[Jim45]

Additional to your build. Posted #13 as the editor played up.

OS. W7 64bit, OEM. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116986 Unfortunate you will need 2 packs.

This site ma help searching for parts. Register so you can save your selection. Make sure your region is correct at top right. select system build, top left. If there are any builds showing, remove. Work your way down the selection field, not across the top.

http://pcpartpicker....parts/partlist/

I have gone a bit higher than is required for the GPU, gives the better half more scope if gaming becomes an obsession. Could lower the specs for you, you would still be able to game OK.

Let us know what you think.

Yeah, I know I need the OS, no matter what. May only need one though, as my wife is leaning strongly towards an ASUS laptop that has Windows 7. We will both want Office 2010 Professional, and that really stings! I want to try and get the student discount, as I know a college student that could buy it for me, but I heard the end user has to live in the same house. Don't know if that's true, or there is a way around that, but I need to look into that. Otherwise, Ebay is the only way to go. They can take a long walk on a short pier if they think I'm paying $300+ for each copy of office!

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Additional to your build. Posted #13 as the editor played up.

OS. W7 64bit, OEM. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116986 Unfortunate you will need 2 packs.

This site ma help searching for parts. Register so you can save your selection. Make sure your region is correct at top right. select system build, top left. If there are any builds showing, remove. Work your way down the selection field, not across the top.

http://pcpartpicker....parts/partlist/

I have gone a bit higher than is required for the GPU, gives the better half more scope if gaming becomes an obsession. Could lower the specs for you, you would still be able to game OK.

Let us know what you think.

That's a cool site.....pretty convenient way to compare prices!

[Jim45]

Additional to your build. Posted #13 as the editor played up.

OS. W7 64bit, OEM. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116986 Unfortunate you will need 2 packs.

This site ma help searching for parts. Register so you can save your selection. Make sure your region is correct at top right. select system build, top left. If there are any builds showing, remove. Work your way down the selection field, not across the top.

http://pcpartpicker....parts/partlist/

I have gone a bit higher than is required for the GPU, gives the better half more scope if gaming becomes an obsession. Could lower the specs for you, you would still be able to game OK.

Let us know what you think.

That's a cool site.....pretty convenient way to compare prices!

[Jim45]

http://secure.newegg...Number=18357525

I'm not downgrading my CPU, not using G.Skill RAM, and using the GPU on this list. This is the list I'm sticking with, at least for the moment.

[phillpower2]

To ensure you purchase a compatible CPU and Ram you should use the MBs QVL ( qualified vendors list ) see the CPU and Memory support list/s to the left http://www.asrock.co...8 Extreme3 Gen3
You will notice that no Mushkin brand Ram has been tested and approved with the MB whereas many other brands including G.Skill have, it would be near if not impossible for asrock to test all components for approval but to not approve one of any brand should be enough to suggest you look elsewhere.
We are only offering guidance here but I strongly suggest that you purchase Ram off the QVL to avoid disappointment and possible compatibility problems, the choice is entirely yours but I personally trust what is written in black and white on the QVL as opposed to hearsay.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that you will get the best from W7 64-bit with 8GB of Ram, fit 8GB now so you don`t need to go through the hassle of upgrading again any time soon + the lower the Cas Latency of the Ram the better.

[Jim45]

To ensure you purchase a compatible CPU and Ram you should use the MBs QVL ( qualified vendors list ) see the CPU and Memory support list/s to the left http://www.asrock.co...8 Extreme3 Gen3
You will notice that no Mushkin brand Ram has been tested and approved with the MB whereas many other brands including G.Skill have, it would be near if not impossible for asrock to test all components for approval but to not approve one of any brand should be enough to suggest you look elsewhere.
We are only offering guidance here but I strongly suggest that you purchase Ram off the QVL to avoid disappointment and possible compatibility problems, the choice is entirely yours but I personally trust what is written in black and white on the QVL as opposed to hearsay.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that you will get the best from W7 64-bit with 8GB of Ram, fit 8GB now so you don`t need to go through the hassle of upgrading again any time soon.

Yeah, I'll definitely install 8Gb of RAM, and I see what your saying about the G.Skill. I'll look into it more.....the same friend is also a big fan of Corsair RAM. I can look into that too.

[phillpower2]

http://www.newegg.co...10666CL9D-8GBXL and http://www.newegg.co...2800CL9D-8GBSR2 both from the proposed MBs QVL.
Corsair is good Ram but so is G.Skill but it is also less expensive than Corsair http://www.newegg.co...e=8GB (2 x 4GB)

[iammykyl]

I guess there would be no problem using the Mushkin RAM my friend recommended instead of the G.Skill.....she's pretty adamant that I don't use that brand.

OK to Mushkin, This one is 2 x 4GB = 8GB complete kit, http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820226191

Why is the green drive not good for a boot drive?

Great for storage but only runs at 5400rpm and as the HDD is the bottleneck in most systems, not the kind to use.

will lowering the CPU specs limit my ability to play a Blu Ray later, or have an affect on HD video or anything of that nature?

No but, of course there is a but. You will need a Blu-Ray player and software to play discs. I only allowed for a DVD Burner.

Had a look at system requirements for the Sims and similar type games and the GPU I selected is way over the top. The below card will not play Crysis Warhead or Far Cry but it will play many modern games and blow the socks of The Sims. It also has Eyefinaty, so you could run 2 or 3 monitors as well.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150577

--------------------------------------------------

Philpower2, What would be the best solutions, DVD/Blu-Ray/Burner/software?

[phillpower2]

Looks like the optical drive will be the penultimate device to decide on then, me personally the 2500k and DVD but for a further option Blu Ray burner http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827135252 free burning software http://www.burnaware.com/ see http://www.mywot.com...w.burnaware.com for further info and reviews.

Some interesting facts about how much longer Blu Ray drives are expected to be around and it doesn`t look like it will be for much longer http://www.techradar...e-s-why--464705

[Jim45]

My friend recommended this HDD http://www.newegg.co..._source=message
It's 7200 RPM. She also said G.Skill is known among all the builders she knows to be bad, so she said Mushkin, like I said, or Corsair. Like you said it is more expensive. She said If I could choke a little, that I should get the Corsair.

Also, the Blu Ray thing is something for a little later.....maybe right away, just depends on the budget, but yes, my focal point is watching HD video online or maybe a Blu Ray, not games, like some people. This system can handle some gaming, sounds like, in case I change. I have an addictive personality......who knows, I might play some game, and that will be all she wrote, lol!

[Jim45]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426&Tpk=F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL and http://www.newegg.co...2800CL9D-8GBSR2 both from the proposed MBs QVL.
Corsair is good Ram but so is G.Skill but it is also less expensive than Corsair http://www.newegg.co...e=8GB (2 x 4GB)

I mean no disrespect with this post, but this is my friend's opinion of the QVL:

"Qualified vendors" means the memory makers paid the board maker to test the memory on the board so it would be listed. Mushkin doesn't need that, they're known among builders as being reliable.

[phillpower2]

No offence taken people are entitled to their opinions but forums are for learning and sharing knowledge and not for supporting or denying conspiracy theories.

[iammykyl]

I'm not downgrading my CPU, not using G.Skill RAM, and using the GPU on this list. This is the list I'm sticking with, at least for the moment.

AS you have mentioned a couple of time your concerns about going over budget I gave you the modified list, bringing down the budget closer to your $700/800 mark.

I'm not a gamer...at all. Can't say I'd never play a game here and there, but I don't need a gaming computer, so to speak.

After reviewing the whole topic, another reason to bring the specs down a bit by suggesting a lower spec GPU and further reducing the cost..

My friend recommended this HDD

http://www.newegg.co..._source=message

That HDD only has 16MB catch. The WD has 32MB, faster read/write, faster sustained throughput.

And I have to ask, does your friend built computers? repair them? spend time researching parts and configuration? Many on the this Forum have, or have had computer hardware businesses, in other Forums, analysts, programmers, PC security specialists, I could go on.

Should you still require more help or an opinion on your final build, please post, and we will be happy to help.

Edited by iammykyl, 28 January 2012 - 09:18 PM.

[Jim45]

And I have to ask, does your friend built computers? repair them? spend time researching parts and configuration?

Yes, yes, and yes. You might be kind of surprised if she came on here.

[iammykyl]

That is good then. Persuade her to reg. on G2G as we are always looking for volunteers with hands on experience.

[Jim45]

Look, I'm not implying that you're wrong, or don't know what you're talking about, but I will take her advice on the G.Skill RAM, as she and people she knows have had first hand experience with it failing, and she has never had a problem with Corsair, and I swapped that out, and it's actually about the same price. The GPU was her recommendation as well, along with the Hitachi HDD. Right now that list is just over $800, which is pretty much still in the ballpark, and I'll have more than I need, which isn't a bad thing.

Edited by Jim45, 30 January 2012 - 01:36 AM.