Building a Beast (new computer)
polycounter
I don't know crap about hardware, but my bro knows a little. We're building a computer, and here's what we've come up with so far. We need suggestions and recommendations, especially on compatibility and the motherboard.
Here's the list, this is my bro's email he forwared to me:
Chances are I won't have a clue of what you're talking about, but my brother will. Try to dumb it down for me a little, though.
Here's the list, this is my bro's email he forwared to me:
best bro in the world wrote:Here's the fruits of my labors. I'd like to hear from you about your own personal opinion on each.
Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194 - Cooler Master Storm Sniper for $130
*RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311 - G.SKILL 2x8GB DDR3 1333 for $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314 - G.SKILL 2x8GB DDR3 1600 for $290
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227541 - OCZ 2x8GB DDR3 1333 for $170
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225 - Intel Core i7-930 2.8GHz LGA 1366 for $290
**HDDs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148506 - Seagate Barracuda 2TB SATA 6.0Gb/s for $200
and/or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533 - Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA 6.0Gb/s for $95 (possible secondary?)
***Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614 - ASUS P6X58D LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6.0Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX for $310
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641 - ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6.0Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX for $240
Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550 - EVGA GeForce GTX 470 1280MB for $305
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549 - EVGA GeForce GTX 470 SuperClocked 1280MB for $355
Optical Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 - ASUS Black DVD/CD Burner for $20
PSU:
900-1100 Watts - ~$200
= about $1625 so far. If we go with the alternative video card that's another $50 and if we go with the extra HDD (which we could just do later), that would total to $1790.
I'm not really particular on the RAM being OCZ or G.SKILL, but I just saw that G.SKILL got better reviews. I also don't know how much hugely better the 1600 would be, but, it might just be better to go for that instead despite the extra hundred dollars.
The CPU listed was the fastest and best i7 I could find before it jumped up to double or more in price. But if Ben wants a nicer quad or a 6-core, that's fine...
I'm not final on the HDD, it's very important that it be high quality with great reviews, but, so far this was a pretty good one, plus it's huge. But, if a computer is only as fast is its slowest part, then we'd need each piece of hardware to be very fast. Maybe SSD is the way to go, now or perhaps later. They're just so pricey...
Okay, so the Motherboard. This one worries me. I've seen SO many reviews about how many issues the 1366 boards have, namely Gigabyte or ASUS since those are what I looked at. My research showed up some pretty crazy issues: 1 or more or sometimes more than half of the RAM slots not working and showing the inserted RAM, DOA, 4-5 weeks of Newegg holding the defective mobo until they finally conclude it was the customer's fault, or they will maybe replace it. Very risk. And it worries me, it's a gamble. I might just buy the danged thing at a retail store if I can find it... I've spent too much time looking with no promising results.
The SuperClocked video card is better, but, not by an incredible amount. If we go with this build idea, it's up to Ben to decide if he wants the better card, but your input is welcome. The higher price may be worth it, or just get a 480 Fermi or stick with my top choice and let an ever better new video card released in the future be the next future purchase for SLI.
I've also yet to find a good PSU, partly from not being sure on how many watts it needs to be and be enough for future expansion. The one I thought I liked ended up having some scathing reviews.
Ben may want other peripherals too but we don't need to worry about that now.
Let me know what you think on each of these things.
Nate
P.S., by the way, I have no experience in actually installing a new processor so I don't know if it should be risked. Otherwise the rest of the building will be cake, especially in the chosen case.
Chances are I won't have a clue of what you're talking about, but my brother will. Try to dumb it down for me a little, though.
Replies
ASUS P6X58D-E $240
Intel Core i7-930 $290
OCZ, Mushkin, G-Skill, A-Data(any known brand) DDR3-1333 $190 (x2 if you wish for total 6-12GB)
Western-Digital 1TB $95
EVGA GeForce GTX 470 $305
Corsair Force 120GB SSD $256 (after rebate)
SeaSonic X650 Gold 650W $140
totals around $1700 USD
I'd get an SSD, if you can squeeze it in to your budget(it should based on my calc). Intel X25-M G2, Corsair Force 120GB or OCZ RevoDrive 120GB PCIe. For storage get some 1TB drive, WD is fine. Seasonic X-series PSU, 650W should be enough.
You should be fine with a 500w PSU cutting $100 to $160 off of your price. New hardware requires less power now.
I built my girlfriend a computer with this case: GIGABYTE gz-ph2a3 Black SGCC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
It's fine and $111 cheaper. I had a pimp case at one time and trust me, it gets old.
Pass on the superclocked video card and all together you're looking at savings around $260 - $320, use that extra money to buy a 80gb SSD drive and a big ass secondary. I still think terrabyte harddrives are a little crazy, I've got 700gb drive that I've never filled up but hey, it's up to you. Maybe go for 2x1tb harddrives in a raid setup (remember to recalculate your PSU requirements)
New hardware, the new Fermi based cards draws a decent amount of power. The single most power hungry component in that system. Another 1TB drive or two are negligible in the power consumption. I'd go with a 120GB SSD drive, it's nice to be able to fit all your apps to a fast disk and not worry about the space so much. 1TB for storage will do fine. I would have suggested Samsung F3 1TB(for $30 less) but they have had some reliability issues.
If the build is mostly for 3D stuff, and you will not be needing CUDA much, a GTX460 would save you another $60-70.
The part I wouldn't skimp on is the PSU. There is more to them than just wattage. Having good efficiency and modular cables are few key things to keep in mind.
One important part wasn't addressed yet, is the CPU cooler. I would get something to replace the stock one, like Scythe Mugen 2 REV B. Not over expensive, but a lot better than the stock one.
My price limit is about $1800, and I certainly want a rig that will last a while without needing an upgrade. My other bro is paying $800 of this thing, and I have the finances to make it work.
Thanks again! I'll pass on what's been said so far to my bro.
I don't recommend to buy SSD, they are very expensive now, and it's not a big deal for what it costs (and less for the GBs). You can buy high perfomance HDs with more than 100mbs of perfomance for much less money, and you will not worry about space for your apps/games. The WD 1TB caviar black is a great and cheap option nowadays. For storage green HDs with 2 TB are quite cheap.
You can lower your specs a lot. For example, the case, it's very expensive, the new 690 advanced is cheaper and very good (mid range case). And if you want coolermaster, you also have great and cheaper options.
But if you want a great case for your next upgrades, go for it, the case is something quite important. For that 470, it's recommended a good case, and if it's a cold one, the better. The gtx are very very hot, and if you are going to do OC, the case will be like a life saver.
with less than 1000 dollars (~700 euro) you can build a great computer with a great tower.
With core i7, 8gb? core i7 is not tri-channel or i'm wrong? i would put 6-12. Damn, those prices for the memories are quite good, in spain we must pay much more
Warning: The Mobos for i7 are having a lot of problems with memories (you have 8 or more, and in Windows sometimes you see 2, 4, 1, 3, 4, etc), watch out! some friends needed to tweak voltages to solve the problem. They bought the best mems in market, and they ended having the perfomance of the cheaper ones :poly122:
And for the PSU, buy one of 750 mono-rail, with a 12v rail with a good amperage (more than 40). If you buy a psu with a bad 12v rail, you can have electric noise coming from the psu. It's an issue with actual video cards.
I've got all my apps on the 80gb ssd and I still have 40gb left, the 120gb ssd is over $400, that's why I chose the 80gb.
I feel like if you aren't overclocking things the stock fans are fine, if you are going to overclock you usually spend the money you would of saved on cooling.
I wouldn't get a PC in this price range without an SSD.
Justin, the SSD I linked is under $260. OC is not the only reason to up the cooling, the stock cooler isn't the quitest one either.
Either way, be sure to get the free high-flow bracket.
http://www.evga.com/articles/00556/
My Windows Vista is ~25GB and 4GB is for Virtual memory, and between program files x86 and program files, i have 60 GBs used. I always like to have some games installed, like crysis, l4d, avp, etc. With a small drive, i would be forced to install them in another drive. Actual games are between 4-12+ gbs.
The perfomance for a 80 GB SSD is almost the double of a high perfomance HD, but it's really a big deal for its price?
WD 1TB caviar black = 84 euros (100+ mb/s of perfomance, read/write)
intel SSD x-25 80 GB = 212 euros (200+)
Some friends needed to build a raid setup to see the real difference. But it's too much money!!!
Never buy the beast.
Ditch the SSD $260
Go with GTX460 $70
Take a cheaper X58 board $30-50
Take Seasonic M12II -series PSU, another $40-60 saved
savings total = $440, more if you take a cheaper case
If you take an alternative route with Phenom II 1055T it could be squeezed a bit lower. Would lose some pure single core speed, but it would give you 6 cores. Compared to the four in i7-930 + HT (8 threads total).
EDIT: You know its too early in the morning when you cant find the % button haha.
Less chance of mechanical failure.
No defragging.
Silent
Immune to radiation so if you like hanging around radiation you want an SSD :poly142:
Didnt check
DATA: I've pretty much decided to go with an SSD because we'd like to do it right the first time, and Ben would be getting one sooner or later...but, maybe maybe someone may have a good point to give on waiting. I could maybe just Ghost over the entire C drive onto the new SSD if we just do a standard HDD instead. I've decided against high-performance HDDs because they seem too risky and the price isn't worth it, might as well do SSD for the crazy speeds. Two I was extremely impressed with when it comes to read and write speeds and price, and they're both SATA 6Gb/s:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148357 - 64GB for $145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348 - 128GB for $276
Now, for Ben's secondary/storage drive, it will be a standard 1TB 7200RPM drive, and later on I may buy 1 or 2 more for a RAID configuration with a RAID card (maybe Raid 5). Perhaps you guys may have your own two cents on which one you'd choose and why:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284 - WD Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136496 - WD Green
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148590 - Seagate, more pricey but nicer.
I just think data is WAY important. So I'm being picky and very careful.
VIDEO: I've been tempted to do the 460 card instead of the 470, though the 460s mostly are just 1Gb and every 470 is 1280... When I only mentioned about thinking of going cheaper and getting an earlier card (460) Ben sounded fairly adamant on getting the best video card...perhaps because of its involvement in the intensive rendering and polygons that his activities require. If the video memory isn't so important let me know, but keep in mind he'll also be doing a good amount of gaming.
CPU: Looks like Newegg has just decreased the price of their Bloomfield 3.06GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211) processor, that that's going to replace the 2.8GHz because it's only a few dollars more.
Also, thank you for the heatsink recommendations. So whether I got with Intel/Scythe/Noctua what about silver compound? I'm getting mixed opinions here...some say that the perks are squandered if you don't use a gel/compound, others say that new CPUs don't need it...which is it? I just need to know if I should be buying some or just forget about it, and why.
RAM: I'm going to buy one more 4GB DDR3 1600 stick to make it 12GB, you guys were right about the triple channel. Some specs that I read have confused me....is there going to be a problem with an LGA 1366 x58 Mobo + the chosen RAM? If you look at the RAM's details it says Dual Channel Kit...now that's where my knowledge ends. Is this different than triple channel, and therefore not a problem? I just want compatibility all the way.
MOBO: Does anyone like either of the two posted Motherboards? Like I had said, I didn't like any I saw. I was almost tempted to go to LGA 1156 but that may be a HUGE waste and not be conducive to good future expansion... Both are ASUS, maybe EVGA? I read a ton of reviews on Newegg and Tomshardware, perhaps I'm just scaring myself too much and just need to go for it. What we want is at least SATA III 6Gb/s on it, every other need is basically standard.
Lastly, the PSU. I think I'll be going with this 1100W ABS one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817814019) for $200.
I think in the last year ssd's have finally dropped to a price that makes it worth the cost. That's really not a bad price for a 128 gig.
I would also hold off on a SSD until Intel releases their next-gen drives (rumor is Q4). A leaked roadmap suggests that drive capacity may double; in any case, even if Intel's drives are too expensive, the release should shake up price points. I know that in tech, everything is always "just around the corner", but for a premium device like a SSD, I'd argue it's worth holding out for if you're going to spend the cash anyway.
It also wont be that much longer before end of the year sales start happening, so I'd wait just a bit before going all out on a new system.
PLus AMD is releasing the Bulldozer as well though not until ? next year. Bulldozer is the new processor tech since the original Athlon 64 Hammer. (This is not the Fusion processor that combines the gpu and cpu. This is a full blown workhorse cpu))
Also, the sandybridge integrates graphics like the AMD fusion. Its 10.1 graphics to boot. So you will be paying for that silicon die you wont be using. It also will only be quad cores initially. However. Im sure someone genius like Santaigo (xNormal) will find a way to use that to help with baking.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Bridge_%28microarchitecture%29
"s Westmere's integrated graphics strategy and pushes a faster GPU into the same die as the CPU, all built on a 32nm process. With the two parts inside the same die, both share cache and the graphics part picks up a few tricks from the CPU. The IGP on Sandy Bridge will utilize the same power management as CPU as well as be capable of Turbo Boost. The graphics part itself will support DirectX 10.1 features, but anyone who wants DX11 will probably have a discrete part already on his build list."
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/sandy-bridge-core-idf-2010-gpu,10941.html
Also all I have seen about the sandybridge states Q1 of 2011.
Finally the HD 6000 Radeon is supposedly coming out in the next few weeks. Its just a modified 5770 with I think a separate engine for tessalation. But it might be worth watching its benchmarks.
http://www.geeksmack.net/hardware/intels-sandy-bridge-avx-extensions-scheduled-for-q4-2010-release
http://m.arnnet.com.au/article/360573/intel_announces_2011_shipping_date_sandy_bridge?fp=4&fpid=399285820&rid=1
Newer
Thanks again guys. So I'm thinking maybe still going with that power supply, it will allow for plenty of power not just for now, but for possible future expansions like extra video cards that need a lot of power, as well as future RAID arrays and drives. This PSU gets amazing reviews too, hardly a bad thing was said unlike most...
We'll want to build this PC asap, so it's too bad we won't be able to reap from the benefits of either the Sandy Bridge CPU, or at least the decreasing prices of older tech. But it's true, new tech is always around the corner and we can't keep waiting sadly. But thank you for the info.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131641
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131665
based off their Memory Support Lists on the ASUS website. I'd rather not, but I may have to either go with non-supported 4GB RAM and risk it, or, supported 2GB RAM (which could be a waste, I'd like to maximize possible RAM and efficiency and not squander it). I'd really just rather that ASUS stop being so weird.
What about EVGA? Does anyone know of any super good SATA6Gb/s/USB3.0 boards?
Also, SSD. I'm still having a hard time with it. Ben decided to go with the aforementioned 128GB Crucial one, but I don't know. Perhaps we could just buy only a 1 TB drive, put everything on it and make it the OS drive, and then when we decide to go with an SSD we could just carry the OS and Program Files installations over to the SSD. Problem is, is that easy to do? I've never had to do it.
I'd go for the Gigabyte GA-X58-USB3 it's got everything you need it to have
I'm pretty sure you can find 2GB GTX460s if you're worried about video memory.
1100W is way too high, I'd peg your computer at around a 700W PSU max, unless you're going to overclock the nuts off it.
You should definitely buy a triple channel kit, Corsair are v.good.
I think I'm pretty final on the SSD decision and the GTX 470 1280MB as well.
I may go down form the 1100W PSU...but if I get around 700-750W, that feels like I'm just getting it for what will be in the computer NOW. I also want to have what I need for later, RAID, SLI, and maybe even overclock its nuts off.
I love Corsair RAM, any other good Triple Channel recommendations, 1333/1600? I found a G.SKILL Ripjaws 1333 3x4GB deal for 12GB, not a bad price either ($260 total).
What I really need to figure out is a mobo...I found the EVGA 131-GT-E767-TR to be quite good, but the lowest memory standard it has is 1600...and 1600s are way too pricey. So that's a no go on the 131-GT-E767-TR. ASUS is just too anal for my liking on memory, so I kind of feel up a creek currently...I also can't find anything on the GA-X58-USB3 Gigabyte mobo, I need to see what people have to say about it after having the board for a while is the thing.
PSU: ABS Majesty series MJ1100-M Continuous 1100W
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
and G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 :poly127:
MOBO: EVGA 131-GT-E767-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 SLI3 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0
SSD: Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III
+ a WD Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s for the secondary/storage drive
CASE: Cooler Master Storm Sniper SGC-6000-KXN1-GP
GPU: EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB
OPTICAL: ASUS Black DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD Burner
CPU: Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W BX80601950
+ the Scythe Mugen 2 Rev. B SCMG-2100 Sleeve CPU Cooler to replace the stock heatsink
Edit:
CRAP! Scratch that RAM, I was excited to think I was done, and it's nearing 7 am. 9 hours of looking at parts kills the brain.
The above RAM is apparently only Dual Channel, not Triple. For 12 GB Triple Channel that are equivalent to the dual type, it's $344 total compared to the dual being $335...but minus $50 in promo codes. Dang it. I'm sorry Ben.
Maybe I should go with 1333, but if anyone is willing to, look at the mobo's page and tell if you don't think it's weird that it says the mem standard is 1600, nothing else listed. Huh.
That MB uses phoenix bios which from modifying such doesn't allow much in the range of tweaks. So you cant manually adjust memory timing or say change the cpu timing (which helps add to the life a system when you can OC a cpu to still be somewhat competitive).
I have been looking recently. I choose a MSI instead with its "miltary grade" components series. Not all the bells and whistles of Gigabytes and Asus offering. But its using top tier electronics. Look at this http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lga-1156-p55,2519-14.html Not same MB true but you can see the EVGA had the least power efficiency. So your getting more ambient heat and a slightly larger electric bill every month.
Here is the MB I was looking at. Not too much more expensive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130294
Here is the list 'O stuff I was also looking at (minus the potential liquid cooling as I was directed somewhere else since neweggs selection sucks).
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12289891
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227551&cm_re=ocz_vertex_2_120gb-_-20-227-551-_-Product
Oh also, getting a $200 1100w PSU is just retarded, totally useless waste of money purchase. A solid brand name 80+ 650w will run your system without issue, and cost about $70. Raid, SLI, future proof ect, max you'll ever want is probably about 750w, unless you hook up 15 HD's and about 4 GPUs, you wont need 1100w.
Unless you are dead set on overclocking your CPU, you should definitely wait and test out the stock intel fan first before buying an aftermarket one. Generally these tend to be all you need unless you're going to an absolutely silent build or excessive overclocking. You'll likely find the stock fan is good enough, and save yourself some $$$ here.
You are building a very fast, very nice computer. I wouldn't worry about "future proofing" this much, as by the time you will want to do any upgrading(when the performance increase will actually be worth it) you'll be building a new computer entirely. It used to be that if you wanted to play games and/or do 3d work, you needed a top of the line computer, these days you can do production 3d art on a $800 computer, and $1000 computer will last you a couple years, a $1250 computer will last you a 3-years, and you damn well better be able to use a good portion of your parts(case, psu, hd's, etc)for the next *several* computers if you're going $1500 or over. Honestly i wouldn't count on ANY PSU being reliable over 3 years, so getting a huge one thinking you'll have it forever is a silly thought, especially if you can spend $70 today, and $100 in a few years if you really need it, and still come out less than what you're spending on that 1100w one.
Oh, and if you're really concerned about having a big PSU for extra performance, what you should do instead is simply buy a better CPU/GPU, i always find it silly how people will spend hundreds of dollars on PSUs, Fans, cases, special cooling methods(watercool etc) instead of simply buying better hardware, instead people want to void their warranties and reduce the life expectancy of their hardware, and pay morrrrreeee to do it. I dont get it.
OCZ: Read = 285MB/s , Write = 275MB/s
Crucial: Read = 355MB/s , Write = 140MB/sec
The read speed is actually better on the Cruical and write is faster on the OCZ. OCZ is more balanced, but I've heard they have a tendency to die quickly, and about 1/5 of the posts on newegg say their drive had major issues.
Okay, so I'll find a lower wattage PSU. Thanks EarthQuake, that was a solid post. I wanted more info before I felt the need to go lower and it looks like that's what I needed.
So now I just need an LGA 1366 motherboard (preferably having SATA III) and some Triple Channel RAM, maybe 1333 would be better. I'm going to probably skip out on the EVGA from before. If anyone has any more suggestions then let loose. Thanks oXYnary for the suggestions.
Thing is, does anyone think it would be pointful to go down a notch and just buy 2GB sticks instead? That would limit the max RAM from 24 to 12 sadly... any thoughts?
I can pretty much guarantee that unless you want to start running server applications you'll never need 24 gigs. Again this is one of those situations where, when the time comes that you actually would need that much and want to upgrade, it will probably be not only on the next computer entirely, but maybe even 2/3 computers in the future, and it will be a different ram standard etc etc.
Yes.
So, when I search I make sure the PSUs I look at are 80 PLUS GOLD Certified, and I was looking at them starting from the cheapest... even the 700W and 750W were $180...why bother losing 350-400W just to save $20? And the reviews for the ABS I found are splendid. Upon including 80 PLUS SILVER, I found a good Corsair: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011 $140 after everything... I've yet to find better but $60 in savings is pretty good!
antec 650w $80 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
OCZ 700w $85(60 after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018
antec 750w $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026
corsair 750w $110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
antec 800w $120 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024&cm_re=850w_80-_-17-371-024-_-Product
There is just a quick look, i haven't read reviews etc on any of these but they are all A. Generally good brands for PSUs, B. 80+ cert and C. About half or less than the 1100w one you have listed. There are plentttttttty of PSUs in the 600-800w range that are affordable.
All of these, even that 620w should run the system you have spec'd out perfectly fine too. Any reason you need 80+ GOLD CERT? Seems like something you would get to brag about more than it actually being a real, useful thing.
A 650w PSU, at "bronze" 80+ cert is 82% efficient, one at "gold" is 87% efficient, meaning:
A 650w bronze is using about 790w of juice to run
a 650w bronze is using about 750w of juice to run
IMO, this isn't really much of a difference, and definitely not worth spending 2x or more on, unless say, you're running servers and have 1400 PSUs all running at once, then i'm sure it will impact your utility bills a bit =P
The big thing here is to stay away from generic PSUs with 40-60% efficiency.
Run your system through: http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/Power
I came out to about 475W, and about 650W if you're going SLI. So all of those are fine if no SLI, get the 750W if you want SLI.
However, SLI is:
1. Expensive
2. Provides little benefit for 3d work, only games
3. By the time you want to "add a 2nd card" to get performance improvements, you'll be better off simply buying the new card in 2 years that outperforms your old one x2.
There is another portion to that as well. Thermal. A Higher certification would imply as well less heat put out by PS. Which might help with a longer life on the PS and not needing as much cooling.
He also is using a mid tower case so there is a bit more cramping going inside than a full tower. Might look at modular versions of PS. The antec EQ listed is modular and has certification. However. It has 4 rails. Which can be good or bad. Because unless its has some sort of notice on the modular plug-ins of what is with what rail, you might put too much on on rail and not enough on the other. Shortening the life of the PS and making the system instable.