Need Help With RAM!!!

[mkmetz88]

Ok i'm doing a semi cheap build here this is what i have so far

TSD-1500EARS ::Western Digital WD15EARS Caviar Green Hard Drive - 1.5TB, 3.5", SATA-3G(1.55 lbs)

M17-7302 ::Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64BIT Operating System Software - OEM DVD, English(0.6 lbs)

C283-7000 ::Cooler Master DK8-7G52B-A2-GP CPU Fan - 70mm, 2 Ball Bearing, 754, 939, 940, AM2, AM3, 3050 ~ 6000 RPM, 95W, Aluminum(0.6 lbs)

O261-2017 ::OCZ ModXStream Pro Power Supply - 600-Watt, Modular, Dual +12V Rails, SATA, 80Plus(5.9 lbs)

B69-5124 ::Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H AMD785G MB w/ X4 9850 CPU(7.85 lbs)

all i have left is to pick out some RAM. What would be good for this build? Do i need 2G or 4G and what is with the timing? dual channel? not good with this stuff still learning so if you could link some cheap but good RAM for gaming from Tigerdirect.com that would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[DominionSeraph]

not good with this stuff still learning

Indeed. So why are you asking us to only recommend RAM when you've just specced yourself a Phenom ONE?

Read sticky. Give us your specs.
Also, why Tigerdirect? Newegg is standard.

 

[DominionSeraph]

damn huge image files in another tab taking up my dial-up BW.

dp.

 

[mkmetz88]

im just not sure what RAM ik it has to be ddr2 but as far as timing does it really matter? whats the difference between dual channel?

 

[DominionSeraph]

im just not sure what RAM ik it has to be ddr2 but as far as timing does it really matter? whats the difference between dual channel?

Forget about the RAM. You specced yourself a Phenom I with OCZ power supply and a Caviar Green for what I'm assuming will be your main drive. That is HORRIBLE.

Read the sticky. Then we have a starting place to help you.

 

[mkmetz88]

1.Pc will be used for gaming
2.Budget is $550
3.Buying parts from U.S.
4.No brand pref.
5.Not using any current parts
6.Have searched/ this build is one given to me by dad's friend who plays WOW on 7.same system build just fine.
8.Default speeds
9.1024x768
10.As soon as possible

 

[mkmetz88]

Just want this to be a cheap build i am not looking for some extravagant super fast gaming computer just something that will handle the game and play it on moderate settings.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Just want this to be a cheap build i am not looking for some extravagant super fast gaming computer just something that will handle the game and play it on moderate settings.

Yes, I see your budget. I'm working up a build for you now.

Just out of curiosity, what video card did your friend recommend?

 

[mkmetz88]

lol didnt recommend one he said he uses the integrated graphics card on the MOBO.

I greatly appreciate your help i have been racking my brain and searching everything for like 2 weeks to afraid to commit to any one build with out alot of searching and question asking

 

[DominionSeraph]

lol didnt recommend one he said he uses the integrated graphics card on the MOBO.

Ha! We can do you a LOT better than that. A 4650 can be had for like $35 after rebate and it'll blow away any integrated graphics. A 5770 is twice as fast as that for $99.

I greatly appreciate your help i have been racking my brain and searching everything for like 2 weeks to afraid to commit to any one build with out alot of searching and question asking

No problem.
But my roast is ready so I'm gonna go eat dinner now. Be back in an hour.
David or mfenn will probably be by and give you a build while I'm out.

My first build in this thread is close to what you need. Can drop the GTX 460 for 5770 and the 650W for 380W though.

 

[mkmetz88]

oops said i will not be using any current parts but i will be using my current comp case.

Also reason why i want to use either newegg or tigerdirect for all parts is because i will be using there bill me later function, as i am going to Cali in 2 weeks and wanna just worry about paying full amount later.

 

[DominionSeraph]

oops said i will not be using any current parts but i will be using my current comp case.

Do you have a current hard drive you can use for overflow apps? I ask because it is going to be really easy to build you a machine that can play WoW at 1024x768, so we have a little money to play with. So I'm thinking, "SSD," instead of a new hard drive.
A 60GB SSD can be had for $110 and it will be waaaay faster than a new hard drive. And the best hard drive (Spinpoint F3) isn't at the best price at Newegg right now. (It's $70 when it's been as low as $51 elsewhere)

If you need the storage space we can get you the terabyte. But if you don't, then I'd go for speed.

Also reason why i want to use either newegg or tigerdirect for all parts is because i will be using there bill me later function, as i am going to Cali in 2 weeks and wanna just worry about paying full amount later.

No problem.

 

[mkmetz88]

the hardrive i currently have is old as dirt this comp was built back in 2000 it's a seagate Baracuda ATA IV 80GB, whats wrong with the 1.5TB hardrive i have listed above?

 

[DominionSeraph]

the hardrive i currently have is old as dirt this comp was built back in 2000 it's a seagate Baracuda ATA IV 80GB, whats wrong with the 1.5TB hardrive i have listed above?

Nothing is "wrong" with the Caviar Green. It's just designed for bulk storage while running cool, not for speed. It's 5400RPM vs performance drives at 7200RPM.
The 1TB Spinpoint F3 would be a much better OS/app drive. But the thing is, if you don't need the space right now, a SSD would be MUCH better OS/app drive than even the Spinpoint F3. It's several times faster than a spindle drive. Basically you'd be booting in like 15 seconds vs 45.

 

[mkmetz88]

whatever you think is better this is my first build so i am new to all of this. will need some space for game files and cause fiance does college work on my comp

 

[mfenn]

OK, so if I've got this right, we are looking at $450 once the OS is taken out of the picture . Here's a build:

Phenom II X4 955 + M4A87TD/USB3 $216
Mushkin DDR3 1333 4GB $40
5770 $100 AR
Samsung F4 320GB $43
LG DVD Burner $19
Earthwatts 380W $25 AR Apromo
Total: $443 AR

Add in Windows (there may be a combo somewhere there) and you'll be all set. This is much much much better than what you had. Needless to say, don't go taking any more build advice from your friend.

 

[mkmetz88]

haha yeah thats why i have been asking questions it just seemed like a bunch of random pieces he was trying to make work

 

[mkmetz88]

is this as cheap as we can get? anywhere we can possibly knock off a little more with out slowing to much?

 

[DominionSeraph]

$559.44 with $60 in MIR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161338
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371033
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146748
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116754
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233124
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.566266
Promo Codes:
DECAN10
DKMEM15

Athlon II X3 450/Biostar 880G, 4GB DDR3 1333 (1.5V), 5770, 60GB Corsair Force SSD (Sandforce), 380W EarthWatts PSU, Win 7 64-bit.

Hi mfenn!

 

[DominionSeraph]

is this as cheap as we can get? anywhere we can possibly knock off a little more with out slowing to much?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152244
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130538
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371033
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146748
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116754
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.566266

Same Promo codes.

$454.50 with $55 in MIR.

Difference from my above build: GTS 250 instead of 5770. Spinpoint F4 instead of SSD.

 

[mkmetz88]

how much of difference between builds? both will play World OF Warcraft Cataclysm just fine?

 

[mkmetz88]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-_-1227-_-0101

what about this? is it better than the one MFENN has listed?

 

[DominionSeraph]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/world-of-warcraft-cataclysm-directx-11-performance,2793-10.html

WoW seems to like the Phenom's cache, but it doesn't use over 3 cores on AMD.
There's a $100 difference between the Athlon X3 and Phenom X4

GTS 250 and 5770 are pretty close.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-_-1227-_-0101

what about this? is it better than the one MFENN has listed?

That drive first came out almost 6 years ago.
mfenn's is top of the line.

 

[mkmetz88]

So what build is better? MFENN's? Or your first or second build Dominion? would i be better in long run with a quad processor versus a tri processor?

 

[mkmetz88]

I think i'm going to go with your build that costs $454.50 will these be good for a while? i dont want it to become obsolete