[jimbilly211]

Ok so after many years with a laptop I'm annoyed with the lack of graphics and buying a new laptop every 1 1/2 years or so.

Also I some how convinced my wife that this is the most logical as I will not be buying a new computer every year.

I'll be showing you the parts I've picked out, what I was hopping for everyone here is to just let me know if the stuff works well together I've already figured out if its compatible or not. Like my cpu I picked mainly for cost as I'm at the top end of my budget. Anyway let me start

Corsair 400R mid tower http://www.tigerdire...60&sku=C13-6400
Sabertooth 990FX MB http://www.tigerdire...6&sku=A455-3019
FX-8150 CPU http://www.tigerdire...91&sku=A79-8150
XFX 7950 VC http://www.tigerdire...5&sku=P450-7953
Corsair Vengance 16GB (4x4GB) http://www.tigerdire...17&sku=C13-5724
OCZ Vertex 3 240GB SSD http://www.tigerdire...9&sku=O261-6381
500GB Seagate Momentus XT HDD/SSD http://www.tigerdire...&sku=TMD-500AS4
Corsair TX650 PSU http://www.tigerdire...36&sku=C13-2800
Lite-On Blu,DVD,CD http://www.tigerdire...ku=L12-1374 OEM

I would like to know. Is there a difference for the RAM 4 cards Vs. 2. I originally had the 16GB 2x8GB version but it was about 50 bucks more so I went cheaper. I had a bigger power supply but went cheaper, can I go cheaper or smaller on that? Also the mother board can I switch that out for something as well? The SSD is the cheapest I've found but heard bad things about OCZ recently. I'm aware that the AMD 8150 is not as powerful as the I7 for independent gaming and I know I'm not going to be running a bunch of virtual machines seeing as I have no clue what they are. If you find an I7 for under 250 I guess let me know.I also wouldn't mind later on getting another graphics card for crossfire. ( it seems simple enough). And do I need an audio card?

Thanks for your time and stopping by to help me out anything would be a great help.

Edited by jimbilly211, 08 April 2012 - 11:08 AM.

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jimbilly211

I have looked over your list and added some guidance/alternatives for you,

Ok so after many years with a laptop I'm annoyed with the lack of graphics and buying a new laptop every 1 1/2 years or so.

Also I some how convinced my wife that this is the most logical as I will not be buying a new computer every year.

I'll be showing you the parts I've picked out, what I was hopping for everyone here is to just let me know if the stuff works well together I've already figured out if its compatible or not. Like my cpu I picked mainly for cost as I'm at the top end of my budget. Anyway let me start

Corsair 400R mid tower A less expensive alternative http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 removable/washable dust filters is a must for the best cooling.
Sabertooth 990FX MB PCI-E 3.0 and Ivy bridge ready meaning you have better future upgrade options http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157271
FX-8150 CPU Best bang for your buck CPU for a long time http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115072
XFX 7950 VC Best GPU at present http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587 see http://www.videocard...GeForce GTX 580 there are faster models available but they are $100 more.
Corsair Vengance 16GB (4x4GB) You will only need 8GB of Ram - 16GB is overkill and a waste of cash that can be used to improve other components, also see canned speech;

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.

OCZ Vertex 3 240GB SSD 120GB is plenty big enough for your OS** http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820148448
500GB Seagate Momentus XT HDD/SSD Alternative http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148840
Corsair TX650 PSU Excellent choice but you should not choose the PSU until all other components are decided on and you can then use a PSU calculator such as http://www2.corsair.com/psufinder/
Lite-On Blu,DVD,CD A good choice.

**I do not see an OS mentioned - 8GB of Ram is the sweet spot for Windows 7 64-bit

I would like to know. Is there a difference for the RAM 4 cards Vs. 2. I originally had the 16GB 2x8GB version but it was about 50 bucks more so I went cheaper. I had a bigger power supply but went cheaper, can I go cheaper or smaller on that? Also the mother board can I switch that out for something as well? The SSD is the cheapest I've found but heard bad things about OCZ recently. I'm aware that the AMD 8150 is not as powerful as the I7 for independent gaming and I know I'm not going to be running a bunch of virtual machines seeing as I have no clue what they are. If you find an I7 for under 250 I guess let me know.I also wouldn't mind later on getting another graphics card for crossfire. ( it seems simple enough). And do I need an audio card?

Thanks for your time and stopping by to help me out anything would be a great help.

I hope that you find the above helpful - any questions please ask.

NB: Providing links to your parts would allow us to compare prices

[phillpower2]

jimbilly211

I have looked over your list and added some guidance/alternatives for you,

Ok so after many years with a laptop I'm annoyed with the lack of graphics and buying a new laptop every 1 1/2 years or so.

Also I some how convinced my wife that this is the most logical as I will not be buying a new computer every year.

I'll be showing you the parts I've picked out, what I was hopping for everyone here is to just let me know if the stuff works well together I've already figured out if its compatible or not. Like my cpu I picked mainly for cost as I'm at the top end of my budget. Anyway let me start

Corsair 400R mid tower A less expensive alternative http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 removable/washable dust filters is a must for the best cooling.
Sabertooth 990FX MB PCI-E 3.0 and Ivy bridge ready meaning you have better future upgrade options http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157271
FX-8150 CPU Best bang for your buck CPU for a long time http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115072
XFX 7950 VC Best GPU at present http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587 see http://www.videocard...GeForce GTX 580 there are faster models available but they are $100 more.
Corsair Vengance 16GB (4x4GB) You will only need 8GB of Ram - 16GB is overkill and a waste of cash that can be used to improve other components, also see canned speech;

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.

OCZ Vertex 3 240GB SSD 120GB is plenty big enough for your OS** http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820148448
500GB Seagate Momentus XT HDD/SSD Alternative http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148840
Corsair TX650 PSU Excellent choice but you should not choose the PSU until all other components are decided on and you can then use a PSU calculator such as http://www2.corsair.com/psufinder/
Lite-On Blu,DVD,CD A good choice.

**I do not see an OS mentioned - 8GB of Ram is the sweet spot for Windows 7 64-bit

I would like to know. Is there a difference for the RAM 4 cards Vs. 2. I originally had the 16GB 2x8GB version but it was about 50 bucks more so I went cheaper. I had a bigger power supply but went cheaper, can I go cheaper or smaller on that? Also the mother board can I switch that out for something as well? The SSD is the cheapest I've found but heard bad things about OCZ recently. I'm aware that the AMD 8150 is not as powerful as the I7 for independent gaming and I know I'm not going to be running a bunch of virtual machines seeing as I have no clue what they are. If you find an I7 for under 250 I guess let me know.I also wouldn't mind later on getting another graphics card for crossfire. ( it seems simple enough). And do I need an audio card?

Thanks for your time and stopping by to help me out anything would be a great help.

I hope that you find the above helpful - any questions please ask.

NB: Providing links to your parts would allow us to compare prices

[jimbilly211]

You have brought a lot to my attention.

The GPU I have selected http://www.tigerdire...5&sku=P450-7953 , and your http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130587 what is the biggest difference? I like the cooling system in the 7950 and was planning on a crossfire version later. Will that 7950 still work with that board, or are all GPU universal?

I will be running windows 7 64 bit with this and the drop in ram will def help the price tag on this thank you.

I also was planning on installing http://www.tigerdire...59&sku=C13-2180 .

So my biggest thing is the GPU and if it fits or not.

I hope my links help here and am going to add them to original post.

[phillpower2]

You have brought a lot to my attention.

The GPU I have selected http://www.tigerdire...5&sku=P450-7953 , and your http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130587 what is the biggest difference? I like the cooling system in the 7950 and was planning on a crossfire version later. Will that 7950 still work with that board, or are all GPU universal?

The MB I suggest is both Crossfire and Sli capable but be careful with add on card sizes, I doubt you will need to add a second one of either card as they are both prolific performers, best card for the money for me is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130751

I will be running windows 7 64 bit with this and the drop in ram will def help the price tag on this thank you.
You are welcome

I also was planning on installing http://www.tigerdire...59&sku=C13-2180 .
You do not need this and using anything other than the HS and fan supplied with the CPU will void your warranty, AMD and Intel are clear on this;

AMD;

This Limited Warranty shall be null and void if the AMD microprocessor which is the subject of this Limited Warranty is used with any heatsink/fan other than the one provided herewith.

Full article @ http://support.amd.c...earLimited.aspx

Intel;

• damage to the Product due to external causes, including accident, problems with electrical
power, abnormal electrical, mechanical or environmental conditions, usage not in accordance
with product instructions, misuse, neglect, alteration, repair, improper installation, or improper
testing

Full article @ http://www.intel.com...b/cs-009862.htm

So my biggest thing is the GPU and if it fits or not.

I hope my links help here and am going to add them to original post.

[jimbilly211]

Ok still don't know if I need a sound card.

Do you or anyone else know where I can buy a cheap windows 7 64 bit at.

Your set up mixed with mine saved me about 500 bucks so thanks a lot phill

[phillpower2]

Sorry I totally forgot about the sound card question
Most modern MBs have very good integrated audio chips which negates the the need for an add on audio card, the MB I suggested has an 8 channel audio chip and so no add on sound card is required, remember though the chip is only as good as your speakers.

Your set up mixed with mine saved me about 500 bucks so thanks a lot phill

That is what I like to hear and you are most welcome

Keep us posted on your progress and let us know if you have any questions, meanwhile some tutorials for you to look through http://www.geekstogo...r-own-computer/ and http://www.geekstogo...rface-material/ courtesy of Troy/Artellos and Digerati respectively.

For your OS see http://www.software4students.co.uk/Microsoft_Windows_7_Professional_64_bit_Upgrade_Edition-details.aspx Customer care - Who is eligible