Joined: Dec 19, 2012
Posts: 32
Location: Plano, TX
Joined: May 31, 2011
Posts: 2631
Location: Fort McMurray, AB
A bigger/better PSU. I think 500w is the requirement for that GPU, but I'd get a 600w, at least. Though I've never heard of Raidmax. A high-quality PSU is essential. Silverstone, Corsair, Thermaltake, Enermax, Antec all make great PSUs. A cheap PSUs more likely to have unstable voltages, or even fry your system, taking many parts with it.
Those CPUs overclock VERY well, and very easily. I'd suggest an aftermarket cooler. even a cheaper one would suffice. Arctic Colling makes decent ones that can be found for under 30 bucks.
You have no desire for a Blu ray drive?
Seagate HDDs have historically been very good, but it seems they've been producing more duds in the past few years, like with Hitachi and Maxtor. Western Digital seems to have the best track record. In any case, makes sure it's a sata3.
Are you going for a mATX motherboard for any particular reason? It may not matter to you , but it has no SLI support, and only 2 DIMMs (RAM slots). It also has onboard video, which you won't really need. But it looks to a be nice mATX, though. The z77 chipset is a good one.
-- Of all the soles I've ever tasted, his had the most ....cumin. --
Joined: Jul 12, 2007
Posts: 13676
Personally I would not get ati graphics card I prefer nvidia. Also agree about mobo I prefer atx it allows for more ram and onboard graphics are unneeded. Psu now requirement may be different in USA to GB but I would get a 750w min. Preferably a 900w and ssd for os would improve load times etc
It is Going To Hurt
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Joined: Jul 30, 2011
Posts: 1039
Location: Chilliwack B.C.
In November I just bought a Gateway Fx 6860 with Intel I7 3.4, 12 GB of Ram, Radeon 7770 2GB, 750 watt power supply, 2TB 7200rpm hard drive, DVD R & R player $750.00 on Amazon.com Regular price $1149.00
Joined: Mar 24, 2009
Posts: 2012
Location: Washington
Joined: Dec 19, 2012
Posts: 32
Location: Plano, TX
Thanks for all the replies! The reason that I was thinking about going with the mATX motherboard was that it has reviewed very well and it is one of the most reasonably priced Z77 boards. I don't have a whole lot of money to work with at the moment so I was trying to save where I could. Would it be better for me to get a normal ATX motherboard and just wait a bit longer?
As far as the ATI vs Nvidia goes, I've gone back and forth between this card and a GTX 660ti I just haven't gotten to get 100% of my research done on them yet.
I appreciate the reminder about the CPU cooler, I simply didn't think about it. I'll be adding that into my list of things that I need.
I'll also look at upgrading the PSU, I appreciate the feedback.
Joined: Dec 31, 2012
Posts: 81
The only notes I would offer is to go with base bones set up if you can.
Two reasons....
Cost could go down
They usually burn in the system for 24 hours.
The first one is so so, but the second one can save you a ton of time on your first computer build. The only consideration is part of the build would be done for you, but very minor.
The bare bones deals can be something simple like MOBO and RAM with case and PS or all the way.
I like New Egg, but if you go with another place on the Internet check them out at BBB.org first. I have been taken a couple of times when I did not check. If they are not listed at better business you may want to go somewhere else even though the price may be attractive.
Last bit of advise:
But the most you can to get the best back for your buck. If you splurge now it will save you down the road from the "18moth" upgrade cycle and push that to 2.5 or even three years.
Lefte
Lefte
Flexibility is the key to Air Superiority
Joined: Feb 09, 2013
Posts: 212
Location: Union, Missouri
I just built me a new system, always ran Intel an Nvidia. But this time AMD all the way. Cost was a factor this build and had to see how it was different.
AMD Vishera FX 8350 Proc, Asus M5A99FX PRO Mainboard, 16GB DDR 3 1600, WD VRaptor WD2500HHTZ, 2 XFX 7770 Video Card. You definetely need at least 700 watt power supply.
Joined: Feb 23, 2013
Posts: 18
Location: Michigan, United States
Older thread and all, but I am posting on it anyways. Lefte is right. Splurge now and you will have a computer that will last you a good while. Its all about splurging on the right componets. I would say mainly the CPU, MOBO and PSU..... RAM, Vid Card, HDs, DVD//B-Ray can all be upgraded a year or two (or more) out for sure if you go big on those components initially. I bought my current computer in 2008. I've upgraded the RAM, Vid card, HDs, OS since and did some general maintenance replacing some fans since then and I still think its faster than some of the pre-built computers that I see for sale in stores today.
AMD Athlon X2 6400 (Dual Core 3.2GHZ)
8GB DDR2 Kingston RAM
GeForce GTX 460 1GB DDR5 RAM
80 GB SSD (OS HD)
Duel 1TB Western Digital HDs in Raid
Antec 750 Watt PSU
Windows 7 home Premium.
I run games as late as Black Ops 2 at 1920x1200 res and pull a good 60-80 frames per second. By far not the best with the stuff thats out on the market today. However, it just proves my point on the splurging part and upgradability that you should think about when designing a machine of your own.
Dr. D.
