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First build since 2004

A

Azimuth

n00b
Joined
Apr 11, 2003
Messages
57
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

Programming and software development, moderate gaming (I would like to run HL2, TF2, L4D2, etc. at their highest settings at 1080p; I also have a couple of flight simulators: DCS, and Falcon 4 BMS), as well as potentially some media work.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

Would like to keep it around $1350 inclusive.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

Bay Area, California, USA.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.

CPU, motherboard, memory, storage (SSD + HDD), video card, case, PSU, optical drive, OS (Win 7 Pro 64-bit).

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

23" Dell 2312hm. Keyboard + mouse.

6) Will you be overclocking?

Most likely not.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?

1080p, 23 in.

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

Within the coming month.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.

USB 3.0, Sata 6Gb/s, onboard audio.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?

No.


** I would also like my build to be relatively quiet. **

I have the following tentative set up:

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($132.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($91.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 550D ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1424.88
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-13 17:49 EST-0500)


I am considering a GeForce 660 instead of a 660 Ti, as well as the Corsair 600T case (in white). I would like a case with easy cable management, and dust filters. Is it worth getting a WD black over a Seagate Barracuda? Furthermore, is it worth investing in a non-stock cooler?

Thanks in advance.
 
Since you're in Califonia, every single on of the websites you've linked from charges sales tax to CA residents. In addition, since you're not overclocking, no real reason for you to get the K series CPUs. I recommend this CPU and mobo instead:
$290 - Intel Core i7-3770 CPU
$110 - MSI Z77A-G43 Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard

Also, try to buy as much of your parts as possible from Tigerdirect as they do not charge CA residents sales tax.
 
That CPU isn't worth the price if you aren't intending on overclocking. Go with the non K version of that processor.
We generally don't recommend AsRock motherboards here. Stick with Gigabyte, MSI or ASUS.
That PSU is overkill for your setup, you could save some money there.

I prefer WD drives over Seagate drives, with that being said both are slow.
Unless you intend to overclock, the stock cooler is fine.
 
Thanks for the replies and recommendations. I will get the non-K version i7, and the suggested MSI motherboard.

What is a recommended PSU to go with? The main reason I have the Corsair listed is that it has high reviews on Newegg (and it comes with a $25 mail-in rebate).

Furthermore, is the only difference between the 840 and the 840 Pro the extra 8GB on the latter?
 
Last edited:
Azimuth said:
Furthermore, is the only difference between the 840 and the 840 Pro the extra 8GB on the latter?
Click to expand...

No. The Pro preforms faster. The non Pro version is slower than the Samsung 830 and Crucial M4 series SSDs IIRC. So if you aren't going to get the Pro version, then go with one of the two I mentioned instead.
 
Compared to the 600T, the 550D is noticeably quieter. But the 600T does have a bit more space and better cooling.
 
Did you figure out the differences between the G41 and G43? I got the email but it seems you edited your post. Guessing you noticed you linked the same board?
 
Skillz said:
Did you figure out the differences between the G41 and G43? I got the email but it seems you edited your post. Guessing you noticed you linked the same board?
Click to expand...

Yep, that is correct. I was looking at the same link. :)

G41:
- 4 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1 x 3 in 1 audio jack (Chipset integrated by Realtek® ALC887)
Click to expand...

G43:
- 6 x USB 2.0 ports
- 1 x 6 in 1 audio jack (Chipset integrated by Realtek® ALC892)
- 1 x HDMI® port with max. resolution up to 1920x1200 @60Hz
Click to expand...
 
Seasonic actually made that Antec Neo Eco. So you're gonna get a Seasonic no matter what. Go for that Antec deal.
 
Danny Bui said:
Seasonic actually made that Antec Neo Eco. So you're gonna get a Seasonic no matter what. Go for that Antec deal.
Click to expand...

But they have a reputation for being nosier than Seasonic's branded models (obviously this is why you get a reliable PSU for a low price). Earthwatts are slightly quieter, but still not silent.

I only bring this up because Azimuth actually wanted to know about the noise levels of the case. If I were buying with noise in-mind I'd get a Seasonic-branded unit.

But if he doesn't mind noise at-load, it's probably fine.
 
Last edited:
Danny Bui said:
Seasonic actually made that Antec Neo Eco. So you're gonna get a Seasonic no matter what. Go for that Antec deal.
Click to expand...

Yes I realize that the ECO is a rebranding of the Seasonic, but I did read some comments on different forums that seemed to prefer the Seasonic (because of better capacitors or something to that extent).

defaultluser said:
I only bring this up because Azimuth actually wanted to know about the noise levels of the case. If I were buying with noise in-mind I'd get a Seasonic-branded unit.
Click to expand...

Yep, I would much prefer lower noise levels. Thank you for the input.

I guess I will wait for a bit to see if the price on the Seasonic goes down, or if other good deals pop up, as I have purchased everything except the case and the PSU. I know that NewEgg also have a 15% discount on select Corsair PSUs, but none of them are either exceptional, or cheap (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...12DE-_-EMC-121712-Index-_-MECH-_-Corsair-EB1B)
 
Just out of curiosity, what was your computer setup from 2004?
 
Skillz said:
Just out of curiosity, what was your computer setup from 2004?
Click to expand...

Oh man. I will try to remember the specs since I have moved out of my parents' home, where I left that desktop for my siblings (I moved here to the US), and I visit them every once in a while. I don't remember the last time I used it :)

I went with the AMD/ATI route. I believe it was an Athlon 2200 which I OC'd to 2.0GHz. I had a Radeon 9600. The rest of the system was pretty generic. I do remember buying an ASUS motherboard, 2x512MB of Kingston (or Kingmax, forget which) RAM. Generic PSU. I had a couple of WD HDDs (80GB + 120GB if I recall correctly).
 
Well that system is about a year older than I was hoping for. Sorry to derail your topic, I can take it to PMs if you would rather.

I'm looking for a PC from 2005/2006 with a descent graphics card. The card in that rig is a little older than I like; really want something along the lines of a 7800/7900 or x1800 card.

Basically I want to get a system that was out during/around the same time of the launch of the PS3 and 360; then I want to play modern games on it to see where the limits of a system that old are. I'm assuming is has a Windows XP license?

Actually, I'm gonna PM you instead.

That's a good PSU too by the way and it's fully modular, reason why it costs a little more than other 650W PSUs.
 
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