Help with R9000 gaming rig

A

aisling

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Hi all

I am looking to build a predominantly gaming rig to the value of R9000. Being a bit of a ignoramus in the field of "Best components for a gaming machine" a grand master on this forum and friend suggested I ask the informed Folks on this forum.

What I have and would like to keep:
- XFX ATI Radion HD 4870 512MB

What I have seen and liked:
- ocz 600w stealthxstream_power supply

Thins I would like your inputs on:
1. What should I go for as a CPU in the 3GHz range (AMD/INTEL version and speed)
2. 2X2 GB DDR2 800? (Since I am using XP 32 bit?)
3. What should I look for in a Motherboard.(brand, specs)
4. What would be a good choose of 1TB hard drive.
5. Should I go for extra cooling (fans).
6. What make and model case would you go for if you were looking for a sturdy, non-flashy tower with both front and back usb ports and additional cooling options, preferably black?

Sorry I know these are rather vague questions but I have been doing research for a week now and far from getting clarity I have even more questions now. So I need your insights on what I should be looking for in my new rig with a emphasis on quality/performance and price.
 
Phenom2 955 3.2Ghz quad
asus m4a790e
force3d 4890
corsair 650watt
2*2gig corsair ram

You should be able to get those items within budget.

Just check prophecy.co.za
 
aisling said:
Hi all

I am looking to build a predominantly gaming rig to the value of R9000. Being a bit of a ignoramus in the field of "Best components for a gaming machine" a grand master on this forum and friend suggested I ask the informed Folks on this forum.

What I have and would like to keep:
- XFX ATI Radion HD 4870 512MB

What I have seen and liked:
- ocz 600w stealthxstream_power supply

Thins I would like your inputs on:
1. What should I go for as a CPU in the 3GHz range (AMD/INTEL version and speed)
2. 2X2 GB DDR2 800? (Since I am using XP 32 bit?)
3. What should I look for in a Motherboard.(brand, specs)
4. What would be a good choose of 1TB hard drive.
5. Should I go for extra cooling (fans).
6. What make and model case would you go for if you were looking for a sturdy, non-flashy tower with both front and back usb ports and additional cooling options, preferably black?

Sorry I know these are rather vague questions but I have been doing research for a week now and far from getting clarity I have even more questions now. So I need your insights on what I should be looking for in my new rig with a emphasis on quality/performance and price.

Qwikslver said:
Phenom2 955 3.2Ghz quad
asus m4a790e
force3d 4890
corsair 650watt
2*2gig corsair ram

You should be able to get those items within budget.

Just check prophecy.co.za
Click to expand...
?:confused::rolleyes:


1. What should I go for as a CPU in the 3GHz range (AMD/INTEL version and speed)Seeing as this system will have to last you quite a while I am inclined to recommend
Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.8Ghz (1333FSB 12MB) R 1,945 excl. R 2,217 incl.

2. 2X2 GB DDR2 800? (Since I am using XP 32 bit?)
I would still get 2x2GB sticks now even if you're only using XP 32bit. The price difference is negligible:
OCZ PC2-6400 DDR2 4GB Plat XTC 2x2GB Kit - CL 5-4-4-15, 1.9 - 2.
[OCZ2P8004GK] R635.01

3. What should I look for in a Motherboard.(brand, specs)
Some nice P45 board should do:
P5Q ASUS Intel P45, LGA775, 1600FSB, 4xDual DDR2 1200, 1x PCI-x16 , 2xPCI-x1, 3xPCI, 1xATA133, 6xSATAII, 2x eSATA, Gbe Lan, 8ch-Sound, Max 12xUSB, 2x IEEE1394, ATX R 1,205 excl. R 1,373 incl.

4. What would be a good choose of 1TB hard drive.
Seagates are apparently fine now since they have moved onto the new 7200.12 drives:
1TB-7200RPM 32MB Cache SATA II (Seagate) R 726 excl. R 827 incl.

5. Should I go for extra cooling (fans).
And Extra fan/two won't kill you:D

6. What make and model case would you go for if you were looking for a sturdy, non-flashy tower with both front and back usb ports and additional cooling options, preferably black?
Click to expand...
Bought one of these recently and it's quite nice:
102220_matter.jpg

Coolermaster Gladiator Gamers Case - No PSU R 499 excl. R 568 incl.
There are MANY alternatives of course.

And PSUs:
The Corsairs are very nice and excellent quality but they are pricey. I of course like the OCZ PSU's quite a lot as well. The one you suggested as well as the OCZ 550W modular fatality series which can be had for about R900.

So Total so far:
R6521 (Don't think Ive missed anything)
This is quite a nice speced PC for a very reasonable price. You could of course go for an i7 PC with that budget and I am sure there will be a few suggestions in this regards from some of the other members:)

What about PC monitor, LCD?
Click to expand...
..

EDIT: All my quoted prices that have no links are from Pcint.co.za :)
 
Last edited:
You already have a HD4870 so getting a HD4890 is not worth it. If your screen resolution is 1650x1050 or lower then the HD4870 will do fine for the next year or so. If your screen resolution is 1920x1080 or higher get a crossfire board and buy another HD4870. I've seen the XFX versions go for R1600 at some places.

Processorwise you'd be fine with the Phenom 2 955 @3.2Ghz or the Intel [email protected]. They both perform similarly with the Q9550 taking the lead most of the time. If overclocking though I'd take the Intel because it performs better clock for clock and both chips overclock to about 3.7Ghz on air. The difference will only be a few FPS though because games are GPU bound at higher resolutions so just get the one which is a lot cheaper.
 
Thanks a lot everyone. I already have a much clearer picture of what I should look for.

UR the man Zenbaas, excellent post.
 
if he wants to keep his card and has 9k... why not go i7 ?

could get an i7 920, the P6t mobo, and 6Gigs DDR3 ? i know its faster then the GFX card will manage :P but rather future proof ? that with a like 750 PSU and a case will be +- 9K
 
4cer said:
if he wants to keep his card and has 9k... why not go i7 ?

could get an i7 920, the P6t mobo, and 6Gigs DDR3 ? i know its faster then the GFX card will manage :P but rather future proof ? that with a like 750 PSU and a case will be +- 9K
Click to expand...

P6T-SE ASUS Intel X58, LGA1366, 6.4GT/s QPI, 6xTriple DDR3 2000(O.C), 3xPCI-x16(CrossFire), 1xPCI-x1, 2xPCI, 6xSATAII(Raid 0,1,5,10), 1x eSATA, 1xATA133, Gbe Lan, 8ch-Sound HD, Max 12xUSB, 2xIEEE1394, ATX R 2,199 excl. R 2,506 incl.

Core I-7 2.6Ghz LGA 1366(1600FSB 8MB) R 2,389 excl. R 2,723 incl.

OCZ PC3-10666 DDR3 3GB Plat Low-Voltage Triple Channel 3x1GB KIT
Price: R650.00 OR OCZ DDR3-1600 Plat Triple Channel 3 x 1GB Kit
R839.04
OR
OCZ PC3-10666 DDR3 6GB Plat Low-Voltage Triple Channel 3x2GB KIT
Price: R1,199.00 ORhttp://www.digitalsaonline.co.za/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10411 OCZ DDR3-1600 6GB Intel i7 Edition Low Voltage 3 x 2GB Kit
R1,597.14

PSU R900
1TB HD R827
Case R?

Total:
3GB 1600 ram-R7795 leaving R1200 for case and extra fans
6GB 1333 ram-R8155 leaving R845 for case and extra fans

Tough choice :)
 
I missed the part where he said he has a 4870.

I wouldn't go 948 as it won't be around anymore in a month or two.
 
Definitely get a Crossfire Mobo so you can get another 4870 later on. And I second that pcint.co.za recommendation, I've bought from them before and they are great.
 
Qwikslver said:
I meant to say 775. AM3 just starting while 775 is just about dead.
Click to expand...

Depends how much of an upgrade junkie the OP is. In 3 years time the will be something much better once again and a "upgrade" at that stage may just be a waste. If he was interested in maybe upgrading once yearly then the AM3 mobo may be the better choice. But as things stand Im more inclined to go for the Q9550:)
 
Allthough i7 is the way to go for the future, I still prefer the core 2 as well. I'm not to big on upgrading as it always seems to escalate. You always start wanting to upgrade 1 component and once all the "this will work better with that"s and "this will drag me down"s are done you might as well have built a new PC.:D
 
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