unknownxxvii

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I am trying to custom build a computer off the internet, and I wanted to know what are the best and most reliable web sites to buy from? I am currently looking at Portatech, but after reading reviews, it seems like a hit or a miss, especially after they raised the price of their i7 2600k $60 in one week. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
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You'll find that most "custom build" sites are not really the best alternative for building a new computer. They usually only give you a "choice" between certain parts and not the whole of what is really available through a good on-line supplier. If you want CPU "A" you can only get it with motherboard "1", "2", or "3". When in reality motherboard "4" might be the best fit for you. Of course they do this because of cost factors which they have worked out with the various mfg's. The site you exampled only offers a choice of three mobo mfg's, while some pretty good mfg's were left off the list and one not so good one was included. This is how they make money. They also only give you the "illusion" of custom building when in reality they...
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How did you find a little no name website like that? I have been building computer for 15 years and have never even heard of them.

The best place to buy is newegg.com and NCIX. Tigerdirect has some good deals every now and then and if you live close to a Microcenter their in store prices on certain items can not be beat.

Overall newegg has the best prices, largest selection and easiest to deal with return department.
 

Chaz21

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You'll find that most "custom build" sites are not really the best alternative for building a new computer. They usually only give you a "choice" between certain parts and not the whole of what is really available through a good on-line supplier. If you want CPU "A" you can only get it with motherboard "1", "2", or "3". When in reality motherboard "4" might be the best fit for you. Of course they do this because of cost factors which they have worked out with the various mfg's. The site you exampled only offers a choice of three mobo mfg's, while some pretty good mfg's were left off the list and one not so good one was included. This is how they make money. They also only give you the "illusion" of custom building when in reality they are not much better than the standard packaged PC mfg's (Dell, HP, etc.).
If you are going to do the research required to pick out the parts offered on their sites, you've done most of the work involved in building your own PC, by yourself. You'll save money, you'll have fun and the satisfaction that comes from accomplishing something (and you'll have it truly "your way"). I'd consider it if I were you.
There are a lot of people on this site willing to help you.
 
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unknownxxvii

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I found portatech from pricewatch.com and it seemed they had good deals as in another topic I was going to get
Core i7 2600K (4 x 3.8GHz CPU-8MB Cache)
Windows 7 OS
Gigabyte Z77X-D3H motherboard
8GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM
"Large Aluminum Heat sink, Larger Cooling Fan, Arctic Silver Alumina
2 x 80mm Case Fans"
22X LightScribe DVD+/-RW Drive
500GB 7200RPM SATA3 (6GB/s) 16MB Cache
Antec Six Hundred Quiet Case (Black)
OCZ ZS Series 750W 80PLUS (From Newegg - $90)
ASUS GTX560 DCUII OC (Already own this)

The parts from portatech total around $950, so I thought that was a good deal, but I was just nervous about their ratings.

So it would be better to purchase these items separately from Newegg or NCIX? Total budget is $1170 (tax+shipping included)

Also, how easy is it to assemble a desktop yourself & make sure everything runs properly together?

Many thanks - first time build
 

l0v3rboi

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i estimate those parts to be about 750 (excluding the PSU and GPU. Also, you only need 500W PSU.
 

unknownxxvii

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Filled it out:

Approximate Purchase Date: Summer

Budget Range: 1000-1170

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, internet - youtube

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: none

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I found these parts @NCIX & already have gtx560, so might buy a second for SLI when more money rolls around

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=62389&vpn=OCZ-ZS750W&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology&promoid=1058
OCZ ZS Series 750W ATX12V V2.2 24PIN ATX SLI Ready 80PLUS Bronze Performance Power Supply 135mm Fan

Windows 7
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=45271&vpn=GFC-02050&manufacture=Microsoft&promoid=1058

Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 XMP Dual Channel Memory Kit
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57869&vpn=KHX1600C9D3K2%2F8GX&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1058

Zalman Z11 Plus Mid Tower ATX Case Black 4X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS Front USB3.0 & Audio
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=69199&vpn=Z11%20Plus&manufacture=ZALMAN%20TECH

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB 3.5IN 16MB Cache SATA3 Internal Hard Disk Drive HDD
http://us.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=63468&promoid=1058

NCIX Gaming Bundle Deal Intel Core i7 2600K Unlocked CPU & MSI Z77A-GD65 DDR3 SLI Motherboard
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=70571&vpn=Z77A-GD65%20%20%26%202600K&manufacture=Bundle%20Deals&promoid=1284

Total = $930 before shipping & taxes

What kind of Disc drive should I get? - i would like one that could write to discs too.

Am I missing anything? Will these work together?
I know that the GTX 560 is not the best, but I already have one and can't really afford anything else right now.

 

Chaz21

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Did you check those parts elsewhere?
Your gaming bundle deal bought separately on newegg would be a little cheaper and the shipping would be free.
That's just an example. You don't have to buy all your parts from the same place - get them wherever they're cheaper and don't forget the shipping.

Your selections look pretty good though. :)
 

unknownxxvii

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Thanks, but I'm confused on which disk drive to get. is this one good for playing games and writing to discs?
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=70876&vpn=GH24NS90B&manufacture=LG%20Electronics%20USA
 

Chaz21

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Yes that'll work.
 

unknownxxvii

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THis is what I got from Newegg, are any of these parts better than the ones from NCIX? Is it easy to put this stuff together?

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$99.99


Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822148767
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$79.99

LITE-ON Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106276


$18.99

OCZ ZS Series 750W 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom
Item #: N82E16817341049

$89.99


Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX
Item #: N82E16820104173


$52.99


GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128545

$189.99


Intel Core i7-3770S Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 65W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX806237I73770S
Item #: N82E16819116503


$319.99

OR
Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K
Item #: N82E16819116501

$349.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116986


$99.99

total: $952 or $982 (free shipping!)

OR should i just get an intel Core i5-3570K and get the second gtx 560 now?
 

unknownxxvii

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Thanks, that will help a lot. Will either build require fans, or are those already included in the case?
 

Chaz21

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Some are included, usually one in the front (intake) and one in the rear (exhaust) but most quality cases have room for many more. I have this case myself:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
and have 2-front fans, 1-rear fan, and 2-top fans. It came with 2 (same as I mentioned above).
 

Chaz21

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You won't have to purchase more fans right away - they are simple enough to add at any time. I would consider this though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
or this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
they are easier to install during the initial build. You'll also need this for the above:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
You won't need a sound card or a network card. They will be installed on your motherboard already. You could add an independent sound card later if you find it necessary (though most don't).
 

unknownxxvii

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Thanks so much for the help, I feel much more confident in purchasing components from NCIX or Newegg over portatech! Still a little nervous of installing everything myself, but I'll manage it. I am really psyched about these builds, save more money for better parts! The only thing left to decide is sandy bridge vs ivy or i7 ivy vs i5 ivy, so many choices!
 

unknownxxvii

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Does the heat-sink/fan for the processor need to be purchased separately or does it come with it?
 

Chaz21

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The stock HSF that comes with the CPU is really only marginally suitable. For any intense usage (gaming, etc.) an aftermarket unit like the ones I recommended are the way to go. With heat being the biggest danger to your CPU you'll want to keep it as cool as possible and a good "aftermarket" cooler will do that. For overclocking it's a must have, really. Either of the one's I suggested are all you'll need and are probably the most often recommended.