Help building new computer

AgentSmith_RM

Junior Member
Feb 2, 2013
3
1
81
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Mainly for gaming and running virtual Os's. Minimum 16gb ram.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$1200-$1400

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
U.S.A

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
Intel and Nvidia. Nvidia mainly because I 've had better luck w/ in the past w/ linux.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
3 year old - Antec Earthwatts 650W Model: EA-650
5-year old case (Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower)
keyboard/mouse/monitor


7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
overclock
8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
1920x1080
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.
this week
I've been out of the loop w/ computers for a while now .. If for any reason you believe I should get a newer case/power supply let me know.. The front of the case is usb 2.0 but I'm fine w/ that.

Thanks!
 
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Sleepingforest

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2012
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It's nice to get a new case because the cooling will be better (larger fans with better engineering, and other modern conveniences), but your PSU should be fine (it's a bit risky, since the warranty will come up soon, but its up to you). I'd look at mfenn's $1000 build as a guideline, but bump the RAM up to this 2x4GB set and get a slightly better case like the Antec 1100, Antec P280, or Fractal R4.
 
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Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
7,949
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www.techbuyersguru.com
Welcome to the forums, AgentSmith_RM!

Both your PSU and your case are still quite usable. The Antec 900 was a pioneering case when it was introduced, and still provides excellent cooling capabilities. What it does not provide, however, is sophisticated cable management, dust filtration, sound dampening, or USB 3.0 connectivity. It's up to you - if you've enjoyed using it, then it will certainly work for a new build, but something like the Antec 1100, mentioned by Sleepingforest above, would be a big step up. The R4 and P280 are both very good cases, but they are engineered for quiet operation, not cooling capacity, and I'd bet they don't perform quite as well as even the Antec 900 in that regard. Most modern components, however, really don't produce that much heat.
 
Apr 21, 2012
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I would think he could retrofit some of that however, $50 in new fan's, filters, and grommets could help out alot in dust and vibration as well as cooling. Depending on what kind of system he builds cooling may not even be an issue.