Help Me Custom Build

[cpunooby]

Hi,

I am new here so I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this. Please move it if it's not.

I am currently in college and I am looking to buy a desktop that can multi-task, play games (starcraft 2), and do work at incredible speed. I live in Quebec, Canada, therefore I prefer to buy from NCIX unless anyone knows a better place to buy. I have no idea how to build a PC so the store has to assemble it for me.

I have a general idea of what I want, please give me some feedbacks.

my budget is about 1000 including taxes and shipping.

CPU: Intel i7 860 or i5 760
Motherboard: I have no idea about this one, how important is a good motherboard?
Graphics: ATI HD 5770
Hard Drive:Western Digital Caviar Blue SE16 640GB SATA2 7200RPM
Power Supply:Seasonic SS-400ET 400W
RAM:Corsair XMS3 TR3X6G1333C9 6GB
Network:ASUS PCE-N13 Wireless Network Adapter 802.11B/G/N

Is it possible to include a blu-ray reader in there?

Also, I have Windows 7 ultimate, so I don't need to buy the OS. With this build, all I need to do is install the window after it arrives right? or is there something missing?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Emerald]

see if you can manage to fit a 600W or 650W Power Supply into your budget.

this way you don't run near max and don't have to upgrade in case you want to add a second video card

 

[sp12]

Ram should be in sets of 2, GPU looks a little lackluster, see what prices you can get for 1TB drives.

 

[cpunooby]

see if you can manage to fit a 600W or 650W Power Supply into your budget.

this way you don't run near max and don't have to upgrade in case you want to add a second video card

Ram should be in sets of 2, GPU looks a little lackluster, see what prices you can get for 1TB drives.

Thanks for the replies. Here's my updated build.

CPU: Intel Core i5 760
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB
Network: ASUS PCE-N13 Wireless Network Adapter 802.11B/G/N
Optical: Samsung SH-B083L 8X BLU-RAY BD-ROM & DVD Writer Combo
Mobo: Gigabyte P55A-UD3 ATX LGA1156
RAM: 2 x Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL9 Dual Channel
GPU: Radeon HD 5770 850MHZ 1GB
Case: AGAiT Vento TA-891 ATX Black Mid Tower Case 4X5.25 2X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS Front USB
Power: Seasonic S12II 620W EPS12V 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 80+ Bronze 6+8PIN PCI-E W/ 120MM Fan


I don't really need 1TB of hard drive because I rarely download anything. I barely passed the 120GB mark for my current laptop that I've had for 2 years.

As for GPU, what would you recommend? I mostly play Starcraft 2 and Left 4 Dead 2. As long as I can run both games at highest setting with 30+ fps I'm happy.

 

[sp12]

Well, the issue is that a 1TB drive will have 500GB platters (and therefore be much faster) and can often be had for ~10/15$ more than a 640GB drive.

GTX 460, 6850. 5770 is a little weak for SC2 past 1680 resolutions.

 

[cpunooby]

Well, the issue is that a 1TB drive will have 500GB platters (and therefore be much faster) and can often be had for ~10/15$ more than a 640GB drive.

GTX 460, 6850. 5770 is a little weak for SC2 past 1680 resolutions.

Ahh, I see.
Will this be better?

CPU: Intel Core i5 760
HD: Western Digital WD Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 3GB/S 7200RPM
Network: ASUS PCE-N13 Wireless Network Adapter 802.11B/G/N
Optical: Samsung SH-B083L 8X BLU-RAY BD-ROM & DVD Writer Combo
Mobo: Gigabyte P55A-UD3 ATX LGA1156
RAM: 2 x Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL9 Dual Channel
GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850 775MHZ 1GB 4.0GHZ
Case: AGAiT Vento TA-891 ATX Black Mid Tower Case 4X5.25 2X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS Front USB
Power: Seasonic S12II 620W EPS12V 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 80+ Bronze 6+8PIN PCI-E W/ 120MM Fan

 

[reaper2794]

Go for the Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB, anything less than that and you're killing us inside...

 

[cpunooby]

Go for the Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB, anything less than that and you're killing us inside...

I like samsung as well, sadly they don't have it on NCIX.

 

[cpunooby]

One more question. How much RAM do I actually need? I like to multi-task a lot, i.e. playing starcraft 2 while chatting on msn but won't be doing any photoshop video editing etc.

Also, should i get dual channel or 3.

Thanks.

 

[sp12]

4GB would be fine. If you leave everything you've opened that month up then maybe more, but every individual 32-bit app (games) are limited to 2GB, and your background stuff (drivers, AV, word/msn) is unlikely to ever go over 2GB themselves.

 

[MrOsonice]

One more question. How much RAM do I actually need? I like to multi-task a lot, i.e. playing starcraft 2 while chatting on msn but won't be doing any photoshop video editing etc.

Also, should i get dual channel or 3.

Thanks.

I believe the i5-760 is dual channel and so 3 channel can't apply. Although you dont have to do dual channel and can have just one stick of RAM most people, if not all, say it is worth it.

 

[MrOsonice]

Ahh, I see.
Will this be better?

CPU: Intel Core i5 760
HD: Western Digital WD Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 3GB/S 7200RPM
Network: ASUS PCE-N13 Wireless Network Adapter 802.11B/G/N
Optical: Samsung SH-B083L 8X BLU-RAY BD-ROM & DVD Writer Combo
Mobo: Gigabyte P55A-UD3 ATX LGA1156
RAM: 2 x Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL9 Dual Channel
GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850 775MHZ 1GB 4.0GHZ
Case: AGAiT Vento TA-891 ATX Black Mid Tower Case 4X5.25 2X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS Front USB
Power: Seasonic S12II 620W EPS12V 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 80+ Bronze 6+8PIN PCI-E W/ 120MM Fan

I'm also building an i5-760 for my first build except with a $1,000-1,200 USD budget (not sure about the currency differences). I'm by no means "knowledgeable" but have done research for my system so keep that in mind.

First, if you have the time and are the type of person who will enjoy building their own PC I recommend it (not having quite built one myself yet). There are many guides and helpful people here that will make it fairly painless. Besides, a $1000 machine is a significant investment and it wil pay to know as much about it as you can. Also, without having to pay someone to build you could upgrade a thing or two.

Take a look at ASUS motherboards (if you haven't already) here are 2. I think the dual memory differences of 2@x4 vs 2@x8 probably matter most to you. (sorry if its out of your price range, not sure about prices in your setup to recommend downgrade/upgrade options.)

ASUS P7P55D-E
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131620R&cm_re=ASUS_P7P55D-E-_-13-131-620R-_-Product
or
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-131-621&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

RAM - I hear 4 gb should be nice.
I read you might be paying a premium for Corsair. I went with this one below. Good brand and low latency/timings (which is a good thing). Check it out.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276&cm_re=G.SKILL_Ripjaws_4GB_1333-_-20-231-276-_-Product

GPU - Not sure about your setup, but if you haven't, you should look into dual GPU's like SLI & Crossfire. If there is a chance you will want to upgrade your graphincs in the future to dual GPU's (which for gaming is very likely) you should get components, motherboard, PSU, case, etc. that supports that, at the speed you will want. I might recommend passing on the Blu-ray player and applying that money to graphics. Getting components that will give you the option of dual GPU's seem like the best area to upgrade, if possible, since your other needs should be no problem.

 

[cpunooby]

Thanks for the reply. I doubt I will be upgrading anytime soon and by the time I decided to upgrade, the newer models will probably outperform the best model I can find right now. So my moto is get the most for my buck right now and just upgrade the whole thing in the future.

I won't be doing SLI either now or in the future, I think. I am not a hardcore gamer. Keep in mind, I'm doing everything on my AMD athlon x2 laptop with ATI HD 3000 right now. So anything will be a huge improvement.

As for building it myself, it isn't really an option. I don't think I have the time to educate myself and build one. I cost down on everything again and now my build is as follow:
1 x Intel Core i5 760 Quad Core Processor Lynnfield LGA1156 2.8GHZ 8MB
1 x Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATA2 7200RPM
1 x Sony Optiarc 24X DVDRW DVD Writer SATA OEM - Black
1 x Gigabyte P55A-UD3 ATX LGA1156 P55 DDR3 2PCI-E 2PCI RAID GBLAN CrossFireX USB3.0 SATA3 Motherboard
1 x Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1333
1 x Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850 775MHZ 1GB 4.0GHZ GDDR5
1 x AGAiT Vento TA-891 ATX Black Mid Tower Case 4X5.25 2X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS Front USB
1 x Seasonic S12II 620W EPS12V 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 80+ Bronze 6+8PIN PCI-E W/ 120MM Fan

the only concern I have right now is if my case will be good enough since I went with a cheap 30 dollars one. Or does case not matter that much?

Thanks.

 

[davcon]

Intel Core i5 760 - $195.99
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/230098/Intel/BX80605I5760/

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB - $37.99
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14120DR8025&vpn=ST3500418AS&manufacture=SEAGATE

Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 - $58.66
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180BD7625&vpn=CMV4GX3M2A1333C9&manufacture=CORSAIR

G.SKILL F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH Ripjaws - $68.44
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15380BD1255&vpn=F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH&manufacture=G.SKILL



Gigabyte P55A-UD3- $134.79
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/223057/Gigabyte/GA_P55A_UD3/

Personally i would buy the MSI/Combo for some reason the link is listing the wrong price.The combo is listed properly if you click the current sale banner on the website.

NCIX Gaming Bundle Deal Intel Core i5 760 Quad Core & MSI P55A-G55 CrossFire DDR3 USB3 Motherboard - $314.99/$299.99

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=54941&vpn=i5%20760%20%2B%20MSI%20P55A%2DG55&manufacture=Bundle Deals&promoid=1260

I would also buy a much better case for the level of components you've selected.
A case which can also fit an aftermarket cpu cooler the one you've selected is only 7" wide and has 80mm fans ugh!

Antec Three Hundred - $53.99
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29812&vpn=THREE%20HUNDRED&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1260

Coolermaster Haf 912 - $51.15
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/230752/COOLERMASTER/RC_912_KKN1/

As you know Ncix will pricematch competitors!

 

[cpunooby]

Best answer selected by cpunooby.

 

[cpunooby]

Oh my god!!! You are the BEST! Thanks so much. And many thanks for all the other people that replied.

One question though, how come you put down two different brands of RAM. Do I choose one of them or are you suggesting I get both?

 

[davcon]

Best answer selected by cpunooby.

nWow that was quick! thanks for selecting me BA!I was fixing up my post still lol!
n

 

[davcon]

Oh my god!!! You are the BEST! Thanks so much. And many thanks for all the other people that replied.

One question though, how come you put down two different brands of RAM. Do I choose one of them or are you suggesting I get both?

Nope either kit would be fine i was just suggesting an alternative that overclocks well and has heatspreaders.

 

[cpunooby]

Ahh, I see. I don't think NCIX will be willing to build it for me if I price match each component though. I guess I just have to man up and do it myself, lol.

 

[cpunooby]

will the g.skill or the corsair RAM be compatible with the MRI mobo?

are there any other compatibility issues I need to watch for? Thanks.

 

[mobohobo]

i have never built a pc, so this may be helpful, but i have had plenty o computers, and airflow has been crucial for me, in my build i am buying in the christmas sale i am using the coolermaster storm case, if you want something with plenty of airflow, no frills does the job good looking case, look no further than the antec three hundred.

 

[mobohobo]

didnt see rest of thread, sorry

 

[cpunooby]

Thanks guys, I just placed my order, hopefully it all works out well. I appreciated all the inputs.


This is what I ended up with:

NCIX Gaming Bundle Deal Intel Core i5 760 Quad Core & MSI P55A-G55 CrossFire DDR3 USB3 Motherboard

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA2 3.5IN 8.5MS 7200RPM

Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL9 Dual Channel Memory Kit

Samsung SH-S223C 22X DVD Writer SATA Black OEM

Coolermaster R4-L2R-20AC 120MM Blue LED Case Fan 2000RPM

Antec Earthwatts 650W Power Supply ATX12V V2.2 EPS12V Active PFC 80PLUS 120MM Fan

MSI GeForce GTX 460 Hawk Talon Attack 810MHZ 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini-HDMI DX11 PCI-E Video Card

Antec Three Hundred Mini Tower Gaming Case 300 ATX 3X5.25 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB & Audio

Total Price After PM Shipping and Insurance: 942.78 CAD

I'm very happy with it. Thanks again guys.