PC Build Advice/Review Thread

[Krandor]

The CPU package is probably the temp you're seeing at 40, which will usually be a little bit higher then the individual cores.

If the temps feel high, you can check if the fans are blowing air in the right direction (ive screwed this one up before, both fans were blowing in so hot air had nowhere to go) or might need to repaste it.

[Francisco]

I recently finished a new PC, with the following specs. It's a slightly modified version of a machine I saw suggested for FFXIV on Reddit.

The machine is already built, and I put in two 4 GB RAM sticks. I'm in the process of determining what I want to keep off of my old machine for extra stuff, but it will probably wind up being nothing.

The only thing of interest to me at the moment is the old RAM. The machine was a few years old, so it had a pair of 2 GB sticks in it.

Is it bad idea to attempt to use them in the new PC - considering the old one died from a PSU/MB issue?

And if it's not a bad idea, is it even worth doing it?

[Melena]

Typically RAM you should want to keep matching due to speed and voltage. Also chances are your new PC has DDR3, your old PC being a few years ago may be DDR2 which won't even fit in those slots.

[Cleverness]

For anyone with experience in upgrading using prebuilt PCs from certain manufacturers; So I'm upgrading to a proper PC soon, don't need to buy many parts since the prebuilt desktop I have I upgraded with a few things when I got it. Question is, this ASUS hard drive says the disk image I'd make of Windows 7 factory settings will only work on a ASUS computer, is the HD still safe to move and use as a normal HD in another computer or will it not work at all? It's a pretty big HD so I'd rather not waste it if it means I can go without having to buy another copy of Windows 7 for the license.

[Melena]

The drive should work. It's possible that they may have keyed the restore image to the motherboard to prevent you from giving away copies of Windows.

[Oreth]

Doe anyone know if Newegg have a service where they will put the system together / test it etc after you pick out the parts?

[Buffy]

Doe anyone know if Newegg have a service where they will put the system together / test it etc after you pick out the parts?

Not that I'm aware, but I'm fairly sure MicroCenter does. That might only be when you use one of their pre-built and customize it though.

[Oreth]

Ok thanks ill check them out. Will be for a Canadian delivery though so will need to check that too.

[vagus]

Finally upgrading from Xp. Time to find win7. Lol.

[Waraji]

Wait for Windows 9 to actually buy. Then again W7x64 might be pretty cheap.

:D

[Adajer]

Finally upgrading from Xp. Time to find win7. Lol.

Nigga wut?!
Should have been on windows 7.
I bought oem from newegg for like $80. Didnt want to deal with any bootleg versions.

[RKenshin]

What's a fair price for assembling a PC build?

This was the request: "I need help building a new gaming PC. It needs to be able to run World Of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2 and Wildstar on the highest settings. Also I want to be able to use duel monitors and be able to run Open Broadcaster Software while playing games. Will pay."

My quick recommendation based on the limited info:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($208.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($51.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Dual Superclocked ACX Video Card ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell S2240M 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Dell S2240M 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1182.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

I'm sure I could do better, but I literally rushed through and spent <5m on it. I e-mailed a series of questions (budget, overclocking, dual monitor for gaming across both or for multi-tasking, need mouse/speaks/keyboard/monitors?etc) that have a big impact on the list, and am waiting to hear back. Open to feedback/changes and such in any case.

But yeah, so this is mostly a complete stranger so, I'm not exactly sure what I'd charge for it as I've always done stuff like this for free. Anyone do it before? What did/would you charge?

[Boyiee]

See if he'll drop a bill or two. He'll still be getting a better price than buying pre-built. I wouldn't take less than 50-75. Figure it's only an hour of work, maybe two. You may be able to pull in 100-200 if you're lucky.

[Kalmado]

Just curious about the processor. Any specific reason for that choice? If looking to stick with Intel, I would suggest going with either the 4570 to add some more money to your profit margin or going with the 4670(k) to sell more value(newer chip). Or you could go with a FX-8320 which is regularly $130 plus $20-$30 for the cooler.

If you have a Microcenter nearby take advantage of the cpu+mb combo deals. Otherwise looks good. If you have some time and can value shop for the best deals you can stretch your dollars. For instance, you could do a lot better on the PSU for $60.

[RKenshin]

Thanks for input.

Processor choice was just a quick choice based on a previous build I made (before the 4670s).

[rold]

For gaming and streaming movies, what mb/cpu should i look at thats going to be good for the next few years?

[Buffy]

That's a really hard question to answer without a budget. But the 4770k and this Asus motherboard allows for overclocking and should handle anything that comes out for the next 5 years really.

Streaming is simple, but gaming is also going to involve both RAM and video cards.

The short answer is if you build a diesel, awesome system by today's standards, no game currently released will be able to touch it and you won't even have to think about upgrading for 3-5 years, unless you want to stay on the bleeding edge.

[rold]

thanks

[warc]

Can anyone recommend me a monitor? Looking for a 24-30inch, built in speakers, preferably with 2 hdmi ports but not necessary. I just found this on sale with $20 instant rebate until the 3rd http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&leaderboard=1

Any recommendations would be great, thanks.

Edit: Found this, a bit better deal I think. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EFUOY4/?tag=pcpapi-20

[Kalmado]

Check TigerDirect as well. Until 6/29/14 they have a $20 off $100 rebate.