cythx

Distinguished
Jan 29, 2010
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I'm new to this site and I'm new to building computers, honsestly I havn't got much idea about how to do it. I'm pretty sure I could handle putting the components together, but I'd want to ask, what should I know before purchasing components?

So far I gather I need: A motherboard, CPU, PSU, RAM, GPU, HDD, DVD RW, sound card.

Is that all I need inside the box? (besides the OS ofc)

Before I ask a few questions I should say that my budget on building this new PC is 800-1000£ max (thats 1300-1600 USD), anyway here I go:

How do I configure the USB slots?
What are reliable brands for components?
How big a PSU do I need?*
What are some good CPUs that are comming out soon?
How big of a cooling unit will I need?
What's a good PC tower? I've heard the Antec 900 is good but it seems pretty old, is it still one of the best, cooling wise?
Do I really need more then 4GB of RAM? I've never seen my current pc use more then 2 when running games/media app's


*I'm getting a high end gpu (I'm waiting for the 300 series to come out but I'm looking for something on the level of a GTX 295), as for the CPU, It'll deffinatly needs to be powerful too.

Thanks very much for reading, I'd appreciate any advice/help I can get.



EDIT: How does SLi work? do I need to buy those specifically or can I just stick 2 together via some slot in the gpu? Are there compatibility issues?

And does RPM on a HDD affect life time? They seem cheap enough for me to be able to replace every 2-3 yrs if its that short. 7200 rpm is reasonable?
 

greenfield

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Jan 3, 2010
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Core i7 920 (2.66 GHz)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202&cm_re=Core_i7_920_%282.66_GHz%29-_-19-115-202-_-Product




GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128362



XFX HD-585A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video . Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=xfx+5850&x=19&y=31




CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C9 - Retail
The ultimate Intel X58 Core i7 performance memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222




PSU -CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

Or:

CORSAIR CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011



Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319




Case- COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196


Or:

Antec 900 -Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=Antec+900&x=13&y=34