Current Hardware Recommendations

Dude the top pc in this hardware recommended specs is good enough for any game and will stay that way for atleast a year, then when you find a game (that has incrediable specs which will mean game companies like EA etc have gone mad) just crossfire it with another 5850.... Why spend over 3000 on a system when you can spend like $2200 and it will run anything you put infront of it.

Seriously be smart...

Then put a fully decked out fridge and bar beside the computer complete with drinks wench.

I realize that chook builds comps but don't you guys in Oz have a company with a massive rep for looking after gamers?

For instance, based in Auckland but bought by gamers nz wide with free delivery we have a couple but one stands out http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/

They have forums to discuss your build requirements. They are competitive in the NZ evironment. They have pre-spec'ed machines which you can add to at good prices.
They have different system build prices (not much between them) which allow for them to o/clock for you, then warranty that o/c'ed system with a excellent build quality.
Check out the forums equipped for the gallery of build quailty you expect to get http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/forum/Default.aspx?g=topics&f=51 and http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/channel/gallery.asp

Their guys are gamers and experienced overclockers who know what we want.
Saying that, I put my own together but use them for parts as they don't dick you around with warranties.

That place and playtech nz are where the knowledgeable gamers go here.

An alienware @ 6k+....pfttt

Although the fridge is a shit hot idea.

Thanks for the reco Hairy, I'll definitely look into computerlounge next time. My last few experiences with buying gear here in NZ was with OC Zone and let me tell you, I'd be killing those people if I could strangle someone over the phone and get away with it.

Geez mate, oczone have a shit rep. The old cheap prices/stock available on their website then the bait and switch tactic once ordered and paid for.

And massive delivery costs.

They are well known for it.

Post at GP Forums for a nosey now and again if you are unsure about things Dremr.
They have threads about reliable suppliers etc in NZ (CL is the only 5 star in nz)

Yeah I've finally gotten that through my thick noggin now. The first time I just thought they had a bad day, the second time was okay, then the third time was god awful with them taking 2 weeks to send the item and when it arrived the box looked like it had been opened and when I complained they tried sending me down the RMA road but by then I'd had a good look into them and knew better.

ok chook im definately going with your recomended build except for a few little changes, could you possible please tell me if everything will be compatible, tell us what youthink honestly, and although i want to build myself i dont know if im up to it, im an electrician by trade so are fairly good with most things electric but have never tried to build a computer before.

update to this gpu, i want run hdmi as this computer will be fixed to louge room plasma XFX HD5870 1G DDR5 Dual DVI DL HDMI DP PCIEx16
want to up the ram to 12gig
want to change case to the 1200 instead of 900.
need to know if i need a network card or wireless thingy (im talkin like lylow now), or a built in bluetooth.

i want to go with the i7 930 (thats out this week isnt it).
i need a recomended cpu cooler,
i want 1000w psu instead,

and with the cpu cooler and case i need to know if i will need extra fans etc. thermal paste,

i would also like a blue ray reader and a sound card with hdmi output if avaliable, i want system to be able to run full high def through hdmi.

thanks chooky

so im thinking my rig will total around 2590 without extra sound card could you let me know if this is about right

You should be able to build it yourself.

Intel Core i7 930 Processor LGA1366 2.8GHz 8MB Cache CPU Instock $389.00
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=13&bid=5&sid=55454

The 1200 case would be excellent. The latest video cards only just fit in the 900 and more space for CPU cooler. You may need some power lead extenders if you want to take the leads behind the mobo.

Sure if you have the budget get a 1000w PSU I recommend the HX. 750w is adequate though.

Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366/775 $69.00

http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2244

It's in the top 5 coolers anywhere you look on the web. You will need to buy a fan for it. Thermal paste is supplied but I don't if it is good quality.

Why do you want 12GB of RAM? 6GB is ample. Spend the extra $300 on something else.

The latest Catalyst 10.2 drivers allow audio through HDMI

The 5000 series is now capable of outputting audio over the DisplayPort in accordance with the DisplayPort standard.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3743

Which GPU are you getting the 5870 $600 are not as good value as the 5850 $400 as the 5870 is only about 15% more performance but 30% more money.

Tom's Hardware - Benchmark Comparison

XFX HD5870 1G DDR5 Dual DVI DL HDMI DP PCIEx16
Internet Price: $585.00
is the card i was planning, i will drop back to 6gig ram, will i need a seperate sound card to run hdmi audio.


(The 5000 series is now capable of outputting audio over the DisplayPort in accordance with the DisplayPort standard.) SSSSSSSSSorry chook this makes no sense for me,

and i like that cpu cooler, but how do i know which fans i need to buy

Sorry got myself mixed up between DisplayPort and HDMI. No you don't need a sound card. The 5870 has an integrated HD audio controller. Output protected high bit rate 7.1 channel surround sound over HDMI with no additional cables required. Supports AC-3, AAC, Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio formats.

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5870/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-5870-specifications.aspx

The CPU cooler is only as good as the fans taking away the heat so go nuts here spend the extra $10 and get the best possible. you need a 120mm fan. The Noctua fans are supposed to be good but why are they so butt ugly brown and pink. The Sharkoon 120mm Silent Eagle Modular Fans $22.00 look to be good performers and quiet. If you want something that looks pretty go for this one http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=54&bid=5&sid=10934

cheers mate and is it just the one fan i need or two, ill put a list up of everything im getting soon and if you could check to tell me if anything is missing for a complete build or if something is not compatible thanks mate

You just need one fan the 200mm fan on top of the case pulls the air away on the other side of the CPU cooler.

CPU: Intel Core i7 930 Processor LGA1366 2.8GHz 8MB Cache CPU $389
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R X58+ICH10R QPI 6.4GT/s DDR3 2000 $244
RAM: OCZ 6G(3x2G) Obsidian DDR3 1600Mhz $225
GPU: XFX HD5870 1G DDR5 Dual DVI DL HDMI DP PCIEx16 $585
PSU: Corsair Corsair HX-850 ATX Power Supply w 140mm Modular Cables $229
Case: Antec TWELVE HUNDRED Full Tower Gaming Case NO PSU $239.50
SSD: G.Skill Falcon II 64G SSDHD 2.5 inch SATA II $241
HDD: Western Digital 1TB SATAII 32M 3GB/s(WD1001FALS) $118
DVD: Pioneer SATA DVR218L 22X DVD Black & Cyberlink $38
CPU HS: thermaltake ultra-120 extreme 1366/775 blister $69
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM $119

Total $2,496.50


plus extra, pioneer blue ray play/writer $274
cpu fan $20
few extras $80
total $2870



let us know what you think, and am i better to get an external card reader

equip3d wrote:

CPU: Intel Core i7 930 Processor LGA1366 2.8GHz 8MB Cache CPU $389
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R X58+ICH10R QPI 6.4GT/s DDR3 2000 $244
RAM: OCZ 6G(3x2G) Obsidian DDR3 1600Mhz $225
GPU: XFX HD5870 1G DDR5 Dual DVI DL HDMI DP PCIEx16 $585
PSU: Corsair Corsair HX-850 ATX Power Supply w 140mm Modular Cables $229
Case: Antec TWELVE HUNDRED Full Tower Gaming Case NO PSU $239.50
SSD: G.Skill Falcon II 64G SSDHD 2.5 inch SATA II $241
HDD: Western Digital 1TB SATAII 32M 3GB/s(WD1001FALS) $118
DVD: Pioneer SATA DVR218L 22X DVD Black & Cyberlink $38
CPU HS: thermaltake ultra-120 extreme 1366/775 blister $69
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM $119

Total $2,496.50


plus extra, pioneer blue ray play/writer $274
cpu fan $20
few extras $80
total $2870



let us know what you think, and am i better to get an external card reader

Nice build, you shouldn't have problems with it

A An external card reader would be better if you have another PC or notebook to use it on as well. There would be no speed advantage with an internal one.

They now have the

Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R X58+ICH10R QPI 6.4GT/s DDR3 2000 PCI-Ex16 SATAII SATA3 USB3.0 RAID GLAN ATX which has USB 3.0 and SATAIII for $37 more. Not really an advantage yet as not many USB 3.0 or SATA III devices around and they will be expensive for many months yet. Being a newer mobo it may have some other small advantages.

Instock

$279.00

ill go this board then but will it be compatible with all my other components ?

and the last thing iv noticed a lot of people are using ram coolers in these cases too, should i do this or is it a waste of time?

If your talking about the MB chook mentioned, yes it is compatiable with all your other components. This is in my opionion about the ram coolers, I see it as people are paranoid and want their ram to be "as cool as possible" I necessarily don't think it's 100% needed, but if you have the money to spend, why not?

it probably wouldnt hurt, and surely they are not that expensive, but again i wouldnt know what to buy that would be compatible etc, so feel free to let me know some recomendations, iv seen a few with the 4 blue led fans on some utube vids they look good if someone knows what they are

I don't use the ram cooling kit that came with my Corsair memory.

If you have a case with minimum airflow and a heavy o/clock then it possibly be neccesary.

The gear you have, it should be fine without it.

chooky recomended the OCZ 6G(3x2G) obsidian DDR3 1600Mhz ram but it is out of stock

will the following ram work with this set up

OCZ 6G(3x2G) Intel XMP DDR3 1600Mhz, pickin up parts tommorrow so if someone could let me know asap thanks

nVidia Geforce Stereoscopic 3D Glasses w Wireless Infrared REC

and check this out, sounds cool but cant see it working real well, but i could be wrong

Yes the OCZ Ram should be fine. Sorry I forget, Are you going to do any overclocking? If your not you don't need ram cooling.

Equip3d isn't going to tweak any bios settings and overclock. He like to keep it standard