BleepingComputer.com: 1k Custom Gaming Build ( Need your input )

Hello,

I am building a new gaming computer and I need your input on a few things.
First off what do you think of the list so far, I am missing a PSU, Heatsink/ Fan & Video Card W/ Two DVI Ports.

Full Size Link 1: http://i48.tinypic.com/10yjlfo.jpg


Full Size Link 2: http://i47.tinypic.com/b5nq8p.jpg


So what do you think think, I would like to stay 1k or under.

Why is there an IDE DVD drive on the list?

Are you throwing 4 gigs or 8 gigs of RAM in this build?

This post has been edited by dpunisher: 13 December 2009 - 11:35 AM

Change the Phenom II X4 965 to the Phenom II X4 955.
Change the motherboard to the GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H.
Do you really need two optical drives?
The CPU comes with a heatsink+fan.
A good video card is the Radeon HD 5770.
A good PSU is the CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W.

So far, those are good choices but keep some things in mind. The motherboard is good, but if you're going to be using Crossfire, you may want a 790FX motherboard as it offers 16X speeds on both PCI-Express X16 slots while populated. The GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX is such a motherboard. The Phenom II 955 is a better value than the 965 as the processors are both pretty much identical, but the 955 costs less. So, to get 965 speeds on a 955, you just need to change the multiplier which is super easy. Also, always consider getting SATA drives as they are faster. The Radeon 5770 suggested above is a fine choice, go for it. Also, if you're planning on overclocking past 3.5GHz. you may need to purchase an aftermarket CPU heatsink and fan, like the Thermaltake CL-P0456 140mm CPU Cooler or, if you don't have as much cash to spend, the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler. Remember, larger fans are more efficient and, typically, quieter.

Skip the Sony drives, get a LG DVD burner instead.

It doesn't matter which drive you get, it's mostly a personal choice. What you're really buying is compatibility and data interface.

DJBPace07, on Dec 17 2009, 07:34 AM, said:

Well, the Sony Optiarc drives are proving to be unreliable on a long term basis.
So investing in something more reliable would help.

This post has been edited by ReviverSoft: 16 December 2009 - 09:20 PM

Unreliable, based on a few reviews at Newegg. The consensus seems to be that they work fine. Besides, once the OS and applications are installed, the optical drive is rarely used. That is, unless you burn CD's very regularly. You're fine with either LG, Sony, Lite-On, or Plextor. Some of the bundled software, if there is any, can be bad though.

DJBPace07, on Dec 18 2009, 04:07 AM, said:

Unreliable based on the consensus.
Anyway, upto the OP to decide.

Agreed, the OP should decide. BTW, the Sony Optiarc SATA has good reviews. I know the OP originally selected an IDE drive that cannot write discs and should not be used since it is so old, but it is obvious that a SATA drive is best. Out of 440 reviews for the Optiarc SATA drive, over 70% are 5 eggs. Searching the reviews for the word "broke" netted me four reviews, "failed" five reviews, and one "stopped working" review. So, yeah, that is a definate consensus on it's unreliability. An optical drive, a non Blu-Ray drive, is cheap and easily replaced if broken.

DJBPace07, on Dec 18 2009, 08:47 AM, said:

My verdict was based on expert reviews (tests) but you are right, they are cheap and easy to replace if things go wrong.
Moreover, there isn't really a difference in performance between an IDE and SATA optical drive.

This post has been edited by ReviverSoft: 18 December 2009 - 12:57 PM

With optical drives there is little difference with IDE or SATA, but some modern motherboards come with a limited number IDE connections so it is nice to keep such things in mind. From the four professional reviews I saw, all rated it 70 or above. Honestly, I'm surprised people are bothering to review such a common, inexpensive piece of hardware, but it is good nonetheless.

DJBPace07, on Dec 19 2009, 01:12 AM, said:

Yeah, a valid point.