|
When using this resource, please read FragKrag's opening post. The Tech Support forum regulars have helped create countless of desktop systems without any compensation. The least you can do is provide all of the information required for them to help you properly. |
@Inquisitor
The configuration he recommended is okay? You don't need a Sabertooth if you're a novice at overclocking.
SLI is a bad upgrade path and you shouldn't plan for it.
The Corsair TX750 V2 is more wattage than you need, even for a SLI GTX 560 Ti configuration.
A Coolermaster V8 is unnecessary, a less expensive heatsink such as a Coolermaster Hyper 212+ will achieve the same thing.
If you don't buy from Tiger Direct, you can easily fit an SSD in your budget. Tiger Direct is one of the worse retailers to buy from in Canada.
You also do not need another copy of Windows 7 unless you plan on keeping the two previous computers active. You can just use one of your previous copy on the new computer.
|
I'd assume NCIX would be the best choice for Inquisitor, between price matching and a way cheaper assembly option...
Also, avoiding enthusiast grade parts you won't use will drop your price by a healthy chunk.
|
Those components and assembly at Tigerdirect cost $1300 + $180, or $1480 in total.
Just showing you how overpriced Tiger Direct are... the same components with assembly for $1170:
Further optimize this configuration and you'll be at $900 or so.
+ Show Spoiler +
|
Should I use the Xigmatek Gaia's thermal paste or the i5 2500ks? A lot of people on the Newegg review say the paste isn't that great, though it "runs well even with the bad paste it included."
Is it hard for a first time computer builder to install the Gaia, it looks difficult to install. =(
|
Intel does not provide you with a tube of thermal paste, it is already pre-applied to the provided heatsink so no you do not have an option of using Xigmatek's provided heatsink or Intel's provided heatsink. You either use Xigmatek's provided paste or buy another tube of paste.
|
I had no idea NCIX had a build a PC thing let alone were better to buy from (ive only botten a pair of headphones from them once). Just checked it out and it does seem a hell of a lot cheaper to build the comp ($50 compared to $180 :o ) thanks for that!
@skyR, what would a better Motherboard be for my needs then? Honestly that was one thing that confused me greatly while looking online today was what motherboard would be most useful for me. I know i need one that supports my CPU (so i guess Intel) but besides that it went over my head 
Also why is SLI'ing not a great thing? From everything i had heard was that it was good as it lowers the 'stress' on each gfx card? Was my understanding of it wrong or is it really just not that much of an improvement?
And sadly i do need another copy of W7 as one is for my bros computer and the other is for my laptop which ill still need 
@Jingle, how would i find out if something is an enthusiast grade part? Would it be in the description of the product?
Edit; Seems like you added more since i started writing this skyr :p Soo ill edit this once ive read what you wrote
|
SLI is inconsistent as it requires driver support, the performance increase you gain can be anywhere between a zero percent and one hundred percent.
I would argue that it actually puts more stress on the graphics cards since you are reducing airflow to the first card on the majority of motherboards. This increases temperatures and forces the fan to run harder. Reducing GPU usage load level doesn't actually mean shit >.>
MSI P67 G series, Asrock P67 Extreme4, and Gigabyte Z68 boards are some boards that are a lot less expensive and still capable of SLI and a mild overclock you are probably aiming for.
|
Oh wow. Thats quite the difference in price lol ^_^ So it seems like i could easily fit an SSD in there then Also if i go with that then, would i have to change any thing else to fit a higher gfx card? (such as the 570? // is it even worth it to get a better one as ive heard the 560Ti is very good)
And thanks for the response about SLI'ing and motherboards
|
560ti is more then enough especially if oc'd
|
No you don't have to change anything if you wanted to get a more expensive graphics card but the GTX 560 Ti is a very good card as you've already heard and it's not recommended you get a GTX 570 instead unless you plan on doing 3D Surround (using three monitors as one screen for gaming) or playing at a 2560x1440 / 1600 resolution (27", 30" monitors).
If you decided you're not going with SLI and are purchasing from NCIX, you can get a less expensive motherboard (~$130), a lower wattage power supply (~$60), a less expensive heatsink (~$25), and a less expensive case if you aren't purchasing the HAF 922 for its aesthetics (~$50). All of this would take roughly $170 off your total.
|
On July 22 2011 10:50 Inquisitor wrote:@Jingle, how would i find out if something is an enthusiast grade part? Would it be in the description of the product? Edit; Seems like you added more since i started writing this skyr :p Soo ill edit this once ive read what you wrote
Enthusiast grade stuff is anything with a bad price/feature ratio that's designed to get you to pay high premiums for tiny performance upgrades.
What's considered enthusiast depends on the people you're talking to, really. Any context I use it, I'm referring to stuff that makes the tech-uninitiated get a tech boner because it sounds really fancy, like multi-GPU configurations, OCed memory, and other little extras that you won't get any performance out of at all if you buy them as an uninformed decision.
Sorry that's so vague, but there's no set answer, and I don't feel like trying to be specific enough that an argument gets started.
|
|
|
Yes, 500w is enough for a 2500k and a GTX 560 Ti. The 2500k uses roughly 60w and a GTX 560 Ti uses roughly 160w, both under load. Even with both a CPU and GPU overclock, you won't be stressing a quality 500w unit.
Case features is personal preference. Do you want a silent case? Do you want tool-less features? Do you want a black interior? Do you want a removable HDD cage? etc. All of this can only be answered by you. You do not need extra case fans as most modern cases provide more than enough airflow already.
No, there is nothing else you need to get unless you want a discrete NIC or sound card for whatever reason. If you have an expensive sound setup than a discrete sound card may be worth it. If you want wireless internet than you'll need a wireless adapter.
|
What is your budget?
Ballpark around AU$2500
What is your resolution?
1920x1080
What are you using it for?
Games. Wanna be able to blitz all the newest games on Highest settings.
What is your upgrade cycle?
~2 years
When do you plan on building it?
Before BF3 comes out. So before september.
Do you plan on overclocking?
Yes if it will give me more performance for my price range, sure.
Do you need an Operating System?
No.
Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?
Again, if it gives me more performance and keeps within my budget sure thing!
Where are you buying your parts from?
Maybe www.ple.com.au? I don't know if it's the cheapest but they're usually fairly good. Other then that I'll probably use www.shopbot.com.au and find the cheapest price for each part.
I have a monitor and mouse.
|
|
|
PCCaseGear tends to have better selection and prices if you're just buying online in Australia.
|
Awesome!
Do you recommend going Crossfire with 2x EVGA GTX 560 Ti ? Will it give me much of a boost?
What kind of overclocking can I do with this system? If I can boost it quite a bit I'll get a nice heatsink as well.
|
On July 22 2011 13:08 KoveN- wrote:Awesome! Do you recommend going Crossfire with 2x EVGA GTX 560 Ti ? Will it give me much of a boost? What kind of overclocking can I do with this system? If I can boost it quite a bit I'll get a nice heatsink as well.
Crossfire is AMD cards, SLI is Nvidia.
http://www.teamliquid.net/blogs/viewblog.php?topic_id=246342
I talk about that and other stuff there. SLI requires SLI-Ready mobo, which takes more than just an extra PCIE slot.
|
The 2500k can be overclocked to 5GHz and beyond.
Nvidia's multi-GPU solution is called SLI. CrossfireX is AMD's multi-GPU solution. Both can offer anywhere between a 0% and 100% increase depending on the drivers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
) are there any features which are preferable? and do all or most cases come with good ventilation and such? Or should i also be looking at purchasing extra fans? -- I was cool with the TD guys tower suggestion because he told me it has good ventalation and is what he always recommends :S Not to mention the aesthetics arent a huge concern for me if everything fits inside and works 
