BG, help me build a PC!

[Odesseiron]

Gonna be a little long of a post but...

Okay, sorry to make a new post so soon after the other one, but my dad and I are gonna build a PC. Figured it would be something fun to do together while learning new stuff at the same time. I know very basic installation stuff as far as PC's go. He works for county government doing IT. He knows a hell of a lot more than I do. The two of us can probably figure out what we're doing. I know these pop up all the time, but I want some expert opinions.

I want some input from people as the only thing I've done before is buy pre made pc's. Mostly Dell's. (yeah insert jokes here) I'm finally serious about making my own rig. As I 've never done this before, I've really nary a clue as to what to order. I'm saving some money with recycling some parts out of my Dell.

What I do need: Computer Case, Power Supply, Motherboard, CPU, GPU, Memory, Sound Card, Wires, Fans + anything else I would need. I'll give you guys some ideas with what I'm looking at budget wise. I've giot about $1500 to work with, possibly $2000, though I assume I can get away with $1500 since I'm recycling parts.

1) CPU Case: Need help in choosing one. Looking at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021 Need a somewhat sizeable case for below listed GPU. Feel free to suggest others.

2) Motherboard: I have NO idea what to pick for this. Please help me out bigtime on this one.

3) Power Supply: Mine right now is 1,000 W. Need a beefy one for GPU. Need 1000 I guess?

4) CPU: Really unsure where to go here. My current CPU is an Intel Core 2 Q6600 Quad @ 2.40. I want to upgrade this as well. I want something 3.0+ with a Quad, or something better for a reasonable price.

5) GPU: Definitely going Nvidia route. Currently have GTX 285. Looking at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-551-_-Product Love EVGA.

6) RAM: Looking for suggestions. I have 4 gig of RAM now, guess I want 6?

7) Soundcard: Something made by Creative Labs. Could recycle mine now, want some else.

8) Everything else. What all else do I need? I looked on google, getting different answers. Again, want input of those who have built.

Thanks for all of your help if you can suggest parts; etc. Really wanting to do this, and I appreciate any and all input.

[sruon]

Gonna be a little long of a post but...

Okay, sorry to make a new post so soon after the other one, but my dad and I are gonna build a PC. Figured it would be something fun to do together while learning new stuff at the same time. I know very basic installation stuff as far as PC's go. He works for county government doing IT. He knows a hell of a lot more than I do. The two of us can probably figure out what we're doing. I know these pop up all the time, but I want some expert opinions.

I want some input from people as the only thing I've done before is buy pre made pc's. Mostly Dell's. (yeah insert jokes here) I'm finally serious about making my own rig. As I 've never done this before, I've really nary a clue as to what to order. I'm saving some money with recycling some parts out of my Dell.

What I do need: Computer Case, Power Supply, Motherboard, CPU, GPU, Memory, Sound Card, Wires, Fans + anything else I would need. I'll give you guys some ideas with what I'm looking at budget wise. I've giot about $1500 to work with, possibly $2000, though I assume I can get away with $1500 since I'm recycling parts.

1) CPU Case: Need help in choosing one. Looking at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021 Need a somewhat sizeable case for below listed GPU. Feel free to suggest others.

Case is solid, I don't have much to say about cases rly. A pizza box works as a case to me.

2) Motherboard: I have NO idea what to pick for this. Please help me out bigtime on this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131614

3) Power Supply: Mine right now is 1,000 W. Need a beefy one for GPU. Need 1000 I guess?

1000W is more than enough, but more importantly... is it a real brand? If not you should buy another to be safe. Such as http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006


4) CPU: Really unsure where to go here. My current CPU is an Intel Core 2 Q6600 Quad @ 2.40. I want to upgrade this as well. I want something 3.0+ with a Quad, or something better for a reasonable price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-225-_-Product Some persons will claim that X is better or that it's dieing soon but this is a very solid choice.

5) GPU: Definitely going Nvidia route. Currently have GTX 285. Looking at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-551-_-Product Love EVGA.

Of course that is an excellent choice.

6) RAM: Looking for suggestions. I have 4 gig of RAM now, guess I want 6?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231374 Bit overkill but in your budget it shouldn't matter. Can save $100 probably and still do fine.

7) Soundcard: Something made by Creative Labs. Could recycle mine now, want some else.

Can't help you there

8) Everything else. What all else do I need? I looked on google, getting different answers. Again, want input of those who have built.

CPU fan: I have no idea for a model but you do need one. Someone else will give an answer I suppose

Thermal Grease: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-007-_-Product

Possibly multiple fans to replace case ones if they suck/noisy and a Rheobus to control all fans. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811992005
Totally geek so totally required. (or not.)




Thanks for all of your help if you can suggest parts; etc. Really wanting to do this, and I appreciate any and all input.

Motherboard and RAM are largely overkill and most likely won't affect (much) your performances but your budget allows for that.

[Odesseiron]

Thanks for your input. Definitely would appreciate other opinions. Does the case come with all the cables and shit? The CPU case says it comes with:
1 x 120mm TriCool rear fan with 3-speed switch control
2 x 120mm TriCool blue LED front fans with 3-speed switch control to cool HDDs
1 x 200mm top fan

Do I still need a CPU fan?

Sorry if these are noobish questions, ha ha.

[Morbo666]

Well I personally didn't build mine, a friend did(I was watching and learning). I have that same case but I don't remember if any cables came with it and the box doesn't say. That info is correct about the fans and I also put one 120MM on the side just for kicks. What sroun wrote looks pretty good, $300 for mobo ;/. I guess that's something you don't really want to skimp on as cheaper ones may not support faster RAM like my crappy LGA775. A 1000 watt power supply is kinda overkill. If you're going for a "beefy" CPU you should probably get a better fan/heatsink. This is the one I got and it's been working for almost 2 years now - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118223. I think the boxed CPU's should come with the thermal paste. Hope this helps a little.

[Odesseiron]

I know the mobo and the processor are not top end, but are there any other alternatives that are "almost" as good and a tad cheaper? Everything together (no including shipping) is about 1500, which is fine. Just checking out options.

Also read something that the CPU and Mobo kinda clash a little when you try to OC the CPU. Thoughts?

[Celeras]

I don't like Asus boards, had nothing but problems with them personally.. solid company though and there will be other people that swear by them. I'm using gigabyte right now. But if you love eVGA(<3 them too) and decide to stick with the intel route, why not just get an eVGA x58 3-way SLI board?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D&PageSize=100

Obviously ignore the first two unless you want to be a baller and go 4-way SLI classified ;p

[Odesseiron]

I don't like Asus boards, had nothing but problems with them personally.. solid company though and there will be other people that swear by them. I'm using gigabyte right now. But if you love eVGA(<3 them too) and decide to stick with the intel route, why not just get an eVGA x58 3-way SLI board?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D&PageSize=100

Obviously ignore the first two unless you want to be a baller and go 4-way SLI classified ;p

Looking at this Motherboard here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188039

Need change in RAM though. Looking at this. Other suggestions are welcome. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145224


Also for CPU: Currently have this in cart: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115225

Anything around the same price better/faster? (My CPU hardware knowledge is pretty limited)

[Knyghtmayre]

Any reason you're going with Intel over AMD?

An AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz 6-core is only $6 more for what seems like a ton more bang.

[xopher]

Do you want to super overclock your CPU?

Either get a Megahalem cooler or a Corsair H50.

With either of those, order a Sanyo Denki fan. Industrial strength refrigeration fans. Put that on there and you'll be idling in the mid 20s. Plenty of room to OC.

http://www.newark.com/sanyo-denki/9g...fan/dp/96M1755

Any reason you're going with Intel over AMD?

An AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz 6-core is only $6 more for what seems like a ton more bang.

Do more research. That CPU doesn't compare to i7s. AMDs are still stuck with dual channel memory while i7s can do triple.

[Norellicus]

Any reason you're going with Intel over AMD?

An AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz 6-core is only $6 more for what seems like a ton more bang.

Core i7(-860 through -965) is a better performer at all levels currently, runs cooler, and has a lower power draw when not under full load.

[Knyghtmayre]

PassMark begged to differ, but if you say so ;<

Spoiler: show

http://i50.tinypic.com/1z2ery8.png

[Celeras]

Nore/Xoph are exaggerating 'at all levels', but i7's are faster for gaming right now.. Passmark is a multithreaded application that takes other things into account. But if you'll notice, the 930 beats out the 1055T. This is significant because the 1090/1055 are the same EXACT chips... only the 1090 has a higher default clock. 1055T=2.8ghz default, the same as the i7.. and look where that ends up on the passmark chart. The X6 can only edge out the i7s when theyre at higher clocks.

The difference is completely insignificant though, and I went with X6 for upgradeability personally. They're both solid chips and can't go wrong with either, don't hijack the mans thread with things he didn't ask for.

@OP, I notice you're in NY. If a trip out to the island isn't too far for you, swing by a microcenter for the i7 930:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0331303

There's one in Westbury, and another in Yonkers if that's closer to ya.

[xopher]

Oh, I'm exaggerating that AMD chips can't use triple channel yet?

[Celeras]

You're exaggerating when you say "Those CPU's dont compare to an i7". Triple channel is insignificant.

[Odesseiron]

Nore/Xoph are exaggerating 'at all levels', but i7's are faster for gaming right now.. Passmark is a multithreaded application that takes other things into account. But if you'll notice, the 930 beats out the 1055T. This is significant because the 1090/1055 are the same EXACT chips... only the 1090 has a higher default clock. 1055T=2.8ghz default, the same as the i7.. and look where that ends up on the passmark chart. The X6 can only edge out the i7s when theyre at higher clocks.

The difference is completely insignificant though, and I went with X6 for upgradeability personally. They're both solid chips and can't go wrong with either, don't hijack the mans thread with things he didn't ask for.

@OP, I notice you're in NY. If a trip out to the island isn't too far for you, swing by a microcenter for the i7 930:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0331303

There's one in Westbury, and another in Yonkers if that's closer to ya.

Actually, that's very convenient, as I live in Yonkers.

[Celeras]

Well then you're welcome for the extra $100 ;p Don't worry about rushing as its not even a sale, microcenter has always had that price on 930s.

[Deadgye]

PassMark begged to differ, but if you say so ;<

If you're not running your 930 at 3.6Ghz minimum you're doinitrong.

[Odesseiron]

Ended up buying everything at MicroCentre yesterday. They pricematch Newegg, and I got a $1600 line of credit interest free for a year. Can pay it off in no time.

Before I list all the parts I ended up getting, they tried to sell me a ton of stuff as add ons (which I didn't buy) extended warranty to cover the whole purchase for $200, anti static wristbands and anti static mats. My dad and I are alsways grounded when we work on this stuff. Should I go back and pick up a couple wrsitbands/the static mat? Or is it just one of those extra extra cautious items?

Anyways on to what I actually purchased:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188039
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115225
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145224
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130551
Power: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-011-_-Product

Hard/optical drives will be recycled from my old PC. I cannot wait to put this thing together, as it will be my first real build. Gonna do it with the dad to do something together. Any tips aside from what google has to offer?

[Celeras]

I'll take that $100 I saved you sent to my paypal, so I can eVGA step-up my 470->480 before the offer expires :D Or, alternatively if you're a cheapass, just use my affiliate code when you register your eVGA products on their site (for lifetime warranty, include invoice) and I'll get 2 eVGA bucks each: 52MJR9H0BO

Would appreciate it

I used to use an anti-static bracelet before I lost mine lol. I just make sure to touch the metal on my chair/case before everytime I stick a hand in.

[Odesseiron]

I'll take that $100 I saved you sent to my paypal, so I can eVGA step-up my 470->480 before the offer expires :D Or, alternatively if you're a cheapass, just use my affiliate code when you register your eVGA products on their site (for lifetime warranty, include invoice) and I'll get 2 eVGA bucks each: 52MJR9H0BO

Would appreciate it

I used to use an anti-static bracelet before I lost mine lol. I just make sure to touch the metal on my chair/case before everytime I stick a hand in.

Haha, I think the 2 bucks is a lot better sounding than the 100! When I do everything, (probably in a couple weeks..very busy IRL right now) consider it done