Resolved Seeking component suggestions for Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4

I am putting together a new computer. So far, I know that I want this:

Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 motherboard
AMD Phenom II X4 955 CPU
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus Fan
Spinpoint F3 HD754JJ 750G 7200 SATA 3.0Gbps 32MB Hard drive

I'm thinking of going with G.Skill on the RAM, feeling I'll get more bang to the buck. There are two options:
F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM for $130.49
F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ for $117.42
I'm thinking that the faster Ripjaws series would probably be worth the extra $13.
****I just realized that I can get the Kingston HyperX KHX1600C8D3K2/4GX 2x2GB for $139.99, if that would be a better RAM, or Corsair CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 XMS3 for $109.99.

I'm at a loss regarding the PCI Express video card. I don't do gaming, so I could probably get by with something that allows my computer to work faster, but isn't top of the line. I see people mentioning 5770's, but I want just one card and something that will save me a little money, as this system is already costing me a bundle.

I'd appreciate input on this system, along with suggestions on the RAM and the video card.

 

I only see the G.Skill F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ in the verified RAM list
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/MemorySupport/mb_memory_ga-790xta-ud4.pdf
Gigabyte are reasonably forgiving on RAM, but if you want to be certain to avoid any problems you should select from that list.

Graphics, look at the system requirements of the most graphics intensive program you run and more than cover those requirements. You can get a modest priced card, with a view to upgrading later when you save up (and the cost of the card will come down as newer models come out). If you don't want to be prepared to upgrade later, I suggest you get a card that will be "balanced" with the rest of the system. Due to their alliances for SLI, I prefer to match the same GPUs with the CPU, but it should(?) not make a difference.

Matt

 

I've read reviews that state that the Ripjaws works well, as long as the adjustments are made in the BIOS.
I don't even know where to start with a video card. Photoshop is probably the most graphics intensive program that I run. I'd prefer not paying more than about $100, if that is possible. Does anyone have any recommendation? I'll be overclocking this setup, so I'm not sure what would be a good match. The HIS Radeon HD 5770 Fan Graphics card runs about $150. I finally found a review of midprice video cards. How about these options?

$99.11 for http://www.amazon.com/PNY-XLR8-PCI-...7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269809453&sr=1-7

$106 for http://www.amazon.com/BFG-BFGE98102...3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269809453&sr=1-3

$115 for http://www.amazon.com/Sparkle-SX98G...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269809453&sr=1-13

$90 for http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269809749&sr=1-39

 

All your links are for Amazon, not a "best value for money" website that I know of.

Try putting your search in here
http://search.yahoo.com/ (bias , I like their search)
You might not be taken to specific hits.

Try putting the model number of the g/card you are interested in, along with the term "review ".

See if you can find independent reviews. [If you read through the information you could learn something ie, the best/good graphics for your Photoshop, look at the system requirements for your version of Photoshop.]

If you ask more I will tell you more

Matt
Edit: sorry, maybe not the "go and buy this" you were looking for. If you are willing to research your own hardware I will offer any suggestions (STILL unspecific ).

 

Thanks for the link, Matt, but I don't see how Yahoo search gave me more than Google search did. I could get the user reviews, but still didn't see any professional comparisons. Based on the user reviews, it appears that more people like the Sparkle card, though they don't like the sound of the fan at high speed. The eco friendly one appear to be limited in regard to power and overclockability. I couldn't find much on the PNY card. I'd like to use the rebates that expire in 2 days, so I'd love to make my final decision and order these components today. Any preference of yours, along with reasons for your decision would be appreciated.

 

As far as Amazon goes, often I can purchase products there without paying shipping or tax, and those costs add up. They are easy to work with if there is a problem, also. I'll go with the least expensive provider, as long as I am comfortable with their customer service.

 

If you are interested in say, the 9800GT, go to the manufacturer's website and check the support that they offer. Some offer good support, some only basic.

If you get one without a fan you will need to move more air through the case. It still needs to be cooled and then that needs to be done by case fans.

 

These all have fans and all claim to have good tech support. Do you have any recommendations?

 

I need to leave for work in another 15 minutes and then won't return for another 9 hours.

 

I had to go to work myself

I have never purchased any of those brands, but I have done research at some of their support websites. Of those, I would choose EVGA, but my favourite maker is Gigabyte. I am pretty sure every one of the Gigabyte cards I have ever purchased is still working well. I've tried other brands to see how they performed, but I have had to replace some (guess which brand I replaced them with).

EVGA (and Gigabyte) reviewed here:
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...0-gt-roundup-evga-asus-gigabyte-palit-22.html

Matt

 

Here is information I received from Newegg EggXpert http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/172986.aspx:

Mid-priced video cards (about $100) are available at these links:

9800GT -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...escription=&Ntk=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

4850 -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...deValue=679:47628&PropertyCodeValue=679:40677

These are the 1GB cards that fall into this range, plus negative comments people have made about them:

BFG Tech BFGE981024GTGE – eco, low-powered
Palit NE339800TFHD02 – eco, low powered
Zotac ZT-98GEY3M-FSL – low powered -- poor tech support
PNY XLR88 VCG98GTEE1XEB – major fan problems
EVGA 01G-P3-N988-TR – loud fan
MSI N9800GT-MD1G – poor tech support
Gigabyte GV-N98TSL-1Gl -- no fan
ECS NR9800GTE-1GMU-F
Sparkle SX98GT1024D3GVP

Gigabyte GV-R4850C-1GH – crashes – poor tech support -- THIS CARD IS NOT COMPATABLE WITH THE GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P Motherboard
Powercolor AX4850 1GBD3-PH – general problems – poor tech support

It looks like it comes down to 3 options: The noisy EVGA or the ECS NR9800GTE-1GMU-F or Sparkle SX98GT1024D3GVP. The Sparkle has good reviews, whereas I could find little, though nothing negative, about the ECS. I'm not sure that the Amazon EVGA GeForce GT220 Video Card & BFG GeForce 9800 GT Low Power Video Card Bundle for $90 would be a good match for my system.

Based on this information, do you still feel I'd be happier with the EVGA than the Sparkle or ECS? I'm not sure how noisy is noisy. I am running 2 Thermaltake Smart Case Fan 2s in this case, and they are rated at 17 dBA @ 1300 RPM and48 dBA @ 4800 RPM. It's not ideal, but functional.

By the way, the EVGA will cost me $90 + tax, the ECS $102 + tax and the Sparkle $117 + tax. The rebates expire tomorrow.

 

By the way, I'm changing the CPU cooling fan, also, but I am still doing research on those. I'm looking at the Scythe Zipang 2 (20.8 degrees & 37.7 dBA), Akasa Nero AK967 (15.0 degrees & 39.3 dBA) and Zerotherm FZ120 (17.6 degrees & 39.2 dBA). I started looking late last night, so still have more to do, but any other recommendations would be appreciated.

 

If I don't hear from anyone within the next 7 hours, I'll just order the EVGA 01G-P3-N988-TR. If anyone has any concerns about this card, please let me know.

 

SAPPHIRE 100289L Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail

Above card looks very interesting - If I was building today, ($117) shipped I would take a chance on it. On line seller has excellent reputation.
Browsing through some of the user reviews, a few had fan issue (stuck) and some could not seem to find correct drivers drivers.

Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5670 1GB Video Card Review (conclusion page - see page top for all link pages).

What sets it apart is the latest tech, which includes DirectX 11, ATI Eyefinity, and ATI stream .. provides a "future proof" advantage.

I realize your time clock was a number of hours ago, but I just ran across this card. If you purchase your GPU from same vendor, possible they will allow you to swap it out if you want to give this a try.

Disclaimer - per choosing components.
Understand, you must make final decision for components. It's your computer, your money, and you are the one who has to live with the consequences, good or bad.

 

Thank you for the suggestion, but I had already made my purchase. I'm not sure that I would have needed the extra power, anyway.

I made my decision on a CPU cooler, also. I ended up with the Scythe Mugen 2 SCMG-2000, based on this review: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=432&Itemid=62

 

Thank you for the suggestion, but I had already made my purchase. I'm not sure that I would have needed the extra power, anyway.

I made my decision on a CPU cooler, also. I ended up with the Scythe Mugen 2 SCMG-2000 http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...sk=view&id=371&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=6, based on this review: http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=432&Itemid=62

 

I finally have my new system up and running. Here is what I ended up with:

CPU -- AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE
Cooler -- Scythe Mugen 2 SCMG-2000
TIM -- OCZ Freeze
Mobo -- Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
RAM -- G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 X 2GB) F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
GPU -- EVGA GeForce 9800 GT HDMI 01G-P3-N988-TR
PSU -- XFX P1-750B-CAG9 750W Black Edition
HDD -- Samsung Spinpoint F3 Hd754JJ 750GB 7200 SATA 3.0Gbps 32MB

I do have a couple of glitches that will need to be straightened out, but it is working very stable. I look forward to overclocking it. One thing I notice is that the GPU runs at 36 - 37 degrees whether I have the fan on auto (~67%) or at 100%. The rest of the temps are less than 30 degrees at idle. I question how effective that fan is. The computer is fairly quiet, even with all the fans at 100%. I can't hook up my FDD until I get a longer cable, as the floppy connector is on the bottom left side of the mobo, not the ideal location. I'll have to figure out how to get my HDD to report as SATA rather than IDE, though I believe I need to wait till I get the SATA adapter for my IDE HDD, as the owner's manual states that there needs to be two SATA drives. I experimented with some old TIM before settling on the two line method. All 4 cores report the same temps, so I assume that the TIM was spread evenly (hopefully).

 

If everything seems to work, I wouldn't worry about it. I find that they reported differently on different systems. I was concerned about it too when I first saw it, but couldn't change it and it didn't seem to make any difference. Run a hardware reporting program like SIW and see if it reports anything strange about the HDD.

Thanks for the update, looks like a nice system without blowing too much budget away.

Matt

 

SIW does report this drive as SATA. I notice that a new bios came out 17 days after the first release. It is version F2, and it includes "Improve e-SATA Device compatibility." Would it be worthwhile to flash this bios or wait for additional improvements?

I also notice that though both my 2GB sticks of RAM are shown, only 3.25GB of RAM are shown in total. What is the reason for this?