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Parts for a custom built computer


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#1
Fruitinator

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I am looking to build a computer with around an $850 budget. I don't know much about things I need but I have made a list and I am wondering if these things are all compatible. I know enough about computer parts to know what is good and what isn't but Suggestions would be great. Here is my list:



Motherboard- Not sure, don't know much about them

Hard drive- Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $160
http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

Processor- AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 3.3GHz, 3.7GHz Turbo 6 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDE00ZFBGRBOX $199
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103913

Video card- EVGA 01G-P3-1556-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) FPB 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $125
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130625

Power supply- LOGISYS Computer PS480D2 480W ATX12V Power Supply $20
http://www.newegg.co...#scrollFullInfo

RAM- Not sure

Case- Not sure how big the whole system will be and how big my case needs to be

Cooling system- Liquid cooling would be best, not sure

Sound card (optional) - Not sure

Internal Disk Drive- Not sure

CD-DVD writer- Not sure

Operating System- Windows 7 (of course!) can possibly get it for free from school

If any of these things don't work together then please tell me. If you have any better suggestions I would love to hear them.
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#2
iammykyl

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Hi Fruitinator :)

Good to see you have given a budget but would like some more information before we start selecting parts.

What type of PC are you aiming for, general purpose, media, gaming, video and photo work?

Will you need a large amount of storage for say, films, music, photos?

Please list everything that you will be reusing like, monitor, mouse, keyboard HDD etc?

Where do you live? This so we can give links to sites like Newegg for pricing.
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#3
Fruitinator

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The type of PC I am looking for is a gaming computer. I would also use it for school work but that is irrelevant since i'm on summer break :) I will not need a lot of storage for films, music or photos. I wasn't really focusing on a mouse or keyboard because I don't put those in my budget at the moment. I forgot to put monitor on the list haha. I will need a keyboard, mouse, and speakers but I will focus on those later on. I live in Maui, Hawaii btw.
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#4
iammykyl

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Hi.

I have not selected a screen as there are thousand to choose from.   I advise you go into a local computer store and try to see any screen you might want, in action.   You will want one with the fastest response time you can afford.

I have done an Intel build first, my preference.  The Mobo is compatible with all Sandy Bridge CPUs.

Mobo,  >  http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157251

CPU.  >   http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115077

RAM,  >  http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233147

Case,  >  http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129042

HDD,  >  http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136319

GPU,  >  http://www.newegg.co...D127%2D490%2DTS

DVD,  >   http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827136236

Total excluding shipping and taxes.    $730.00
PSU,  >  http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139020

AMD build is exactly the same except for the Mobo and CPU.

The Mobo you selected is Socket AM3, (end of that line)  I have changed it for a Socket AM3+, this is backward compatible with current CPUs but will take the next release Bulldozer CPU.

Mobo,  >  http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128490

You will not need a six core CPU for games, most only take advantage of dual core, a few quad core.

CPU,  >  http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103846

Total excluding shipping and taxes  $660

Edited by iammykyl, 17 June 2011 - 12:55 AM.

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#5
Fruitinator

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Thank you very much for posting a reply! This list is really great and thank you for making it. The only thing I wanted to changed was the CPU/processor. I know you said that gaming doesn't require six cores but I would like at least quad core because I've heard it is easier/better on the computer. Something like that, correct me if i'm wrong. Another thing I was curious about is what is the difference between and i3, i5, and i7. The CPU you showed here has 3,3 GHz! And it is i3, that surprised me! If it really doesn't matter whether its i3 or i7 then i3 is fine, but I would like to know the difference. Also would the AMD Phenom ll processor work with this build? If not what would have to be changed? Thank you! :)
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#6
iammykyl

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Am having problem uploading
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#7
iammykyl

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For gaming a quad core will not really be utilised so providing you have a reasonable fast CPU (like the i3 suggested, Windows will display a dual-core Core i3 processor as if it were a quad-core.)
Read more: http://www.brighthub...x#ixzz1Oxd9eqy4

I was curious about is what is the difference between and i3, i5, and i7.


This is a good explanation, also follow the links and browse other articles on the site,  

>  http://www.brighthub...cles/65861.aspx

The CPU you showed here has 3,3 GHz! And it is i3, that surprised me! If it really doesn't matter whether its i3 or i7 then i3 is fine, but I would like to know the difference.


Being mindful of the budget, the I3 will do the job nicely.   An i5 build would give you a more powerful PC but value for performance i would skip straight to a 2500K CPU because when installed on a Z68 Mobe would give you access to every feature.

>  http://www.bit-tech....l-z68-chipset/1

would the AMD Phenom ll processor work with this build? If not what would have to be changed?


br />Everything from the Intel build EXCEPT the Mobo and CPU will work with the AMD build.

Both build include integrated graphics.

Intel integrated graphics as part of the CPU.
AMD integrated graphics as part of the Mobo.

if everything is not clear or you have more questions, please post.

Edited by iammykyl, 16 June 2011 - 03:32 AM.

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#8
Fruitinator

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You said that only certain games take advantage of quad-core CPU/processors, if so, what are these games? Also I read the website and it said that the Intel i3 you suggested would be read as a quad-core instead of a dual core because of the hyper threading. Does this mean that certain games would treat it as a quad-core and take advantage of the quad-core? Lets say I wanted to play World of Warcraft or Rift, would I be able to play these games in max settings with ease? If not, what would I have to do to be able to play those games in max settings. Thanks for all your help :)
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#9
iammykyl

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You said that only certain games take advantage of quad-core CPU/processors, if so, what are these games?


Users on many Forums claim that there games run better on a quad core but seem unable to back it up with benchmarks. This is my take and may not be 100% technically correct. Some games perform better, not because the game is optimised for quad core, but because other processes run on another core.
I have not seen Any official system requirements which mention needing a quad core CPU and the only game I have seen optimised for a a quad is Shadow=Gun, > http://www.phonearen...re-chip_id19128


Lets say I wanted to play World of Warcraft or Rift, would I be able to play these games in max settings with ease? If not, what would I have to do to be able to play those games in max settings.


Running games on max setting is dependent on the power of the video card, The other parts of both builds will work well for gaming. So your budget is going to determine how well the game will play at a given setting.

Below are some sites you may find useful.


Performance value for money, Does not mean that it is the best performing card
> .http://www.tomshardw...-6670,2935.html

Benchmark test page, as an example. There are other charts, be sure to understand what kind of results are being shown for any particular chart you select.
> http://www.tomshardw...n&prod[4846]=on

You might want to visit WoW home page and browse the user Forum to see what video cards others are using. Remember that "bragging Rights" are always part of user Forums.

> http://us.battle.net.../en/game/guide/
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#10
Fruitinator

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What I mean is, will I be able to run these games with max settings with the $730 sandy bridges build you gave me? Back the the Processor; even though you don't need quad core or six cores for gaming, it is better for power distribution, cooling, and prolonging the life of the processor. More cores means more distribution which means that the processor won't heat up as much. With dual-core I would need a better cooling system that with quad or six cores. Even though i5s don't have hyper threading, I think it is still worth it to spend extra money on a quad-core. Tell me if I am wrong about this. As for the graphics card, you listed me 3. Which one should I get? They would all work with this build (the $730 one)but one is 128-bit one is 256-bit and one is 192-bit. Whats the difference between bits? Tell me straight up, would I be able to run WoW or Rift at max-graphics settings with any of these cards? Thank you for your :) Hehehe
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#11
Fruitinator

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And I also just realized, you didn't recommend a cooling system for this build. Is there anything specific you recommend? Liquid cooling or stock fans? Please let me know what you think is the best within my budget, thanks.
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#12
Troy

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Hello, for your budget, just stick with air cooling (fans).

The graphics settings a game will play at is irrelevant if we're only considering which graphics card. The most important thing is, what monitor have you chosen and what is it's native resolution?

Once we know this it will be a bit easier to help.

Cheers
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#13
iammykyl

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Thanks for the imput Troy.
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#14
Fruitinator

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I have not chosen a monitor yet but how do I find its resolution?
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#15
iammykyl

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What I mean is, will I be able to run these games with max settings with the $730 sandy bridges build you gave me?


Unless you had built and tested any build, no one could say exactly how it would perform, there are just to many variables involved. Even if you spent $300 on a video card, all the components may not play nicely together. For on line gaming, once the date hits the Internet, you have no control over what happens to it. So NO, I could not guarantee you will be able to play on max setting.

it is better for power distribution, cooling, and prolonging the life of the processor. More cores means more distribution which means that the processor won't heat up as much.


Any CPU, wit it's supplied cooler, run at it's designed specifications, will draw the correct amount of power, will stay within it's thermal thresh hold, and barring developing a fault, last as Long as the warren try.

I think it is still worth it to spend extra money on a quad-core.


Installing a 2500 would give you a more powerful build But it as doubtful it will give you better gaming, > http://en.inpai.com....967&pageid=7871

one is 128-bit one is 256-bit and one is 192-bit. Whats the difference between bits?


You will have to Google that as I do not have enough tech knowledge.

Tell me straight up, would I be able to run WoW or Rift at max-graphics settings with any of these cards?


Lets sort out the monitor, as Troy proposed, and then try to answer that.

To find a monitor, look on the Internet or a better bet, go to a electronics or PC store so you can ask question and try them out. Price them on the Internet.

This is my ideal.

1. 85Htz to 120Htz.
2. Minimum 5ms response time, preferable black to black.
3. 1920 x 1080 resolution.
4. 20" to 23" screen.
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