First time building a computer. Will this do the job?

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Walkst8

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Feb 18, 2011
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Hey guys,

Im currently looking to upgrade to a somewhat decent WoW capable computer. I don't have to play the game on ultra or anything like that, but I would like to be able to play on good settings with good fps and limited lag taking my ISP out of the equation. I've decided to put together my own computer because I'm on a pretty tight budget and have decided to go with a barebones kit from tigerdirect.ca . I would really appreciate it if you guys can tell me what kinda performance I'll be able to get out this rig. Thanks guys :)

Barebone Kit (CPU, Mobo, Ram, Hard Drive, Optical Drive, Case, Power 450W Power Supply, CPU Fan): http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7275091&sku=B69-0319

Video Card: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6759736

OS: Windows 7 64-Bit

Please tell me if I'm missing anything guys. I also would like to clarify if the graphics card will be compatible with the mobo since the card is PCI-E 2.0 and the mobo is only 1.0 i think.
 
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asteldian

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Hmm, not a fan of a PSU with a case and frankly I would prefer the Rana x3 445/450 CPU.
CPU: Rana 450 - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886&cm_re=amd_450-_-19-103-886-_-Product

Mobo: Asus MA4A77 - $65 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131603&cm_re=asus_770-_-13-131-603-_-Product

Samsung Spinpoint f3 500gb - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=samsung_spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product

RAM 4gb DDR3 Mushkin - $23 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226025&cm_re=mushkin_4gb_DDR3-_-20-226-025-_-Product

DVD Drive - $20

As a brief look:
Rosewill Destroyer - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147144&cm_re=rosewill_case-_-11-147-144-_-Product

Corsair 500W - $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139018&Tpk=corsair%20500w

Total: $343
Unfortunately I know you are in Canada, so this is no use in terms of the site, but it gives an idea of a much better build.
You can likely get cheaper case and PSU, but I would ensure the PSU you do pick is a good quality one like Corsair
I personally would not want to go with the build you linked because it is so dated. I would sooner suck it up and save a bit more cash to get whats needed.

As for the GPU, I would very much consider that a 'non gaming' card. I don't think I would go lower than a 450. Obviously in an ideal world a GTX 460 or a Radeon 5770 would be as low as you went.
 
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dalauder

dalauder

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You definitely should NOT buy that Tiger Direct barebones kit. We can get you a MUCH better computer for $350--especially if you live near a Micro Center.

What is your budget? You'd get a pretty awesome computer for $450, but I can work with $350. The 430 isn't a gaming card, btw. Do you currently play Wow? If so, do you have ANYTHING you can reuse?--DVD drive, Hard Drive, Case?
 
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Walkst8

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I actually don't play WoW right now. I'm confined to using my samsung netbook for my computing purposes lol. My budget is really anything around the $500 range as I'm a student and money is a lil tight. If you guys think you can build me a rig that is even more awesome then please feel free to do so, but I'll also take a second look around and see if I can put something else together. The reason why I went with the barebones kit was because I'm not really familiar with computers and I've really just learned about the necessary parts for one and stuff like that in the last 3 days lol.

Thanks Guys :)
 
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Walkst8

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Not even sure how to check resolution of my screen lol, but it's a small one around 19" so I would assume its one of the lower resolution choices. Sorry if that seems really vague, but i'm really not the best at comps yet lol.

Thanks, I'll take a look at the build u suggested.
 
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Walkst8

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ya, 1024x600 would be the one sir lol.

I have a quick question as well. When looking for a processor, do you go for more cores or higher MHZ? Would a trip core at 3.2 GHZ be better than a quad core at 2.8 GHZ?

Thanks
 
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dalauder

dalauder

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That's a tough question--here's the simplest answer: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i5-2500k-amd-e350,2843-6.html

As of today (or 6 months from now too), multiple cores aren't useful for maximum performance in the vast majority of programs. Essentially, this is because programming for multiple cores is ridiculously hard if it's not an easily parallel task for each one (like splitting a screen up for photo/video editing). Multiple cores is useful if you multitask with a whole bunch of stuff open at once. But a new dual core can handle a 20tabs, hulu & youtube frozen on several, downloading on another program, and a minimized photo being edited while you play a game. It'll lag a little while you open and close some of that stuff and a quad core wouldn't. A triple probably wouldn't either, but I've never used one. But this kinda ends up coming down to, do you want a Phenom II x2 555BE or an Athlon II x4? It depends on a lot and there's no easy answer.

Back to your build: Do you live near a Micro Center?
 
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Walkst8

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No, I do not live near a micro center.

Would it just be more efficient for me to get a dual core at a higher clocked speed than a quad core then, if the most intensive thing im gonna do on the computer is WoW?
 
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aznshinobi

aznshinobi

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Well actually at your resolution the 4830 would max out any games you'll play. Even at Max settings. But with the money saved going with the 450 which would save you about 50$ that'll get you like a 5770 or 450 GTS which would work out nicely.

What a great combo i found.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.594111

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.594119

The 5770>450 GTS

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/296?vs=316

So just chip in the extra 10$ for the 5770 imo.
 
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pacioli

pacioli

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Triple cores are in the sweet spot for WoW at the moment. WoW uses two cores and a third core handles any background processes going on. The Athlon II X3 450 Rana is great for WoW. My wife plays on that processor with an ATI 4850 at 'High' settings and never has lag issues. At $80 for the 450 and $89 for the 455 the Rana's offer the best price/performance ratio.
Blizzard does slowly take advantage of new tech so a quad core might future proof your rig. Look at the Athlon II X4 640/645 Propus, $110/$119, on the low end (The 620 and 630 are clocked too low for me) and the Phenom 955 BE, $140, on the high end (the 965,970 and 975 are overkill in my opinion).
As far as your graphics go I'd look at the Radeon HD 5670 ($70-$80) or higher on the AMD side or at least a GTS 450 ($90 w rebate) on the Nvidia side. Blizzard games tend to favor Nvidia GPUs.
I hope this helps your planning. Seeing as you are not buying until the summer the prices will have changed by them. You might be able to pick up a faster processor for the same money in just a few months. Keep your eyes on the market until then.
 
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dalauder

dalauder

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First--Pacioli, you got the cake? I'm thoroughly impressed? I wonder if Portal 2 has cake.

I'd go with the 5770. Although if you get the $90 Phenom II x2 555BE, you can hope to get lucky on a core unlock--but you can hope on a Rana 450 for the 4th core too. I like the gamblle of the 555 better though--mostly because I like that L3 cache.
 
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Walkst8

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Alright guys I've been looking around and this is the rig that I've been able to put together. I've also increased my budget :)

CPU = Athlon II x3 455 Rana 3.3 GHZ $93.00 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103911

GPU = EVGA GTX 460 1GB $162.00 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130591

Mobo = MSI 870-G45 $75.00 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130290

Memory = Kingston HyperX 4GB (2x2GB) $48.00 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104216

Optic Drive = Sony Opticarc $17.00 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827131061

Hard Drive = Samsung F3 500GB $50.00 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Case + Power Supply NewEgg Combo Deal = Rosewill Case + PSU $90.00 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.594855

OS = windows 7 64-bit $110.00


Total + Shipping + GST = ~$700.00



So, will everything in this rig work with each other and is it a good rig for the price?

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate you guys helping me out with this. :)






 
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gooberm77

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btw Walkst8 .. you might wanna check out www.directcanada.com .. ive found they had better prices than newegg often time even though not my much :p also they offer free ground shipping if (im not sure which) the package is too big or if the order is more than x$
 
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gooberm77

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Mobo = MSI 870-G45 $67.00 http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950BD1549&vpn=870-G45&manufacture=Others

OS = Windows 7 Home Premium $100.00 http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12850SW2113&vpn=GFC-00599&manufacture=MICROSOFT

CPU: Athlon II x2 455 Rana $91.00 http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10360BD6237&vpn=ADX455WFGMBOX&manufacture=AMD

Its only a savings of around 20 dollars though.. still its better than nothing i guess

also the 450 is about 15$ for about 0.12 ghz less clock speed.. just saying :p
 
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