Possible budget gaming PC build?

[ratman]

Case

Now that I have found the following to be good:

CPU - Intel Core i5 760 CPU - $211.00
MOBO - Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3 - $155.00
RAM - 2 x 2Gb DDR3 1333 Corsair Memory - $56.00
GPU - ATI Radeon HD 5850 - $289.00
Hard Drive - 1000Gb 1Tb Seagate SATA2 32Mb - $63.00
Optical Drive - Benq Black 24X SATA DVD Writer - $34.00
PSU - ANTEC TRUEPOWER NEW 650W - $145.00
Case - Antec VSK-2000 ATX Black - $69.00
OS - Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit DVD OEM - $108.00
Total of $1130

How will can I be sure that the long video card I will use (the ATI Radeon HD 5850) will fit? Is there any way of knowing before I buy it?

Also, the case has two front panel USB 2.0 ports. Does that mean that the USB 3 functionality on the MOBO is wasted?

 

[parabellum]

A 5850 is already outdated by the 6850, and the USB 3.0 ports won't be used if you buy that case except at the rear. You do know the AMD 965 CPU is over $50 cheaper in MSY right?

 

[Fumz]

A 5850 is already outdated by the 6850

... *sigh*

ATI Radeon HD 6800: Generation Next?. Page 13 - X-bit labs

ratman,

You should probably check the link before you just accept that the newer 6850 is better than a 5850; dependent on the games you like to play, you'll be glad you did. You're going to find the 6000 series is often outclassed by the 5000 series.

Here's more of the 6000's: here the 6870 outpaces the 5870 in only a couple games. Natural Born Winner: Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 Review . Page 7 - X-bit labs

 

[SlackerITGuy]

Now that I have found the following to be good:

CPU - Intel Core i5 760 CPU - $211.00
MOBO - Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3 - $155.00
RAM - 2 x 2Gb DDR3 1333 Corsair Memory - $56.00
GPU - ATI Radeon HD 5850 - $289.00
Hard Drive - 1000Gb 1Tb Seagate SATA2 32Mb - $63.00
Optical Drive - Benq Black 24X SATA DVD Writer - $34.00
PSU - ANTEC TRUEPOWER NEW 650W - $145.00
Case - Antec VSK-2000 ATX Black - $69.00
OS - Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit DVD OEM - $108.00
Total of $1130

How will can I be sure that the long video card I will use (the ATI Radeon HD 5850) will fit? Is there any way of knowing before I buy it?

Also, the case has two front panel USB 2.0 ports. Does that mean that the USB 3 functionality on the MOBO is wasted?

That build looks fantastic mate.

Good CPU (It's pretty much a 930 without HT or a triple channel memory controller [which IMO = pretty useless in everyday stuff/gaming]).

Excellent Motherboard/RAM/PSU (Antec is top notch).

What I'd change is the Video card. The HD 5850, while a great solid card, is "somewhat" old, in fact, for that kind of money, you could probably get a HD 6870 or a GTX 470 (much better choices).

 

[TechnoMan]

Now that I have found the following to be good:

Also, the case has two front panel USB 2.0 ports. Does that mean that the USB 3 functionality on the MOBO is wasted?

The front panel is not where the motherboard goes. The motherboard is usually at the back and you will get USB 3 there.

 

[ratman]

Oh, that makes sense now...

So the case will be alright assuming that the graphics card etc will fit?

 

[smarteyeball]

What I'd change is the Video card. The HD 5850, while a great solid card, is "somewhat" old, in fact, for that kind of money, you could probably get a HD 6870 or a GTX 470 (much better choices).

The price of a 5850 is still cheaper than a 470/6870 here in Aus (Roughly $100)

Stock availability for the 6870 is also still a bit of an issue. A newer card would be preferable, but it's up to ratman how far he can extend his budget.

The same applies to the RAM. For decent 1600mhz+, regardless of Brand it ranges from double to triple the amount of the value Kingston.

As for card dimensions:

5850
24.13 cm X 12 cm X 4 cm

6870

10.3 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches (about 26 cm)

(for comparison of a potential future Large card upgrade)

5970
30.5 cm x 10 cm x 3.3 cm

That case will fit a 5850/6870 - may be pushing it for 'mega long' cards


Ratman, where are you sourcing your parts from? PCCG, MSY etc?

 

[parabellum]

A 5850 is already outdated by the 6850

... *sigh*

ATI Radeon HD 6800: Generation Next?. Page 13 - X-bit labs

ratman,

You should probably check the link before you just accept that the newer 6850 is better than a 5850; dependent on the games you like to play, you'll be glad you did. You're going to find the 6000 series is often outclassed by the 5000 series.

Here's more of the 6000's: here the 6870 outpaces the 5870 in only a couple games. Natural Born Winner: Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 Review . Page 7 - X-bit labs

The 5870 is less than 10% faster then the 6870 and the 6870's tessellation is far superior as it has more ALU's then the 5870 - over 20% more. The 6850 also matches or exceeds said 5850.

 

[ratman]

Yay, another Aussie!

Probably mostly from netplus.com.au, it is my local PC store (just down the road) and lots of the parts are cheapest there, disregarding shipping.

Some from PLE computers, also down the road from me.

I looked at PCCG and there were cheap parts there but the shipping complicated things a bit too much. I could get parts at PCCG if it were cheaper though.

Any suggestions as to the best place to get them from?

 

[parabellum]

Yay, another Aussie!

Probably mostly from netplus.com.au, it is my local PC store (just down the road) and lots of the parts are cheapest there, disregarding shipping.

Some from PLE computers, also down the road from me.

I looked at PCCG and there were cheap parts there but the shipping complicated things a bit too much. I could get parts at PCCG if it were cheaper though.

Any suggestions as to the best place to get them from?

MSY. I always get parts from them. Don't judge them from their parts list.

 

[smarteyeball]

Lol, I forgot I removed my flag (I'm in Brisbane)

I have a MSY about 15 mins away from me, but when they don't have the stock I want (which is often ), I generally use PCCG.

Otherwise I sometimes use megabuy (but there prices aren't that cheap any more )

Being in WA, go local for the majority if you can. I'm just looking at netplus atm - brb.

 

[ratman]

A 5850 is already outdated by the 6850

... *sigh*

ATI Radeon HD 6800: Generation Next?. Page 13 - X-bit labs

ratman,

You should probably check the link before you just accept that the newer 6850 is better than a 5850; dependent on the games you like to play, you'll be glad you did. You're going to find the 6000 series is often outclassed by the 5000 series.

Here's more of the 6000's: here the 6870 outpaces the 5870 in only a couple games. Natural Born Winner: Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 Review . Page 7 - X-bit labs

The 5870 is less than 10% faster then the 6870 and the 6870's tessellation is far superior as it has more ALU's then the 5870 - over 20% more. The 6850 also matches or exceeds said 5850.

HD 6850 vs 5850 - techPowerUp! Forums

The 5850 is listed as 6% better performance than the 6850.

 

[parabellum]

... *sigh*

ATI Radeon HD 6800: Generation Next?. Page 13 - X-bit labs

ratman,

You should probably check the link before you just accept that the newer 6850 is better than a 5850; dependent on the games you like to play, you'll be glad you did. You're going to find the 6000 series is often outclassed by the 5000 series.

Here's more of the 6000's: here the 6870 outpaces the 5870 in only a couple games. Natural Born Winner: Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 Review . Page 7 - X-bit labs

The 5870 is less than 10% faster then the 6870 and the 6870's tessellation is far superior as it has more ALU's then the 5870 - over 20% more. The 6850 also matches or exceeds said 5850.

HD 6850 vs 5850 - techPowerUp! Forums

The 5850 is listed as 6% better performance than the 6850.

"The 5850 is faster in raw power. But I would get the 6850 because it's cheaper, uses less power, and has some other tweaks in it."

"tesselation is also faster with these cards"

"They are so close to the same, that's not even funny."

I'd get a 6870 for a bit more.

 

[Fumz]

A 5850 is already outdated by the 6850

... *sigh*

ATI Radeon HD 6800: Generation Next?. Page 13 - X-bit labs

ratman,

You should probably check the link before you just accept that the newer 6850 is better than a 5850; dependent on the games you like to play, you'll be glad you did. You're going to find the 6000 series is often outclassed by the 5000 series.

Here's more of the 6000's: here the 6870 outpaces the 5870 in only a couple games. Natural Born Winner: Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 Review . Page 7 - X-bit labs

The 5870 is less than 10% faster then the 6870 and the 6870's tessellation is far superior as it has more ALU's then the 5870 - over 20% more. The 6850 also matches or exceeds said 5850.

That the 6800's have better tessellation than the 5800's matters little; they run games slower than the 5800's... and that's often the bottom line, right.

 

[parabellum]

... *sigh*

ATI Radeon HD 6800: Generation Next?. Page 13 - X-bit labs

ratman,

You should probably check the link before you just accept that the newer 6850 is better than a 5850; dependent on the games you like to play, you'll be glad you did. You're going to find the 6000 series is often outclassed by the 5000 series.

Here's more of the 6000's: here the 6870 outpaces the 5870 in only a couple games. Natural Born Winner: Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 Review . Page 7 - X-bit labs

The 5870 is less than 10% faster then the 6870 and the 6870's tessellation is far superior as it has more ALU's then the 5870 - over 20% more. The 6850 also matches or exceeds said 5850.

That the 6800's have better tessellation than the 5800's matters little; they run games slower than the 5800's... and that's often the bottom line, right.

Not enough to make a difference.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/xfx_radeon_hd_6870_review

 

[ratman]

The 5870 is less than 10% faster then the 6870 and the 6870's tessellation is far superior as it has more ALU's then the 5870 - over 20% more. The 6850 also matches or exceeds said 5850.

That the 6800's have better tessellation than the 5800's matters little; they run games slower than the 5800's... and that's often the bottom line, right.

Not enough to make a difference.

XFX Radeon HD 6870 Review | Maximum PC

Either way, they are both good cards that can suit a person like me who wants affordable yet good graphics capabilities.

 

[parabellum]

That the 6800's have better tessellation than the 5800's matters little; they run games slower than the 5800's... and that's often the bottom line, right.

Not enough to make a difference.

XFX Radeon HD 6870 Review | Maximum PC

Either way, they are both good cards that can suit a person like me who wants affordable yet good graphics capabilities.

True, so which one?

 

[ratman]

I'll go for the 5850 because it has slightly higher performance for a slightly higher yet affordable cost. I know, the benefits are minimal, I just believe that the 5850 has better drivers, has been around longer and is more well known.

 

[parabellum]

It'll be enough. My system in my specs has no problems with any games and I know you won't have any trouble either.

 

[TechnoMan]

I'll go for the 5850 because it has slightly higher performance for a slightly higher yet affordable cost. I know, the benefits are minimal, I just believe that the 5850 has better drivers, has been around longer and is more well known.

Especially if you're just playing COD