New Rig - Comments Please

[Guss79]

Here are all the parts I'm planning to put into my new machine. Im looking for possible changes/modifications I should consider so please comment.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727&cm_re=phenom_ii_x4_965-_-19-103-727-_-Product

GPU: XFX HD-587A-ZNF9 Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150443&cm_re=xfx_radeon_5870-_-14-150-443-_-Product

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128377&Tpk=ga-ma790fxt-ud5p

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193&cm_re=GSKILL-_-20-231-193-_-Product

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284&Tpk=N82E16822136284

CD/DVD: LITE-ON Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD Writer LightScribe Support - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106328

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058&Tpk=antec%20nine%20hundred%20two

Monitor: SAMSUNG 2494SW Glossy Black 24" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 50000:1 (1000:1) - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001338

[whiffen]

Looks like a pretty solid rig to me

[CorporalAris]

I would change the Lite-On drive, I've had several fail, but other than, pretty solid.

[Unreal_Me]

Antec really needs to design a new great gaming case. As amazing as the 900 and 1200 cases are, they're about as rare as a grey rock.

[Biological-Bum]

I think you're good to go. That graphics card looks damn sweet. I normally would suggest getting a full tower case, but everything should fit relatively well. I'd also get a separate CPU heatsink/fan, but It may not fit too easily in the mid tower, depending on the size.

[Guss79]

some else suggested that I get a third party heatsink and fan because they tend to be better quality and quieter... I may splurge a little more for that.. depending. I can always get one after the computer arrives if Im not happy with the stock set.

Also, Im thinking of getting a sapphire card instead of an xfx.... but the one I have currently selected is sooo nice...

Anyone have any suggestions for the dvd burner? I was thinking samsung as a potential target brand, scooped one out but it runs at only 22x on dvds where other read at 24x... but the 24x ones, a lot of them seem to be loud.. but I dont think I will be bothered by the noise.. so maybe a sony would be good. LGs dont seem to be too hot.

Also thinking of changing to this monitor.. 28 inches of glory! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

Thanks so far on the reviews, its greatly appreciated!

[whiffen]

Stock coolers are fine so long as your not over clocking or constantly pushing the chip to its max load.

Even then there is still some headroom for a bit of over clocking and leaving the chip at 100% is fine as long as its not getting to hot, but your PC will warn you if it is before hand.

Its a nice thing to have sure, but defiantly not a necessity.

[Zipfinator]

Do you really need a 28" monitor? Seriously that's VERY big, especially for something only a foot or two away from your head. It's not healthy to have to turn your head from side to side when looking at a TV or monitor.

[fry_]

Also, Im thinking of getting a sapphire card instead of an xfx.... but the one I have currently selected is sooo nice...

I really like my Sapphire. (3870) Had it for over a year and no problems yet. Unfortunately its about time we parted ways, seeing as it is now 2 generations behind, and struggling to keep up with my game dev workload. However, when I bought it I didn't plan on keeping it more than a few months and it ended up lasting quite a while. Let me know how you like the 5870!

As far as getting a 3rd party heatsink, unless you're planning on OCing heavily AMD's included heatsink should be fine.

Looking good, all great brands.

Do you really need a 28" monitor? Seriously that's VERY big, especially for something only a foot or two away from your head. It's not healthy to have to turn your head from side to side when looking at a TV or monitor.

I've got a 28". I'll never go back to that puny 19" thing I used to use.

[Guss79]

Do you really need a 28" monitor? Seriously that's VERY big, especially for something only a foot or two away from your head. It's not healthy to have to turn your head from side to side when looking at a TV or monitor.

the only thing that may hold me back.. is the desk I currently have. If I find a way for it to sit far enough back, it wont be an issue.. but Ill have to figure that one out.

[nub]

I currently have a decent 20-inch Dell monitor that came with my system. I think the biggest I'll ever go is probably 24 inches though. I actually need to get a new monitor soon, as the bulb inside this one is going bad and I have ghosting near the center, which gets really annoying sometimes. It's not very noticeable in games where there's multiple tones and colors, but when I'm using programs like Photoshop or browsing the web and such, it stands out like crazy.


Anyway, if I'm to ever upgrade my monitor in the near future, it will be a full HD monitor. Just having an HD display makes the graphics look amazing.

[atelierz]

you can buy ocz ddr3 that's designed specifically for am3 black edition cpus.

also, am3 amd cpu warranty is void if you use any other heatsink but the one that comes with it. my guess is the only way they can tell is by testing thermal residue, but if you use one of the pastes they approve of (which you also must do to for the warranty to remain valid), i don't think anyone would be the wiser.

on that note the phenom ii is a good choice. i have a 955 quad and nothing comes close to taxing it (except hammer compile :P ).

[Guss79]

unfortunately, that ocz ddr3 ram is not on the mobo's supported memory list it seems... while its nice.. Im not sure I want to go for that ram since its not supported.. though Im sure it would work. Should I get that RAM instead anyways?