Hey everyone,
I'm new to this forum (well, I've been lurking for a while but finally joined) but I'm not a complete noob when it comes to PC builds. I built my last few rigs mostly by carefully reading reviews on multiple sites and thoroughly checking compatibility. I've done well in the past, but I'm a little out of the loop with the current market and pricing, so I'd appreciate some friendly advice or maybe just some steering in the right direction. I'm under no illusion of thinking I'm high level tech, and won't be offended by noob comments because I'm sure I am compared to many of the high-end folks on here. That said, I'm using the "new build guideline" from a sticky so as not to completely embarrass myself.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Standard daily tasks, with a focus on gaming. Yes, I plan on getting Crysis 2 and while I don't need to run it at 100% max, I would like to get up there. I tend to keep my resolution at 1680x1050. I do some audio editing but no video or graphic design. I tend to keep Winamp & Mozilla open while gaming and will Alt-Tab between them, but no DVD burning while gaming or anything like that.
2. What YOUR budget is.
I would like to keep my costs below (if possible) or around $1000. I intend to reuse some of my current hardware, which I'll list below. I don't need bragging rights of everything being top of the line (nor do I expect to get it for ~$1000), and am willing to make minor sacrifices for price (but again, I'll list below).
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA. Most likely a lot on Newegg, but I also have a MicroCenter nearby. I use BensBargains to search for deals and have no problems buying online and waiting for stuff to ship. No sites that require pay membership please.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
From a combination of good luck and careful research, I've had success with brands that are often scoffed at. Namely MSI mobos and Seagate HDs. I'm open to suggestions in this area.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I intend to keep my power supply (it's a 550W that I bought to replace a dead 400W, pretty solid but I don't have the brand name accessible) and my 200GB IDE drive for storage. Yeah, I know IDE is ancient but it's been fine for my purposes. I also have a 74GB Raptor I'd like to reuse but I plan on going SSD for my OS so it's probably redundant.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I have. I've looked through the CPU & Mobo threads here, PCstats.com, a little bit of CNET, anywhere my research takes me. I don't trust one review until several others back it up.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I'd like to overclock a little, if the build can handle it. Not because I need to, but because I can. For this threads purposes, you can assume no if that makes it easier.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?I plan to build within the next 3-6 months, which I know is eons in terms of tech, but I've been pricing things out for a while and I should have a bonus coming up at work. My current rig seems to be holding out, so I can wait for a price break if necessary.
WHAT I'M UPGRADING FROM AND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4
MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
EVGA 640-P2-N825-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - factory overclocked because I didn't know anything about VGA overclocking in 2007.
Throw in a 74GB Raptor, a couple of other large IDE drives for storage, and a good power supply and you have my current rig. My current case is nothing worth mentioning.
Ideally I would like:
Antec P182 Gun Metal Grey Case (no longer produced, I know, but I want function & form cooling without the flashy lights).
SSD 128GB for my OS.
I've had my eye on the i7s for a while, but need some help steering me in the right direction. I feel like I compromised with the Dual Core 4 years ago, so I'd like to go all out this time, but not an Extreme Gulftown or anything. I'm leaning towards Intel unless there's a nice solid mid-high range AMD that's a really good bang for buck.
VGA - do I even need to upgrade? I spent a ton on this thing 4 years ago, and I feel like my complaints with Fallout New Vegas and newer games is more CPU related than VGA, but correct me if I'm wrong. Willing to compromise here because I feel like a $200 VGA every 2 years might be a better investment than a $400 one every 4.
RAM & Mobo - very open to suggestion, just need the standard compatibility, no SLI plans, no need for 6 SATA or anything out of the ordinary. Do I even have to mention LAN & Wifi, at least 6-10 USBs? I assume that's all standard now.
I sincerely appreciate any help/comments/suggestions/nudges in the right direction. Excuse my first post being so long, but I figured better to include more info than not enough.
I'm new to this forum (well, I've been lurking for a while but finally joined) but I'm not a complete noob when it comes to PC builds. I built my last few rigs mostly by carefully reading reviews on multiple sites and thoroughly checking compatibility. I've done well in the past, but I'm a little out of the loop with the current market and pricing, so I'd appreciate some friendly advice or maybe just some steering in the right direction. I'm under no illusion of thinking I'm high level tech, and won't be offended by noob comments because I'm sure I am compared to many of the high-end folks on here. That said, I'm using the "new build guideline" from a sticky so as not to completely embarrass myself.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Standard daily tasks, with a focus on gaming. Yes, I plan on getting Crysis 2 and while I don't need to run it at 100% max, I would like to get up there. I tend to keep my resolution at 1680x1050. I do some audio editing but no video or graphic design. I tend to keep Winamp & Mozilla open while gaming and will Alt-Tab between them, but no DVD burning while gaming or anything like that.
2. What YOUR budget is.
I would like to keep my costs below (if possible) or around $1000. I intend to reuse some of my current hardware, which I'll list below. I don't need bragging rights of everything being top of the line (nor do I expect to get it for ~$1000), and am willing to make minor sacrifices for price (but again, I'll list below).
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA. Most likely a lot on Newegg, but I also have a MicroCenter nearby. I use BensBargains to search for deals and have no problems buying online and waiting for stuff to ship. No sites that require pay membership please.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
From a combination of good luck and careful research, I've had success with brands that are often scoffed at. Namely MSI mobos and Seagate HDs. I'm open to suggestions in this area.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I intend to keep my power supply (it's a 550W that I bought to replace a dead 400W, pretty solid but I don't have the brand name accessible) and my 200GB IDE drive for storage. Yeah, I know IDE is ancient but it's been fine for my purposes. I also have a 74GB Raptor I'd like to reuse but I plan on going SSD for my OS so it's probably redundant.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I have. I've looked through the CPU & Mobo threads here, PCstats.com, a little bit of CNET, anywhere my research takes me. I don't trust one review until several others back it up.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I'd like to overclock a little, if the build can handle it. Not because I need to, but because I can. For this threads purposes, you can assume no if that makes it easier.
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?I plan to build within the next 3-6 months, which I know is eons in terms of tech, but I've been pricing things out for a while and I should have a bonus coming up at work. My current rig seems to be holding out, so I can wait for a price break if necessary.
WHAT I'M UPGRADING FROM AND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4
MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
EVGA 640-P2-N825-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - factory overclocked because I didn't know anything about VGA overclocking in 2007.
Throw in a 74GB Raptor, a couple of other large IDE drives for storage, and a good power supply and you have my current rig. My current case is nothing worth mentioning.
Ideally I would like:
Antec P182 Gun Metal Grey Case (no longer produced, I know, but I want function & form cooling without the flashy lights).
SSD 128GB for my OS.
I've had my eye on the i7s for a while, but need some help steering me in the right direction. I feel like I compromised with the Dual Core 4 years ago, so I'd like to go all out this time, but not an Extreme Gulftown or anything. I'm leaning towards Intel unless there's a nice solid mid-high range AMD that's a really good bang for buck.
VGA - do I even need to upgrade? I spent a ton on this thing 4 years ago, and I feel like my complaints with Fallout New Vegas and newer games is more CPU related than VGA, but correct me if I'm wrong. Willing to compromise here because I feel like a $200 VGA every 2 years might be a better investment than a $400 one every 4.
RAM & Mobo - very open to suggestion, just need the standard compatibility, no SLI plans, no need for 6 SATA or anything out of the ordinary. Do I even have to mention LAN & Wifi, at least 6-10 USBs? I assume that's all standard now.
I sincerely appreciate any help/comments/suggestions/nudges in the right direction. Excuse my first post being so long, but I figured better to include more info than not enough.
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