Does This Look like a Good Rig?

[MEHEARTJC]

I really want to get back into PC gaming, but I need a new rig. I just don't feel up to the hassle of researchingn individual parts.

I would like some opinions on this newegg bundle. Is it a good deal and can run the latest games? I'll need a new video card which will end up costing me around $800 when it is all done, I'm sure.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.354210

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by MEHEARTJC

I would like some opinions on this newegg bundle. Is it a good deal and can run the latest games? I'll need a new video card which will end up costing me around $800 when it is all done, I'm sure.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.354210

Running the latest games shouldn't be an issue. With that said, two of the components give me pause:

i) OCZ StealthXStream 700W PSU (supposedly, the 600W model suffered from ripple issues, but it's unknown if this issue plagued the 700W as well. I prefer Corsair and Seasonic for PSUs)

ii) Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB HDD (the failures of the Barracuda 7200.11 drive in early 2009 are well documented, as well as how the matter was addressed subsequently have soured many a user, especially those on Seagate's own forums. Here is a reminder of what happened). For HDDs, I prefer Western Digital, especially the Black line; RE3s are solid as well)

Both can be swapped, but that would nullify any combo savings. I prefer to pay extra for components that I'm familiar with and believe in soundly, but that's me.

[Seeking_Alpha]

Yeah, Seagate 7200.11 drives = no buy

Everything else looks good

[tootall82103]

I haven't built a computer in awhile and was bored..

-I like this mobo cause it rids all that old dead tech.. No IDE/PS2/other crap and intel makes quality boards (not for extreme overclocking though)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121388

-Antec makes top notch cases, good price and it has fans in all slots less the side panel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129066

-Antec makes top notch power supplies also. This is a good one that will support any single video card and its modular so you don't have a cluserf#@k of wires in your case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371016

-I'm a Mushkin man when it comes to RAM. But you can't go wrong with Corsair either. Gskill seems to be the new thing but I have no experience with them. Corsair seems to be a good price though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145260

-Just stuck with the i5-750 for the cpu.. it's a good one!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-215-_-Product

-Had to skimp a bit on the hard drive to keep the price close.. 500gb is more than enough for many people though. If you need more you can always get an external for storage.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320

Total in my box is $615.. I think that covers everything that was part of the combo..
All you need is a video card, OS, DVD drive, keyboard and mouse!

Here is a video card suggestion. ATI 5770!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-873-_-Product


Oh.. and if E-Sata really means that much to you..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-052-_-Product

[Icecoldblue]

Originally Posted by tootall82103

I haven't built a computer in awhile and was bored..

-I like this mobo cause it rids all that old dead tech.. No IDE/PS2/other crap and intel makes quality boards (not for extreme overclocking though)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121388

-Antec makes top notch cases, good price and it has fans in all slots less the side panel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129066

-Antec makes top notch power supplies also. This is a good one that will support any single video card and its modular so you don't have a cluserf#@k of wires in your case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371016

-I'm a Mushkin man when it comes to RAM. But you can't go wrong with Corsair either. Gskill seems to be the new thing but I have no experience with them. Corsair seems to be a good price though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145260

-Just stuck with the i5-750 for the cpu.. it's a good one!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-215-_-Product

-Had to skimp a bit on the hard drive to keep the price close.. 500gb is more than enough for many people though. If you need more you can always get an external for storage.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320

Total in my box is $615.. I think that covers everything that was part of the combo..
All you need is a video card, OS, DVD drive, keyboard and mouse!

Here is a video card suggestion. ATI 5770!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-873-_-Product


Oh.. and if E-Sata really means that much to you..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-052-_-Product

Other than the "Love it" or "Hate it" look, I think this case from CoolerMaster would be a better buy:
HAF 922
Benefits over the Antec:
-Tooless Hard Drive rack and 5.25" bays.
-Allows for cable management (gets wires out of the way for increased air flow and better look).
-Has USB/Firewire/E-Sata/Audio (Headphone/Mic) on the front of the case.
-Quieter Fans
-Has the ability to add water cooling and another 200mm fan.


I gotta head out to class. So, I'll be back to review the rest of that list.

Cheers.

[sonicboom]

Personally I'm not a fan of modular power supplies, and I also recommend one with a single rail 12v.

Also a big fan of the Antec 1200, it's massive, but gives you plenty of space to work with.

[Icecoldblue]

Originally Posted by sonicboom

Personally I'm not a fan of modular power supplies, and I also recommend one with a single rail 12v.

Also a big fan of the Antec 1200, it's massive, but gives you plenty of space to work with.

For 160$ there are a lot of cases that give the same thing. Unfortunately, the OP is probably thinking with his wallet.

tootall82103, the ram you linked is DDR3-1600 and the MoBo is only rated to DDR3-1333. This could cause a conflict with stability or have the system not even make it to POST. I'd suggest using ram rated for the board (ie. Mushkin, Corsair).
The rest of the suggestions seem OK. I'd spend more to get a better motherboard and power supply, but that's just me.

If the OP needs extra HD space later on, I'd suggest buying another internal drive unless it HAS to be portable or is required for backups only. It's a waste of Desktop space, AC plug-in, and extra money to buy a external over a internal when it isn't needed.

Cheers.

[tootall82103]

Originally Posted by Icecoldblue

For 160$ there are a lot of cases that give the same thing. Unfortunately, the OP is probably thinking with his wallet.

tootall82103, the ram you linked is DDR3-1600 and the MoBo is only rated to DDR3-1333. This could cause a conflict with stability or have the system not even make it to POST. I'd suggest using ram rated for the board (ie. Mushkin, Corsair).
The rest of the suggestions seem OK. I'd spend more to get a better motherboard and power supply, but that's just me.

If the OP needs extra HD space later on, I'd suggest buying another internal drive unless it HAS to be portable or is required for backups only. It's a waste of Desktop space, AC plug-in, and extra money to buy a external over a internal when it isn't needed.

Cheers.

The ram speed doesn't matter too much. It will just downclock itself from 1600 to 1333. At most the OP will have to adjust the timings in the BIOS. I prefer external storage (it doesn't take up that much space) A Dlink-DNS 321 with a couple of hard drives in a raid-1 is fantastic. Plus it's hooked up through my router which I like.

[quetzalcoatl]

Originally Posted by sonicboom

Personally I'm not a fan of modular power supplies, and I also recommend one with a single rail 12v.

Also a big fan of the Antec 1200, it's massive, but gives you plenty of space to work with.

Where I can agree on the single 12v rail I will never buy another power suppy that is not modular. It helps so much for cable mgmt and keeping the air flow better.

[Icecoldblue]

Originally Posted by tootall82103

The ram speed doesn't matter too much. It will just downclock itself from 1600 to 1333. At most the OP will have to adjust the timings in the BIOS. I prefer external storage (it doesn't take up that much space) A Dlink-DNS 321 with a couple of hard drives in a raid-1 is fantastic. Plus it's hooked up through my router which I like.

I realize it may down-clock, I'm just not sure how a cheap Intel board will handle it or if the OP knows how to change timings on ram, and this was just a recommendation.

As for the Drive bay, to each their own .

Originally Posted by quetzalcoatl

Where I can agree on the single 12v rail I will never buy another power suppy that is not modular. It helps so much for cable mgmt and keeping the air flow better.

That can pretty well be negated by a well built case as it should have decent a cable management system.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by Icecoldblue

I realize it may down-clock, I'm just not sure how a cheap Intel board will handle it or if the OP knows how to change timings on ram, and this was just a recommendation.

At the very least, there are default settings for memory timings within the BIOS (usually set by the vendor at the factory). To improve critical memory timings, the user will need to venture into the BIOS, then experiment with various settings (this is optional, but beneficial).

That can pretty well be negated by a well built case as it should have decent a cable management system.

Even if a case doesn't provide cable management, there are aftermarket accessories (e.g. wraps, clips, clamps, ties) that are readily available.