[derek1024]

Hello everybody I'm going to be building my very first gaming PC. I'm not a computer expert nor do I have any experience with hardware. I'm looking to build a computer that will last me for a few years and something I can update without replacing the entire computer every couple of years. I'm going to list some of the things I am looking at getting. Please comment about the product or the listing price. I need all the help I can get and even general things to keep an eye out for is appreciated.

Thanks a ton,



Derek



Case - Cooler Master Computer Case RC-692-KKN2

http://www.amazon.co...08606773&sr=8-1

Motherboard - ASRock Motherboard 890GX Extreme4

http://www.amazon.co...08607346&sr=1-1

CPU - AMD Phenom II X6 Six-Core Processor 1090T

http://www.amazon.co...&sr=8-1&seller=

RAM - Corsair XMS3 8 GB DDR3

http://www.amazon.co...08607553&sr=1-1

PSU - I don't know how much Watts I need. I need recommendations

GPU - I don't know if I should replace my current one or if it's good for now. I have an ATI Radeon HD 5770.

Optical Drive - Lite-On LightScribe 24X (I have no idea if brand matters for this one. What do you guys think?)

http://www.amazon.co...d_bxgy_e_text_b

Hard Drive - Western Digital WD Caviar Black 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive

http://www.amazon.co...d_bxgy_e_text_c

Mouse, keyboard, monitor - I can use my current one unless there's one you guys can recommend.

OS - Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit

http://www.amazon.co...8608689&sr=1-11


Is this all I need for a gaming PC or am I missing something?

Edited by derek1024, 20 June 2011 - 05:30 PM.

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If you're looking to build a custom computer for gaming, I would strongly advise against a six-core processor. Gaming, the majority of the time, only utilizes 2-3 cores, and occasionally 4. The six-core would perform better at video editing, photo manipulation, encoding, or any other task that is CPU heavy, though. Also, you won't need 8GB if you're just gaming; four gigabytes will be suffice.

For your graphics, I would recommend the GTX 560. Gaming computers are at best when they have a powerful GPU and CPU.

As for your DVD/CD drive, if you need it, buy it. Otherwise, there are methods of installing your operating system on a USB drive. If you do decide to purchase one, I would recommend Asus, as I have yet to run into any problems with their products.

For your PSU, purchase the one I listed below. You don't want any power supply units other than Antec/Corsair/XFX/Seasonic.


HDD - WD Caviar black 500GB - $63

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136795



RAM - G.SKILL 4GB - $40

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231253



PSU - Antec EarthWatts 650W - $90

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371015



GPU - GTX 560 Ti - $235

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125363



CPU - Phenom II X4 955 BE - $140

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103808



Motherboard - MSI 870A-G54 - $95

http://www.newegg.co...pk=MSI 870A-G54



Case - HAF 922 - $100

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119197



Total: $763


If you have any further queries, feel free to post them below.

Edited by Skeme, 20 June 2011 - 09:12 PM.

[Skeme]

If you're looking to build a custom computer for gaming, I would strongly advise against a six-core processor. Gaming, the majority of the time, only utilizes 2-3 cores, and occasionally 4. The six-core would perform better at video editing, photo manipulation, encoding, or any other task that is CPU heavy, though. Also, you won't need 8GB if you're just gaming; four gigabytes will be suffice.

For your graphics, I would recommend the GTX 560. Gaming computers are at best when they have a powerful GPU and CPU.

As for your DVD/CD drive, if you need it, buy it. Otherwise, there are methods of installing your operating system on a USB drive. If you do decide to purchase one, I would recommend Asus, as I have yet to run into any problems with their products.

For your PSU, purchase the one I listed below. You don't want any power supply units other than Antec/Corsair/XFX/Seasonic.


HDD - WD Caviar black 500GB - $63

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136795



RAM - G.SKILL 4GB - $40

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231253



PSU - Antec EarthWatts 650W - $90

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371015



GPU - GTX 560 Ti - $235

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814125363



CPU - Phenom II X4 955 BE - $140

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103808



Motherboard - MSI 870A-G54 - $95

http://www.newegg.co...pk=MSI 870A-G54



Case - HAF 922 - $100

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811119197



Total: $763


If you have any further queries, feel free to post them below.

Edited by Skeme, 20 June 2011 - 09:12 PM.

[underscor3]

Skeme-

That's a good system, but it doesn't really address the poster's questions.

Derek, the PSU that Skeme suggested is solid. and as for the graphics card, why not just stick with what you have now; that way, if you need to upgrade later, you can. And as for your choice of OS:

http://www.newegg.co...6-986-_-Product- this will be a little cheaper.

Newegg may be cheaper than Amazon...

In the future, Antec has a great PSU wattage calculator here.

Edited by underscor3, 20 June 2011 - 09:10 PM.

[Skeme]

The answers to the questions are at the top of the post.

Edited by Skeme, 20 June 2011 - 09:17 PM.

[underscor3]

[Skeme]

Oh, and make sure that if you are looking to purchase Windows that it is OEM (original equipment manufacturer). This is required for custom builds; the one you listed won't work. The product underscor3 listed is perfect.

[derek1024]

Thanks but I thought I might as well get a 6 Core for the future. Games are advancing so quickly that it may utilize 6 cores in who knows, maybe in 1 year. That's why I want to get 8 GBs as well, so that I don't have a problem running anything now and in the next couple of years. I think I'll get the PSU suggested. I also know that you guys linked a lot of things from newegg. Do they ship free to Canada? They seem nice but I don't want to if the shipping costs will be gigantic.

Is the motherboard that I mentioned in my original post compatible with the AMD Phenom II 6x 1090T?

Is it compatible with the GTX560? because it sounds nice

Someone else also told me to get an aftermarket fan and a fan for the GPU. Is that necessary for the products that I am hoping to use?

[Skeme]

Do as you please, but note that you are wasting money if you are using the computer primarily for gaming. Unless you are multitasking while doing so, I would recommend against it. Same goes for your RAM.

Newegg does not ship to Canada, but you can find the same parts on different sites. Make sure that they match up, and that they are the same products.

Your CPU is compatible with your motherboard (both AM3 sockets), and GPU's are universal with any motherboard.

Edited by Skeme, 20 June 2011 - 11:20 PM.

[derek1024]

Hi,

I've researched about CPUs a little bit and you're totally right. I decided to get the product that you suggested. Can you guys please look over my parts quickly for the last time before I press buy?




Optical Drive: Liteon IHAS124 24X DVD Writer SATA Black OEM
http://www.directcan...sku=12640DR2162

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB SATA3 6GB/S 7200RPM 64MB Cache 3.5IN Dual Proc Hard Drive OEM
http://www.directcan...sku=25350DR0783

RAM:G.SKILL Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 Memory
http://www.directcan...sku=15380BD5211

GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC 880MHZ 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini-HDMI DX11 PCI-E Video Card
http://www.directcan...sku=12980BD8066

PSU: Antec Earthwatts 650W Power Supply ATX12V V2.2 EPS12V Active PFC 80PLUS 120MM Fan
http://www.directcan...sku=1037184382G

Motherboard: MSI 870A-G54 ATX AM3 870 DDR3 2PCI-E16 CrossFire 1PCI-E1 3PCI SATA3 USB3.0 GBLAN Motherboard
http://www.directcan...sku=12980BD9804

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Quad Core Processor 3.2GHZ AM3 8MB Cache 125W Retail Box
http://www.directcan...sku=10360AC6599

Case: Coolermaster Haf 922 Mid Tower ATX Case Black 5X5.25 5X3.5INT Front Audio USB eSATA No PSU
http://www.directcan...sku=11130AC5964

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64BIT DVD OEM
http://www.directcan...cture=MICROSOFT

If the product does not work/is bad, can you please provide some alternatives that might work?

Thanks so much in advance!

Edited by derek1024, 21 June 2011 - 05:39 PM.

[iammykyl]

Hi.

I suggest you consider changing the Mobo too a Socket AMD AM3+ giving the option in the future to upgrade the CPU.

I do not know if Newegg has an actual store in Canada but this is the site.

> http://www.newegg.ca/

[derek1024]

Is this better?

ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ DDR3 4PCI-E16 1PCI-E1 1PCI SATA3 SLI CrossFireX USB3.0 GBLAN Motherboard
http://www.directcan...anufacture=ASUS

Also, some people tell me Gigabyte is better than Asus. What would work better for a gaming computer?

Gigabyte 990FXA-UD5 AMD990FX ATX AM3+ DDR3 5PCI-E16 1PCI-E1 1PCI SLI SATA3 USB3.0 Motherboard
http://www.directcan...ufacture=Others

Edited by derek1024, 21 June 2011 - 08:07 PM.

[Skeme]

Your build is A-OK. There is no need for a motherboard upgrade.

[derek1024]

Final question then. I recently found out that newegg does ship to Canada now and it's called newegg.ca (thanks iammykyl). The same parts cost about $80 less than Direct Canada and people in the United States seem to really love newegg. The question is, should I order it from the US and hope that all the computer parts come in good condition? Some people said they had some newegg products come DOA. That would be the worst since I live in Canada and it might end up costing me more money shipping it back to newegg to get it replaced.

Is newegg.com really trustworthy? Should I take my chances and order it from it or am I better off getting them from a local company?

[Skeme]

No, feel free to ask questions. We want the best build possible for you.

I've ordered over 100+ items from Newegg; no problems at all (only one DVD drive DOA). They also have great customer service.

If you order from any other site, make sure that they are trustworthy with a good warranty on their products.

Edited by Skeme, 21 June 2011 - 10:49 PM.

[iammykyl]

Oh, and make sure that if you are looking to purchase Windows that it is OEM (original equipment manufacturer). This is required for custom builds; the one you listed won't work. The product underscor3 listed is perfect.

> http://www.amazon.co...8608689&sr=1-11 this OS software will work and the licence is transferable for a major upgrade or complete new build.

> http://www.newegg.co...6-986-_-Product- Not specifically required, you can use the Retail pack.
Windows OEM OS software is only available with the purchase of computer hardware, it is cheaper because the licence is tied to that particular build and is not legally transferable to a new build or if you do a major upgrade and change the Mobo or CPU.