Help on a Rig

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MK8

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Hi Peeps,

Need some help on my rig. My budget is around R 7000.
These are my criteria so far for general browsing, watching hd movies and gaming on a 32 inch tv:

Intel i5 3470
8GB Ram
1TB HDD
CD DVD/ RW Drive
Sapphire 2GB HD7950
PSU – Am not sure?
I tired PC calc but don’t think I entered the info right
Am looking to expand later for another HDD or SSD and should be very reliable.
Have heard that the corsair cheap ones are not all that reliable?:confused:​
Case – need something quiet as this will be in my room,
Saw the silencio series but the reviews so they don’t help much.
Also the Antec 1 seems good but worried about keeping the above cool, dust and noise​
Wireless Internet – Not sure
Motherboard: Gigabyte B75
Gamepad – good and reliable and long enough to be seated on couch – for a second player
Keyboard/Mouse – wireless

Thanks guys, would help if you could critique or advise on anything better?

Cool:D
 
I'm running almost the same rig (except have a GTX 670 instead of an ATI) and my 750W is more than enough. Runs well under load and lots of headroom for later expansion/upgrade. I think I'm using an XFX 750. On the case side, I'm using a Coolermaster HAF X. It's a BIG case with tons of room for expansion later on, houses everything perfectly, and has awesome airflow through out.

Hope this helps.
 
Macethy said:
I'm running almost the same rig (except have a GTX 670 instead of an ATI) and my 750W is more than enough. Runs well under load and lots of headroom for later expansion/upgrade. I think I'm using an XFX 750. On the case side, I'm using a Coolermaster HAF X. It's a BIG case with tons of room for expansion later on, houses everything perfectly, and has awesome airflow through out.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Thank you. When i did a rough calc on the power it came out to about 371W. I dont think thats right. So maybe 650W should be ok, but then again which one? Totally confused coz of so many options.
Regarding the case, i will have a look. ;)
 
As far as the controller goes, go with XBox 360 for windows. You won't go wrong. I got mine for R299 excl VAT from Esquire. I assume you are using a 32 TV as a monitor. If thats the case, and it has a USB input, you might want to consider external storage to store you movies instead of adding more internal (HDD) storage unless you need more than a TB for installing apps and games. Gives your PC a break between gaming. Thats what I've done.
 
Macethy said:
This is the one I'm running to give you a rough idea:

http://www.computersonly.co.za/productdetail.aspx?sku=P1750SNLB9&categoryId=35811

Maybe look at something smaller (and cheaper obviously) but also consider future upgrades, expansions, etc...
Click to expand...

Will do. Looking for something cheaper and reliable.

Sydwayz said:
As far as the controller goes, go with XBox 360 for windows. You won't go wrong. I got mine for R299 excl VAT from Esquire. I assume you are using a 32 TV as a monitor. If thats the case, and it has a USB input, you might want to consider external storage to store you movies instead of adding more internal (HDD) storage unless you need more than a TB for installing apps and games. Gives your PC a break between gaming. Thats what I've done.
Click to expand...

I already have a 1.5TB external and store my movies etc on there, so will defintly give my pc a deserved break. Plus having a another gamepad you can allow a second player for pc games. So will be cool :)
 
MK8 said:
Thank you. When i did a rough calc on the power it came out to about 371W. I dont think thats right. So maybe 650W should be ok, but then again which one? Totally confused coz of so many options.
Regarding the case, i will have a look. ;)
Click to expand...

650W would be massive overkill for such a system. I think the calculator is right, a proper 450w Corsair/Antec should be more than enough. I ran an overclocked i7 -2600k, with 2 Radeon HD 6870's (the 2 combined draw much more power than a single 7950), 3 hard drives, SSD, 2 dvd writers, and a soundcard with headphone amp from a 620W Antec power supply with no issues whatsoever, it was rock solid. Most people use power supplies that are rated waaaay higher than they actually need. This is a habit from the old days when PSU makers used to lie about the capacities the units could put out. (Some no-name brands still do this, which is why I recommend a decent brand). The GPU manufacturers also know about this which is why they overstate the power supply requirements for the cards on their website - they allow for people with fong kong PSU's.

Generally, if you fill in the PSU calculator details properly and get to an answer, then add a little on top of that for future upgrade room (in this case a 450 or 500 Watt) should be perfectly fine, especially if you're on a bit of a tight budget since you don't waste money on a PSU that's too big.

Edit: BTW, are you seriously going to get all that stuff for under 7 grand? The graphics card alone is half that. Keep in mind the PSU's you're talking about (650W and up beasts) are all over a thousand bucks as well.
 
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TJ99 said:
650W would be massive overkill for such a system. I think the calculator is right, a proper 450w Corsair/Antec should be more than enough. I ran an overclocked i7 -2600k, with 2 Radeon HD 6870's (the 2 combined draw much more power than a single 7950), 3 hard drives, SSD, 2 dvd writers, and a soundcard with headphone amp from a 620W Antec power supply with no issues whatsoever, it was rock solid. Most people use power supplies that are rated waaaay higher than they actually need. This is a habit from the old days when PSU makers used to lie about the capacities the units could put out. (Some no-name brands still do this, which is why I recommend a decent brand). The GPU manufacturers also know about this which is why they overstate the power supply requirements for the cards on their website - they allow for people with fong kong PSU's.

Generally, if you fill in the PSU calculator details properly and get to an answer, then add a little on top of that for future upgrade room (in this case a 450 or 500 Watt) should be perfectly fine, especially if you're on a bit of a tight budget since you don't waste money on a PSU that's too big.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Please may you recommend a few PSU's, for around 500W as there as so many options and im not sure what is reliable and whats not, I heard that the Antec High Perf Gamer is quite good?
 
MK8 said:
Thanks. Please may you recommend a few PSU's, for around 500W as there as so many options and im not sure what is reliable and whats not, I heard that the Antec High Perf Gamer is quite good?
Click to expand...

High Current Gamer. Yes, they're great, that's what I used. They are rebranded Seasonic PSU's. But I don't see how you'll fit that into your budget.. As far as I know, the smallest one is 520W and that's about R 850. Definitely worth it if you can get it though. http://titan-ice.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=65_92&products_id=6855

Corsairs are also very nice, apart from the GS series, avoid those. The rest of the Corsairs are also Seasonic units as far as I know. The TX range is their 3rd-highest model, but it's quite expensive, R1100 for a 550W unit. http://titan-ice.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=65_92&products_id=5741. Modular cables as well. Generally anything in the HX, TX and AX (high-end) series is very good, I don't know where the CX fits in, and the GS's I'd stay away from.

I used the calculator with the specs you gave and it came to 405W so a 500W should definitely give you some headroom.
 
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TJ99 said:
High Current Gamer. Yes, they're great, that's what I used. They are rebranded Seasonic PSU's. But I don't see how you'll fit that into your budget.. As far as I know, the smallest one is 520W and that's about R 850. Definitely worth it if you can get it though. http://titan-ice.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=65_92&products_id=6855

Corsairs are also very nice, apart from the GS series, avoid those. The rest of the Corsairs are also Seasonic units as far as I know. The TX range is their second-highest model, but it's quite expensive, R1100 for a 550W unit. http://titan-ice.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=65_92&products_id=5741. Modular cables as well. Generally anything in the HX, TX and AX (high-end) series is very good, I don't know where the CX fits in, and the GS's I'd stay away from.

I used the calculator with the specs you gave and it came to 405W so a 500W should definitely give you some headroom.
Click to expand...

Thanks alot!! Definitly will help! Will get researching now and see what i can find! Awesome!

What you think of this one:

http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=30&products_id=1821
 
TJ99 said:
That's almost the same one I linked to, just the non-modular version. Also it's out of stock. But the only difference between the 520 and 520M is that the M has modular (detachable) cables.
Click to expand...

Noob questions, but what is modular and non modular? Also dont they all come with cables?
 
Non-modular means they're permanently built into the power supply and unused cables will just lay around in the case. Modular means the cables are completely detachable, you only plug in the ones you need into the power supply. Gives you a cleaner case inside but it costs more.

Edit: Usually even on modular PSU's the motherboard cables are permanent since you'd always use them, but some high end units are completely modular, like the Corsair AX series.

So yes, they all come with cables, the difference is just whether you can unplug them from the power supply.
 
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TJ99 said:
Non-modular means they're permanently built into the power supply and unused cables will just lay around in the case. Modular means the cables are completely detachable, you only plug in the ones you need into the power supply. Gives you a cleaner case inside but it costs more.

Edit: Usually even on modular PSU's the motherboard cables are permanent since you'd always use them, but some high end units are completely modular, like the Corsair AX series.

So yes, they all come with cables, the difference is just whether you can unplug them from the power supply.
Click to expand...

ah cool, think the modular ones will be more exp for my budget. Will have a look. Thanks for replying so quick and the informative replies.

Now just needs some options on a good keyboard/mouse, wireless internet and a case :)
 
MK8 said:
ah cool, think the modular ones will be more exp for my budget. Will have a look. Thanks for replying so quick and the informative replies.

Now just needs some options on a good keyboard/mouse, wireless internet and a case :)
Click to expand...

No problem. Wireless keyboard and mouse, probably go for one of the Logitech bundles. Just beware the mouse won't be great for gaming due to lag.

Case doesn't really matter, the amount of noise it makes is determined by the components you put in and the amount of fans. Usually the CPU and powersupply fans are the only things you will hear on idle, maybe the hard-drive. But when playing games the graphics card's fan will completely drown everything else out and be very noticeable, especially on a big mofo like that Radeon. There's nothing you can do about that unfortunately except buying some very expensive liquid cooling systems.
 
TJ99 said:
No problem. Wireless keyboard and mouse, probably go for one of the Logitech bundles. Just beware the mouse won't be great for gaming due to lag.

Case doesn't really matter, the amount of noise it makes is determined by the components you put in and the amount of fans. Usually the CPU and powersupply fans are the only things you will hear on idle, maybe the hard-drive. But when playing games the graphics card's fan will completely drown everything else out and be very noticeable, especially on a big mofo like that Radeon. There's nothing you can do about that unfortunately except buying some very expensive liquid cooling systems.
Click to expand...

So even a case such as Antec Solo II or the Silencio will not really help? :(
In that case, what would you recommend considering the size of my graphics card and the other components? Am totally clueless when it comes to these things.

Cases:
Silencio 450 or 550 - but think these have issues with size and cooling inside, gets pretty heated.
Antec One - basic - might be my best option, but no foam to reduce noise
CM Enforcer - more exp for me and has a red led - looks really cool, but hopefully can turn off the LED in the night.

Any other recommendations, dont want to go over 900 or 1000.
 
MK8 said:
Antec One - basic - might be my best option, but no foam to reduce noise
Click to expand...

Buy some of that sound damping material they sell at car places, cut to size and stick it down.
 
MK8 said:
So even a case such as Antec Solo II or the Silencio will not really help? :(
In that case, what would you recommend considering the size of my graphics card and the other components? Am totally clueless when it comes to these things.

Cases:
Silencio 450 or 550 - but think these have issues with size and cooling inside, gets pretty heated.
Antec One - basic - might be my best option, but no foam to reduce noise
CM Enforcer - more exp for me and has a red led - looks really cool, but hopefully can turn off the LED in the night.

Any other recommendations, dont want to go over 900 or 1000.
Click to expand...

I only came across one review that commented on the heat of the silencio 550, the rest said it's fine. I have just ordered a new rig with a silencio case, its an i7, only using a ati 5760 so will probably not generate as much heat. But hoping it will be fine.
 
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