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eegee

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Yep, this is yet another rate my build thread. I've set up a custom build and I'd like opinions on what I chose. My budget is around R 5 000.00 and the PC will be used for games such as Sims 3 and Skyrim. The games don't have to run at max settings; moderate settings are okay as long as there's no lag.

Below is my proposed build. If there was more than one option in a section I chose the one in green, the light green is the lowest price for the chosen item, and the *Esquire prices are only valid for this week. Some of the prices might not be exact. I've decided to go for a quad core instead of a dual with a better after-market cooler and a little slower GFX card. The questions I'm asking myself are along the lines of: should I rather go for more RAM, less CPU, etc.?

q0PKnkah
 
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I think that will handle Skyrim just fine - just wondering though, are those Esquire prices including VAT? cos they normally list their prices excl.
 
Just make sure that the graphics card takes just 1x 6-pin PCI-E power connector, because that Corsair CX430 includes only 1x 6-pin PCI-E connector for the graphics card.

You can always use a molex to PCI-E adapter, but it just doesn't look that nice - but no one will see it if your case doesn't have a side window in any case :D
I think the graphics cards usually includes the 2x molex to PCI-E adapter in any case - or at least my MSI Cyclone GTX460 came with one.
 
Cool, thanks. As far as I know the 6850 only needs one but the 6870 needs two. That's why the molex converter is there but not selected. "Luckily" the case doesn't have a side window. ;)
 
Consider chucking the 61 chipset mobo and go for a Foxconn H67M-S LGA1155 motherboard. R700
This one got USB3.0, SATA6G ect which that specific H61 mobo does not have.
No matter what the phanbois says foxconn makes great motherboards. Just check the reviews on new egg.

Your PSU is to lite for a HD6850
A 6850 need 25amp current and a 500 watt psu.
Coolermaster RC-430 , Elite 430 Code CH-CE430W+500 approx R790
It has a 500watt already included
Works out at about the same as your separate case and psu put together.

Also consider a HD7750. Its about the same price as the HD6850 but it uses less power.
 
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droid said:
Consider chucking the 61 chipset mobo and go for a Foxconn H67M-S LGA1155 motherboard. R700
This one got USB3.0, SATA6G ect which that specific H61 mobo does not have.
No matter what the phanbois says foxconn makes great motherboards. Just check the reviews on new egg.
Click to expand...
USB 3.0 & SATA 3 are both nice to have features, but not really something that you need in a budget PC. You can rather upgrade the GPU or CPU.

Your GPU is to lite for a HD6850
A 6850 need 25amp current and a 500 watt psu.
Coolermaster RC-430 , Elite 430 Code CH-CE430W+500 approx R790
It has a 500watt already included
Works out at about the same your separate case and psu together.
Click to expand...
I think you meant to say that the PSU is too lightweight to handle the HD6850, which is not true either. The card peaks at 118W, so there is NO WAY it'll come close to 12A even.
The bundled PSU's are all utterly crap and should be avoided, unless you found really good reviews on that particular one. So my advice is to stick with the Corsair CX430.

Also consider a HD7750. It about the same price as the HD6850 but it uses less power.
Click to expand...
The HD7750 is a fair bit slower than the HD6850.
The HD7770 on the other hand costs the same (or actually less in the link that I'll give) than the HD6850, but it performs the same (a bit below the 6850 at high resolutions) and it uses way less power. Here's a review of it: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/HD_7770_DirectCU/24.html * Take note that this Asus card in the review is overclocked slightly more than the Gigabyte one I'm listing below.

Here's an Gigabyte AMD HD7770 OC model @ R1580 (incl VAT, excl shipping): http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=5395
And here's a review on this exact card, which is actually faster than the Asus (from the previous review): http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/HD_7770_OC/26.html
If you are overclocking, then this card is perhaps not for you, because you won't be able to overclock it any further than the factory overclock, unless your VERY lucky.

@Droid:
Thanks for giving other options - it is always good to know your options ;)
 
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Yay PADA, that HD7770 is a good spot. The OP should definitely look at that. Will probably also save a tree or two:-)
 
droid said:
Your PSU is to lite for a HD6850
A 6850 need 25amp current and a 500 watt psu.
Coolermaster RC-430 , Elite 430 Code CH-CE430W+500 approx R790
It has a 500watt already included
Works out at about the same as your separate case and psu put together.
Click to expand...

No, just no! :)
 
My 6850 ran for a year on a HiPro 430W PSU (true 430W output, but very cheap) without a glitch, so a Corsair CX430 will definitely do.
 
Eegee, you would do well to take a look at Rebeltech's pricing. They're cheaper than half the prices out there.
 
The HD 7770 looks good, thanks Pada; I like it. I've also gone and added Rebeltech's pricing, thanks froot.

My new proposed build (with Esquire's special tomorrow) will be:

bIiiPyBI
 
droid said:
Good to hear you can actually run it on lower power psu's.
This lowers the price of entry into gaming.
Seems like the recommended does not mean "definitely need" :-)

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desk...6850/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6850-overview.aspx#3
Click to expand...
The power supply recommendations are much higher than the minimum requirements, because they have to cater for crappy power supplies + high end CPU's.
Like the 25A minimum requirement on the +12V rail includes the power required by the GPU + CPU in most cases.
 
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