First Time Builder

[Darkadin]

Hello, my first time building a pc and ive been doing some research. Ok soo i have here a list of components i selected within my price range and that are to my liking. I have a few questions,

1) Are these going to be compatible with each other because i understand some parts are not?
2) These are not OEM which from what i understand means they dont come with software right? So the parts i selected will come with software?
3) As far as the ram goes, how does getting two smaller ones work against a large one(2 4 gig vs 1 8 gig)?
4) Is there anything else i should know? And im not talking about the actually building of it i just meant as far as these parts go, any comments or concerns?

Processor - AMD Phenom ii x4 965 - http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-Black-3-4Ghz-4000MHZ/dp/B002SRQ214/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336670589&sr=8-2

Graphics - AMD Radeon HD 6870 - http://www.amazon.com/SAPPHIRE-Radeon-6870-GDDR5-Graphics/dp/B005C8RTTU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336670634&sr=8-1

Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-970A - http://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GA-970A-UD3-AM3-SATA-Motherboard/dp/B0055Q88EO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336670863&sr=8-1

Ram- AMD Duel 4 GIG - http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Performance-Edition-Channel-AP38G1608U2K/dp/B006W32YQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336670882&sr=8-1

Storage - Western 1TB 7200, 64 - http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Internal-Desktop/dp/B0036Q7MV0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336670908&sr=8-1

Optical Drive - LG - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LC1QP8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?tag=hardwarevol03-20&ie=UTF8&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002LC1QP8

Case+Fan+Power Supply - Logysis - http://www.amazon.com/Logisys-CS308RD-Exotic-Front-Supply/dp/B0059E3YU0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336671356&sr=8-2

OS - Windows 7 home premium 64 bit

Overall Cost - 800-900$

Thanks in advance!

 

[Why_Me]

I think you can do better for that budget.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice <----- this is the sticky form at the top of this forum.

 

[bigcyco1]

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.65 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($147.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $ GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850( $159.99@ Newegg)

Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 430 ($44.99@ Newegg)

comes out to around $895:

 

[FinneousPJ]

You actually downgraded the GPU. That's not great advice if this is to be a gaming system.

 

[bigcyco1]

You actually downgraded the GPU. That's not great advice if this is to be a gaming system.

FIXED SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 $159.99 @newegg

 

[bigcyco1]

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.65 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($147.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $ GPU:SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870( $159.99@ Newegg)

Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 430 ($44.99@ Newegg)

comes out to around $895: That is a solid build

 

[bigcyco1]

You actually downgraded the GPU. That's not great advice if this is to be a gaming system.

It's a better build then what he has anyways i updated it

 

[Darkadin]

That is a very good build, however the build I have is set at 750. The range I put up there is for last min extras (speakers, mouse, keyboard) and shipping. I do like that build you set up for me Thankyou by the way, but I was wondering what thoughts you had on my build as far as a base limit of 750?

 

[FinneousPJ]

This would be better for gaming due to superior GPU:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2310 2.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8H61-M LX PLUS (REV 3.0) Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($76.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($43.99 @ NCIX US)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair 500W ATX12V Power Supply ($41.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $853.88
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-05-10 17:12 EDT-0400)

However the OP might want to go with IB because it's new. I wish we had more info.

 

[Phyrexiancure]

If your going to overclock you might as well stick with the i5 2500k. When they're both overclocked they achieve the same performance but the 2500k is cheaper.

 

[Darkadin]

So the general consensus is I go with intel over amd?

 

[bigcyco1]

So the general consensus is I go with intel over amd?

Yes because Despite what some people will tell you, I would not go with an AMD cpu. AMD used to be nice because it was considered a cheaper alternative to Intel that would still get you pretty decent performance. That's not really the case anymore though, because their newest processors aren't much of an improvement over their last generation of processors. They're best 8-core cpu barely keeps up with the Intel i5 2500K, and it's more expensive.

 

[Why_Me]

So the general consensus is I go with intel over amd?

Google some benchmarks and reviews. That way you can see for yourself. AMD is way behind the game atm.

 

[Darkadin]

And you would recomend overclocking an i5 2500?

 

[bigcyco1]

And you would recomend overclocking an i5 2500?

You can only overclock i5 2500k not the i5 2500 and yes i would recommend it

 

[zanedragonknight]

If you're overclocking, you're going to have to go for the i5-2500k. That could give you some compatibility issues, because intel and AMD don't often go together. bigcyco1 is right - go for intel. It's much faster in terms of processing speed, and actually has better value for money at the moment. the 2500k is the best value for money chip intel's got right now - I'm getting one myself.

Decide whether you're going for Intel or AMD and Radeon. Don't mix and match if you're not sure, you'll just give yourself a headache. Plus, if you're switching to Intel, you'll have to change your motherboard- I doubt the Gigabyte will work.

And no matter what, change the hard drive to a SSD; it'll be MUCH faster.

 

[Why_Me]

If you're overclocking, you're going to have to go for the i5-2500k. That could give you some compatibility issues, because intel and AMD don't often go together. bigcyco1 is right - go for intel. It's much faster in terms of processing speed, and actually has better value for money at the moment. the 2500k is the best value for money chip intel's got right now - I'm getting one myself.

Decide whether you're going for Intel or AMD and Radeon. Don't mix and match if you're not sure, you'll just give yourself a headache. Plus, if you're switching to Intel, you'll have to change your motherboard- I doubt the Gigabyte will work.

And no matter what, change the hard drive to a SSD; it'll be MUCH faster.

Your telling someone with a $900 budget to get a SSD?

LOL?

 

[azeem40]

Lol.

 

[zanedragonknight]

Yes, yes I am. If you add up all that stuff, it'll come up to around $750 (talking about average deals found - it's not touching more then that). Excluding peripherals, as mentioned, you could use the $100 from the 1 Tb, shell out $85 on a SSD for the operating system (Windows 7 Home), and substitute the 1 TB for a 750GB or a 500GB. Or, even going with the 1TB, your cost would amount to around $835. Plus, you can still find better deals. Anyway, if you switch AMD for Intel, you can save an additional $30 on the processor (i5 - 2500k), and another $20 on the graphics card (Zotac Nvidia 560 Ti AMP).

You're total is lowered to $785 (overall $35 more for the SSD), and you have a -more then valid - $115 for peripherals. I think that's pretty reasonable.

 

[FinneousPJ]

The 560 Ti is certainly not cheaper than a 6870, where are you getting your prices from?