Looking for advice on building computer.

[Darksypher]

Hey guys. I'm looking to build my own computer. Thing is, I've been out of the computer game for way too long, and i'm completley thrown off by all the different and new hardware is out. So what i'm asking you guys to do for me, is to put together a parts list. I'm planning on ordering today, at the latest tomorrow.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. Gaming, and lots of it. Games like dead space 2, WoW, League of Legends. And anything else coming out that i might play

2. What YOUR budget is. Price range for me is $700-$750. If I have to squeeze a little over $750 i can accept that. Especially if the price / performance ratio is amazing

3. What country. USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. No real preference, As long as the performance is right. Though i would like to have an AMD based processor. And If possible Nvidia GPU. Though it seems like ATI has the upperhand on them from what i've read. Also, windows is a must. The only other thing is i have a case that i would really love to use price permitting, NZXT Lexa S, $69.99 On newegg.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts. Would love to start completley from scratch. I dont think the parts in my 3 year old dell are worthy.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. Lots. But i would like personalized information.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. Maybe Overclocking down the road.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with. Whatever looks best on my monitor. I'm using a 42" HDTV

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? When the parts arrive

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned

Thanks for whatever help you can give me. I have a super itchy buying finger so i'll be refreshing this thread alot. Thanks again!

 

[mnewsham]

Wait a week, intel just announced a flaw in the 6 series chipset (P67/H67) for the new 1155 socket and after this announcement many online retailers pulled their stock of 1155 motherboards, give it a few days and see what happens, In my opinion it isnt a big deal.

 

[Darksypher]

Is intel that much better than AMD right now?

 

[mnewsham]

by about 50-100% yes. Look here for a review of the new 1155 socket.

 

[mfenn]

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? When the parts arrive

:awe: Maybe that question should be rephrased to, "when do you plan to order the parts". It sounds like you want to order immediately though.

One additional question before I post a build: do you need the cost of an OS license included in the $750? I ask because that $100 is a significant chunk of your budget.

 

[Darksypher]

:awe: Maybe that question should be rephrased to, "when do you plan to order the parts". It sounds like you want to order immediately though.

One additional question before I post a build: do you need the cost of an OS license included in the $750? I ask because that $100 is a significant chunk of your budget.

As unforunate as it is i do need the windows 7 liscense included in the overall price.

 

[mfenn]

As unforunate as it is i do need the windows 7 liscense included in the overall price.

OK, sounds like you would be going AMD anyway. Here's a build:
Athlon II X4 640 + Biostar TA870+ combo $174
Mushkin DDR3 1333 4GB $40
GTX 560 Ti $250
Samsung F3 1TB + Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit combo $160
Samsung DVD Burner $20
Antec TruePower New 550W $40 AR Apromo
NZXT Lexa S $70
Total: $754 AR Apromo

 

[Numenorean]

I would spend a little more and go with a better brand of motherboard like Asus. I would sooner sacrifice and get an mATX board from Asus for less than buy a Biostar.

 

[Darksypher]

I have compiled a list as well. What do you think of this compared to the one you provided me Fenn

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106335

NZXT LEXA S LEXS - 001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811146060

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148395

ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157198

SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102908

RAIDMAX Blackstone series RX-700AC 700W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817152042

AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103886

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116754

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0201170056

$754

 

[mnewsham]

You could cut back to 1333Mhz ram if it's cheaper, your PSU should be about 550 watts get better quality (seasonic, corsair, antec) Samsung F3 1tb is much better then seagate (in my experience)

 

[fffblackmage]

:awe: Maybe that question should be rephrased to, "when do you plan to order the parts". It sounds like you want to order immediately though.

One additional question before I post a build: do you need the cost of an OS license included in the $750? I ask because that $100 is a significant chunk of your budget.

Actually, it would be nice if there's a question regarding the OS in the list of questions.

 

[fffblackmage]

I have compiled a list as well. What do you think of this compared to the one you provided me Fenn

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106335

There are cheaper DVD burners.
$17 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118039
$18 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136178

NZXT LEXA S LEXS - 001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811146060

Personal preference. My favorite for $70-ish is the Antec 300 Illusion.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148395

I like the Samsung F3 1TB as well, but unfortunately, it's not on sale right now.

ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157198

$63 - ASRock 880GM-LE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157199

Perhaps it's another personal preference, but I just don't see much point in SATA 6Gbps and USB3, especially if it's going to make a mobo cost almost twice as much.

SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102908

Fine I guess. I like the XFX 6850 for the double warranty.

RAIDMAX Blackstone series RX-700AC 700W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817152042

I would avoid RAIDMAX. You're better off with a high-quality 500W PSU than a mediocre (if even that) overspeced 700W PSU.

Found a good deal:
Antec NEO ECO 620C $70 -$5 promo code -$20 MIR = $45
The Neo Eco series is based off the Seasonic S12II series, so it should be a solid PSU.

AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103886

This is fine.

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0201170056

There isn't much difference between DDR3-1333 and DDR3-1600, except for price.
$40 -$5 MIR = $35
Patriot 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220537

 

[mfenn]

I have compiled a list as well. What do you think of this compared to the one you provided me Fenn

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106335

NZXT LEXA S LEXS - 001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811146060

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148395

ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157198

SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102908

RAIDMAX Blackstone series RX-700AC 700W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817152042

AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103886

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116754

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0201170056

$754

Seems fine except for the PSU. You will definitely want something better than a Raidmax. I'm also a little leery of Seagate's reliability as of late.

Overall, I think that you would be better off with my build because the GTX 560 Ti is quite a bit faster than the 6850.