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Finally getting a new PC; Need some help!

Exode

n00b
Joined
Jun 18, 2008
Messages
4
Hey guys, I was looking to buy a MacBook Pro but changed my mind; too expensive for what you get IMO...
Anyway I used to be a fan of computer hardware but kinda lack the time lately, so I'm pretty much outdated. I really don't know where to look for my new build: from what I read I was thinking something like:

Intel Core I5 750
EVGA P55 mobo
EVGA GTX 460
G.SKILL Ripjaws 4go
SSD 60go + regular HD 1tb
Corsair TX650W
Samsung Monitors E2320X 23IN x2

I'm gonna continue my researches but could use some help/comments meanwhile

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
A lot of Web Developement and some Web Design, Web Browsing, Download/Watch/Listen to a lot of music & movies, Play LoTRO and get ready for Star Wars TOR

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$1800-$2000 (including the dual monitors) excluding taxes and shipping

3) Where do you live?
Montreal, Canada (Newegg's now in Canada, but I could browse the US site and ship the pieces to a friends.. Also like www.directcanada.com)

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Case + Fans, PSU, CPU + Heatsink, Mobo, GPU, RAM, HDD + External drive (optional), Optical Drives, Keyboard + Mouse

"Everything" might not be a valid answer but my current build is like 8 years old... I bought a new one a year ago but it got stolen, so I really need to start over new; some help on the major parts at least would be really helpful!

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
None!

6) Will you be overclocking?
Probably not right now, but maybe later

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
Looking to buy 2x 23-24". I've been dying for a dual screen setup for a long time

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within the next week

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Crossfire or SLI would be a plus, but definately not a must right now.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
Nah, was considering Win7 Home or Pro... What ya think?
 
Your preliminary parts list is pretty good so far. However, be sure to specifiy which eVGA P55 mobo you're buying since there are a few different models. And not all of them are worth buying.

Your answer to question 4 is correct BTW. I meant the answer "Everything" was not valid. There's tons of computer parts out there that the average person won't need but would still fall under the "Everthing" answer.

Go with Windows 7 Home. More than likely you won't need any of the features of Pro.

Case wise, that's gonna be up to you. Some case recommendations:
$40 - Cooler Master Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$45 - Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z ATX Case
$50 - Cooler Master Elite 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$50 - Thermaltake WingRS 201 VJ60001N2Z ATX Case
$50 - NZXT M59 ATX Case
$70 - Cooler Master RC-590-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$80 - Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$70 - Cooler Master CM690 II ATX Case
$90 - Cooler Master HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$100 - Lian Li PC-7B Plus II ATX Case
$100 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case
$90 - Cooler Master HAF 922M RC-922M-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$110 - Lian Li PC-E8B ATX Case
$110 - Lian Li PC-7FN ATX Case
$120 - Velocity Micro GX2-W Silver Classic Aluminum Case with Side Window
$120 - Thermaltake ElementS VK60001N2Z ATX Case
$130 - Cooler Master Storm Sniper ATX Case
$150 - Antec P183 ATX Case
$140 - Cooler Master HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$170 - Cooler Master Cosmos S 1000 RC-1100-KSN1-GP Full Tower ATX Case
$180 - Cooler Master ATCS 840 RC-840-KKN1-GP Full Tower ATX Case
$180 - Lian Li PC-B25F ATX Case
$210 - Silverstone FT01-B ATX Case
$220 - Lian Li PC-A71F Black ATX Case
$240 - Lian Li PC-V1200A Plus II ATX Case
$300 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Full Tower ATX Case
$330 - Silverstone Temjin SST-TJ07B Full Tower ATX Case
 
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Thanks for the great feedback! Here's what my build will probably looks like; any concerns?

[COMPUTER CASE]
Coolermaster CM 690 II Advanced
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11130AC9811

[CASE FANS]
(x3) Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E 120MM
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14110AC9673

[FAN CONTROLLER]
Scythe Kaze Q 3.5IN Pure 4 Channel Fan Controller Black
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14110AC0339

[POWER SUPPLY]
Corsair TX650W 650W
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180AC2550

[MOTHERBOARD]
MSI P55A-GD65 P55
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12980BD2486

[PROCESSOR]
Intel Core I5 750 Quad Core Processor Lynnfield LGA1156 2.66GHZ 8MB Cache
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD3101

[HEATSINK]
Zalman CNPS9700LED
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15210AC5755

[MEMORY]
G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL Ripjaws PC3-12800 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15380BD2304

[VIDEO CARD]
MSI GeForce GTX 460 Fermi Cyclone OC 725MHZ 768MB GDDR5
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12980BD5230

[SSD]
OCZ Vertex 60GB 2.5IN SATA2
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13220DR3404

[HARD DISK]
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA3
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=25350DR0783

[FLASH USB DRIVE]
Patriot Xporter XT Boost High Speed 8GB USB2.0
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13410DR9716

[DVD READER/WRITER]
LG GH24LS50 24X
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12600DR5350

[WIRELESS NETWORK CARD]
ASUS PCE-N31 Wireless Network Adapter
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10530NW5338

[KEYBOARD]
Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12850ID7549

[MOUSE]
Logitech Corded Mouse M500
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=28690AC4502

[MOUSE PAD]
steelseries SX Medium Mouse Pad
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=28730

[MONITORS]
(x2) Samsung E2320X 23IN Widescreen Lcd Monitor
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14040MN5810

[OS]
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64BIT
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12850SW2113
 
Ditch the MSI motherboard. I'm fairly sure that the MSI P55A-G65 doesn't haven't any features that'll justify the extra $49 CAD over this motherboard:
$134 CAD - MSI P55A-G55 Intel P55 ATX Motherboard

So I recommend the above G55 over the G65.

Ditch the Western Digital drive as well and get this equally fast drive for $12 CAD less:
$78 CAD - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

So with the above $61 CAD and savings, put it towards the Intel 80GB SSD which has significantly better random read/write speeds which means significantly faster OS responsiveness:
$233 - Intel SSDSA2MH080G2C1 2.5" 80GB SSD

Ditch the Zalman HSF: It's not compatible with socket LGA 1156 despite what it says in the title. If you look at the specs, LGA 1156 is not mentioned at all. I recommend this HSF intstead:
$45 CAD - Scythe SCYS-1000 Yasya CPU HSF
 
Wow thanks a lot, really appreciate your help! Can't wait to put this monster together!
 
Ditch the Zalman HSF: It's not compatible with socket LGA 1156 despite what it says in the title. If you look at the specs, LGA 1156 is not mentioned at all. I recommend this HSF intstead:
$45 CAD - Scythe SCYS-1000 Yasya CPU HSF

Yes it is.. that Website jsut sucks. Check Zalman's website.

That Said the Yasya is a very good cooler as well, but I believe its a little louder (to go with being a little cooler). But either would suit you well..
 
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