[phillpower2]

Oh, sorry! Yes I will be getting a new system for gaming.

If you provide us with your maximum budget we can put a list of components together for you to consider.

[Advertisements]

I'm aiming for ~$600 price range. I've looked at some stuff and my buddy has helped me pick out some parts. But I would really like to see what you can do to help me out with!

[faniggler]

I'm aiming for ~$600 price range. I've looked at some stuff and my buddy has helped me pick out some parts. But I would really like to see what you can do to help me out with!

[phillpower2]

Slightly over your budget at $653.81 before mail in rebates - $604.81 after mail in rebates.
For now you will need to use your present optical drive and HDD, the OS issue you will need to talk to MS about using your present W7, here is your list - let us know what you think and also what you and your buddy had in mind;

$54.99 Free shipping – Case http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129066 Removable/washable dust filters - a must for top cooling.
$121.99 + $7.87 shipping – MB http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157271 PCI-E 3.0 and Ivy Bridge ready - future upgrade options.
$219.99 Free shipping – CPU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115072 Best bang for buck CPU for a while - cores are unlocked.
$38.99 Free shipping – 8GB Ram http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231308 What can I say 8GB of CL-7 Ram for less than $40
$139.99 Free shipping – GPU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130625 I would have liked a bit more cash but this will do for gaming.
$69.99 Free shipping – PSU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139028 More than enough clean and stable power and 80% efficiency.

[faniggler]

Okay cool, I'll show you what my buddy showed me and you could see what we were thinking:

Case- http://www.newegg.co...ls-_-11-119-196
MB - http://pcpartpicker....board-gah61ms2h
CPU - http://pcpartpicker....u-bx80623i32120
RAM - http://pcpartpicker....310600cl9d8gbnt
HDD - http://pcpartpicker....rive-st500dm002
GPU - http://pcpartpicker....card-hd687azdfc
PSU - http://pcpartpicker....upply-bp550plus

This is with the mind set that I will bite the bullet and go ahead and buy another windows 7.

[phillpower2]

Yours is not a bad list of parts but the MB and CPU let it down and this is reflected by their cost compared to what I suggested, the final decision is yours to make and I can only advise you, with the exception of the video card I would go for the parts I suggested but use the video card that you suggested, FWIW I would have suggested the same card but was trying to come in within your $600 budget.

For the best and most stable performance you should where possible purchase a CPU and Ram that have been tested and approved by the motherboard manufacturer, this is referred to as the QVL ( qualified vendors list ) understand though that there are too many products released for them all to be tested so other hardware will be compatible but not proven to be.

The Ram on your list is not compatible with the MB you list according to the Ram specs at Newegg, see below;

Compatible M/B Chipset:

Intel P55
lntel H55
Intel X48
Intel P45
Intel X38
AMD 890 Series
AMD 790 Series

Your suggested MB is the H61 chipset type.

[faniggler]

Oh okay thanks! I'll prob end up just going with what you showed me because my buddy has messed up before.

So what do you recommend for the hdd? The one I proposed? And do you have any thoughts on an optical drive? I have one picked out but I'm on my phone at the moment so I can't easily show you.

[faniggler]

http://www.newegg.co...ID=3938566&SID=

This is the drive I was eying.

[faniggler]

I pulled the trigger with everything you recommended plus the hdd, gpu and cd drive I put up. Plus a new OS of course.

Should I buy anything to actually build the thing (will it come with screws and what not?)

Went over budget but I think I'll survive.

[phillpower2]

You should only require some thermal compound such as http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835100007
You have put together a decent rig
Please keep us updated and if you have any questions at all let us know.

[faniggler]

I will buy some just in case, but I thought the processors were supposed to come with thermal compound?

[phillpower2]

Hi faniggler

As per my post #2
http://www.geekstogo...r-own-computer/ courtesy of Troy and Artellos and http://www.geekstogo...rface-material/ Digerati respectively.

Read through the TIM tutorial which explains the importance of a good quality thermal paste, I use the same kit as in the .jpeg below;

[faniggler]

Well I got my optical drive and processor first (I have to wait until monday or Tuesday to start the build..) I noticed that the optical drive doesn't have any wires with it.

Should I buy the wires? Or would they come with the motherboard?

[phillpower2]

When you get your MB you should also receive a minimum of two SATA leads.
Always read the proposed delivery notes before purchase - that way you get no surprises

[faniggler]

Always read the proposed delivery notes before purchase - that way you get no surprises

I know I should have! Hopefully I won't get screwed..

[phillpower2]

If you check the Newegg MBs Image Gallery you will see X2 SATA cables
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157271