20 replies to this topic

[Retribution]

Intel i7 860
Radeon 5970
3x2 DDR3-2000 ram
22 inch 1680x1050 monitor

I don't know how to pick the motherboard, case, hard drive, or power supply unit. I was hoping someone could maybe make some suggestions. I couldn't find a power supply that specifically works with the 5970. Thanks in advance.

[Pronam]

They have their own recommended power supplies. There should be a link somewhere at the requirements at the ati.site.
The motherboard depends on what you want, the possibility to run a card next to it, the price, Type or ram. (yes you've specified it, but I mean the possibility of future types)
The i7 should narrow down stuff though. Lol, thor will tell you about hard drives . The Case is also dependable on taste, size and usage.

[Vagrant0]

Usually, your motherboard choices are narrowed down quite a bit based on your processor, videocard, harddrive, and memory requirements. Processor usually limits things to a single socket type, videocard to slot type and crossfire/SLI support, hard drive(s) to the number and type of Seta, esata, IDE ports, Memory to how much is supported and what kind. You will also need to know what size of motherboard your computer case has the proper size and mounting spots for. Powersupply is usually determined by the type and number of connections you need, how high of wattage, how it's mounted, and if it supports crossfite/sli.

the system I built, works rather well for my needs, but cost about $1000
videocard:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102848
processor:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103674
memory:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820104141
motherboard:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131397
powersupply:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371025
harddrives (2):
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136320
case: (I actually don't like this one, but am mentioning is so you can get a whole picture of how the requirements
interrelate)
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811147110
OS:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116758

The only thing missing from this system is a cd/dvd drive, monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse. With those items
included, it would likely cost over $1300 for all parts.

However, as you can hopefully notice, the hardware for one part is determined by the requirements for other parts.
After I had made my selection of processor, memory standard, and videocard family, there were very few options
listed on newegg.

Looking at your processor:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115214
Your motherboard needs socket LGA 1156

Looking at a potential memory selection:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820104156
Your motherboard will use DDR3-2000 standard

Looking at a potential videocard selection:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150453
you will need atleast one PCI Express 2.1 x16 slot on the motherboard,

Which leads to a few selections
http://www.newegg.co.......&GASearch=3

Of them, price and additional features being the next concern (what connection your dvd drive needs, what can be mounted in your case, number of Sata slots, and general configuration (don't want to have anything many wires running behind your videocard(s) as space is often very tight). None of them however have 3 sets of dual channel RAM.

Your Powersupply is rather simple though, atleast 750 watt, 6pin/8pin connection for videocards, and xfire ready/supported. After that, it's just price, and manufacturer.

EDIT by LHammonds: Converted CODEBOX to QUOTE due to issues with text going offscreen on most other posts.

Edited by LHammonds, 18 December 2009 - 09:10 AM.

[Retribution]

None of them have the room for 3 sets of ram?

[jim_uk]

http://www.giga-byte...?ProductID=2989
http://www.newegg.co...p;Tpk=EX58-UD3R


This should do the trick.

[Vagrant0]

http://www.giga-byte...?ProductID=2989
http://www.newegg.co...p;Tpk=EX58-UD3R


This should do the trick.

Except that both are wrong socket type. Although it's i7, it's not i7 860. There is a rather important difference. Also, 3 and 4 slots for RAM. I'm no expert, but I don't think either of them are viable in this case.

None of them have the room for 3 sets of ram?

Ram isn't everything. 8GB is more than you would probably need for almost anything normal, especially with the newer, faster memory standards.

There are a few boards that have 6 slots, and can support more
http://www.newegg.co...amp;srchInDesc=
However, you would likely need to re-think your processor and videocard choices. And as far as the processor goes, you'd pretty much be adding $200 to the price. Also, none of these have an onboard videocard. While this may seem redundant since you are putting your own in, having an onboard card can often be extremely handy if your card ceases to function, leaving you high and dry for awhile until you can get a replacement. You won't be able to play newer games with these cards, but it will be good enough to run windows and most minor applications. It's not necessary, but it's saved me a few times when I didn't have a replacement card (or money) on hand.

You should really sit down and think about how much money you have to spend, and what your priorities are. How long do you plan to use this computer? What components do I already have to work with? What sorts of things will you be doing with it? How much demand will those things really have? How much are you willing to accept as far as performance in the name of practicality and system lifetime? Going for the biggest and best videocard, or the most RAM does not always equate to having a better computer. If you want the best, even if it's only one component, you will likely end up paying through the nose once all is said and done.

[jim_uk]

Well that'll teach me to post before my first coffee of the day.

[Retribution]

I'm looking to get 6 gigabytes of ram. Whether that is 3x2 or 2x3, I don't really care.

[Vagrant0]

I'm looking to get 6 gigabytes of ram. Whether that is 3x2 or 2x3, I don't really care.

DDR3 - 2000 RAM doesn't come in larger sizes than 2gb per stick. Again, it's the whole "faster, newer, memory" thing I mentioned. Even with Windows 7 and running games, you probably won't be needing more than 4gb for a fairly long while. Most of the memory problems recent games have is not due to running out of room as it is the game code having serious memory leak issues. But... If you feel you really need more than 4gb ram, going to 8gb really shouldn't end up costing you too much extra, and finding a motherboard with 4 RAM slots is often much easier.

[Retribution]

I'm confused about one thing. The ATI Radeon 5970 interface is PCI-Express 2.1 x16, but I can't find a single motherboard with PCI-Express 2.1. The official requirements for the card on AMD's site says that you need a PCI Express based PC with one X16 lane graphics slot available on the motherboard. Also, contrary to what Vagrant said (no offense) I can't find a single motherboard that supports quad channel RAM. They're obviously out there, but they're apparently quite rare. I might be misunderstanding something.