Building a new computer

[Heavygain]

First of all I'd like to say thanks in advance for the help, I also need to mention that it has been 5 years or so since I last built a computer so I'm quite unfamiliar with whats out there now and the benefit of things like SSD

1. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes?

1000, 1200 if the benefit is great enough with shipping.

2. Where do you live (Please list if possible town, state, and country)?

Minneapolis, MN, US

3. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)?

Planetside 2, of course :love: this computer will be for games and nothing else.

4. What parts will you need for the computer? Please list what parts specifically.

CPU, GPU, Motherboard, Case, a SSD (If this will benefit gaming), DVD drive, Power supply, Ram

5. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so please say what parts.

Possibly a hard drive from my old computer graveyard.

6. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer?

I use a 40ish inch television as a monitor, as high as the video card can go.

7. Do you have a legit OS? If so what OS and is it 32-bit or 64-bit?

Windows 7 64 bit

8. What are you looking for the motherboard to have feature wise? Like SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, USB 3.0, Sata 6.0

Gb/s, and so on.

SLI possibly, sata 6.0 gbs (assuming this benefits gaming performance)

9. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU?

When the time comes where it is necessary, yes.

10. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts?

30ish days from OP.

[Goku]

What is the size of your old HDD?

Alright well you are near the Micro Center at St. Louis Park I think? We can get you in on the 3570K/Z77 combo then.

From Micro Center:
Intel Core i5 3570K - $189.99 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577)
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H - $89.99 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0386363) (With $50 combo discount)

From Newegg:
Corsair Carbide Series 500R - $139.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010) (Switch out if you see one you like better)
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB HDD - $109.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185)
EVGA 02G-P4-2670-KR GeForce GTX 670 2GB - $399.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782)
SONY Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive - $17.00 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031)
Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W PSU - $69.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031)
G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 - $39.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422)
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO - $33.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099)

Total = $279.98 (From MC) + $810.94 (From NE) = $1090.92

If your HDD is good enough that will drop the price $100 on the build. In which we can add a SSD. Even if your HDD isn't good and we keep the F3 I think getting a SSD is worthwhile.

Feel free to ask any questions and prior to ordering please comeback to let us look over it. In case there is any deals going on anywhere.

[Heavygain]

Unfortunately I can't get to the old hard drives until later this week, I would guess 500gb but there are several so I might be able to come up with a larger one. Has anything changed since 09 in terms of compatibility between hard drives and the rest of the rig? I also have a terabyte external so I think the terabyte HDD probably exceeds my needs somewhat, which SSD would you suggest?

Looks great besides that, I'll definitely stop by micro center for that combo. Thanks again

[Goku]

As long as the HDD you have is a Sata interfrace you are all set.

The Crucial M4 SSD. Either in 128GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148448) or 256GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006742&isNodeId=1&Description=crucial+m4+256gb&x=0&y=0). Your call on the amount of storage you need.

[Heavygain]

Would you advise against a case like this? (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153) My friend vouches for it but I have read mixed things.

Also to clarify on using a SSD, I would install my os, games, and programs of choice on it same as a HDD, correct? Never used one before, least not that I am aware lol.

[Johari]

Would you advise against a case like this? (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153) My friend vouches for it but I have read mixed things.


The Newegg reviws for that case are overwhelmingly positive. If you like the look of that case I'd say go for it. Only thing that you might want to be wary of is that it's a Mid tower case and not a Full tower. No doubt you'll be able to fit everything it's just how much extra room you want/need and how good your cable management is.

[Goku]

Get what ever you want. Take a look at this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233) and this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008&Tpk=carbide%20400r) for the hell of it too.

Correct on the SSD too.

[Vancha]

Any case from Fractal, NZXT or Silverstone will be at least satisfactory and the same pretty much goes for Antec and Cooler Master, though you might want to avoid their bottom-of-the-barrel offerings. Thermaltake, Sharkoon and Zalman cases should be fine too, but the quality might be lower.

Basically, get whichever one looks best to you, unless it's either really old (pre-2007ish, I guess?) or really badly reviewed.

Edit: And obviously don't get a case that can only hold ITX/MATX motherboards if you're planning on using an ATX mobo, but I probably don't need to tell you that.

[Rbstr]

As long as you've got room for the stuff you want and a big fan in the front and in the back you're pretty well good.

I personally like Lian Li (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583%2050001375&IsNodeId=1&name=Lian-Li). Who makes a great feature-complete case without all the flashiness.

One rule: always more exhaust than intake!

[Vancha]

As long as you've got room for the stuff you want and a big fan in the front and in the back you're pretty well good.

I personally like Lian Li (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007583%2050001375&IsNodeId=1&name=Lian-Li). Who makes a great feature-complete case without all the flashiness.

One rule: always more exhaust than intake!
I so want to buy one of their SFF cases, but none of them are quite perfect.

Also, you're not a fan of positive pressure?

[Heavygain]

I am going to need wifi capabilities too I am pretty sure, any suggestions for a wireless card? Or would I still be a fool not to make ethernet happen now days? I am using the stock century link 2 in one router/modem.

[Rbstr]

Some Asus motherboards have it built in...but you're probably not going to save money that route.

Otherwise, I like Cisco/Linksys stuff.

[Heavygain]

[deleted] (sorry!)

[Rbstr]

Same motherboard.

Either the i5 2500k or i5 3450.

[Heavygain]

I decided to wait it out and luckily they came back in stock this morning, all the other parts are on the way :D . Your guys' assistance helped a lot, thanks again.

[Goku]

You're welcome! Enjoy the new build. Post some pics when you are done.

[Heavygain]

Bah, now microcenter is saying that the combo on the mobo/cpu does not apply to that motherboard. They said there are three motherboards that they are running the combo on, but I can't seem to locate these online. What do you suggest?

Kinda seems like I will just have to go in and talk to them to find out what motherboards it does apply to, then make sure it meets the requirements. Just kinda sucks cause I budgeted for that price exactly lol

[Goku]

You talking about the 3570K and Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H? The combo works online is all unless in store reps are being dicks. If so order online and do instore pick up.

[Heavygain]

Ah ok, yeah he was definitely being a dick and I had not tried doing it online, it is working fine.

[Goku]

Yup in store pick up time. Another clueless employee...

[Heavygain]

Got lost in day z for awhile, forgot to upload the couple pictures I took. Definitely in love with this rig, completely painless build and set up.
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/6077/prebuild.jpg
Just after the test boot.
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/4352/firstboot.jpg
First real boot, success on first attempt :D
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/5053/rigp.jpg

One last big thanks, definitely would not have turned out so nice if I had not made this thread :love:

[Goku]

Looks sweet! Glad you are enjoying it. Just need to work on the cables now ;). I hate doing that.

[Bags]

Cabling took me like 10 mins with my build, love my corsair 500r~

[Rbstr]

Modular supplies are just so nice.

I didn't realize that heatsink was so damn tall. Careful moving that thing around, you've got a lot of torque there.

[Heavygain]

Indeed, wiring is a mess, got some twisty ties up in there now though :]

[vampyro]

Looks good.

[Pancake]

Cool stuff, but cable management could really improve airflow.