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Suggestions/Advice for New Build

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Hi all, I've been a lurker for a while and now have some thoughts about building my own comp. My previous comp was a prebuilt Sony Vaio RC-110G (lasted me 4+ years and is beginning to stall, beep errors, etc). This was my fist computer and I have grown to consider getting a new build.


I have the following components that will be stripped and transplanted into the new build.

OS: Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
HDD: 2 x 250GB and 1 x 750GB (all Seagate Barracudas)
5.25" Bays: CD/DVD player, CD/DVD burner, Card Reader + 1 USB +1 IEEE 1394
Gfx Card: eVGA 8600GTS 256MB superclocked (yes, not the best card; it’s 2 years old and still in working order-this was being used with a Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz cpu. I don't plan on upgrading Gfx for another 2 years) - but if this might not meet expected needs listed below, please let me know for consideration
Sound Card: Auzen X-Fi Prelude 7.1
Speakers: Altec Lansing 2.1 (this is old - 5+ years and still going)
Monitor: Samsung 2493HM 24" (16:10)
Other: Wireless Keyboard + Mouse + Xbox 360 Controller


Main Uses: Video (720p or 1080p) playback/streaming/transcoding, internet, email, MS office suite, light to moderate gaming, photo/video editing


Note: I have CoreAVC which allows me to play 1080p videos flawlessly on my Pentium D+8600GTS (CUDA accelerated). CPU spikes at about 40-60% usage.


Other Question: Can I just PnP my Win7 x64 (it's on a 50GB system partition of the 250GB HDD) in and start using, or is a reformat necessary? I've made backups.


Preferred place to shop: Canada Computers (physical brick and mortar store) - website: http://www.canadacomputers.com

When to get: By mid to end of September (hopefully my system will last this long).

Budget: ~500-700 Cdn (excluding HST)


Components under Consideration (Prices don't include Discounts [MIR or IR]):

CPU: Intel Core i5 750 - $209.99
CPU Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - $29.99
MoBo: Asus P7P55D-E LX - $137.99
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-650TX - $109.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series DDR3 1600MHz, 2x2GB (F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL) - $99.99
Case: Antec Three Hundred Gaming Case - $59.99

Subtotal: $647.94 Cdn

Any other suggestions (overkill on some parts? or under?)? I'm looking for a sturdy system that will last at MINIMUM 4 years.

Thanks in advance. :) 

Edit: forgot to add monitor and when to get.

More about : suggestions advice build

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Normally you end up with a stream of driver problems if you do not do a fresh OS install when you move an HDD to a new computer (unless the motherboard is the exact same model).

The i5 760 is about the same price and a little faster than the 750.

I would go with Gskill Eco series cas7 RAM. Its about the same price and is rated at only 1.35V so you wont have to get into the bios and push the ram voltage up to the level you start to see red text warnings about excessive overvolting.

dndhatcher said:
Normally you end up with a stream of driver problems if you do not do a fresh OS install when you move an HDD to a new computer (unless the motherboard is the exact same model).

The i5 760 is about the same price and a little faster than the 750.

I would go with Gskill Eco series cas7 RAM. Its about the same price and is rated at only 1.35V so you wont have to get into the bios and push the ram voltage up to the level you start to see red text warnings about excessive overvolting.


Thanks for the info. At least I won't lose much on the partition if I need to reformat/reinstall OS. Just have to redirect all the folders to the 'My Docs' partition. Maybe need to reinstall some apps too. But shouldn't be too much of a chore.

The i5 760 costs $15 more there, so it's still within budget. Also noticed they're out of stock of the 750.

Gskill ECO series, never thought about the voltage thing. Definitely will switch to this. Thanks again for the info.

Forgot to mention that I'm not considering any overclocking yet. Though I might dwell into it in the future when I feel more comfortable with it.

Okay, so now I've changed my mind on a few things...

CPU: Intel Core i5 760 - $224.99
CPU Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - $29.99
MoBo: Asus P7P55D-E - $159.99
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-650TX - $109.99
RAM: G.SKILL ECO Series DDR3 1600MHz, 2x2GB (F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO) - $109.99
Case: Antec Three Hundred Gaming Case - $59.99

Subtotal: $694.94 Cdn

I've reconsidered mobo as I needed IEEE 1394 for a few things. The Asus P7P55D-E LX doesn't have IEEE 1394.

I also won't be considering/using SLI or CrossFire configurations.

Any further recommendations?

Thanks in advance.
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