Building a new PC

[Sebiale]

So, I've decided to build a new desktop PC from scratch for the generation of games coming out that my laptop won't be able to handle. It's not specifically for Skyrim, but that's definitely one of the game I want to play. The aim is to build something that will last me for the next 4 years or so running games on medium to high settings. Hoping to keep it around a $1K range.

 

I've narrowed down most of the parts to only a few selections, but the CPU and Optical Drive are the only things I'm fairly certain about.

If you can think of any parts of the PC that might be better for around the same price as the ones I put here, please let me know :)

 

Case: Mainly looking for lots of space and good cooling, so I went with full-tower selections.

Zalman Z9

 

Storage: I thought about going for an SSD, but decided against it because I couldn't find one in a price range I was willing to consider that had the kind of space I wanted. I've never had a terabyte HDD before, it's twice the space I have now.

Hitachi Desktstar 7K3000

 

Video Card: I'm only planning to have a single card for now, but I'm gonna get an SLI/Crossfire capable PC in case I decide to add another later.

XFX HD-685X-ZNDC Radeon HD

EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1461-KR

ASUS ENGTX550 TI DC TOP/DI/1GD5

I'm not sure here, the Asus has the fastest Core and Shader clocks, but it's only 192-bit. I'm not even sure if I want the EVGA superclocked--what's mini HDMI??? At least their general stats are pretty even.

 

Memory:

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series I think this is the best one as far as capability/price. I just worry because it says it was designed specifically for Sandy Bridge, so it makes me worry about if I ever change out CPUs...although I don't have any plans to do that ATM.

G.SKILL Value Series

CORSAIR Vengeance

 

Motherboard:

ASRock Z68 Extreme4

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO

 

CPU:

Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge I briefly considered the 2500K, but I've never overclocked my stuff before, I don't plan to now, so I saw no need to spend the extra money for it.

 

Power Supply:

RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-730SS

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX

I know they say not to skimp on power supplies, but I find it hard to believe they meant spending twice as much for 20 watts. Here my main concern is with other features, they seem mostly similar, but things like PCI express, 12V Rails and the number of SATA power connector worry me.

 

Optical Drive:

ASUS 24X DVD Burner

I don't have any plans to be putting Blu-Rays in my machine, and I get pretty much all of my games digitally nowadays, so I don't think I should bother shelling out the cash for a Blu-Ray OD.

 

OS:

Windows 7, OEM Home Premium

 

Networking:

Rosewill RNX-N180UBE Wireless Adapter

 

Case Fans: Same problem as the Coolers, I just don't know what I'm looking for here.

SILVERSTONE FM121

ARCTIC COOLING AF12PWM

Scythe DFS123812-3000 "ULTRA KAZE"

COOLER MASTER Megaflow

 

Sound Card: I don't know if I need one of these. The motherboards come with 8 channels, will that get me decent audio?

Edited July 4, 2011 by Sebiale

[hoofhearted4]

if you look at the threads ive made a lot of answers can be answered. my original build was around $1300, ive since widdled it down to $900. here is my current build for comparison:

 

Monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236100

 

Keyboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126087

 

PCI wireless adapter:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320071

 

Mobo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131757

 

Case/PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662139

 

HDD/DVD:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.667935

 

GPU/CPU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.667935

 

 

now this is an AMD build cause i needed it cheap (got into an accident so im not splitting money between a car and this) and a few things are combos for money saving. just for comparison again, ill list the parts i originally as well (which obviously cost more)

 

the original GPU i had:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127578

 

i was also going to go with the i5-2500. i went with the i5-2500k just for the option of over clocking for the future, though i had never done it before (this was/is my first PC i was going to build) but i got this mobo with it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157230

 

as for the RAM i got this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426&cm_re=g.skill_8gb_ddr3-_-20-231-426-_-Product

 

even though it says its build for Intel, thats just marketing. what matters is if your board can handle 1333 (or whatever number is listed for the RAM)

 

this cooler was recommended to me:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

 

ive since decided not to go with one, ive read that the stock cooler is just fine for most CPUs, only when you start over clocking do they start to perform less then some 3rd party coolers and even then it depends on how much over clocking you do. even if i decide to OC in the future i wont do it much.

 

as for the PSU, i would get something with 80PLUS. here are a good solid one Raidmax is a good brand for PSUs, as well as Corsair.:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152043&cm_re=80_PLUS_gold-_-17-152-043-_-Product

 

if you want to go for a cheaper PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020&cm_re=corsair_80_PLUS_bronze-_-17-139-020-_-Product

 

for your build 600W is plenty. i think mine was estimated at like 500W, but a good average is like 650W, thinking of future upgrades and whatnot, it doesnt hurt. its not a huge deal if its Bronze, Silver, or Gold. as long as its 80 Plus certified. but obviously the higher the better.

 

lastly, this was the HDD i was gunna get. its a bit slower at 5400rpms as opposed to 7200rpms, but has twice the size and ive heard a lot of good things about Hitachi. but in the end i decided i didnt need the extra 1tb (plus it didnt combo with anything)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145475&cm_re=hitachi_2tb-_-22-145-475-_-Product

 

whether your worried about money or not, i would recommend looking for savings, combos, shell shockers, and all that good stuff. a lot of things combo together and you can save money. many things come with rebates, others come with Free games or something.

 

as i said, all these came from my 5438902 threads in the section asking ppl 439204320 different questions on everything so i would recommend searching through them and reading to see what ppl said :)

Edited June 30, 2011 by hoofhearted4

[hector530]

if your not gonna overclock i dont see the point in getting a aftermarket CPU cooler. the i2500 will come with the oem heat sink which will do fine. id get the 560ti and ASUS motherboard, cosrsair PSU and ram.

[Sebiale]

if your not gonna overclock i dont see the point in getting a aftermarket CPU cooler.

Good point :)

 

id get the 560ti and ASUS motherboard, cosrsair PSU and ram.

Why those ones?

Edited July 1, 2011 by Sebiale

[hector530]

the corsair PSU is 80 plus Certified. also like hoofhearted4 said this 650 PSU would do fine in this build http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020&cm_re=corsair_80_PLUS_bronze-_-17-139-020-_-Product

 

why the corsair ram?! there both pretty much the same but i like the looks of corsair. but the RIPJAWS are 10 bucks cheaper and are also ddr3 1600.

[ginnyfizz]

I am not sure why anyone would be almost apologetic about planning an AMD system. I have an ageing one that can still play demanding games like The Witcher 2 on max. In theory you might think the Intel Systems are better and faster, but in practice, on the forums of the hardware etailer over here in the UK where I buy my stuff, the Phenom II X6 1090T or 1100T stuffed in an Asus Crosshair IV mobo is getting five star reviews. The last part for my new build will arrive by DPD tomorrow and this is what I am having put together;-

 

Coolermaster HAF 932 full tower case

ASUS Crosshair IV Formula motherboard

AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 3.30Ghz

Zalman 1000W HP PSU (from current system, tested as in perfect working order)

Hitachi Deskstar 2TB 7200rpm HDD

Current optical drive which is a Sony of some kind and is doing fine

Corsair XMS3 1600Mhz DDR3 dual channel - 8GB (2 x 4GB)

Sapphire ATI Radeon 6950 2048Mb

 

I do believe we pay a lot more for stuff in general than in some other countries and cheap this system was not, but you would pay a lot more for a core i7 build.

[hoofhearted4]

if you are referring to me, i wasnt being apologetic. just pointing out that my mobo and cpu was for AMD and was cheaper. AMD is simply cheaper then intel, but looking at all the benchmarks, intel wins everytime. worth it for the money? maybe, maybe not. idk if ill go with the i5-2500k....im kinda lookign forward to the AMD bulldozer and hope it comes out soon. in all likelyhood ill prolly go with that. maybe. lol

[ginnyfizz]

Benchmarks are all very well, but I prefer to read reviews from actual users, and have seen many that have got performance from the AMD systems that have astounded them. It appears to me that the Intel are rather pricey and not better.

[hoofhearted4]

ive actually thought about this, and i think im just gunna wait for AMD bulldozer to come out. or go with an AMD processor (like if bulldozer is held up) i figure any money i save with the CPU i can use for a better GPU....or just keep in savings. though idk whats next in line for GPUs. this is what im currently using:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127578&Tpk=msi%20560%20hawk