Hello all, I've decided to try my hand at building a computer myself to save some money over a pre-built one and for the learning experience. It's my first time building one and will be my first desktop (coming off a laptop that was never really suitable for gaming). Any advice on my choices will be greatly appreciated!
1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Primarily gaming with some multitasking (Browsing with 30+ tabs, music, a game in window mode and MSN would be worst case scenario).
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Under or around $1600.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
United States, California.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
No, but I've read just about everywhere that Intel is the preferred choice for my budget.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
No, I don't have anything I can use; even this mouse must go.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I have read plenty for weeks and adjusted accordingly.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
No overclocking, don't know how.
8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
I plan to play on 1900 x 1080.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
I plan to start buying between now and Black Friday.
I prefer to buy from Amazon simply because Newegg charges sales tax to my state. The few parts I have from Newegg are because I either couldn't find them on Amazon or they came out to be the cheaper deal even with tax.
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel - 89.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026FCI2U/ref=asc_df_B0026FCI2U1321629?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-409-100- 20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B0026FCI2U
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 - 119.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0034CL26C/ref=asc_df_B0034CL26C1321629?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-474-100- 20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B0034CL26C
CPU: Core i5-760 - 205.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VANRAQ/ref=asc_df_B003VANRAQ1321629?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-408-100- 20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B003VANRA
GPU: HIS Radeon HD 6870 1 GB - 262.99
http://www.amazon.com/HIS-Eyefinity-Mini-DisplayPort-Express-H687F1G2M/dp/B0047N0XBW/ref=sr_1_3?
s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1289976845&sr=1-3
Ram: G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNS - 64.94 (newegg, +tax)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0666CL9D-4GBNS
SSD: OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD3-2VTX90G 3.5" 90GB - 184.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WT4XZ4/ref=asc_df_B003WT4XZ41321629?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-465-100-
20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B003WT4XZ4
HDD: Samsung F3 HD103SJ 1TB - 67.15
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001U3S5S0/ref=asc_df_B001U3S5S01321805?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-465-100-
20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B001U3S5S0
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 - 69.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HEZFZO/ref=asc_df_B000HEZFZO1321805?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-401-100-
20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B000HEZFZO
DVD: Lite-On LightScribe 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive IHAS424-98 - Retail (Black) - 25.99
http://www.amazon.com/Lite-LightScri...&s=electronics
OS: Windows Home Premium 64-bit - 94.99
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Home-Premium-System-Builder/dp/B002NGJO4M/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1289978382&sr=8-3
Network card: TP-LINK TL-WN781ND PCI Express Wireless Adapter - 21.64 (newegg, +tax)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-WN781ND%20PCI
Keyboard: Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys USB Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard - 69.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F51G16/ref=asc_df_B001F51G161321805?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-442-100- 20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B001F51G16
Mouse: RAZER DeathAdder Precision Optical Gaming Mouse - 3.5G Infrared Sensor - 44.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Q4U5DK/ref=asc_df_B002Q4U5DK1321629?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-441-100-
20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B002Q4U5DK
Monitor: ASUS VE246H Black 24" 1920 x 1080 2ms Full HD HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250 cd/m2 50,000 - 204.99
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VW246H-24...9978694&sr=1-2
Total: $1530ish
I also have a couple of questions if anyone can be so kind as to answer, thank you!
1. Is changing to a 470 and a higher watt psu worth it? I just want to be sure I can run Shogun 2 when it comes out in March-ish.
2. Should I get a retail DVD reader? Or is it better to go OEM and buy the cable separately?
3. If I'm playing my game while it's in the drive since it's required, will speed on the optical drive make a difference?
4. What is a good length for the few SATA cables I have to buy?
5. Do I have to plug in headphone/microphone front panel connectors to the motherboard? I'd prefer to plug my headphones in from the back (and I've read that you can't use the back connectors when the front panel ones are plugged in to motherboard) because I've heard problems with the front panel connectors. And can I still plug in the USB front panel connectors to the motherboard?
6. Should I get a UPS? The power cuts off a couple times a year around here and it's an older house.
7. I'm going to get an anti-static wrist strap.. but should I go as far as to get a mat too? I'm overly cautious and don't wish to harm anything (am getting drive caps for unused psu connectors as well).
Thank you for any and all help and taking the time to read my post !
1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Primarily gaming with some multitasking (Browsing with 30+ tabs, music, a game in window mode and MSN would be worst case scenario).
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Under or around $1600.
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
United States, California.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
No, but I've read just about everywhere that Intel is the preferred choice for my budget.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
No, I don't have anything I can use; even this mouse must go.
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I have read plenty for weeks and adjusted accordingly.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
No overclocking, don't know how.
8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
I plan to play on 1900 x 1080.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
I plan to start buying between now and Black Friday.
I prefer to buy from Amazon simply because Newegg charges sales tax to my state. The few parts I have from Newegg are because I either couldn't find them on Amazon or they came out to be the cheaper deal even with tax.
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel - 89.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026FCI2U/ref=asc_df_B0026FCI2U1321629?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-409-100- 20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B0026FCI2U
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 - 119.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0034CL26C/ref=asc_df_B0034CL26C1321629?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-474-100- 20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B0034CL26C
CPU: Core i5-760 - 205.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VANRAQ/ref=asc_df_B003VANRAQ1321629?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-408-100- 20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B003VANRA
GPU: HIS Radeon HD 6870 1 GB - 262.99
http://www.amazon.com/HIS-Eyefinity-Mini-DisplayPort-Express-H687F1G2M/dp/B0047N0XBW/ref=sr_1_3?
s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1289976845&sr=1-3
Ram: G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNS - 64.94 (newegg, +tax)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0666CL9D-4GBNS
SSD: OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD3-2VTX90G 3.5" 90GB - 184.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WT4XZ4/ref=asc_df_B003WT4XZ41321629?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-465-100-
20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B003WT4XZ4
HDD: Samsung F3 HD103SJ 1TB - 67.15
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001U3S5S0/ref=asc_df_B001U3S5S01321805?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-465-100-
20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B001U3S5S0
PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 - 69.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HEZFZO/ref=asc_df_B000HEZFZO1321805?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-401-100-
20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B000HEZFZO
DVD: Lite-On LightScribe 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive IHAS424-98 - Retail (Black) - 25.99
http://www.amazon.com/Lite-LightScri...&s=electronics
OS: Windows Home Premium 64-bit - 94.99
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Home-Premium-System-Builder/dp/B002NGJO4M/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1289978382&sr=8-3
Network card: TP-LINK TL-WN781ND PCI Express Wireless Adapter - 21.64 (newegg, +tax)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-WN781ND%20PCI
Keyboard: Logitech 920-000914 Black 106 Normal Keys USB Wired Ultra-thin Illuminated Keyboard - 69.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F51G16/ref=asc_df_B001F51G161321805?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-442-100- 20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B001F51G16
Mouse: RAZER DeathAdder Precision Optical Gaming Mouse - 3.5G Infrared Sensor - 44.99
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Q4U5DK/ref=asc_df_B002Q4U5DK1321629?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-441-100-
20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B002Q4U5DK
Monitor: ASUS VE246H Black 24" 1920 x 1080 2ms Full HD HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250 cd/m2 50,000 - 204.99
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VW246H-24...9978694&sr=1-2
Total: $1530ish
I also have a couple of questions if anyone can be so kind as to answer, thank you!
1. Is changing to a 470 and a higher watt psu worth it? I just want to be sure I can run Shogun 2 when it comes out in March-ish.
2. Should I get a retail DVD reader? Or is it better to go OEM and buy the cable separately?
3. If I'm playing my game while it's in the drive since it's required, will speed on the optical drive make a difference?
4. What is a good length for the few SATA cables I have to buy?
5. Do I have to plug in headphone/microphone front panel connectors to the motherboard? I'd prefer to plug my headphones in from the back (and I've read that you can't use the back connectors when the front panel ones are plugged in to motherboard) because I've heard problems with the front panel connectors. And can I still plug in the USB front panel connectors to the motherboard?
6. Should I get a UPS? The power cuts off a couple times a year around here and it's an older house.
7. I'm going to get an anti-static wrist strap.. but should I go as far as to get a mat too? I'm overly cautious and don't wish to harm anything (am getting drive caps for unused psu connectors as well).
Thank you for any and all help and taking the time to read my post !