[eruptiion]

Hello, recently thought about upgrading and it's been a pretty hard process. I'm planning to use this build for mid-range gaming, Guild Wars 2. There's no need for this to get all fancy, not planning for the future or anything, just a build that is currently good.
This isn't going to be completely from scratch.
Parts I already have:
Case, dvd, Hard drive, & RAM.

Parts I'm lost on:
Motherboard, CPU, videocard, & power supply.
Planning to keep these parts under $400 budget(Canadian)
For CPU I would prefer an Intel i series, or an AMD with just as great benchmarks.

Since I'm taking parts from an old computer with windows 7, when I replace the motherboard & CPU would I need a brand new OS?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you very much.

[iammykyl]

Gday eruptiion,

Quote

Since I'm taking parts from an old computer with windows 7, when I replace the motherboard & CPU would I need a brand new OS?

If you have a full retail licence for Window7, you can install it on your proposed build. If you have a OEM licence of Window7, it would be illegal to install it on your proposed build. Your cheapest option would be to buy another OEM licence with your hardware, make sure it is a 64bit version.

A little more info required.

Exact make and model of the RAM?

Are your DVD and HDD SATA?

Monitor connection?

[Digerati]

Quote

If you have a full retail licence for Window7, you can install it on your proposed build. If you have a OEM licence of Window7, it would be illegal to install it on your proposed build.

Correct. Since the motherboard is considered the main, most significant part of any computer, a new motherboard is considered a new computer for licensing purposes. So if your current Windows 7 disk is “branded” with a computer maker’s brand name, or says OEM/System Builder, Upgrade, Academic Edition, or "For Distribution with a new PC only", then it is not transferable to a new PC (or upgraded motherboard) under any circumstances. These OEM licenses are inextricably tied to the "original equipment". If that is the case, I recommend 64-bit Windows 7 or one of the many free Linux alternatives.

For your power supply, select it last so you can first determine the power requirements of the rest of your components.

[eruptiion]

Seems like I'll need to get a new Windows7 then. Well that answers one of my questions.

For the RAM, HDD, & DVD, I will be taking it out of a some what new HP Pavilion p6805w Desktop PC.Specs.
4GB RAM DDR3. HDD 1TB 7200RMP SATA. DVD is also SATA.

As for all the peripherals I have all of them. Just need help as to what CPU, mobo, & graphics card to get.

[iammykyl]

I will give you the most cost effective build.

New W7 64 bit. http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16832116986
$109.09.


Your Mobo is here. Info, http://h10025.www1.h...product=5154641 It does not have a PCI-e x16 slot so is not worth upgrading the graphics. could be worth $49 on eBay.

Keep the existing graphics GPU and use it on this Mobo which will give you an upgrade path for the future. http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16813157280
$140.00.

GPU. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127490.
$125.00.

Upgrade the RAM, all new, 8GB. http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16820233192
$41.00

Your existing PSU is only 250w and a generic brand, you will need a new one.

PSU. http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16817139027
$60.00


By searching, you may be able to get the prices down. I thin Newegg ca is very expensive, may be worth looking at USA and see what the shipping is.

[eruptiion]

Thanks for you input iammykyl. (:

The original HP only comes with an integrated video card which I don't think will be enough to run games on high resolutions.
Using a Canadian site, so no need to pay shipping but there will be tax

Mobo. http://www.canadacom...&item_id=036789 $105
Do you think this mobo will fit into the HP case? HP mobo is 24.4 cm (9.6 inches) x 24.4 cm (9.6 inches)
while asus mobo is 9.6" x 8.4"

GPU. http://www.canadacom...&item_id=037784 $140 + $20MIR = $120

CPU. http://www.canadacom...&item_id=035527 $190

RAM. Is the HP RAM good enough to handle simple gaming? I could also upgrade the RAM in the future.

Windows7. http://www.canadacom...&item_id=037803 $105

Power. http://www.canadacom...&item_id=038033 $66

Total comes to about $685 including tax.
Since the Cpu has an integrated video card which the mobo supports, I can hold off buying the graphics card till I get more money.

So what do you think? Everything here compatible and will handle my games?
Note: I'm just a student, so I don't exactly have all the money I need. Planning for this to last about 4years.

[iammykyl]

Sorry to have caused confusion in post #5, (now corrected) to much copy and paste.
The line should have read,

CPU. Keep the existing CPU and use it on this Mobo""" which will give you an upgrade path for the future. http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16813157280$140
I would stay with that one as it will allow you to upgrade to a next generation processor.

GPU. Yes that one will be OK, http://www.canadacom...&item_id=037784 $140. Do not count on any MIR. Often never received or for next Christmas.
PSU. Yes, http://www.canadacom...&item_id=038033 $66
RAM. Always best to buy matched in the packet. Your system will thank you with having 8GB. Buying 2 sticks later may cause problem even though they are the same specs they will be from different batches, get 1 stick that is performing below your existing ones, then overall performance would suffer. http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16820233192 $41.
OS. http://www.canadacom...&item_id=037803 $105
Reuse your existin CPU, it will fit the Motherboard and it will run run your computer very well. $0.

Quote

Do you think this Mobo will fit into the HP case?

Been investigating that this morning. HP and the like, make it very difficult to upgrade parts. Your existing Mobo is a ultra ATX form factor. Unless the same form factor Mobo is installed, the standoffs on the Motherboard mounting plate would not match the screw holes in the Mobo. If you could get a mATX or ATX board in the case, when you installed the video card, it may be to long and interfere with the HDDs.
I recommend this New caseI f you can find it, excellent. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129066

[iammykyl]

Hi.

How are your progressing with your build?

An update on the Forum would be appreciated.

[eruptiion]

Builds all done .

Here's what happened,
1. I kept the hard drive, cd, and ram from my HP desktop.
Here's the list of parts I bought. It went over my budget
Mobo - http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16813131781 $120
CPU - http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819115072 $220
GPU - http://www.newegg.ca...pk=Asus%20550ti $125
Power - http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16817171031 $40
Case - http://www.canadacom...&item_id=040683 $40

These products were all bought from Canadacomputer, the prices I list on the side will be how much I paid for.
Everything is so far running smoothly, other than a little overheating.
Will be out to buy a few fans to cool it down.

[iammykyl]

Adding a front intake fan and a top exhaust fan would be a good idea.<br><br>We should try to find out what part of the rig is getting hot.<br><br>Downland CPUID, run the program and post a screen shot of the results. http://www.cpuid.com.../hwmonitor.html

[Digerati]

Quote

other than a little overheating.

Define overheating - what are your temps?

[eruptiion]

Here are the fans I'm planning to get, http://www.canadacom...&item_id=038221
Would you think 3 is enough? 1Top 1Side 1Front
Also I'm currently using the stock cooler that came with the i5 2500k, do you think I'll need to upgrade soon?

Not exactly sure how to read it,
Temps ~
Mobo Temperature 0 33°C (91°F) [0x21] (SYSTIN)
Temperature 1 126°C (257°F) [0xFB] (CPUTIN)
Temperature 2 40°C (104°F) [0x50] (AUXTIN)
Temperature 3 56°C (132°F) [0x38] (TMPIN3)

CPU In the range of 50-55°C

550Ti - 60°C (141°F)

These are the temperatures I get while running my game.

[iammykyl]

Hi.

Do not game any more until we have sorted out those temps. Once we have that sorted will address fans and cooler.
Before you reply next time, click on, Use Full Editor.

Run CPUID again and post a screen shot, This will give more information than you have posted.

To capture and post a screenshot;<br style="color: rgb(13, 41, 117); font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); ">Click on the ALT key + PRT SCR key..its on the top row..right hand side..now click on start...all programs...accessories...paint....left click in the white area ...press CTRL + V...click on file...click on save...save it to your desktop...name it something related to the screen your capturing... BE SURE TO SAVE IT AS A .JPG ...otherwise it may be to big to upload...<br style="color: rgb(13, 41, 117); font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); ">then after typing in any response you have... click on browse...desktop...find the screenshot..select it and click on the upload button...then on the lower left...after it says upload successful...click on add reply like you normally would.<br style="color: rgb(13, 41, 117); font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); "><br style="color: rgb(13, 41, 117); font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); ">Screenshot instructions courtesy of happyrock


Also Download Speedfan and install it. Once it's installed, run the program and post a screen shot of the information it shows.

[Digerati]

The 126°C is clearly not possible and may simply mean there is no sensor there - nothing to worry about.

GPUs run hotter than CPUs so your 550Ti temp is fine.

I don't start to worry about CPU temps until they touch 60°C so yours are fine there too. Speedfan is fine. Alternatively you can try my favorite, CoreTemp for newer Intel and AMD64 CPUs.

Enermax is using a bit of a marketing gimmick with their "Twister" Bearing, but the key thing is it uses a precision ball bearing and therefore should be quiet (very low vibration) and last a long time.

(@imammykel - please clean up your code - this site uses BBCode, not HTML - so adjust your canned texts accordingly).

[iammykyl]

Thank you for the input Digerati.

Trying to sort out the editing.