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My new build

silk186

silk186

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
1,628
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I will be playing some games like Skyrim and Diablo III as well as some light Photoshop and video editing
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I would like to get the CPU and motherboard for around 300 USD,
memory for under 80
120GB SSD for under 200
Total= $550
3) Where do you live?
I currently live in China. In one week I will come to Canada for 2 weeks and US for 2 weeks.
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.
I need a CPU, MB, Memory, SSD and I will purchase a case when I get back to China.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
LCD = Samsung 22” SyncMaster 2243
PSU = Corsair VX550W
GPU = ATI 5770
HDD = 2 x 1tb WD Greens
Mouse, keyboard, speakers, DVD drive
6) Will you be overclocking?
I hope to OC to 4.2 or as high as I can get on stock voltage
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
22”
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
In 1 week I can purchase parts in Canada and in 3 weeks I can purchase parts in the US
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc.
I don’t plan on having a Dual GPU set-up but I would like USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s, Raid and support for the on die GPU as a backup
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Windows 7 64x


I don't want to buy anything online if I can avoid it as I won't have time to deal with an RMA so that leave one store in Canada and either Fry's or MicroCenter in America.

Currently I'm considering:
CPU: i5-2500k
MB: GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline Frostbyte PC3-12800 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 1.5V for 50 CAD or
G.SKILL Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 for 57 CAD​
SSD: Intel 320 series 120GB $210 in China
Crucial M4 SSD Micron C400 128GB $220 in China
Are there any good cheaper alternatives?
I can pick up a OCZ Agility 3 120GB for 170, are they that bad compared to an intel 320?


In China I want to buy a mid-tower with internal USB 3.0 header:
Coolermaster Storm Enforcer
Corsair Carbide Series 400R
 
Do you still have that 750 in your sig? I would just stick with that CPU if it is the case and get a new GPU, and SSD. Going 2500K from a 750 isn't going double your FPS like a new video card will.
 
I concur with xBanzai89: you're better off with a GPU and SSD upgrade rather than a CPU + mobo + RAM + SSD upgrade. GPU wise, you should be looking at the GTX 560 Ti or HD 6950 2GB.

SSD wise, go for the Crucial M4 SSD or the Intel 510 series SSDs. The Intel 320 series SSD isn't that great of a choice any more on account of its SATA 3.0Gb/s interface limiting performance a bit and the fact that there's a firmware issue/bug with that SSD. OCZ has a bad track record when it comes to SSDs. So I wouldn't trust any SSD from them unless it's been proven after a year with little to no issues.

If you're still going to go buy the CPU + mobo + RAM, your current parts choices are all right. Just go for the G.Skill RAM.
 
I'm selling my i5-750, ASRock P55M Pro + 2x2 DDR3-1600 Ram for $300
This is a reasonable price in China, but I can get much better prices in CA / US

Also, I want USB 3.0, Sata 6 and more sata ports in general
 
Your call. Still won't notice any real improvements in gaming is the only thing about it.
 
I can sell my MB, CPU & RAM (4GB) for 300 and buy a new MB & CPU for 300 and upgrade to 8GB RAM. I'm not doing for gaming performance.
When I bought my computer I was tight on cash and had limited selection of MBs so I didn't get what I really wanted. I don't have enough SATA ports and I would like to have SATA 3 and USB 3. Basically I'm making the upgrade because I can get such a good return on my old parts that the upgrade cost is insignificant as I wanted to upgrade to 8GB or RAM regardless.
 
OK Ok. You've made your point.

Just go with my earlier advice and you should be set.
 
I will Danny Bui, I'm looking into the ripjaws and the crucial m4 SSD
 
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