) at the front/bottom and blows it at the exhaust fan(s) at the back. That one sucks air from around the chipset (potentially suffocating the VRMs) and blows it at the side of the comp, which isn't very efficient and does exactly the same as the stock cooler.

From what I have read, the stock cooler is good overclock to 4.2-4.3, depending on other airflow (and I have a nice roomy case with 5x120MM fans), and that cooler is almost twice the volume of the other one so I thought it'd be sufficient... Can you recommend a good one? I only have ~110mm of height to work with, and it is a 1155 slot.

I look to spend under $40 on a cooler.

 

[exangel]

I don't have a lot to say about your specific build. Just a couple comments related to things I've seen in other responses.

I've never had a problem with G.Skill RAM and I've used it in 2 laptops and three or four desktop builds. They're fine, and I get pretty annoyed when people say "X" brand sucks based on hearsay, especially without any reference articles.

Anyhow, my other comment is that although I am a major AMD fan and my primary system is a Phenom II x6, if high-end emulation is one of your main goals for the system, stick with Intel.
This is based off the fact that I have seen distinctly better performance with the PS2 emulator PCSX2 and this emulator's GPU plugins have variants for SSE2, SSE3, and SSE4.1: SSE3 & SSE4.1 not supported by AMD processors. (AMD's Phenoms do have support for SSE3 and SSE4a, but SSE3 plugin didn't work on any of my AMD systems, and SSE4.1 is not SSE4a).
Even before I was aware of that or the ability in recent builds of PCSX2 to utilize more than 2 cores/threads, I knew that no AMD CPU's offer hyper-threading. Not really necessary for me to go into more detail with that.

my other comments are agreement with some others have left:
- get a really good PSU (you should be able to find a "really good" one in the $70-$100 range).
- consider lower end graphics until the next generation since you can't afford a really high end one right now.
- or wait until black friday deals roll along for certain components. this i would especially recommend because the change to your budget offered by waiting may even permit you to get an SSD in the system.

also, keep an eye on newegg's promos regarding cases going on sale.
Antec, Thermaltake, Lian-Li, and NZXT occasionally have offerings in the $40-75 range with free or very low-cost shipping.
I have personally worked with Lian-Li and Antec cases with much pleasure compared to other systems. I almost always wound up with cuts on my fingers when I went with unfamiliar brands. And Antec/Lian-Li always included enough fans for any basic system that isn't intended to be overclocked right from the start.

 

[jceggbert5]

I don't have a lot to say about your specific build. Just a couple comments related to things I've seen in other responses.

I've never had a problem with G.Skill RAM and I've used it in 2 laptops and three or four desktop builds. They're fine, and I get pretty annoyed when people say "X" brand sucks based on hearsay, especially without any reference articles.

Anyhow, my other comment is that although I am a major AMD fan and my primary system is a Phenom II x6, if high-end emulation is one of your main goals for the system, stick with Intel.
This is based off the fact that I have seen distinctly better performance with the PS2 emulator PCSX2 and this emulator's GPU plugins have variants for SSE2, SSE3, and SSE4.1: SSE3 & SSE4.1 not supported by AMD processors. (AMD's Phenoms do have support for SSE3 and SSE4a, but SSE3 plugin didn't work on any of my AMD systems, and SSE4.1 is not SSE4a).
Even before I was aware of that or the ability in recent builds of PCSX2 to utilize more than 2 cores/threads, I knew that no AMD CPU's offer hyper-threading. Not really necessary for me to go into more detail with that.

my other comments are agreement with some others have left:
- get a really good PSU (you should be able to find a "really good" one in the $70-$100 range).
- consider lower end graphics until the next generation since you can't afford a really high end one right now.
- or wait until black friday deals roll along for certain components. this i would especially recommend because the change to your budget offered by waiting may even permit you to get an SSD in the system.

also, keep an eye on newegg's promos regarding cases going on sale.
Antec, Thermaltake, Lian-Li, and NZXT occasionally have offerings in the $40-75 range with free or very low-cost shipping.
I have personally worked with Lian-Li and Antec cases with much pleasure compared to other systems. I almost always wound up with cuts on my fingers when I went with unfamiliar brands. And Antec/Lian-Li always included enough fans for any basic system that isn't intended to be overclocked right from the start.

I have already acquired a lot of parts via ShellShocker and one-day sales at nearby computer stores that have really good sales... I spent $80 on 16GB of G.Skill RAM, $40 on an Antec 620w PSU (normally $95, IIRC), the case (didn't get on sale, but wanted to check layout and quality of included fans and stuff (absolutely no sharp edges, and for the temp system that's in it (just testing functions), it works great)) - I did check the wattage and amperage and with every component that I have gotten so far I still have almost 180 watts and several amps on each line to spare.

The motherboard I chose has onboard graphics (Intel HD 3000, comes with SandyBridge CPUs), which benchmarks at almost 4x my current graphics, so I don't think I need to get a 'real' GPU for a while, I just need to go easy on graphics enhancements...

I am not too concerned about hyperthreading (hince why I got the i5, as mentioned in an above post) because on a friend's build, it was actually slowing his machine down alot when turned on in his OCed i7-2600k, but when he disabled it and left the OC the same, it let him bump *everything* to max at 1080p and still be 60fps...

I have been checking ShellShocker every single day since I started thinking of this build... ShellShockers are awesome

Thanks for your insight

Also, if you do another build, I'd seriously check out that case... it looks, feels, and works like a much more expensive case. I absolutely love it... If you want some up-close-and-personal shots of it for any reason, let me know and I can arrange that.

 

[exangel]

The motherboard I chose has onboard graphics (Intel HD 3000, comes with SandyBridge CPUs), which benchmarks at almost 4x my current graphics, so I don't think I need to get a 'real' GPU for a while, I just need to go easy on graphics enhancements...

I am not too concerned about hyperthreading (hince why I got the i5, as mentioned in an above post) because on a friend's build, it was actually slowing his machine down alot when turned on in his OCed i7-2600k, but when he disabled it and left the OC the same, it let him bump *everything* to max at 1080p and still be 60fps...

I have been checking ShellShocker every single day since I started thinking of this build... ShellShockers are awesome

Thanks for your insight

Also, if you do another build, I'd seriously check out that case... it looks, feels, and works like a much more expensive case. I absolutely love it... If you want some up-close-and-personal shots of it for any reason, let me know and I can arrange that.

Very good work. The more patience you have with setting up a build, the better you can wring the best out of every dollar you throw at it, and checking Newegg's daily promos is the best thing you can do outside of black friday sales. I'm actually a member of their newsletter for the extra coupons too.

I've only worked with one Intel-based fresh build so far but I plan to get an Intel-based machine if I replace my laptop. The Intel machine I built in August was based off i7-2600K, and I did not overclock his system. HyperThreading definitely appeared to be one major reason the system beasted the heck out of my Phenom II x6 (3.4GHz non-OC) though, on a couple benchmarks this was by a longshot. I don't have access to either system (at the moment) but 8 simultaneous threads over 6 at around the same clockspeed seems like a basic enough reason. My Phenom system which I described here even has a waaaay better graphics card than the i7 I built, but that really doesn't help very much with emulation.

I'm already firm on going with Lian-Li for whatever next build that may require one. When I gutted the Lian-Li aluminum case I had picked for my clients' 2006 build and re-used it for his i7 build, I sincerely wished I'd just picked Lian-Li for my own system. The Lanboy case was attractive but waaay too heavy than I expected. I don't even want to ever get a steel case again.

 

[jceggbert5]

The sentey case is beautiful, in person... I have an old computer stuffed in it just to test the case functions so I could make sure it wasn't DOA.

A couple photos: http://imgur.com/a/gc9Lf#1

If you want some up-close shots of any specific component of the case, I'm willing to provide until friday the 14th... I will be installing all my parts then.

When you install the power supply, you can have it in two different orientations, so you don't have to have it suck in air from the bottom if you have carpet or whatever. I *might* do a review of this case after I install my stuff in it, and will photodocument the build

 

[Midna]

Sir, why in god's name are you putting a micro ATX board in an ATX case?

 

[jceggbert5]

Sir, why in God's name are you putting a micro ATX board in an ATX case?

http://gbatemp.net/t...ost__p__3894570 it helps to read the whole thread, especially on something like this.

 

[Midna]

Sir, why in God's name are you putting a micro ATX board in an ATX case?

http://gbatemp.net/t...ost__p__3894570 it helps to read the whole thread, especially on something like this.

Ah. I just clicked all the links without reading the bits next to them. Issue resolved.

 

[jceggbert5]

Sir, why in God's name are you putting a micro ATX board in an ATX case?

http://gbatemp.net/t...ost__p__3894570 it helps to read the whole thread, especially on something like this.

Ah. I just clicked all the links without reading the bits next to them. Issue resolved.

I should probably update the OP...

 

[jceggbert5]

As I think I have already posted, I'm not getting the GPU for a few months. But, I found an old nVidia 7200gs. Will that be more powerful than the Intel HD Graphics 3000 that is sandwiched in my CPU? Should I use the 'GPU Virtualization' thing on my MoBo to use this and the Intel HD? Should I just stick with one?

Please help! I'm only a couple days from building!
-Jceggbert5

 

[Originality]

Short answer, the Intel graphics are greatly superior to the old nVidia graphics card.

Long answer, GeForce 7 series is old, very old, even older than their "unified architecture" (series 8, 9, gtx 2 and gtx 3). Furthermore, the 7200 is the lowest of their budget range. It's cut back so much to be cheap that the only thing it can really do is output video, watch movies and play old games. With a couple exceptions (due to driver compatability), Intel HD 3000 is able to play all old games and some of the new games, like L4D2, Starcraft 2, Battlefield 2, and even Crysis (I've yet to see this for myself, but I've heard it can).

 

[jceggbert5]

Short answer, the Intel graphics are greatly superior to the old nVidia graphics card.

Long answer, GeForce 7 series is old, very old, even older than their "unified architecture" (series 8, 9, gtx 2 and gtx 3). Furthermore, the 7200 is the lowest of their budget range. It's cut back so much to be cheap that the only thing it can really do is output video, watch movies and play old games. With a couple exceptions (due to driver compatability), Intel HD 3000 is able to play all old games and some of the new games, like L4D2, Starcraft 2, Battlefield 2, and even Crysis (I've yet to see this for myself, but I've heard it can).

What if I use the GPU Virtualization (or whatever it is) thing in the motherboard? (combines a PCIe graphics card with the HD 3000) Would I get any speed boost from it?