Finally upgrading, need advice :]

MrCoffee

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Messages
480
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, mostly MMOs and TF2, no Crysis
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Looking to spend between $900-1100 after Taxes/Shipping, ARs are OK.
3) Where do you live?
32707 (Florida)
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Everything that goes inside the case
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Reusing my Keyboard, Mouse, Audio setup and 19" monitor
6) Will you be overclocking?
This is [H]ard forum, right? ;]
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
Using a 19" and will probably keep using it for a while. Wont be going any higher than a 24" though at any point
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
As soon as the a nice build is posted
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
I plan on using just one Video card, so no need for Crossfire or SLI. RAID isint needed either. Just need a mobo that will overclock on air well with an Aftermarket heatsink
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes, have a Vista 64bit key, but will probably end up using Windows7 on duel boot

Basically, I've had this computer since 2k3 (P4 single core, APG ATI x800, 1GB ram), and I've finally got the cash to build a new system. Seeing how long I keep computers, I'm wondering if an i7 build would be good for me, as it would allow me to upgrade my processor along the line, and be somewhat 'future proof,' even though I hate using that word. I really dont care if the videocard is NVidia or ATI, whichever has the best Drivers/Tools for overclocking.

I've got email notification setup on this thread, so hopefuly i'll be able to quickly respond to any other questions that need to be answered, Thanks in advance all :]
 
Thanks for the awesome suggestions.

My monitor is specifically a VA1912wb, and it says "Recommended Resolution 1440 x 900." That would be the native resolution for this monitor for best quality when gaming, correct? Would that videocard allow me to play most games at 2-4x AA/AF?

The description on that case shows one rear 120mm fan. Should I use the stock one that comes with it, or purchase another fan to replace it for better air flow.

And I'm liking the CoolMaster V8 for the HSF
 
My monitor is specifically a VA1912wb, and it says "Recommended Resolution 1440 x 900." That would be the native resolution for this monitor for best quality when gaming, correct? Would that videocard allow me to play most games at 2-4x AA/AF?
Yes for best quality gaming, play at the native resolution which is 1440x900 for your monitor. And yes that video card should be enough for most games at 2AA at the very least.

The description on that case shows one rear 120mm fan. Should I use the stock one that comes with it, or purchase another fan to replace it for better air flow.
The stock fan should be enough. With that said, I recommend getting two fans, one to replace the stock fan and one for the front of the case. I recommend these fans:
120mm Yate Loon D12SL-12 Case Fan - $3.60
 
I recommend these fans:
120mm Yate Loon D12SL-12 Case Fan - $3.60
+1 to those Yate Loons.

Just adding that now the Samsung is @ $24 & the Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s w/ 32MB is $5 more @ $80.

You can get this $47-50 HSF after tax+shipping: XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V, it's compatible w/ i7. Just a cheaper alternative, but if I had the money, I'd go w/ a TRUE or Noctua NH-U12P SE 1366.
The CM V8 is a good cooler, not my style though, sort of.
The TRUE 1366 RT is only $70($78 w/ shipping) from Jab-tech. The Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 is $67 before shipping from Jab-tech. Too bad Noctua goes w/ brown fans, they kick ass though.
 
The stock fan should be enough. With that said, I recommend getting two fans, one to replace the stock fan and one for the front of the case. I recommend these fans:
120mm Yate Loon D12SL-12 Case Fan - $3.60

Shipping on those fans is killer, but yeah was going to replace the stock fans anyways, i'll pickup 2 of those as well. I'll look more into the HSF, and hopefully make a decision by the middle of next week. Thanks a ton for all your help :D
 
Shipping on those fans is killer, but yeah was going to replace the stock fans anyways, i'll pickup 2 of those as well. I'll look more into the HSF, and hopefully make a decision by the middle of next week. Thanks a ton for all your help :D

Cool. Just remember to post a final build list for some last minute help.

You may or may not need to make a new thread considering the forum's somewhat unstable state. So save a copy of that build list somewhere.
 
Cool. Just remember to post a final build list for some last minute help.

You may or may not need to make a new thread considering the forum's somewhat unstable state. So save a copy of that build list somewhere.

aye, already got it saved to notepad with link and all :D
 
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