New build, ideas welcome....

M

Moose777

2[H]4U
Joined
Oct 10, 2004
Messages
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I'm planning a new build. Last decent rig I built was in 2004. Believe it's specs are still in my sig. I need to update it. I don't get on here as often as I once did.

Anyway, since the 2004 rig I built another one in 2011 but it was a budget build and I spend roughly $700 on it.

This tax season I decided that with the tax money I'll be getting back from the IRS I'd like to build another kickass rig. I've posted some parts on another forum and haven't gotten any suggestions. Maybe I'll have luck here.

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131877

Processor: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819113286

Hard drive: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822236339 (I'd buy two of these at this price).

Next are questionable parts; meaning I'm not entirely sure about them and would like suggestions.

Video Card: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130809

Memory: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820226276


Added items:

DVD/Bluray Burner: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827136252

Power supply 1: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182133


Cases:

Case 1: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811204037

Case 2: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811112335 (I'm liking this case; more airflow plus the added bonus of being able to purchase 2.5" HDD's as opposed to 3.5" so I'd save some space) (TURNS OUT THIS ONE WAS JUST DISCONTINUED SO I'M BACK TO SQUARE ONE ON CASES)

Case 3: http://www.sunbeamte...rylic-Case.html
Since space is an issue I'm looking at things that fit on my desk. Not sure about this one, it looks cool, has an open air configuration but I'm just not sure how well it'd work.

As for cases, I wanted something that went under my screen as I've got limited space. But I'm finding this difficult. I've done an open case design before and it worked out well so Case 3 may just be a viable option.

Anything that needs changing? Any other recommendations? I'd appreciate it.
 
Your links don't work.

Also please answer the stickied "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST!" so that we can help you better.
 
Oh, sorry. I guess that's why I wasn't getting answers on the other thread. Sorry.

I'll fix the links and answer the questions when I get home from work. I'm on my way out the door. Thanks for letting me know my links don't work and thanks for the help.
 
Sorry for the delayed response. I've updated the list as I've been informed that some of the original components weren't good. Hopefully these links work.

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231627

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131877

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113285

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339 I'd buy several of these, in fact if I could find a 2.5" drive the same as these I'd buy the 2.5" drives.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119265&Tpk=haf%20xb Hopefully this one doesn't get discontinued before I purchase it.

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182133 Not sure if this one is ok.

DVD Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136252

I've not chosen a video card so if some suggestions could be made I'd appreciate it, but originally I was looking at a 660Ti.

Any help or insight would be helpful. Thanks.
 
Still waiting for you to answer the stickied "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST!"
 
1)What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
***Gaming; 90% will be single player. Also web surfing.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
***$900+ could be more. Tax, shipping included. Preferably ordering from one place.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

***US, NJ, Sussex
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.
***Case, power supply, GPU, CPU, Motherboard, RAM, HDDs, DVDR/We.
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?
***Not sure, possibly a little but doubtful.
7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
***1920x1280, 24" LCD
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
***2/2013, 3/2013
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 2.0/3.0, SATA 3 or 6Gb/s, on board sound.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
***Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit.

Answered, sucked doing it on my phone and sorry, I didn't see the sticky. Thanks for helping.
 
Would you be fine with a mATX motherboard?

As for case, did you want a HTPC style case like that PC-C60B or will something like the Silverstone PS07 or TJ08B-E do the job?

Do you really need blu-ray capability?
 
Danny Bui said:
Would you be fine with a mATX motherboard?

As for case, did you want a HTPC style case like that PC-C60B or will something like the Silverstone PS07 or TJ08B-E do the job?

Do you really need blu-ray capability?
Click to expand...

An mATX motherboard would be fine. I don't have any preference.

The rig I'm on currently is an HTPC case, while smaller it does tend to over heat when I play taxing games like Medal of Honor Warfighter and Battlefield 3. I liked the Cooler Master case that I linked above because it puts the motherboard and GPU above the PWRS and then puts two fans in front of them.

No, I don't need a BluRay DVD drive, just clicked on the first DVD drive I saw actually.
 
What HTPC case are you using now?

Oh and unless you have an AMD preference, you're looking at an Intel setup for gaming.
 
The case is just a generic HTPC case.

As for Intel, I'd rather stay with AMD, it's all I've used in 12 years.the price of Intel's procs is a bit too high.
 
Moose777 said:
The case is just a generic HTPC case.

As for Intel, I'd rather stay with AMD, it's all I've used in 12 years.the price of Intel's procs is a bit too high.
Click to expand...

Don't think you understand how things have changed. Intel's gaming performance beats AMDs performance on every single price point EXCEPT for builds that use onboard video. Seems AMD has that market cornered right now with their APU lineup.
 
Skillz said:
Don't think you understand how things have changed. Intel's gaming performance beats AMDs performance on every single price point EXCEPT for builds that use onboard video. Seems AMD has that market cornered right now with their APU lineup.
Click to expand...

No, I do understand.

This processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Is $20 more expensive than this processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284

The Intel is a four core and the AMD is an 8 and is still cheaper than Intel.

I know I've been out of the PC building scene for a good long while. But I'm now married, have two kids so I'm looking for low cost and good performance. Because I don't have the disposable income I once had when I built the rig in my sig, which is not the same one I'm running now. AMD hasn't done me wrong in 12 years. My current build is an AMD Phenom II and it's a good proc. Yeah, I know they aren't as good as Intel, but they are also a lot more affordable.

If you can build me a rig with an Intel proc that can run Skyrim at Ultra and BF3 and MoH: Warfighter at Ultra/High within my budget then I'll buy the parts to do it.

I'm not looking for Onboard Video, on board sound is fine.

Parts I'd need:

GPU
CPU
PWRS
Motherboard
HDD
DVD R/W
CASE
 
$184 - Intel Core i5-3470 CPU
$78 - Asus P8B75-M/CSM Intel B75 mATX Motherboard
$46 - Corsair Vengeance 8GB CML8GX3M1A1600C10 DDR3 1600 RAM
$310 - EVGA GeForce GTX660 Ti FTW Signature 2 2GB PCI-E Video Card
$74 - Western Digital Blue 1TB WD10EZEX SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$18 - LG iHAS124-04 DVD Burner
$90 - Seasonic SSR-550RM G Series 550W Modular PSU
---
Total: $800 shippd.

AFAIK, Amazon.com doesn't charge sales tax to NJ residents. The above Intel setup will outperform your planned AMD setup in games while using significantly less power and generating less heat. Considering that you have no real solid plans for overclocking, the fact that you can't OC that Core i5 3470 past another 400Mhz isn't a big issue. The major reason to go with the Core i5 2500K or Core i5 3570K (the 2500K's replacement) is if you're planning on overclocking. Since you're not, your earlier comparison wasn't exactly a fair one.

Choose your own case. I'm not particular a fan of the HAF XB since it looks so damn ugly. Since the above has a mATX mobo, that opens up better case options for you if you're looking for a HTPC style case or SFF case:
$78 - Silverstone PS07B mATX Case
$95 - Silverstone GD05B mATX HTPC Case
$99 - Silverstone GD04B mATX HTPC Case
$100 - Silverstone TJ08B-E mATX Case

Though one last question: How far are you from this Microcenter location?:
http://microcenter.com/site/stores/north-jersey.aspx
 
Last edited:
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Danny Bui said:
$184 - Intel Core i5-3470 CPU
$78 - MSI P8B75-M/CSM Intel B75 mATX Motherboard
$46 - Corsair Vengeance 8GB CML8GX3M1A1600C10 DDR3 1600 RAM
$310 - EVGA GeForce GTX660 Ti FTW Signature 2 2GB PCI-E Video Card
$74 - Western Digital Blue 1TB WD10EZEX SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$18 - LG iHAS124-04 DVD Burner
$90 - Seasonic SSR-550RM G Series 550W Modular PSU
---
Total: $800 shippd.

AFAIK, Amazon.com doesn't charge sales tax to NJ residents. The above Intel setup will outperform your planned AMD setup in games while using significantly less power and generating less heat. Considering that you have no real solid plans for overclocking, the fact that you can't OC that Core i5 3470 past another 400Mhz isn't a big issue. The major reason to go with the Core i5 2500K or Core i5 3570K (the 2500K's replacement) is if you're planning on overclocking. Since you're not, your earlier comparison wasn't exactly a fair one.

Choose your own case. I'm not particular a fan of the HAF XB since it looks so damn ugly. Since the above has a mATX mobo, that opens up better case options for you if you're looking for a HTPC style case or SFF case:
$78 - Silverstone PS07B mATX Case
$95 - Silverstone GD05B mATX HTPC Case
$99 - Silverstone GD04B mATX HTPC Case
$100 - Silverstone TJ08B-E mATX Case

Though one last question: How far are you from this Microcenter location?:
http://microcenter.com/site/stores/north-jersey.aspx
Click to expand...

Nice. Thanks.

I'm about 45 minutes to an hours drive from that Microcenter. It's the only one in Jersey actually that I know of. I've gone there a few times.

How are the MSI motherboards? I've only ever used ASUS and haven't ever had a problem with them. I guess I've been limiting myself these past few years huh?

I also wouldn't need a larger power supply for the GPU?
 
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Moose777 said:
Nice. Thanks.

I'm about 45 minutes to an hours drive from that Microcenter. It's the only one in Jersey actually that I know of. I've gone there a few times.

How are the MSI motherboards? I've only ever used ASUS and haven't ever had a problem with them. I guess I've been limiting myself these past few years huh?

I also wouldn't need a larger power supply for the GPU?
Click to expand...

GPUs are much more power effecient these days, 550w for a 660 is plenty :)
 
Moose777 said:
I'm about 45 minutes to an hours drive from that Microcenter. It's the only one in Jersey actually that I know of. I've gone there a few times.
Click to expand...
hmmm 45 minutes to an hour? Hmmm, not really worth it then unless you're already in the area for other reasons.
Moose777 said:
How are the MSI motherboards? I've only ever used ASUS and haven't ever had a problem with them. I guess I've been limiting myself these past few years huh?
Click to expand...
MSI mobos are fairly solid but they do have a few duds in their lineup.
Moose777 said:
I also wouldn't need a larger power supply for the GPU?
Click to expand...
Nope. GPUs are using less power than their older counterparts. Not to mention the lower power usage of Intel CPUs and the fact that you don't plan on overclocking. When you combine all of that plus the fact that you have no plans for Crossfire or SLI, a solid 550W PSU is more than enough power for most single GPU and single CPU setups.
 
Danny Bui said:
hmmm 45 minutes to an hour? Hmmm, not really worth it then unless you're already in the area for other reasons.

MSI mobos are fairly solid but they do have a few duds in their lineup.

Nope. GPUs are using less power than their older counterparts. Not to mention the lower power usage of Intel CPUs and the fact that you don't plan on overclocking. When you combine all of that plus the fact that you have no plans for Crossfire or SLI, a solid 550W PSU is more than enough power for most single GPU and single CPU setups.
Click to expand...

I've really been out of the PC building thing for too long. When I build my last serious rig was back in 2004, the norm was, more power is better. So, that's how I've built my rigs since. I've only built one since 2004 and that was back in 2011 and it gets hot. I figure it'd be good for my son when the new computer is done.

The setup you built for me, that'd be able to run BF3, MoH: WF, Skyrim at Ultra/High? I'm also going to be playing Star Citizen and Wasteland 2, though I don't believe Wasteland 2 is going to be too heavy. How is that MSI motherboard you listed?

I also work on the road and am all over the state, so there are times I drive right past the Microcenter or very close to it. I have gone there on the weekend for their sales. It's not a bad drive when there is no traffic. But NJ should be renamed the parking lot state due to the traffic.

I appreciate the help.
 
Moose777 said:
The setup you built for me, that'd be able to run BF3, MoH: WF, Skyrim at Ultra/High? I'm also going to be playing Star Citizen and Wasteland 2, though I don't believe Wasteland 2 is going to be too heavy. How is that MSI motherboard you listed? .
Click to expand...
Yes the above setup will be enough for your stated performance needs. Oh and I forgot to change the manufacturer: That's an Asus mobo I listed, not a MSI. The Asus mobo I listed is a pretty decent mobo.
 
Danny Bui said:
Yes the above setup will be enough for your stated performance needs. Oh and I forgot to change the manufacturer: That's an Asus mobo I listed, not a MSI. The Asus mobo I listed is a pretty decent mobo.
Click to expand...

That's awesome. Thanks for the build help. I really appreciate it.
 
Moose777 said:
No, I do understand.

This processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Is $20 more expensive than this processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284

The Intel is a four core and the AMD is an 8 and is still cheaper than Intel.

I know I've been out of the PC building scene for a good long while. But I'm now married, have two kids so I'm looking for low cost and good performance. Because I don't have the disposable income I once had when I built the rig in my sig, which is not the same one I'm running now. AMD hasn't done me wrong in 12 years. My current build is an AMD Phenom II and it's a good proc. Yeah, I know they aren't as good as Intel, but they are also a lot more affordable.

If you can build me a rig with an Intel proc that can run Skyrim at Ultra and BF3 and MoH: Warfighter at Ultra/High within my budget then I'll buy the parts to do it.

I'm not looking for Onboard Video, on board sound is fine.

Parts I'd need:

GPU
CPU
PWRS
Motherboard
HDD
DVD R/W
CASE
Click to expand...

Danny's build will accomplish that and as Danny said, you don't need the "K" series Intel processors if you aren't a serious over clocker. It still out preforms the AMD setup.
 
I've saved Danny's build. I'll be ordering those parts as soon as my taxes come. Thanks guys. I appreciate it.
 
There is a used EVGA GTX670 FTW for $300 on the FS forum, something to keep in mind.
 
I tend to avoid used items when dealing with a primary build. For builds that aren't primary (IE: If something fails I don't necessarily have to fix it to get back up and running) then I tend to look into the used market.
 
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