How is this build?

[Dark_Oblivion]

So i'm trying to learn modelling with Maya (plus i'm a frequent Photoshop user, though nothing like huge images or anything), but my current PC is absolutely hopeless, and so i'm looking to build a new PC. I heard that the onboard graphics on AMD 780G motherboards are actually fairly decent, and a lot better than my current 9800 pro, plus if I choose to I can add a proper graphics card in later, which is a bonus. I plan on using my current (IDE) hard drives in this configuration. I already have monitor/keyboard etc. Anyway, here are the specs:

• Lian-Li PC7-B Plus II
  
• 450W Corsair VX Series PSU
  
• Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H
  
• AMD Phenom 9550 @ 2.2Ghz
  
• 2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2 DDR2 PC2-6400 (800) (I have no plans to upgrade to Vista)
  
• Pioneer DVR-216DBK (since the one IDE connector on the motherboard will be to connect my current 2 hard drives)
  

It comes to ?312, which to be honest, i'm extremely surprised. Does anyone have any suggestions of changes? Keep in mind that i'm on a pretty tight budget, and need it to be as cheap as possible (though I don't wanna skimp on quality of components much).

Thanks!

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Here's a quick system I put together at newegg. I realize it's a bit more expensive than your original configuration but the CPU, motherboard, and RAM are significantly better. The rest of the components are more or less the same. It's roughly ?100 more expensive and I think it's definitely worth it.

• LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
  
• OCZ GameXStream 700W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply
  
• ASUS P5Q SE LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
  
• Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
  
• OCZ Platinum Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit
  
• SAMSUNG 22X DVD?R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA
  
• ZOTAC GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
  

TOTAL: ?414.71 (before taxes)

Of course, the prices were originally in US currency and you may or may not find the same product for the same price elsewhere. However, I put the system together to give you an idea of what you can get with ~?415.

[RAID 0]

Anaron has a better system for you. The only thing he left out was the quad core. Do not go with a dual if you're modelling and gaming. Trust me, the Q6600 will smoke that dual core Wolfdale in multi-threaded apps, even more so if you overclock it (the Q6600) to 3.0 or above.

Don't get me wrong, AMD is really good, but Intel just has more power. :shifty:

[Budious]

Don't get me wrong, AMD is really good, but Intel just has more power. :shifty:

+1, Intel has the upper hand with the current processor generation. The LIAN LI PC-7B is a solid case, I use one for my Windows Home Server, you can't go wrong there.

[Leddy]

Just a word of warning, new motherboards only have one IDE header so you can connect a maximum of 2 IDE drives (this includes any optical drives) to your motherboard.

[Budious]

Just a word of warning, new motherboards only have one IDE header so you can connect a maximum of 2 IDE drives (this includes any optical drives) to your motherboard.

Everyone still packs on standard PCI slots though, so buying a expansion IDE controller cost about $10.

[darren89]

Anaron has a better system for you. The only thing he left out was the quad core. Do not go with a dual if you're modelling and gaming. Trust me, the Q6600 will smoke that dual core Wolfdale in multi-threaded apps, even more so if you overclock it (the Q6600) to 3.0 or above.

Don't get me wrong, AMD is really good, but Intel just has more power. :shifty:

+1

correct. Q6600 would be a good alternative as to phenom.

maybe you should take a good look at their performance charts from tom's hardware website.

just a hint. :)

[RAID 0]

I was noticing that the power supply Anaron has pick out is 750 watts. That might be a little over kill with the 9600 card. You could go with a 500 watt power supply hooked up to a 9800 GT. Speaking of 9800GT, I would get that WAY before the 9600. WAY before.

[hawker1986]

Hi Dark Oblivion,

Ive had a look and I reckon ?440, so about ?130 over what you said will get you a kick ass machine from Ebuyer, a good UK distributor:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/98529 - Lian Li case you picked (you could get a coolermaster 330 Elite, which isnt as high quality but still a good case for ?30 to save some money)

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/149639 - Samsung SATA DVDRW

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/116755 - 2GB DDR800 OCZ RAM

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135159 - 500W OCZ PSU (more than enough for this build)

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141600 - Gigabyte P35 mobo

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131823 - Q6600 Quad core CPU OEM

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134773 - Good Bang for Buck CPU Cooler

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150390 - ATI 4850 (which will run rings around the 9800GT and definately round the onboard video on the AMD spec)

Total: ?439.77 inc VAT. Select free 5 day delivery.

If you really cant stretch beyond your original budget the I would recommend losing the Q6600 and the CPU Cooler and getting this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148715 - E5200 2.5Ghz Dual Core (lots of OC potential)

And also losing the 4850 in favour of a 4650:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150350 - ATI 4650

New total: ?315.10 inc VAT.

But I would still recommend the original build, you will see much better performance from that little extra cash.

Hawker

Edited October 12, 2008 by hawker1986

[Dark_Oblivion]

Many thanks to all the replies so far. Will the OCZ 500W PSU be able to power a Q6600 and a HD4850 with no problems? How about a 3870?

-edit-

Here's my new build. Hows it look?

-Lian Li PC-7B PLUS II

-OCZ Stealth Xtream 500W PSU

-Gigabyte GA-P35-S3G

-Q6600

-2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2 DDR2 PC2-6400 (800)

-512MB Sapphire HD 3870 Ultimate

-Pioneer DVR-216BK

-And 2 of my old IDE hard drives

Total ~?432

Edited October 12, 2008 by Dark_Oblivion

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

It much better than your original configuration. Yes, that PSU will be able to power the Intel C2Q Q6600 and HD 4850 without any problems. The same is true about the HD 3870 as it uses slightly less power than the HD 4850.

I strongly suggest that you purchase the HD 4850 because it's one powerful video card. It surpasses the HD 3870 X2 in most games and that was the previous video card king of the hill for ATI.

[RAID 0]

That looks much better than the first one. I don't have enough info either way on the video card or that particular PSU. All I know is that the 9800 GT is looking mighty nice at $129 USD.

[Dark_Oblivion]

Another updated spec list:

-Antec Three Hundred case (the Lian Li was just too expensive)

-Gigabyte GA-P35-S3G

-550w Corsair VX Series PSU

-Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

-2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2 DDR2 PC2-6400 (800mhz)

-512mb PowerColor HD 4850 PCS+ Edition

-Pioneer DVR-216DBK

~?443. Will I be able to substitute the VX550w for a VX450w, or is that pushing it? I don't plan on overclocking really.

[+PeterUK MVC]

~?443. Will I be able to substitute the VX550w for a VX450w, or is that pushing it? I don't plan on overclocking really.

The VX450W will be fine.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Excellent system. The VX450W should be sufficient.

[macf13nd]

all the people who bitch about how neowin is 'changing' or is 'less helpful' or 'more juvenile' than before, should take an objective look at this thread.

(Y) (Y)

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

all the people who bitch about how neowin is 'changing' or is 'less helpful' or 'more juvenile' than before, should take an objective look at this thread.

(Y) (Y)

Amen to that my brother! :yes:

[hawker1986]

Indeed they should, glad that youve got a better build now. And yes the VX450 will do fine.

Hawker

[hawker1986]

Indeed they should, glad that youve got a better build now. And yes the VX450 will do fine.

Hawker