New computer build! Some questions need answering and taking suggestions!

UpgradeRequired · Jul 16, 2014

So I plan on building a new computer as my old one is ancient.
This is what I have so far:
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/ffP8bv

READ BEFORE ANSWERING PLEASE:
This build is primarily for gaming and then second for common internet browsing/YouTube. I already have the HDD, RAM, the peripherals, and the OS. I don't ever plan on overclocking anything so I don't think I need a CPU cooler. I need to figure out how to salvage the network adapter and sound card from my old computer. (Links appreciated or just help me here)
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Some questions:

What case should I get for this setup?

Do I need a case fan and if yes which one should I get?

What is thermal paste and do I need it for this setup?

How do I salvage the sound and network cards from my old computer?

Do cases come with the HDD holders? (The place to put your hard drive and plug the wires in)

Should I get the MSI Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card or stick with the XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2 GB Video Card?

Will the finished rig be able to run a game like garrys mod on the highest settings? If not which settings would it be able to run it on?
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If you need any more info to answer anything please just ask. Feel free to suggest better parts that are lower or about the same price. You can tell me any way to improve the build but stay in the 500-550 price range please!

Cryoburn101 · Jul 16, 2014

1. Cases are pretty subjective. I'm a personal fan of the Storm Scout II Advanced myself though. Lots of nice features and good overall quality.
You shouldn't need extra case fans. But if noise is a factor get Noctua fans.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-sgc2100kwn3
2. Thermal Paste aids in heat-transfer between your CPU and the CPU cooler. There are imperfections on the CPU cooler and CPU, and air can get trapped in these pockets. Air is terrible for transferring heat, so Thermal Paste is used to fill these imperfections and act as a nice 'heat-highway' as I've heard it called. Its required unless you like the smell of burnt computer parts. The CPU should come with a CPU cooler AND Thermal Paste, both of which will do fine if you are not overclocking.
3. They should simply lift out of their ports on the older computer, if its really old, this may require a little force. Sometimes there is a retention clip or something similar, so pushing or sliding this out of the way should free it. If the computer is really old, the network card may not work well.
4. Most decent cases will come with brackets and about everything you may need. The one I listed does come with proper brackets.
5. Stick with the 7870 card. Its about equivalent to the R9 270.
6. The 7870 will be perfectly capable of running Garry's Mod on highest settings.

Here is a better build. It uses a 8-Core Fx-8320 CPU instead of the 6300. The motherboard/CPU allows for future expandability, and has great on-board audio. If your off-board audio is really old, then this will likely be better.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask!

UpgradeRequired · Jul 16, 2014

Thanks for the amazing answer Cryoburn. The 2 RAM sticks I have are the ones from here(scroll down to memory section): http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/kb/docDisplay/?javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.prp_ba847bafb2a2d782fcbb0710b053ce01=wsrp-navigationalState%3DdocId%253Demr_na-c02280418-25%257CdocLocale%253D%257CcalledBy%253D&javax.portlet.tpst=ba847bafb2a2d782fcbb0710b053ce01&ac.admitted=1405526108729.876444892.492883150
Could you suggest a motherboard that would support those sticks and would go well with the processor you upgraded me to xD?

Cryoburn101 · Jul 16, 2014

UpgradeRequired :

Sorry, I forgot to put a link to the revised build. Here it is, features a good motherboard, and the upgraded CPU.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/WQXVmG
This motherboard has a good on-board audio solution, one of the bigger pros about it (in my opinion). Also plenty of slots for future upgrades.

The HP link doesn't show a model or like. So I can't be 100% sure if it will work on this board. That being said, if it doesn't work on this board, it won't work on any non-manufacturer board.
RAM speeds have increased a lot recently, and you could get 8GB worth sticks of duel-channel memory fairly cheaply. The speeds that have pretty much become standard are DDR3-1333 an DDR3-1600. If you are using a 32-bit OS, then you only need 4GB. I highly recommend a 64-bit OS if you want any sort of future-proofing.

UpgradeRequired · Jul 16, 2014

Hey, I revised my build: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/2PCZ99

The ram I have in my old computer is
PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333)
PC3-8500 (DDR3-1066)
PC3-6400 (DDR3-800)

I don't know what all that means but hopefully I can use it in the new mobo. I've got the optical drive covered from my old PC. Only thing I'm worried about now is wireless and wired adapters.

Cryoburn101 · Jul 16, 2014

UpgradeRequired :

Those are the timings/speeds of the different RAM kits that system came/comes with. The set would either be 1333, 1066, or 800. This motherboard comes with Ethernet ports, so you may not need a wired adapter. Wireless you would need though. There are plenty of cheap/decent wireless adapters if you find your old one to be underwhelming.

The HD 7870 is much faster than the GTX 750 Ti. The GTX 750 Ti isn't the best price/performance for its class either. The 750 Ti is really only good if you have limited power requirements and/or really want to go the Nvidia route.

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