Help with building my first computer?

[johnhalo]

(Skip to last paragraph for summary )

Hey guys, I'm saving up money for a new computer. I would just like to get some things down first, I have never experienced playing any game past like 20fps except on like age of empires 2. I've only ever had two computers and my old one is worse than the one I'm typing on now. This computer has an Intel Celeron D single core processor @ 2.5Ghz I believe (not sure about other specs) 512MB DDR RAM, 80GB HDD, 170W PSU, and a mobo with the a date from 1994 on it....yeah sad...

Anyways I am really interested in technology especially computers so I'm trying to build a new computer and I've come up with the components and my price range is around $1,000 for the desktop and monitor, so really like $850 for the PC. Here are the links and tell me your opinion . I'd also like some help to tell whether all the components are compatible with eachother.

Barebones kit (Mobo, RAM, CPU, PSU, case, HDD, optical drive) - http://tinyurl.com/9xzzaj7

Monitor - http://tinyurl.com/bpggubs

Sound Card - http://tinyurl.com/8n6o6y5 (I'd like to know that importance of a sound card, I'll be using headphones on my desktop)

GPU - http://tinyurl.com/9ygsc8v

Optional PSU if needed - http://tinyurl.com/8zlw49d


Operating System - http://tinyurl.com/6hgyolq

So to recap the biggest thing I will be doing is gaming on this computer. What is the importance of a soundcard, and do I need it if I will be using headphones? Are these parts compatible? Will I be able to run most games like, World of Warcraft, Amnesia, Company of Heroes, Dawn of War, flash games, maybe some other MMORPGs like Rift. Probably not any FPS games. I really don't need like 80+ FPS on everything, I'm perfectly content running games on low as long as I can *RUN* them, but I do want to stay in the $850 ballpark so I can use this build for awhile to come. Will this GPU fit in the case and on the mobo? Lastly, I'd like any computer tips you guys can give me. This'll be my first computer I build, I'll be building this with my IT neighbor too so I should definitely be ok. Thanks very much everyone!

 

[obsama1]

First off, getting a barebones is a big mistake. You're getting a cheap PSU, so-so case, and at $400. And you're getting an FX CPU. The FX CPU is OK, but the i5-3570K trounces it. Get all the components separately. A sound card isn't needed. Unless you're an audiophile. The GPU is OK, but for $850, you can do better. Get: i5 3570K, 8GB of RAM, and 7850 GPU. The 7850 will shred through all those games.

 

[Dapake]

I agree with obsama1. A barebones is usually not that great of a deal. If you decide to go AMD for a processor get a Phenom II x4 Black Edition. Much cheaper that the i5 3570k but if you have the money for an i5 (which looks like you do) then go right ahead getting it as it performs awesomely in t3h gamez. Also i would recommend getting a corsair PSU.

 

[johnhalo]

Alright I just picked out some components for a build (non-barebones) here is the new build. It came out at around $950 so if I could cut off like $100 from something it'd be good. And just by the way, I am pretty money tight being a teenager with no stable income/job. I'm just planning on saving and getting a pretty kick-ass computer. Most of my reasoning on a barebones kit was the compatibility, I would be pissed if I got parts that weren't compatible/couldn't fit. If this build isn't on par with performance/economical, suggest some more tips please. Thanks, I appreciate you guys' perspective.

CPU - http://tinyurl.com/6t9ghoy

GPU - http://tinyurl.com/9zs66pd

Motherboard - http://tinyurl.com/8hfbxmx

RAM - http://tinyurl.com/d2ng6bv

HDD - http://tinyurl.com/7qkcloj

PSU - http://tinyurl.com/84mtnq2

Case - http://tinyurl.com/cc469xu

 

[Dapake]

What is your GPU? The link doesnt work for me for some reason.

 

[johnhalo]

What is your GPU? The link doesnt work for me for some reason.

The one the other guy suggested, the HD Radeon 7850. I'll see if I can't get another link for you.

Here is the real URL - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3526762&Sku=A271-7854

Here is a different URL shrinker - http://moourl.com/2d04s

For some reason whenever I post the original link on sites it always 404's or something. So I usually use tinyurl.

 

[obsama1]

Do you live near a Microcenter? If you do, you could save a fair bit there.

Also, the PSU is so-so. A 600w will easily power this build. Get this Corsair one:

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Certified-Compatible-Platforms-CMPSU-600CXV2/dp/B004W2T2UQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345174678&sr=8-1&keywords=corsair+600

If you need to cut back a bit, get the 2500K, or the 560 Ti/6950 GPU.

 

[johnhalo]

Do you live near a Microcenter? If you do, you could save a fair bit there.

Also, the PSU is so-so. A 600w will easily power this build. Get this Corsair one:

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Certified-Compatible-Platforms-CMPSU-600CXV2/dp/B004W2T2UQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345174678&sr=8-1&keywords=corsair+600

If you need to cut back a bit, get the 2500K, or the 560 Ti/6950 GPU.

No I don't think I do, just because I have never heard of that before D:. Also, not to critique but if the PSU I picked out is just $9 more, with 150W more, what would make the 600W PSU any better? The i5-2500k is only $10 cheaper than the i5-3570K so I think it's worth getting the 3570K. I might look into a cheaper GPU, since most RTS games to my understanding are more CPU heavy than GPU. The Vapor-X 7770 looks like it'd be good for what I intend to use it for right? That should drop me back down to my price range, and to my understanding I could just buy another GPU and swap it out if I want to in the future right? Thanks again for your input It's going to help.

 

[obsama1]

It's Thermaltake. Their PSU's are so-so. Not the most reliable. 600W is enough to power this build. At MC, the 2500K is $160. Yes, $160. And the 3570K is $190. A lot cheaper, plus you get $50 off any Z68/Z77 mobo. Check to see if you have one nearby.

http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/index.html

Yes, you could buy a GPU now and swap it out. The 7770 is very good, and is better than the 6850, but the 6870 has it beat, and is ~$150 w/ rebate at Newegg.

 

[johnhalo]

It's Thermaltake. Their PSU's are so-so. Not the most reliable. 600W is enough to power this build. At MC, the 2500K is $160. Yes, $160. And the 3570K is $190. A lot cheaper, plus you get $50 off any Z68/Z77 mobo. Check to see if you have one nearby.

http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/index.html

Yes, you could buy a GPU now and swap it out. The 7770 is very good, and is better than the 6850, but the 6870 has it beat, and is ~$150 w/ rebate at Newegg.

Oh wow, I do have a MicroCenter not too far from me, should I buy all my parts from there?

 

[obsama1]

Nope. Everything except the GPU. Their GPU's are overpriced and they don't have a lot of GPU's. For GPU's, Newegg is king. But, you save a ton of money on CPU+mobo. For example, 3570K+Pro3 is $235. The 3570K alone is $230 at Newegg. Or, 2500K+Pro3 is $205. Wow. Awesome.

 

[johnhalo]

Holy *** you are right. This is dirt cheap lol! You are right the GPUs are overpriced though. Here check out what I got, the liquid cooler is definitely optional but I've heard good things about an i5-2500K with a liquid cooler .

Here see if this link works, it's a link to the entire cart, if not I'll link all of it seperately. But pretty much everything is around $535 without a gpu/monitor.

Edit* Sorry my bad its around $635 with the operating system and around $665 with a 3750K. Is the 3750K worth the extra $30 and should I get a cooler for it?

http://tinyurl.com/cmsjfpg

 

[obsama1]

Yea, it doesn't work.

 

[johnhalo]

Yea, it doesn't work.

Ok, here's the individual links.

CPU - http://tinyurl.com/clchfdc / http://tinyurl.com/4angpa8

Motherboard - http://tinyurl.com/7yga5b8

PSU - http://tinyurl.com/3hltumj

Case - http://tinyurl.com/9pbf445

RAM - http://tinyurl.com/9rv7df3

Liquid Coolant (optional) - http://tinyurl.com/8oaspwa

HDD - http://tinyurl.com/crsn8ye

ODD - http://tinyurl.com/8h34mf4

Windows 7 HP - $100

I probably miscalculated the price since I think I forgot to add the HDD in the price. Still, this stuff is cheap lol.

Edit* Nope, I didn't miscalculate lol! It's $677 for the 3570K and everything else lol! Wow....So is the 3570K worth the extra $30?

Edit 2* LOL I FORGOT TO EVEN MINUS THE REBATE, holy aijefah is all so cheap! Thanks so much man !

 

[obsama1]

Let me just say that the Noctua D14 beats the H80 and even H100. Only problem is that it is gargantuan. And it's only $83. But it should fit. Not available at MC, though.

$83 @Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002VKVZ1A/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

 

[johnhalo]

Let me just say that the Noctua D14 beats the H80 and even H100. Only problem is that it is gargantuan. And it's only $83. But it should fit. Not available at MC, though.

$83 @Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002VKVZ1A/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Alright so this is what we have so far. I think its pretty good, what about you? Any tips or suggestions?

CPU - http://tinyurl.com/clchfdc / http://tinyurl.com/4angpa8 - $160/$190

GPU - http://tinyurl.com/9ygsc8v - $135

Motherboard - http://tinyurl.com/7yga5b8 - $45

PSU - http://tinyurl.com/3hltumj - $45

Case - http://tinyurl.com/9pbf445 - $42.55

RAM - http://tinyurl.com/9rv7df3 - $43

Extra cooler (optional) - http://tinyurl.com/c72qwm4 - $83

HDD - http://tinyurl.com/crsn8ye - $110

ODD - http://tinyurl.com/8h34mf4 - $25

Monitor - http://tinyurl.com/bpggubs - $125

Windows 7 Home Premium - $100

Least expensive total - $830 + $41 = $871

Most expensive total - $943 + $47 tax = $990

 

[DrossUSA]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8B75-M/CSM Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.98 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Corsair Force Series 3 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $884.45

this is without cooling mind you but here are some other options

 

[obsama1]

And he needs a monitor, Windows, and ODD.

Get the 2500K. Not worth the $30 extra.

Also, get the Hyper 212+ by CoolerMaster for $25 online. Awesome cooler, and very powerful. Save $10, and get this DVD drive. It doesn't come with Nero, but there are a lot of paid/free alternatives to it.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382892

This monitor from ASUS is 1080p, and new, for $136 @Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/VS228H-P-21-5-Inch-Full-HD-Monitor-Black/dp/B005BZNDOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345217038&sr=8-1&keywords=monitor+1080p

Now, I'd upgrade the GPU to a 560 Ti. This EVGA one is $220, and w/ rebate, $190.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604

 

[obsama1]

Also, really good build. This rig will play any game you throw at it. Will smash through those games at 60+FPS.

 

[johnhalo]

Also, really good build. This rig will play any game you throw at it. Will smash through those games at 60+FPS.

Thanks you guys, and especially for referring me too microcenter. This build should last me quite awhile, and its going to be more than a major upgrade lol. Although I think I'm going to wait a bit to upgrade the GPU from the 7770 to a different card, mostly because I don't think I'll really use it fully. Thanks so much !

 

[obsama1]

No problem! My pleasure.