The High End Value Computer

[Kripparrian]

A friend of mine is wanting to build an i5-760 system and wants the most out of his dollar while keeping the cost low.
So similarily to by super value computer thread, I'm going to start this one with the following goal:

To determine the highest performance/dollar i5-760 system build using US retailers.


i5 760 Processor- $169.99 - http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0341729
Hyper 212 Heatsink - $29.00 - http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-.../dp/B0037JT78C
Rosewill RFA-120-K 120mm Fan - $4.49 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835200048
ASRock P55 PRO/USB3 1156 P55 8+2 phase pwr ATX- $104.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157203
GeIL Value PLUS 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 RAM - $44.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820144461
GIGABYTE GTX 460 768mb - $159.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125334
XIGMATEK NRP-PC702 700W 80+ Bronze- $59.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817815010
Linkworld 313-06-C2228 Black/ Silver Steel ATX - $21.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811164093
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD322GJ/U 7200 320GB 16MB Cache - $42.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152244
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R SATA - $16.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151175

Total price tag = $655.41

There you have it folks. Top of the line machine for under $700 bucks.

Please note:
motherboard, ram, heatsink+fan, must complement overclocking.
dont bother arguing over video cards. Nothing beats the 460 768 top for value. View: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/N...TX_580/20.html

Please give me your feedback on the build. Also post any changes you would make, and any better deals at other retailers you find on these parts.

[Deleted]

A 460 1GB EASILY beats a 768 for value. But if you don't want any suggestions about your GPU just go with the 768 and get less preformance

[B@nj0 P3do]

dont bother arguing over video cards. Nothing beats the 460 768 top for value.

Sorry, m8. But I have to

At higher resolutions, the 768Mb version might bottleneck the game in fps. where the 1Gb and bigger bit rate would really be noticable and worth while.

[llDemonll]

It is a $700 build, in case you missed the PSU pricing (holiday special ATM).

Otherwise it looks good for a sub-$700 computer

[Kripparrian]

A 460 1GB EASILY beats a 768 for value. But if you don't want any suggestions about your GPU just go with the 768 and get less preformance

the cheapest 1gb gtx 460 on newegg is the gigabyte model for $189.99. A 26.7% cost increase. Looking at the benchmarks, in the worst case, the 1gb model beats it by 7% more fps.

Does a 26.7% cost increase justify a 7% increase in fps? No

you may have a point when it comes to other specific games, but as far as WoW is concerned, I've done my reasearch.

edit: keep in mind, the 7% fps increase occurs at 2560x1600 x4 AA ultra. Those are absurdly high settings, and yet only a 7% fps gain.

[stellvia]

Well the 1GB version is only like $30 more...

[Kripparrian]

a 7% fps increase will be on par when it is only $10 more.

[Coquine]

A 460 1GB EASILY beats a 768 for value. But if you don't want any suggestions about your GPU just go with the 768

sometimes running in dal depending on your settings uses 700mb of video card ram. if textures get much larger youll have issues.
*edit if your card doesnt have enough ram youll experience moments where the game will appear to freeze, but when you check your FPS benches it'll say everything is going great.

im not familiar with the Asrock brand, but if the quality is as good as the specs youll be okay. 8+2 phases is pretty decent for OCing coupled with that HSF it'll handle some light overclocking.

[Deleted]

the cheapest 1gb gtx 460 on newegg is the gigabyte model for $189.99. A 26.7% cost increase. Looking at the benchmarks, in the worst case, the 1gb model beats it by 7% more fps.

Does a 26.7% cost increase justify a 7% increase in fps? No

you may have a point when it comes to other specific games, but as far as WoW is concerned, I've done my reasearch.

edit: keep in mind, the 7% fps increase occurs at 2560x1600 x4 AA ultra. Those are absurdly high settings, and yet only a 7% fps gain.

So lets say you got an old nvidia 7 series for 10 dollars, and get 20 FPS. You'll be getting 1 FPS for 0.50-,. Does it make it a better value card? No.

Also, you never said anything it being for WoW only. Might aswell go with a 5770 then if it's for WoW only.

[stellvia]

From what I had seen, it was more like a 15-18% increase in performance, but w/e.... if you want to underwhelm your computer performance for years to come over $30, that is your choice.

[Kripparrian]

in what way is a 5770 better than a gtx 460 768 for WoW?


as for the nvidia 7 series argument, you know its nonsense.
But here is another comparison to show you a better value card than the gtx 460 1gb

compare gtx 460 768 vs gtx 470

gigabyte gtx 470 at $254.99. 70% higher cost
performance gain at max settings 30.0%

seeing as a higher end graphics card gives better fps/dollar than your example in the middle, it is completely invalid.

when it comes to performance increases, you will not get a 1-1 ratio, but 7%-27% is a joke

---------- Post added 2010-11-29 at 10:38 PM ----------

From what I had seen, it was more like a 15-18% increase in performance, but w/e.... if you want to underwhelm your computer performance for years to come over $30, that is your choice.

please post benchmarks.

[Deleted]

in what way is a 5770 better than a gtx 460 768 for WoW?

Seeing a 5770 will give you equal preformance anyway. You don't need an awesome GPU for WoW (unless you're running it on higher resolutions than 1080p)

as for the nvidia 7 series argument, you know its nonsense.

Well it's about the same thing you're suggesting

[Agoonga]

Instead of spending $4.49 on a fan... can I just blow at it?

[llDemonll]

Considering the fan is for the CPU Cooler, no

[Kripparrian]

Seeing a 5770 will give you equal preformance anyway. You don't need an awesome GPU for WoW (unless you're running it on higher resolutions than 1080p)



Well it's about the same thing you're suggesting

max settings: http://tpucdn.com/reviews/HIS/Radeon..._2560_1600.gif

all resolutions: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/H...D_6850/21.html

so basically when the gtx 460 768 performs more than 50% better, 50% drops into the "equal" category.
could you guys limit the BS statements with no backing tests/benchmarks in this thread please?

[Deleted]

max settings: http://tpucdn.com/reviews/HIS/Radeon..._2560_1600.gif

all resolutions: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/H...D_6850/21.html

so basically when the gtx 460 768 performs more than 50% better, 50% drops into the "equal" category.
could you guys limit the BS statements with no backing tests/benchmarks in this thread please?

How is it a BS statement? Will you see the difference between 60 FPS and 80 on a 60Hz monitor?
The bottom line is, in raiding you will only need a good CPU to carry you, while you'll see exactly the same frame rates in open world. So do you need a 200 FPS then? No, because you can't see it.

Honestly if you don't want to get advise about your build just make it yourself and don't share it with people.

[llDemonll]

How is it a BS statement? Will you see the difference between 60 FPS and 80 on a 60Hz monitor?
The bottom line is, in raiding you will only need a good CPU to carry you, while you'll see exactly the same frame rates in open world. So do you need a 200 FPS then? No, because you can't see it.

Honestly if you don't want to get advise about your build just make it yourself and don't share it with people.

Considering he hinted that the computer was only for WoW, yet never directly stated it ('in what way is a 5770 better than a gtx 460 768 for WoW?' was the closest, otherwise WoW hasn't been mentioned), I don't know why you're arguing that the 5770 is better. Sure, the 460 may not be that much better, but better value is better value, and in a value-based computer that's what it all comes down to.

[stellvia]

Well maybe you know the answer to this: Sure it may get 80fps in the field vs 60fps. But the real question is while raiding -- does one get 20fps while the other gets 40fps? Or does that just come down to the CPU?

[Kripparrian]

How is it a BS statement? Will you see the difference between 60 FPS and 80 on a 60Hz monitor?
The bottom line is, in raiding you will only need a good CPU to carry you, while you'll see exactly the same frame rates in open world. So do you need a 200 FPS then? No, because you can't see it.

Honestly if you don't want to get advise about your build just make it yourself and don't share it with people.

I appreciate good advice greatly. If you see my super value computer thread, many of the items on the list are based on feedback -- GOOD feedback. All ive seen in this thread is claiming there are better video cards without any proof, tests, benchmarks, or anything whatsoever.

As to your claim of the 5770 hitting 60 fps on max settings, it doesnt in the bencharms i linked earlier.

---------- Post added 2010-11-30 at 06:41 PM ----------

max settings 5770 vs gtx 460 768mb: http://tpucdn.com/reviews/HIS/Radeon..._2560_1600.gif

check the link

[vesseblah]

Well maybe you know the answer to this: Sure it may get 80fps in the field vs 60fps. But the real question is while raiding -- does one get 20fps while the other gets 40fps? Or does that just come down to the CPU?

In WoW, minimum framerate depends on CPU, maximum framerate depends on GPU - as long as both are reasonable for gaming purposes, ie. no integrated shit GPU or Intel Atom processor.