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| Advice on a custom build | ||
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| emerican |
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Registered Member #164
Joined: Tue Mar 07 2006, 12:07PMPosts: 3146 |
So lately since my comp has been overheating, failing, killing my network, and destroying my english grade, i've been looking into buying and building my first custom comp. I've got $210 saved up, and am looking to spend between $800 and $1100, but would prefer to keep it under one grand since ill be getting a laptop in a year and a half for graduation. Since im limited on hardware knowledge, im asking for the FT community's help. Here's what ive come up with so far: Case + PSU -[link]- Price: $79.99 ($99.99 with $20 instant rebate) Mobo -[link]- Price: $129.99 ($139.99 with $10 instant rebate) CPU -[link]- Price: $164.99 CPU Cooler -[link]- Price: $49.99 ($59.99 with $10 instant rebate) RAM -[link]- Price: $74.99 ($99.99 with $25 instant rebate) Graphics Card -[link]- Price: $129.99 Sound Card -[link]- Price: $89.99 Hard Drive -[link]- Price: $119.99 ($129.99 with $10 instant rebate) DVD Drive -[link]- Price: $24.99 Keyboard Taking Suggestions. DVI to HDMI Cable -[link]- Price: $14.99 TOTAL COST: $879.90 As always, i am open to suggestions on compatibility as well as how to cut down on total cost. The cheaper the total cost, the quicker i can buy this puppy. Also let me know if im missing any essentials. Questions i have: 1. Will a 500 Watt PSU power all this stuff, plus a plethora of USB devices? 2. For my processor, I was stuck between the one i chose and a cheaper, 2.8 ghz core 2 duo with only 1066Mhz FSB as compared to 1333Mhz. How much does the bus speed matter, and would it make as much of a difference if i were to get the cheaper processor and OC it? Can i get the cheaper one and OC both the Ghz AND Bus speed? 3.How big of a difference in speed is there between DDR2 and DDR3 RAM? Is it enough to justify the added cost of DDR3? Or would i be best off buying the cheaper DDR2? 4. Im up for suggestions on what graphics card to get, but i don't want to buy an expensive one for gaming, because i won't use it for gaming. Movies and tv are all i need out of it. 5. I want a wireless keyboard WITH A VOLUME CONTROL. That is a must. Edited Sun Jan 25 2009, 10:13PM |
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| gLiTch |
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Anal Assassin
Registered Member #455
Joined: Mon Oct 09 2006, 04:58AMPosts: 3848 |
I must say... you put together a build that will work very well. Its all compatible. I would suggest -[link]- for a keyboard. Has a volume control and its very reliable. I have the same brand and mine has been through some tough shit and is still kicking strong. As for a CPU cooler, you dont really need one unless u are going to overclock. The stock intel one does just fine for stock speeds, and a lil above. If you still want an aftermarket cooler i suggest -[link]- It works great. The one you have listed is also very good. Its all up to you really. As for your concerns... 1. 500 watt PSU will do everything you need it to do. However, i do not see any specs on the one that comes with the case. Make sure the PSU comes with a PCIe wires... 2. Stick with the processor u have now. Its a great line of processors those Wolfdales. The E8400 will overclock like a beast if you want it to. The higher FSB is important because you will prolly run into less potential problems with that and your DDR3 RAM. 3. Stay with your DDR3. Its not only about speed. Its the design behind it. DDR3 can transfer i think up to 4x the amount of data per clock cycle then DDR2. Higher speeds plus higher data transfer = what you want. Its more future proof then DDR2. 4. The GPU u picked is perfect. Dont change it. 5. I already linked the keyboard of my choice. Goodluck bro. EDIT: If you arent sure about the PSU check this one out. -[link]- PC Power and Cooling has been in the PSU business for a long time. Its all you need for the build, and then some =) Here is your case without the PSU. -[link]- If you want to keep the price low, skip out on the CPU cooler and buy the PSU instead. Grab the same case without the PSU in it and your good to go. Edited Sun Jan 25 2009, 10:31PM |
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| emerican |
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Registered Member #164
Joined: Tue Mar 07 2006, 12:07PM Posts: 3146 |
i was unaware the cpu came with a heatsink/fan. would this allow me to OC the cpu to, say, 3.5ghz and keep it cool and stable? | ||
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| Rusty |
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FTS Server Op
Registered Member #159
Joined: Wed Mar 01 2006, 06:33PMPosts: 2682 |
just realize when you oc your comp, you gpu lifespan will likely half. | ||
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| Zero |
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I want to fuck your hand.
Registered Member #571
Joined: Thu Feb 15 2007, 09:59PMPosts: 2809 |
Well I haven't overclocked my system at all, but I was told that if I overclocked like a madman on coke, it would be okay, but just because of all the airflow in my tower. It's got three 80MM fans or whatever, and then a massive 12" fan on the clear side of it. It's an Armor+ Thermaltake and I love it, so if you are going to OC at all you might want to look into any sort of fan, not just a CPU one, although the stock ones are very reliable and work very well. Shit, p.s. about your DVI to HDMI, if you don't want to waste your mere $15 on that shitty cable you know nothing about, a lot of the new Video cards come with like 5 adapters. Mine came with that many and I don't even know why I would need to use any of them but two. but trust me, look on what your video card comes with and you might not need a cable, it might already be able to convert. Edited Mon Jan 26 2009, 04:15AM |
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| slick |
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Registered Member #877
Joined: Tue Oct 02 2007, 07:21PMPosts: 663 |
lol it's funny how the prices increased WITH the mail-in rebate XD hahaha 
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| Sla |
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I will verbally rape you.
Registered Member #636
Joined: Fri Apr 06 2007, 01:15AMPosts: 495 |
Here is your PSU specs. 2 12v Rails, each with 2 molex and 1 Floppy (4 molex, 2 floppy total) 2 Sata power connectors, on one rail. 20+4 pin main power connector ONE(1) 4pin MB connector ONE(1) 6pin PCI connector I doubt that 500 will be enough. It is not a thermaltake, it's some shitty brand. But Glitch knows more than me so I would go with him. |
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| mdogg1108 |
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Registered Member #597
Joined: Fri Mar 16 2007, 04:31PMPosts: 790 |
Buy a Mac. | ||
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| Zero |
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I want to fuck your hand.
Registered Member #571
Joined: Thu Feb 15 2007, 09:59PM Posts: 2809 |
mdogg1108 wrote ... Buy a Mac. ugh, I almost flipped out on you when I realized it *might* be better for emerican. but hey, he's survived this long with PCs, don't change that fucker. I have to deal with Macs EVERYWHERE in my school, and I'm in a group that has to fix them everytime there is a problem, and let me tell you it's always a huge fucking issue with those machines. If it's too difficult for you to fix, it has to be sent away to Apple anyways. Fuck macs |
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| Ruskiy Soldat |
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Registered Member #465
Joined: Tue Oct 17 2006, 10:00PMPosts: 1295 |
mac book is str8 and that expensive | ||
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