Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Need help in building my first computer

Started by Light Knight , Apr 12 2011 11:09 AM

Please log in to reply

#1
Light Knight

Posted 12 April 2011 - 11:09 AM

Member

Member
99 posts

So I'm looking up parts and making myself a list for building my own computer. (Mid-tower)

But I need a little help. First off with what motherboard to get. I'll be using my computer mostly for lots of multitasking, and bit of games (nothing extremely high end, but still I want it to play a good game well), lot's of movie watching, and some music editing (not recording).

Now I know what CPU and Memory I want, but I'm afraid that the current mother board I have on my list will create a major bottleneck

Ram - Patriot Gaming i5 8GB PC10666
CPU - AMD Phenom II 1090T (Hexa-core, 3.2GHz)
Motherboard - Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H?

I'll adjust my video card, PSU and other stuff accordingly. But I want to at least start with having these 3 down path.

So is there a problem here? If there is, what should I be looking for in a motherboard.

Now keep in mind that budget is an issue (I'm trying to keep my build at 1k CAD).

Ok thanks!

#2
iammykyl

Posted 12 April 2011 - 04:40 PM

Tech Staff

Technician
7,659 posts

Hi Light Knight.

So is there a problem here? If there is, what should I be looking for in a motherboard.

I advise you do a little more research before selection a Mobo.
The Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H (rev 3.0) is socket AM3 and will not take the next release of AMD CPUs.
The Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H (rev 3.1) is socket AM3 + and is backward compatible with other CPUs. comparison here, > http://www.gigabyte....&pids=3756,3785

Full list of other boards, > http://www.gigabyte....mb-am3plus.html

I'm afraid that the current mother board I have on my list will create a major bottleneck

I can see no reason why the Mobo would bottle neck the system.

#3
Light Knight

Posted 14 April 2011 - 02:12 PM

Member

Topic Starter
Member
99 posts

Hi Light Knight.

So is there a problem here? If there is, what should I be looking for in a motherboard.

I advise you do a little more research before selection a Mobo.
The Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H (rev 3.0) is socket AM3 and will not take the next release of AMD CPUs.
The Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H (rev 3.1) is socket AM3 + and is backward compatible with other CPUs. comparison here, > http://www.gigabyte....&pids=3756,3785

Full list of other boards, > http://www.gigabyte....mb-am3plus.html

I'm afraid that the current mother board I have on my list will create a major bottleneck

I can see no reason why the Mobo would bottle neck the system.

Great! Thanks.

I didn't realize a new line of processors were on the verge of being released. I've been looking at this one. It's an 870 chipset instead of a 890, as I was going over budget. That would still be good right? I Also like this one because I'll be buying my own graphics card, and this one doesn't include an onboard one.

I am reading up and learning about mobos before buying one, that's why I'm here asking for advice.

I have an other question, since I want 8GB of ram, I'll need to install Windows and Ubuntu 64bit right? Is it as simple as that... I just need a 64 bit OP, and a Mobo that can handle it?

#4
iammykyl

Posted 15 April 2011 - 04:20 PM

Tech Staff

Technician
7,659 posts

The GA-870A-UD3 Is a good choice. The GA-890GPA-UD3H Has another major difference, the PCIe slots, > http://www.gigabyte....&pids=3786,3785
If you intend at a future date to install a second video card, both slots will run at x4 on the GA-870A-UD3.
Both slots will run at x8 on the GA-890GPA-UD3H

I would look through the boards at Asus and at Asrock now producing very good quality boards, A lot more for your dollar.

since I want 8GB of ram, I'll need to install Windows and Ubuntu 64bit right? Is it as simple as that... I just need a 64 bit OP, and a Mobo that can handle it?

Yes, you will need a 64 bit OS.

I would go for Windows 7. In case you are not aware about licencing. When you install an windows OEM OS on your new hardware, it cannot then be reused on a new system. You can add new hardware and change the video card but you cannot upgrade the Mobo.
A Windows Retail OS can be moved to a complete new system build.

There are no restriction on Linux.

#5
Light Knight

Posted 15 April 2011 - 08:44 PM

Member

Topic Starter
Member
99 posts

Thanks.

I'm glad you pointed out the PCI slot difference; I only plan on having one graphic card. I will check out those other websites as well, I'm always looking for the most bang for my buck. I will likely have more questions haha.

I'll be dual booting (as my current system is) Linux Ubuntu 64 bit and Windows 7 64 bit. I plan on going retail for windows, as I will attempt to install windows within Ubuntu as well.

Edited by Light Knight, 15 April 2011 - 08:47 PM.

#6
iammykyl

Posted 15 April 2011 - 11:50 PM

Tech Staff

Technician
7,659 posts

I will likely have more questions haha

Keep them coming.

Bang for your bucks is Asrock and good quality.

#7
iammykyl

Posted 03 May 2011 - 11:45 PM

Tech Staff

Technician
7,659 posts

Been a while since hearing from you.
How are things progressing?
Feedback to the forum would be much appreciated.

#8
Light Knight

Posted 04 May 2011 - 11:29 AM

Member

Topic Starter
Member
99 posts

Well, I'm still a few months away from building my computer, so I know I'll be making some changes to my components list. But here is what I have so far:

Case - Cooler Master RC-430-KWN1 Elite 430 Mid Tower
Ram - Patriot PGV38G1333ELK Gaming i5 8GB PC10666
CPU - Some AM3+ whenever they come out.
Power Supply - Ultra U12-40873 LSX 650-Watt Power Supply
HDD - Hitachi 0F10383 Deskstar 7K1000.C Hard Drive - 1TB
DVD - HP HPDVD1260I Multiformat DVD Writer
Motherboard - ASRock 870 Extreme3 R2.0
Graphics Card - VisionTek 400623 Radeon HD 4670 Video Card
Fan - Coolmax CMF-1225-BL (Mostly for the look)
Monitor - Asus VE247H 24" Widescreen HD LED

I have a couple questions.

First: My video card. I know that memory isn't the only thing to look at on a card; there's clock, stream processors and other features to look at too. I read up on it to an extent, but I'm not 100% sure if the one I have selected is good. I want one for decent gaming, not massive games, but I want it to play most games well. I will mainly use it for video watching. Is the one I have up there reasonable?

Second: My PSU. Is 650 watts sufficient? And is my power supply of good quality.

And if you see any other issues, let me know.

Thanks a lot!

Edited by Light Knight, 04 May 2011 - 11:35 AM.

#9
iammykyl

Posted 09 May 2011 - 06:48 AM

Tech Staff

Technician
7,659 posts

I want one for decent gaming, not massive games, but I want it to play most games well.

If you want to play games well you will have to go to a better card. One that will give you a Min of 30fps, preferable more to make the game enjoyable without stutter.
One of these cards would do the job, > http://www.newegg.co...^14-130-573-02#

My PSU. Is 650 watts sufficient? And is my power supply of good quality.

550w to 650w will be OK, the quality of the Ultra is poor. No professional reviews on the unit but plenty of bad ones from users.

The PSU is the engine of the system so you need a good quality one supplying stable clean power. Select from one of these, > http://www.newegg.co...3^17-139-023-TS

#10
Light Knight

Posted 09 May 2011 - 01:31 PM

Member

Topic Starter
Member
99 posts

Hello iammykyl, thanks.

I'm going with the Antec HCG-620 PSU. As for the graphic cards, I'm not sure yet. You see, I was tallying up my list and I'm going a little over budget. So I have to cut back. I've only been able to cut back few dollars with a cheaper DVD burner and Fan. Something's got to give, so I think I'll have to settle with a Video Card under $100 and maybe a slightly cheaper monitor. Do you have any suggestions of cards in the 80-99 range?

Also, do you have a guess as to when Neweegs will have AM3+ ASRock Mobos in stock?

#11
iammykyl

Posted 11 May 2011 - 04:46 AM

Tech Staff

Technician
7,659 posts

This seems to be the most up to date info for Bulldozer, > http://www.xbitlabs....t_Computex.html

Can't say when more Asrock Mobos will be available, there is one on Newegg, but not our selected, > http://www.newegg.co...eId=1&name=AM3+

Looks like will still be w while for stock to come in so you may have more funds available for the video card.

#12
Light Knight

Posted 16 May 2011 - 01:42 PM

Member

Topic Starter
Member
99 posts

Ok, I guess I'll wait a while.

I think I'll have to up my budget from $1000 a tad. Oh well. So I was a Future Shop (Canada's Best Buy) the other day, and there were selling a computer with 12 gigs of ram.... I was feeling a little envious. I think I'm going to double my Ram form 8 to 16. So I figured if I'm breaking my budget there, I might as well break it with the card too haha. 16 Gig memory should give me any problems eh?

#13
iammykyl

Posted 16 May 2011 - 10:41 PM

Tech Staff

Technician
7,659 posts

I would be more inclined to start with 8GBs of RAM and get the best video car I can afford, see how the system performs and add more RAM if you think you need it. Bette that way round than finding the Video card is bottle necking the system and have to dump the card for a better one.

#14
Light Knight

Posted 22 July 2011 - 05:03 PM

Member

Topic Starter
Member
99 posts

Hello iammykyl, long time no see.

Ok, you're definitely right about 8G of RAM being enough, it's overkill as it is.

So some of the old items we had come up with are no longer in stock. So here is my new list, I should be putting in my order in about a month.

I've decided against getting the new Bulldozer processor, as I can easily upgrade it in 2 years or so, and the current AMD Phenoms have droped in price.

Also, you may notice I'm buying from both Neweeg and TigerDirect, it's just cause I scouted out the best prices.

Case http://www.tigerdire...0030&CatId=1510
Ram http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16820220561
CPU http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819103913
Power Supply http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371048
HDD http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16822145520
DVD http://www.tigerdire...8414&CatId=1625
Motherboard http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16813157262
Video Card http://www.newegg.ca... 01G-P3-1452-TR
Fan http://www.tigerdire...92458&CatId=803
Monitor http://www.newegg.ca...#scrollFullInfo
Windows 7 http://www.tigerdire...3932&CatId=4622

So I have a few more questions.

I've read about chipsets for mobos, but still not sure about all the differences. Is the 970 chipset ASROCK mobo I have there good?
My HDD is 6 Gb/sec, is that gonna cause any problems? Is it actually useful?
And how's my Video Card now?

You may have noticed, I'm shopping at neweeg.CA and tigerdirect.CA not COM. So if you post me a link, it would be helpful that it's on the CA site, that way you know it's in stock here. (as for the currency exchange, it's practically on par).

Thanks a lot man!