New Custom Gaming PC - Suggestions?

Z

ZeroPressence

New Member
Hi everyone! I'm new here, so bare with me :P

I've gave it considerable thought, and I've decided to upgrade my Gaming PC. The PC I'm using now is way out of date. (I'm lucky to get 30 FPS on Crysis Warhead with minimum settings :D) My budget is $500.

Here are my specs currently:

Windows XP Service Pack 3
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI Premium
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 (Single Core)
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS (512 MB)
RAM: 4 GB DDR2 (1 GB each RAM stick)
Power supply: ATX Ultra V Series 500W
Hard Drive: 1 TB
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy [8000]


I plan to upgrade my graphics card, motherboard, processor and RAM.


I have found everything I want, however the motherboard I have chosen has ran out of stock on Newegg. I've found it on Buy.com, but I'm starting to wonder if the one I've chosen is the best I can get. Maybe you guys can help.


GIGA-BYTE GA-790XTA-UD4

Also, is there a significant difference between the AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz vs the AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition Deneb 3.5GHz


I've read many reviews concerning the ATI Radeon 5770, both good and bad. I would like to know all of your opinions on it. Is it worth getting? Should I get a better one? I want to be able to play on the highest possible video settings, and have good frames per second.


Below is the rest of the hardware:

SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB

Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB)

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz

As a side note, I'm thinking of upgrading the processor to the latest Phenom, the AMD Phenom II X4 970 Depending on the price of the motherboard.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hehe thanks Mep, I should of done that the first time.

Joh, do you know if the motherboard be compatible with the rest of the stuff? Concerning the processors, would it be wiser to get the 970 then the 955? Since this motherboard is a bit cheaper.
 
The 955 and 970 are the same CPU with a different multiplier, save your money and get the 955 and just up the multiplier.

The 5770 is a good card, I had one, but it is a midrange card. If you can afford to go higher I would recommend a GTX 460 1Gb, they are the best price : performance card right now. before this card it was the 5770.

I would recommend a motherboard with an 800-series chipset, but only if the board has the SB850 southbridge as it supports SATA3 6gbps and USB3. The ASRock 880G board is a good board for the price (see my signature)

RAM is okay. personally would go with something better.

You still need a HDD, Case, Powersupply, DVD drive and a copy of windows. You could reuse your hard drive, what brand and model is it? It's a 1TB drive so it can't be too old.
 
linkin said:
I would recommend a motherboard with an 800-series chipset, but only if the board has the SB850 southbridge as it supports SATA3 6gbps and USB3. The ASRock 880G board is a good board for the price (see my signature)
Click to expand...

no need to pay more for a board with onboard video if he is getting a card.

linkin said:
RAM is okay. personally would go with something better.
Click to expand...

oops, forgot to say that you'll need new ram if you upgrade your motherboard. i'd go with these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1278&cm_re=ripjaws_4gb-_-20-231-278-_-Product
 
Thanks for the replies :)


The Mushkin is what I plan on getting. Isn't that G.Skill and Mushkin the same type of DDR3?

Isn't there only so much an onboard video motherboard can do?

I plan to keep everything else. I'm just upgrading the motherboard, graphics card, processor and RAM.

I've also found a Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz . I'm not to much for overclocking, and for the time being, I don't think I'm going to try it. Its really between the 955, 965, and 970. Should I go with a 965? Since I'm not going to overclock, which I'm guessing what the 970 is really for.
 
The 955, 965 and 970 are all the same chip. the difference the multiplier. which you can easily change in the BIOS, it takes about 10 seconds if that.

DDR3 is DDR3 but there are various speeds and latencies between different kits. The set you have chosen (1333mhz at CAS9 timings) have horrible timings for the speed. You want something 1600Mhz @ CAS8 timings.
 
linkin said:
The 955 and 970 are the same CPU with a different multiplier, save your money and get the 955 and just up the multiplier.
Click to expand...

linkin said:
The 955, 965 and 970 are all the same chip. the difference the multiplier. which you can easily change in the BIOS, it takes about 10 seconds if that.
Click to expand...

Thats true with the 955/965. Dont even know why they still have the 955 after releasing the 965. But I have heard the 955 is being discontinued.

But the 970 is the same stepping/C3 but is a newer revision (AACDC). Clocks alittle better then the 955/965.
 
Alright, sounds good. I just have a few questions...

I have an Antec Sonata II case, this all should fit in nicely right?

Would it be a good idea to reformat the hard drive and start clean?

Here is the hardware now:

Graphics Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5770 1GB

Processor: Due to the budget, I'll have to settle for the AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz. It's still a great model right?

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB)

Total is $453.96 with mail in-rebate from the Graphics Card.
 
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