iLLGT3 - PC - Build Log

killalldude · May 10, 2011

Why waste money on two CPU's - wait until you can get the i5.

:agreed:

iLLGT3 · May 10, 2011

I'll probably go with the current barebones kit I have chosen. Thanks for the input. :)

iLLGT3 · May 10, 2011

Sorry for the double post but I assume that the unlocked i5 means I can do more with it like OC? That's somewhat new to me.

killalldude · May 10, 2011

I'm pretty sure any CPU can be overclocked so long as it's not a prebuilt computer (Dell, HP, etc.)

Ryzza5 · May 11, 2011

Apparantly each of the new ones has a identical twin that has a 'K' in it which can be overclocked, whereas the others can't. Just when you thought there weren't enough CPUs to choose from. :rolleyes:

pyrre · May 11, 2011

Apparantly each of the new ones has a identical twin that has a 'K' in it which can be overclocked, whereas the others can't. Just when you thought there weren't enough CPUs to choose from. :rolleyes:

The non-K one's can be overclocked, it's just very limited (i5-2500 for example can be only OC'd to 3.8 GHz with all 4 cores active).

Edit: Reading around, it seems you can't even overclock with a H61 motherboard.

iLLGT3 · May 11, 2011

Trying to make a GFX card decision hopefully by today.. (I got paid :woot:)

What about this? Sapphire 100282XTREME Radeon HD 5850 Xtreme Edition Video Card

EDIT: This is one of the cards Pyrre recommended. I may pick this up then.. :)

EDIT2: But OMG I like this one too.. :/ PowerColor AX6850 1GBD5-DH Radeon HD 6850

killalldude · May 11, 2011

Go with the 6850 ;)

iLLGT3 · May 11, 2011

Found a Sapphire equivalent on Newegg..

Sapphire 6850

iLLGT3 · May 11, 2011

My choosen mobo has PCI express X1 and X16 slots.. Can I use a GFX card that has express 2.1 X16?

Seems like it would work and this is probably a stupid question but I just want to make sure.

And if I decide to go with another mobo down the line (which I probably will,) do I just swap it out with the current one and boot it up?

The one I have absolutely sucks. One PCI port and I'd like to have an optical port so I can use the full potential from my headphones.

pyrre · May 11, 2011

My choosen mobo has PCI express X1 and X16 slots.. Can I use a GFX card that has express 2.1 X16?

Seems like it would work and this is probably a stupid question but I just want to make sure.

And if I decide to go with another mobo down the line (which I probably will,) do I just swap it out with the current one and boot it up?

The one I have absolutely sucks. One PCI port and I'd like to have an optical port so I can use the full potential from my headphones.

Yes a PCI-E 2.1 car will work on it.

About the card, if the 6850 is cheaper then go with it, otherwise I'd recommend the 5850 as it's sligthly better (For some reason Tigerdirect's site doesn't work for me anymore, so can't check prices. :confused:)

When changing motherboard usually the best thing to do would be reinstalling Windows. Swapping a mobo without reinstalling can screw things up (before my current rig I just swapped it without reinstalling Windows, took me 1-2 days to get it sorted).

iLLGT3 · May 11, 2011

I've narrowed down my choices..

Sapphire 5850 - $159.99

XFX 5850 - 189.99 kinda high, probably won't go with this one..

Sapphire 6850 - $169.99 free shipping

XFX 6850 - $179.99 $159.99 w/rebate

I'm pretty sure the Sapphire 5850 is what I'm going to get. I would like to have 2 DVI ports but I don't really need them. Don't plan on using 2 monitors often but whatevzzzz

Ryzza5 · May 12, 2011

XFX usually cost moer because they still honor warranty when you overclock/mod the cards to make them perform better. I'm more on the nVidia camp so I'll let someone else help you decide.

iLLGT3 · May 12, 2011

^^ hahaha.

I'll go with nVidia one day. I've always used ATi and never had problems. Don't have anything against nVidia..

EDIT: I'm going with the XFX 6850 from Tiger Direct. For some reason, I can't seem to find out how to do two different payment options (gift card and credit card...) :(

iLLGT3 · May 12, 2011

Bought the XFX 6850 from Tiger Direct..

Now a PSU.

Would this Cooler Master 750W be a good choice?

EDIT: I bought that too..

killalldude · May 12, 2011

That's not bad, but I found a modular 700W OZC power supply for $70 here. A modular power supply is better because it doesn't have a whole bunch of wires comming out of the back. It comes with wires that attach to the PSU on one end and attach to your motherboard, HDDs, video cards, etc. on the other end. This keeps the inside of your computer neater and is better for airflow. And better airflow means a coolr computer. ;)

iLLGT3 · May 13, 2011

I went ahead and bought that 750 watt. I looked at modulars and most of them seemed really pricey.

I will be selling the Eagle Voltas 550W PSU that comes with this barebone kit for $20 when I get it.

iLLGT3 · May 18, 2011

Look what just came in..

-- OLD IMAGE REMOVED (imageshack) --

killalldude · May 18, 2011

Nice card man!

iLLGT3 · May 18, 2011

Thanks! It's so big. ;)

killalldude · May 18, 2011

^ That's what she said (sorry I just had to :happyroll:)

iLLGT3 · May 18, 2011

I was hoping for that response. Glad you did thanks. :)

All that's left if the barebones kit and my PSU which is on the way.

iLLGT3 · May 18, 2011

I'm actually thinking of going with an i5 and choosing the rest of the parts manually.. I can save some money by doing that because the barebone kit I have comes with a PSU which I have already ordered..

killalldude · May 18, 2011

Dooooo iiiiit! FYI, CPUs are generally cheaper at your local computer store. I bought my i7 online for like $250 and then the next weekend Microcenter had a sale on CPUs and the i7 was 199. I hated myself that day lol.