Aja on 26/10/2010 at 06:31
I'm doing the unthinkable: after years of using only a notebook PC, I'm considering building another desktop. Its primary function would be as an audio workstation (recording and editing), but, naturally, I can't build a computer unless it plays games well. Trying to keep costs low, but if it can't run stuff on high detail at 1920x1080 then what's the point??
So here's what I've got so far, after a day's research:
* (
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX29798(ME).aspx) Core i5 760 2.8GHz w/8MB cache -- $209
* (
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX28543(ME).aspx) Gigabyte GA-H57M -- $129
* (2x)(
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX30153(ME).aspx) Corsair 4GB XMS3 PC3-10600 DDR3 -- $159
* (
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX30933(ME).aspx) Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 -- $279
* (
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX24082(ME).aspx) Seagate 1TB Barracuda 7200prm -- $56
* (
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX24742(ME).aspx) Antec EarthWatts EA 750W PS -- $119
* some case to hold it all
Comparing the i5 to most i7s in an even remotely similar price bracket didn't make the upgrade seem worth it. The motherboard has a quality firewire chipset, which is necessary for the audio interface, and also usb 3.0 for when firewire finally, thankfully, is abandoned. The graphics card could easily be a GTX470, but I hear they run hotter and noisier. So it's under a thousand before the case. And the case is really the annoying part: it seems that, for a PC gamer, the height of design aesthetics is massive blue LEDs that turn with the fans. I'd prefer something classier. Any suggestions (noise is a bit of a concern too, so I'd sacrifice some style if meant a quieter machine)?
Otherwise, how's it hold up?
EvaUnit02 on 26/10/2010 at 06:51
If you had asked a year ago whether it worth getting a quad core CPU for gaming, most would've said not really, but that's not the case now. The games that noticeably benefit from Quad core processing are gradually growing. Eg ArmA 2 and DICE's titles built on the Frostbite engine like Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and Medal of Honour 2010's MP component. Both ArmA 2 and BFBC2 demonstrate tremendous FPS boosts over dual core. Highly likely the majority of future Eastern European developed critical darlings that are PC exclusive will benefit from having a quad core CPU.
Aja on 26/10/2010 at 07:26
Right, but the i5 760 is a quad-core, at least according to the product sheet I linked to. Most of the benchmarks I found showed minimal performance difference between it and all but the fastest i7s.
Koki on 26/10/2010 at 08:20
The main difference I believe would be the fact that entire Lynnfield line(i5 7xx) has Hyperthreading disabled.
And lol, ATI video card. Don't worry, I heard that the driver crashes only occassionally now.
Sulphur on 26/10/2010 at 08:52
Rig looks good, Aja. There really is minimal difference apart from the Hyperthreading support between an i5 and an i7, and you can overclock the i5's pretty easily if you want more juice. Haven't checked out the motherboard, but I can't see you wanting much more than what you've already got chalked out for the things you're going to run.
Also, Koki, stop being a dumbass.
Brian The Dog on 26/10/2010 at 09:03
The rig does look good. The only thing I was wondering is how into your sound-editing you'll be on it, because audophiles go for dedicated soundcards. I recently went for an X-Fi PCI and everything does sound better even through my basic 2.0 speakers (admittedly I was going from a basic Realtek AC97 onboard audio). Although the onboard sound on that motherboard does look quite good.
Also, if you want it quiet, get a good CPU cooler fan. I have used Zalman ones before, but anything for about $40 should work fine and be nice and quiet.
Aja on 26/10/2010 at 15:41
I won't be using onboard sound; forgot to mention I already have an MAudio 2496, which, although it's old, should still work well for editing and playback. And when recording, the audio interface does sound-duty.
Ostriig on 26/10/2010 at 16:49
I might be tempted to go for the i7-860 for the hyperthreaded quad, but that might be just geek snobbery on my part. But as for the graphics debate I really think it boils down to whether you want PhysX and nVidia Stereoscopic support versus ATI's Eyefinity. Personally, I'd probably stick with nVidia, as I imagine that if I expected to (
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=106492) run three screens Eyefinity-style I'd likely want to be running an SLI setup anyway. Though for some proper Eyefinity feedback you might wanna check out VA's (
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133644) post.
Aja on 27/10/2010 at 03:26
Koki, you had the chance to make a laptop joke but you went for graphics card?? You're slipping, man!
Ostriig: I looked up hyperthreading, and I'm not sure it actually makes a difference for any of the applications I'll be using. And multi-screen gaming is not something I'll be doing in any near future.
Koki on 27/10/2010 at 06:59
That wasn't a joke.
