Enthusiast PC Build - Q3 2010

So what is a custom computer, and how does it differ from a machine at my local retail store? When you purchase an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) machine from a store, the tower is ready to go. There's no construction required bar connecting external peripherals such as the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This is convenient for most people, but it's often unclear as to what hardware you're really getting under the hood. In fact, there's a good chance that some components are custom made, which restricts future upgrade paths due to non-standard parts. It also makes the prospect of enthusiast tweaking such as overclocking difficult, if not straight out impossible.

This guide will take you through the process of designing a modern performance machine, with focus on which components to look out for. The budget ranges from $1000 to $1500; external peripherals and OS are up to you. So if you're like us, and want to pump out the best benchmarks whilst maintaining a healthy budget, then join in as we embark on a journey of custom computer design!

The Battle Plan

• General purpose usage such as office applications and multimedia playback
• Modern gaming
• Video editing and encoding
• Upgradability and enthusiast tweakability

• A powerful modern CPU (Core i5/i7 or AMD Phenom II)
• A powerful modern GPU (Nvidia GTX4xx or ATI HD5xxx series)
• A full featured motherboard, including USB3.0/SATA3.0
• A decent capacity HDD (1TB+)
• A wad of RAM (4GB - 6GB)
• A case capable of moving air quickly, quietly, and efficiently
• A large chunk of metal to cool the CPU (aftermarket heatsink)
• An efficient, quality power supply

AMD vs Intel, ATI vs Nvidia - Hold your fire!

Choosing the CPU

Pretty Pictures

• The temperature of the card, and by extension, the noise generated by the cooling system
• The price/performance ratio
• Scaling of performance in a multi-card setup
• Power draw

Choosing a card can be daunting with so many models on the market. The good news is that only a few models exist at each price point, each with a set of manufacturers who produce them. A quick look at a few benchmarks and you can get a good idea of what’s suitable. Selecting a manufacturer is as simple as picking the cheapest one with a decent warranty.

The Builds

After careful selection, these are the builds for Q3 – 2010. All prices are from NewEgg. Some items may have rebates which will reduce the overall price further. Be mindful that prices change regularly, and whilst every effort has been made to provide up to date prices, there's no guarantee they'll remain this way. Fortunately, prices tend to go down rather than up. :)

The X58 Build

The X58 platform is Intel's current top tier package, paired with a LGA1366 socket capable of housing the performance king Core i7 9xx CPUs. Motherboards with a X58 chipset feature tri-channel memory capability and increased PCI-e bandwidth for multi-card setups.

Intel's Core i7 930 was chosen for its budget price, insane performance, and equally impressive overclockability. It's not uncommon to get this CPU to 4.2GHz on air cooling, and 4GHz is almost guaranteed. The Thermalright Venomous X was included for this purpose exactly (if you're willing), otherwise you can leave it out and pocket some change!

Ripjaws were chosen for the memory because of their great price and performance. The 1600MHz clock rate makes it effortless to obtain a high CPU overclock, and the CL8 latency is nothing to scoff at.

The GPU is an ATI HD5870 manufactured by HIS. This card is a high end part, suitable for demanding gaming sessions. It can support 3 displays simultaneously via Eyefinity. The reason we opted for such a card is because of its price point, which slots in nicely, and delivers remarkable performance.

Western Digital have been making fast and reliable drives for many years, and this 1TB offering is no exception. Plenty of storage for a good price.

The Silverstone Raven RV02 case houses the build. Its unique motherboard orientation allows for efficient airflow, and the positive air pressure prevents dust build-up inside the case. It's ultra quiet too!

Overall, this build is perfect for those who want the best platform without paying a fortune, or sacrificing features.

The P55 Build

The P55 platform was designed for cost effective performance. The LGA 1156 socket allows Intel's i7 860 to slip into the build; a high performance part with great overclocking potential.

4GB of Team Elite memory is provided, which compliments the dual-channel memory controller due to its two stick configuration.

The XFX 5850 card has been included for its great price to performance ratio. Fans of multi-card configurations may opt for 2 x HD5770 instead, which delivers more power, but requires games which scale well to two cards.

Of course, we're going to need a case, and Lian Li's K60 suits the bill nicely. Its great bundle of cooling fans, build quality, and affordable price make it hard to pass up.

Last but not least, the XFX 650W power supply has been included to bring life to the system. The single rail, high efficiency, high reliability design makes it the perfect choice for high-end gear and enthusiast tweaking.

If you're looking for a budget gaming rig, this is the way to go.

The 880G Build

Ahh, good ol' AMD. This setup sports the new Phenom II X6 1090T, the six core powerhouse without the price to match! This is the way to go for people who use multi-core aware applications often. Being a black edition, the multiplier is unlocked too, meaning you're all set to overclock it to within an inch of its life!

Due to the nature of AMDs current platforms, the components are very affordable. This 880G build shares components with both the P55 and X58 setups above. Keep in mind that the 880G chipset doesn't offer CrossFire, so if you plan on running two cards, consider the slightly more expensive Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H, or a Gigabyte GA-890FXA-UD5 for full 16x bandwidth on both cards (recommended for high-end cards).

Enthusiast PC Build Alternatives

No one design can cater for everybody. Whilst some people prefer getting maximum performance at all costs, others wish to invest in other areas, such as cool and quiet kit. A gamer will naturally want a beefy GPU or two, whilst an analyst wants CPU power for number crunching.

Here are some ideas for mixing up the provided builds:

Hardcore gamer/benchmarker

It may be feasible to replace the case with a cheaper option, allowing for a higher-end GPU such as the HD5970, GTX480 or perhaps 2 x HD5850. Keep in mind that the case needs to dissipate the heat of high TDP (Thermal Design Power) components, and have the dimensions to cater for larger video cards. If you're not planning to overclock, cheaper memory and removal of the aftermarket heatsink will help with cost.

If you want to increase performance without skimping on other components, 2 x HD5770 instead of the HD5870 works very well. Keep in mind that some games are finicky with multiple cards. If you benchmark your storage devices, a modern SSD will do wonders.

General Usage/Budget Gamer

General use doesn't require excessive power, particularly if the extent of required resources goes to basic tasks such as video playback. You may omit the heatsink without concern, the stock cooler is sufficient. A high powered GPU isn't required, so something like a single HD5770 would be plenty. As for the CPU, it can be brought down to a i5 750 on the P55 machine, or to a Phenom II X4 955 on the 800G build.

As tempting as it may be, don't skimp on the PSU. Nothing is worse than having an overworked power supply blowing up, taking core components with it. Keep in mind that wattage isn't the only important rating, there's no guarantee that a cheap 1000W PSU can output half that reliably. Quality is very important.

And there we have it, the Enthusiast PC Build for Q3 2010! We love to hear from our readers, so don't hesitate to share your ideas for builds in the forum!