Hello Everyone,
I am new to the PC building world. 5 years ago or so I was really into computer gaming and sort of knew my way around the PC mainly because my father was big into building PCs and I would always get his hand me down parts. However, since technology always changes and I was never an expert I have no problem calling myself a newbie. For some time now I have had an itch to build an HTPC, nothing hardcore just something I can surf the web, youtubz, watch blu rays in 1080p and some storage. However, with Diablo 3 coming out soon I could see myself getting back into computer gaming...mainly Diablo but don't want to restrict myself too much. For this reason I am looking to build a hybrid of the two while staying on a budget ($600-$700 for an entire rig). My scenerio is unique though. Two years ago my father's custom built PC crashed on him. He did some diagnostics and believes it to be a shot motherboard. Between this issue and moving to a house without a dedicated computer room, my father lost his PC bug and his rig hasn't been touched in almost two years. I've been talking to him about my desire to build my own PC and he told me he will try firing his up again...if the problems continue then I am welcome to salvage whatever parts I want for my build. If this ends up being the case I will probably take his 2 Geforce 8800 GTs, the HDD, and the memory (Will these cards be enough to support my blu ray / gaming needs?). I would like to leave him the case / PSU and would feel more satisfied researching and deciding my own combination. Sorry for this long story but that brings me to where we are now. Currently I am working to try and decide what CPU / Mobo combo I want to go with. I am pretty set on Intel but thats about the only thing I am certain with right now which is why I have come here hoping for advice on whats best for my needs. Right now its between the i3 2100, i5 2400, and i5 2500k. I don't plan to overclock, unless necessary, mainly due to my inexperience; however I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in learning one day. Would the $50/$80 difference in the i3 2100 and i5 2400 / i5 2500k be worth it for my situation? Sure bigger is always better but I do want to avoid overkill. For the motherboard I believe I need either a P67 or Z68 since I will be running sli with the two Geforce 8800 GTs. Other than that the only requirement I have is it must have a S/PDIF out to connect to my 5.1 surround sound and be reasonably priced for my needs (I would still like to stay in the budget mindset even if I get the freebies from my father). Once again I am sorry for this long story. I have included the standard new build template below and will gladly except full build ideas in case the freebies don't work out. Thanks in advance for the patience and help!
Approximate Purchase Date: (e.g.: this week (the closer the better)): CPU / Mobo next week I will be at my parents for the holidays and they live by a Micro Center
Budget Range: (e.g.: 600-800) Before / After Rebates: Full Build $600-700$, Build with freebies $300-$400
System Usage from Most to Least Important: (e.g.: Folding@Home, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies): Watching Movies / Gaming, Youtubing, Surfing, Music
Parts Not Required: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using**: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (e.g.: newegg.com, ncix.com -- to show us selection & pricing): Newegg, Amazon, Micro Center (will only be able to visit Thurs / Fri next week)
Country: (e.g.: India) we need to know where these parts are being assembled: USA
Parts Preferences: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Biostar mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case): Intel CPU & Quality Mobo mid tower case
Overclocking: Yes / No / Maybe: Maybe in the future but focused on stability now
SLI or Crossfire: Yes / No / Maybe: SLI
Monitor Resolution: (e.g.: 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200): Primary: 720p 26" Vizio LED-LCD (1366x768 maybe?) and will also hook it up to my 1080p 55" LG LED-LCD (1980x1080) for movies and even gaming periodically
Additional Comments: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC): I am not expecting typical HTPC quietness but would like to find a solid in between in terms of HTPC and appropriate cooling for gaming.
I am new to the PC building world. 5 years ago or so I was really into computer gaming and sort of knew my way around the PC mainly because my father was big into building PCs and I would always get his hand me down parts. However, since technology always changes and I was never an expert I have no problem calling myself a newbie. For some time now I have had an itch to build an HTPC, nothing hardcore just something I can surf the web, youtubz, watch blu rays in 1080p and some storage. However, with Diablo 3 coming out soon I could see myself getting back into computer gaming...mainly Diablo but don't want to restrict myself too much. For this reason I am looking to build a hybrid of the two while staying on a budget ($600-$700 for an entire rig). My scenerio is unique though. Two years ago my father's custom built PC crashed on him. He did some diagnostics and believes it to be a shot motherboard. Between this issue and moving to a house without a dedicated computer room, my father lost his PC bug and his rig hasn't been touched in almost two years. I've been talking to him about my desire to build my own PC and he told me he will try firing his up again...if the problems continue then I am welcome to salvage whatever parts I want for my build. If this ends up being the case I will probably take his 2 Geforce 8800 GTs, the HDD, and the memory (Will these cards be enough to support my blu ray / gaming needs?). I would like to leave him the case / PSU and would feel more satisfied researching and deciding my own combination. Sorry for this long story but that brings me to where we are now. Currently I am working to try and decide what CPU / Mobo combo I want to go with. I am pretty set on Intel but thats about the only thing I am certain with right now which is why I have come here hoping for advice on whats best for my needs. Right now its between the i3 2100, i5 2400, and i5 2500k. I don't plan to overclock, unless necessary, mainly due to my inexperience; however I would be lying if I said I wasn't interested in learning one day. Would the $50/$80 difference in the i3 2100 and i5 2400 / i5 2500k be worth it for my situation? Sure bigger is always better but I do want to avoid overkill. For the motherboard I believe I need either a P67 or Z68 since I will be running sli with the two Geforce 8800 GTs. Other than that the only requirement I have is it must have a S/PDIF out to connect to my 5.1 surround sound and be reasonably priced for my needs (I would still like to stay in the budget mindset even if I get the freebies from my father). Once again I am sorry for this long story. I have included the standard new build template below and will gladly except full build ideas in case the freebies don't work out. Thanks in advance for the patience and help!
Approximate Purchase Date: (e.g.: this week (the closer the better)): CPU / Mobo next week I will be at my parents for the holidays and they live by a Micro Center
Budget Range: (e.g.: 600-800) Before / After Rebates: Full Build $600-700$, Build with freebies $300-$400
System Usage from Most to Least Important: (e.g.: Folding@Home, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies): Watching Movies / Gaming, Youtubing, Surfing, Music
Parts Not Required: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using**: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (e.g.: newegg.com, ncix.com -- to show us selection & pricing): Newegg, Amazon, Micro Center (will only be able to visit Thurs / Fri next week)
Country: (e.g.: India) we need to know where these parts are being assembled: USA
Parts Preferences: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Biostar mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case): Intel CPU & Quality Mobo mid tower case
Overclocking: Yes / No / Maybe: Maybe in the future but focused on stability now
SLI or Crossfire: Yes / No / Maybe: SLI
Monitor Resolution: (e.g.: 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200): Primary: 720p 26" Vizio LED-LCD (1366x768 maybe?) and will also hook it up to my 1080p 55" LG LED-LCD (1980x1080) for movies and even gaming periodically
Additional Comments: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC): I am not expecting typical HTPC quietness but would like to find a solid in between in terms of HTPC and appropriate cooling for gaming.
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