[subterminal]

Hey folks,

As a holiday present to myself, I'm going to be investing in a new computer. I haven't kept up on my hardware/current technology knowledge for a few years, so I could really use some consulting here. I am basically just looking for a complete list of hardware to order off newegg or somewhere that I can piece together for my new PC. If anybody cares to help me out, that would be fantastic (Merry Christmas!). Or if you require some cash for your time, I'm sure we could work something out (I'm pretty broke, but hey..).

Anywho, the rig I want to build would be a desktop PC with two primary purposes: running games (Diablo 3 is coming out soon!) and editing videos. I am looking to spend around $800 US on the case/hardware itself (already have monitor, mouse, etc). And less is always better

I'm not the biggest PC gamer, but there are a few titles out there I would like to pick up that my current computer can't handle smoothly. Diablo 3 being the main (sys requirements here), as well as the new star craft and probably skrym.

I edit a lot of videos on my computer for my current job. So the computer should be able to be fast at rendering videos, complying with Sony Vegas Pro, and working with raw video files in .mts format. I can't find the system specs to handle that type of file, but the compression is MPEG4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD).

A few other random things... I watch videos on my TV from my computer, so a HDMI or other nice output would be good. Also, a decent amount of storage space is cool.

So yea... I'm probably forgetting something, but I believe that I have the necessities covered. If you can help me out, thanks a ton!

-Sub

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Hi Sub, , and a Merry Christmas to you.

Info, MTS and M2TS format used by camcorders like Sony. http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Talk:.m2ts

[iammykyl]

Hi Sub, , and a Merry Christmas to you.

Info, MTS and M2TS format used by camcorders like Sony. http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Talk:.m2ts

[phillpower2]

subterminal

Here is an example of what is available, I am off line now for a few hours but will check back later.

$69.99 + Free shipping Case http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129066
$129.99 + Free shipping MB http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128512
$189.99 + Free shipp[ng CPU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115074
$43.99 + Free shipping Ram http://www.newegg.co...12800CL9D-8GBRL
$129.99 + Free shipping HDD http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148697
$129.99 + $2.99 shipping GPU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814127573
$17.99 + Free shipping DVD burner http://www.newegg.co...ame=Top Sellers
$69.99 + $1.99 shipping PSU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139028

Total is $786.90 before mail in rebate.

There is no OS or TIM included in the above so unless you already have them you will need to purchase them, see the additional info (TIM) http://www.geekstogo...rface-material/ courtesy of Digerati and and OS guidance see my canned text;

Just a cautionary note, unless your OS disk is the full retail edition you cannot use it with a new MB as an OEM disk is tied to the original MB it was paired with, to use an OEM disk with a new MB is software piracy and therefore illegal.
Exceptions to the above are 1: If your MB is replaced under warranty and 2: If your MB is replaced under warranty with an alternative type due to the original model being no longer available.

[iammykyl]

We are all volunteers that contribute cus we love to help!! secretly, I think for our satisfaction, but anyway, no payment required. A final conclusion post is always appreciated as it can often help others.

For your stated requirements, the budget is pretty tight. Are there any parts that you can bring to the build especially HDDs.
Info. http://thessdreview....d-to-skyrocket/

[subterminal]

Hey,

Thanks for all the responses, folks! Good to be here. Phill, I browsed through the stuff you mentioned and it looks like a solid setup. Unless anybody adds any other opinions by tomorrow or so, I believe that I'll be ordering this setup!

$69.99 + Free shipping Case http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129066
$129.99 + Free shipping MB http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128512
$189.99 + Free shipp[ng CPU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115074
$43.99 + Free shipping Ram http://www.newegg.co...12800CL9D-8GBRL
$129.99 + Free shipping HDD http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148697
$129.99 + $2.99 shipping GPU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814127573
$17.99 + Free shipping DVD burner http://www.newegg.co...ame=Top Sellers
$69.99 + $1.99 shipping PSU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139028

We are all volunteers that contribute cus we love to help!! secretly, I think for our satisfaction, but anyway, no payment required. A final conclusion post is always appreciated as it can often help others.

For your stated requirements, the budget is pretty tight. Are there any parts that you can bring to the build especially HDDs.
Info. http://thessdreview....d-to-skyrocket/

A follow-up post is the least I can do. Heck, when I get all the parts ordered and put together, I'd love to post a screenshot or something of it.

As for spare parts, I really don't have much. I have a decent HDD but it sits in an external case as my backup and portable HDD. If there are any specific pieces of the setup that I could improve on, I could go a little over my budget.

-sub

[iammykyl]

Yes, a good solid build.
Comments.
The Mobo comes with 2 SATA cables so you will need to order one more for the DVD drive. It only has a HDMI port so should you want to use the CPU integrated graphics at any time, you will need the appropriate cable to suit your monitor.

If there are any specific pieces of the setup that I could improve on, I could go a little over my budget.

I would up the CPU to the 2500K, http://www.newegg.co...4^19-115-074-TS

I would change the GPU for a HD 6870, http://www.newegg.co...1^14-150-561-TS

Consider using your own TIM, Phillpower2, Post #3.

Although the new EIF BIOS is a great advance, I still install a system speaker. Very reassuring to hear that 1 beep, everything A OK and if there is a problem you get a good indication of where to start looking.
http://www.cwc-group.com/8ohm.html

[subterminal]

Awesome, thanks for the input. As of tonight, I am compiling all that stuff in a shopping cart and will purchase it either tomorrow or the next day.

I'm definitely going to go with the 2500k CPU. I'll probably stick with that 550 ti as it looks like it should get the job done. Also I'm glad that you guys pointed out the TIM. I'll need to grab some of that, as well as a ESD wrist band.

Thanks again, folks. You guys rock!

-sub

[subterminal]

I came across this setup on newegg. What do you guys think about it?

I noticed that they don't list specific makes of the hardware. Should I be concerned with lower-end items such as power supplies, RAM, etc, on pre-built computers like this?

[phillpower2]

Hi subterminal
Please read the reviews at the Newegg feedback tab, I think you will find less pro`s than cons with complaints including being DOA, arriving late and having a "horrible" PSU as one person described it.
I agree with my friend iammykyl about purchasing the 2500k as opposed to the 2400 I suggested
I however remained within budget

To help you prepare for the build check out the tutorial provided courtesy of Troy and Artellos respectively; http://www.geekstogo...r-own-computer/

[iammykyl]

I noticed that they don't list specific makes of the hardware. Should I be concerned with lower-end items such as power supplies, RAM, etc, on pre-built computers like this?

When you use the link to the manufacturers product website, it just goes to a general page, there does not appear to be an exact build listed so I would suspect it is a configuration specified by Newegg. The only specs I can find for the build are on the Newegg product page in feedback, this is listed,
2600K processor: $319 <br style="color: rgb(99, 102, 105); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">Powercolor AX6850 1GB: $179<br style="color: rgb(99, 102, 105); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">Thermaltake Commander case: $59<br style="color: rgb(99, 102, 105); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">Windows 7 home premium 64 bit: $99<br style="color: rgb(99, 102, 105); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">Seagate Barracuda 7200 RPM 1TB: $149<br style="color: rgb(99, 102, 105); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">Gigabyte Z68-AP-D3: $129<br style="color: rgb(99, 102, 105); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">ADATA 2x4GB ddr3 1333 MHZ ram: $40<br style="color: rgb(99, 102, 105); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">Lite-on DVD burner IHAS124: $22<br style="color: rgb(99, 102, 105); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">Xtremegear 600 Watt Power supply: $0<br style="color: rgb(99, 102, 105); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; ">Keyboard and mouse: $0The Mobo is not sold by Newegg, here it is on the Gigabyte site, http://www.gigabyte....spx?pid=3897#sp
It is Rev 1.0. 2nd PCI-E slot only runs at 4x. Has NO on-board 1394, which also supports isochronous data -- delivering data at a guaranteed rate. This makes it ideal for devices that need to transfer high levels of data in real-time, such as video devices. (required by Vaga Pro. ( Inferior board compared to the G2G one selected)


Yes, I do think the PSU is suspect, would not trust it especially for a build that would run for long extended periods of time.


Makes this it bit mute mind you, Item now shows "out of stock"


Stick with our build, you will not go far wrong.


I would reconsider the GPU, not for gaming but for the video work.
-----------------------------------------------
Sorry Phillpower2, your post was not there 3 min ago,


Guilty guilty guilty. can't help myself.

Edited by iammykyl, 25 December 2011 - 04:19 AM.

[phillpower2]

iammykyl
Guilty guilty guilty. can't help myself

[subterminal]

I however remained within budget

Haha, had to laugh at that... Thanks again guys, looking like I will be piecing this PC together. Just [hopefully] one more quick set of questions.

I was reading somebody else's post that brought up a few questions. I noticed that this person is purchasing an after market heatsink for his CPU, and that phillpower mentioned the Intel stock heatsinks are not very efficient. Should I consider investing in something like this?

Also, in that same thread, the OP mentioned that he's waiting until early January to buy his GPU as a new line will be released. Does anybody foresee a noticeable drop in prices on what's currently out there when these new GPUs come out? Because I can wait two weeks if that means saving 50$ on the GPU.

And speaking of the GPU, one deterrent from the HD 6870 GPU that iammkyle mentioned is they had a lot of negative reviews on newegg relating to the card not functioning very well, where the other one had 0 negative reviews. Is this just the manufacturer or the technology itself?

Heh, sorry for all the questions, but thanks for all the answers!

...and did all that HTML markup copy over from newegg? Shame on them for using so much inline CSS...

Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah,
-sub

[phillpower2]

I was reading somebody else's post that brought up a few questions. I noticed that this person is purchasing an after market heatsink for his CPU, and that phillpower mentioned the Intel stock heatsinks are not very efficient

Slightly inaccurate subterminal, the other member is purchasing an OEM processor and so it is not supplied with a HS and fan meaning he has no option but to use an aftermarket cooling fan and HS, stock HSs and fans are tested over and above the CPUs normal operating temps and so are adequate for the task, the problem arises when O/Cing is carried out which significantly increases the temps and one of the main reasons why the 2500k is such a popular CPU is because of the unlocked cores which allow it to be overclocked.

Should I consider investing in something like this?

Not unless you plan on O/Cing and don`t mind voiding your warranty.

Does anybody foresee a noticeable drop in prices on what's currently out there when these new GPUs come out?

Possibly, January sales etc.

Is this just the manufacturer or the technology itself?

With the exception of the chip which is manufactured by AMD you could say both are an issue.

[subterminal]

Awesome, thanks again for info. Well, I'm going to order everything but the GPU right now. I'll sit on that for a week or two to see if the price drops, or if my budget pans out to let me buy a slightly better card. kyle makes a good point on the video rendering. It can take me an hour to render 4-5mins of video on my current PC heh.

Anyways, thanks for helping steer me in the right direction. Great community here.

-sub

[phillpower2]

You are welcome and as ever we are here if you need us.