Building New PC

[DGuller]

SSD is definitely the single biggest bang for the buck.  Having an SSD eliminates the biggest bottleneck in performance every computer has:  hard drive.

[HVC]

I just bought a laptop. Never really like laptops, but i got the urge to buy something and picked that. this way i can be even more lazy at home. it's somewhere in alaska right now, so if it goes missing i blame Katmai

[Faeelin]

Rather than start my own thread, I have a more general question.  I haven't followed pc specs in detail for  years, but since my computer died I'm interested in building a computer of my own.  What sites do people trust to give a good overview of what's out there in the market nowadays?

[DGuller]

Newegg is pretty much the shit.  Not only is it a rich depository of computer stuff, but it's also a rich depository of user ratings.

[sbr]

What are people's opinions of TigerDirect?  I always end up there for some reason.

[viper37]

What are people's opinions of TigerDirect?  I always end up there for some reason.

I've bought from them a few times.  A good reliable site, sometimes on the mark price-wise, other times way overpriced.

[sbr]

What are people's opinions of TigerDirect?  I always end up there for some reason.

I've bought from them a few times.  A good reliable site, sometimes on the mark price-wise, other times way overpriced.

In my very limited experience they seem to be just a tad cheaper than Newegg.

[Scipio]

Upgrading.  My mobo's on the fritz (gotta reset the BIOS every three days or so, with no obvious shorts or interference).  It is four years old, though.  I went Ivy Bridge and i3.

[DontSayBanana]

In my very limited experience they seem to be just a tad cheaper than Newegg.

Generally, I go price-fishing between TigerDirect, Newegg, and Micro Center.

[Liep]

CPU:  Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($199.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($33.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:  Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX  LGA1155 Motherboard  ($120.99 @ Amazon)
Memory:  G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage:  Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($92.66 @ Amazon)
Video Card:  Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card  ($209.99 @ Microcenter)
Case:  Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply:  SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive:  Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer  ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $994.82

Any comments on this one? It's been a while since I've had a desktop computer and I've been wanting to try out Skyrim and the like for months now.

EDIT: Without the parts I've already got (HDD, optical drive) it's $1250 in Denmark, which maybe is a little more than I'd like.

[DGuller]

CPU cooler is not necessary if you're not going to overclock your CPU.  And I think the age of SSDs has come, so while it's not the cheapest option, the performance boost from it is huge.

[Vricklund]

Damn ugly case, I'm guessing you're still single?

You could check out the i5-2500. Older but probably cheaper. Same socket, overclocks better and runs cooler. Only downside is the integrated graphics but you won't be using it.

If you're not totally bent on an intel rig, then check out the amd advice in this and DSB's dirt cheap thread. You will get away alot cheaper that way.

[Liep]

Haha, try and find a case that's not ugly or filled with weird LED lighting. I've no preference to Intel, so I've tried to look for an AMD build, how's this? I'm fortunate enough to be employed by the state so money isn't really an issue, I just need a good gaming computer without any flash or unused power.


CPU:  AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard:  Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX  AM3+ Motherboard  ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory:  Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Storage:  Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($92.66 @ Amazon)
Video Card:  XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card  ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Case:  Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply:  XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $617.61

Which is $899 converted to Danish prices and then to dollars.

Or:
CPU:  AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($123.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:  ASRock FM2A85X Extreme6 ATX  FM2 Motherboard  ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory:  Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Storage:  Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($92.66 @ Amazon)
Video Card:  Gigabyte Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card  ($239.99 @ Microcenter)
Case:  NZXT Tempest 210 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply:  XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $716.39

~$978

[viper37]

CPU:  AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($94.99 @ Newegg)

Try the new FX instead.  It's faster, and if you take the 4 cores version (there are models with 6 and 8 cores), it will be about the same price.

Motherboard:  Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX  AM3+ Motherboard  ($94.99 @ Newegg)

Ideally, you would need a board withe the 990X chipset.  From Asus these:
SABERTOOTH 990FX; M5A99X EVO R2; CROSSHAIR V FORMULA; M5A99X EVO; M5A99FX PRO R2

I have the first one, and I really like it.  Anyway, the performances are the same, but the features are different, so pick the cheapest of the bunch, unless there are features you absolutely need.

Video Card:  XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card  ($194.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply:  XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($65.99 @ Amazon)

Imho, 550w is on the low side for a gaming rig.  Try 650w-750w.

Or:
CPU:  AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($123.79 @ Amazon)

Not good for a gaming rig.  It's a great idea for office computers, but there's not enough power in there for games

Video Card:  Gigabyte Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card  ($239.99 @ Microcenter)

If you can get this card for 40$ more than the 7850, I'd go for it    Of course, if every $$ counts, the 7850 is still pretty damn good.  If you can, try to find one, either 7850 or 7870 that comes with an upgraded fan&heat sink.  The default one can be problematic.

Also, a CPU cooler is not absolutely necessary, but it's nice for 2 things: it is usually quieter than stock CPU coolers and it will last longer.  I'd say wait until your CPU cooler stops working, than buy a good one.

[Liep]

Thanks! The 7870 is only 300kr more, so went with that.

CPU:  AMD FX-4170 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard:  Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX  AM3+ Motherboard  (Cheapest 990FX with USB 3.0 in Denmark)
Memory:  Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage:  Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card:  Gigabyte Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card
Case:  NZXT Tempest 210 ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply:  Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Total: DKK5664 ($1050)

All components seem to have good reviews on pcpartpicker and newegg, so unless Vick has more complaints about the looks of this () I'll be ordering this evening after I've emptied my mothers old desktop (she bought a laptop) which apparently should have a 2TB 7800RPM and 8gb of RAM according to the specs.