View Full Version : Build for friend
1. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes?
$1,000 no
2. Where do you live (Please list if possible town, state, and country)?
n/a
3. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)?
gaming
4. What parts will you need for the computer? Please list what parts specifically.
He needs everything
5. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so please say what parts.
no
6. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer?
1080p
7. Do you have a legit OS? If so what OS and is it 32-bit or 64-bit?
no
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.
USB3.0 sata 6.0
9. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU?
no
10. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts?
1-2 weeks
Does he have a monitor or does he want 1080P?
He's going to be getting a 1080p monitor. Not part of the build. Sorry about that.
Seperate from the budget?
Yeah, $1000 is for the PC + OS.
He's getting the monitor separate
I'm at $900 right now for a build with a 3450 and 7850. TBH not sure what to do with the extra $100. What would he prefer? Getting a 120GBish SSD or a 7870 and 1TB HDD (500GB currently). Is he willing to wait for 2 weeks prior to ordering? I hear the GTX 660 maybe released the 25th if he wants to go Nvidia.
I'm at $900 right now for a build with a 3450 and 7850. TBH not sure what to do with the extra $100. What would he prefer? Getting a 120GBish SSD or a 7870 and 1TB HDD (500GB currently). Is he willing to wait for 2 weeks prior to ordering? I hear the GTX 660 maybe released the 25th if he wants to go Nvidia.
[12:05:48 AM] Risk: I won't have the money until like next thursday, so waiting for the new graphics card is a good plan
[12:05:58 AM] Risk: I've heard bad things about SSDs and don't really want one
[12:06:06 AM] JokingJames2/Derpymouz: You want a housefire that badly, Crimson?
[12:06:17 AM] Risk: I have an external HD with a TB on it, so I don't need a lot of HD space
[12:06:19 AM] Risk: uh what
[12:06:46 AM] Risk: You think it's gonna explode James? :c
[12:06:52 AM] Bags: What's gonna explode?
[12:06:58 AM] JokingJames2: videolink
^Nvidia cards
[12:07:00 AM] Bags: lol okay
[12:07:20 AM] Risk: TELL ME ABOUT IT UJESH
[12:07:31 AM] Bags: Unless you get a raidmax PSU, you don't have to worry about exploding computer parts
Lol at Raidmax.
Anyway I guess we will wait on the 660 if it comes. Otherwise we will do the 7870. Hmm can even fit a 7950 in there for $1004.92. Can he pony up more money for a 670? Only $50 more.
He says probably, yeah. to the $50 more.
Intel Core i5-3450 - $199.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506)
GIGABYTE GA-B75M-D3V - $69.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128540)
G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 - $39.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424)
Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power - $69.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031)
SONY Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive - $17.00 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031)
GIGABYTE GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 2GB - $399.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423)
Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ/ST500DM005 500GB - $79.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181)
Fractal Design Core 3000 - $69.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352010)
Windows 7 HP 64-bit - $99.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986)
Total = $1,046.92
Motherboard may look a bit weak, but that has everything he needs. Only thing that maybe a issue is lacking 5.1 audio. He doesn't need 5.1 right?
[1:28:35 AM] Crimson Risk [MOD]: Probably not
[1:28:51 AM] Crimson Risk [MOD]: errr
[1:28:56 AM] Crimson Risk [MOD]: is that needed for headphones?
[1:29:00 AM] Crimson Risk [MOD]: I don't even
Also, I have another friend with a $1.2k budget who needs an OS and monitor in the build.
1. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes?
$1,200 yes
2. Where do you live (Please list if possible town, state, and country)?
VA (lives near a MC)
3. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)?
gaming
4. What parts will you need for the computer? Please list what parts specifically.
He needs everything
5. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so please say what parts.
no
6. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer?
NEED TO INCLUDE IT IN THE $1.2K. He says he don't care if it's 1080p or not.
7. Do you have a legit OS? If so what OS and is it 32-bit or 64-bit?
no
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.
USB3.0 sata 6.0
9. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU?
no
10. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts?
whenever he gets the build (1-2 weeks)
from Micro Center:
Intel Core i5 3570K - $189.99 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577)
Biostar TZ77A LGA 1155 Z77 - $49.99 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387326) (Combo discount) ($10 MIR)
From Newegg:
G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 - $39.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424)
Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power - $69.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031)
SONY Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive - $17.00 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031)
GIGABYTE GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 2GB - $399.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125423)
Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ/ST500DM005 500GB - $79.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181)
Fractal Design Core 3000 - $69.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352010)
Windows 7 HP 64-bit - $99.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986)
ASUS VH236H Black 23" Full HD Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ Speakers - $169.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059) ($30 MIR)
Total = $1186.91 - $40 MIR = $1146.91
With shipping + taxes it will be a tad over $1200.
Thanks goku.
and if your'e wondering, yes I do have a lot of friends.
I think I am going to start charing you a fee for each one of these I do ;).
Ruh-roh. :)
The scary part is I've done like 3 - 4 myself over the last few months, even. I just suck at picking reasonably priced mobos in general so I come to you.
I've got 20 people or so in the stream group I run psyched for the game, and almost every one of them needs to upgrade.
I love doing the builds. Gives me something to do.
Ailos
2012-06-14, 04:19 PM
I keep coming back to find more of these threads, but each time Goku already puts his up, and I never come with anything different really so... yeah, lol.
I keep coming back to find more of these threads, but each time Goku already puts his up, and I never come with anything different really so... yeah, lol.
CPU wise it sucks right now due to AMD not being a good option. Really its either the 2100, 3450, or 3570K depending on budget/need. GPU wise recently its just been the 670.
Maybe PD will offer something? I hope.
Ailos
2012-06-14, 05:44 PM
Lol, yeah, if you look at the builds we've recommended in the last 2 months, almost all of them have 3570K or the 3450, and the GTX 670. Gaming machine-wise, that's pretty much the only way to go right now. All the other parts are pretty arbitrary, but very much dictated by those two, so naturally, all builds end up pretty much the same.
Maybe when more of the 600 line comes out, AMD finally puts their cards where they should be price-wise, and if PD is a little less of a flop than BD, we'll see some real competition.
Rbstr
2012-06-14, 07:29 PM
The only real shake up might be the 660 in lower cost builds or a massive AMD price cut.
Even then I still like nVidia because they're at a significantly lower TDP (670 takes 60 fewer watts than the 7970). It's a bit odd because they're both on TSMC's 28nm.
I fear for AMD if the 660 puts up as much of a fight at it's price as the 670 does.
Maybe AMD catches up with their new CPUs? But they're a node behind and Intel's got a whole new chip next year.
AMD is still having the prices too high on the 7800 series. No reason why they cannot drop the prices $50 on each of those and still make a good profit.
Oh yeah, you never answered; he doesn't need the 5.1 for headphones, right? that's just for surround sound yeah?
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-05, 03:46 AM
This is the first friend. I still haven't ordered parts, just got back from a trip. Hope to order very soon. I can bump up the budget more, to say 1.3k or maybe even 1.5k. I wanted a computer that would last me a long time without having to upgrade. I've never had a real beast machine before, kind of wanted to get one this time. I'll probably be using it for Photoshop and maybe even some Vegas from time to time, as well as lots of gaming. Should I spring for an i7 core? Someone told me that was the way to go. I'm reading about all the different parts now. Thanks for all the builds!
Also, I live in Colorado.
Vancha
2012-07-05, 04:05 AM
The only thing that'd benefit from an i7 would be Vegas, but as a "time to time" thing I doubt it'd be worth the extra money. I'd use the money to get an SSD (256GB Crucial m4 or 256GB Samsung 830), and a slightly nicer case.
Also, what's your definition of a "long time"? Nothing is future-proof.
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-05, 07:31 AM
As far as not needing to upgrade for future use goes, I would be happy if I could still comfortably play games that were released a year from now on decent settings. I've been using the same old 1.9ghz laptop with integrated video card and 32-bit Vista on 2gb RAM on it for 5 years now, and it can't even play Zombie Panic Source or League of Legends on minimum settings without choppy fps. This thing takes me a full fifteen seconds to save a .gif sometimes.
I'd love to have a CPU that could handle me running a ton of different programs at once no sweat, I like having lots of stuff open, including multiple IM services (Skype, Steam). I don't know much about desktop components as I haven't been keeping up with the technology. I feel like I would use Vegas more often if I could run it better! I have great interest in multimedia design type stuff, too bad it takes an hour to render a video.
Vancha
2012-07-05, 08:04 AM
Oh yeah, this should last you at least double that, probably more.
"I feel like I would use Vegas more if..." doesn't make me want to suggest the 3770 over the 3570. The difference between them is miniscule compared to the difference between what you're using and the i5. If you think you'll start rendering large videos multiple times a week, then the i7 might be worth it, but not if it means sacrificing anything else for it (like an SSD).
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-05, 08:50 AM
So just getting an SSD will cause a bigger increase in performance than an i7? I thought I'd that SSDs are fragile/susceptible to failing. Is this true? Something to worry about? Do i5 cores handle running several CPU intensive programs at once well?
Vancha
2012-07-05, 09:36 AM
An SSD is easily the most noticeable improvement you can make to a system, yes. I seem to remember there used to be issues with SSDs, but now they should be one of the most reliable parts of a system. That said, nothing is failure proof. Any component you order might turn up dead on arrival.
If you have enough things open to cause an i5 trouble, I doubt an i7 will give you much of a smoother experience.
Mutant
2012-07-05, 09:51 AM
The only real shake up might be the 660 in lower cost builds or a massive AMD price cut.
Even then I still like nVidia because they're at a significantly lower TDP (670 takes 60 fewer watts than the 7970). It's a bit odd because they're both on TSMC's 28nm.
I fear for AMD if the 660 puts up as much of a fight at it's price as the 670 does.
Maybe AMD catches up with their new CPUs? But they're a node behind and Intel's got a whole new chip next year.
The reason the 680 is smaller with a lower TDP than the 7970 is that the 680 loses by a large margin on GPU compute and it is total crap for DP GPU compute. Since gpu compute is insignificant for gaming at this point in time the GK104 is better for a user who only cares about gaming.
Peak Compute performance;
HD 7970: 3788 SP-GFLOPS, 947.2 DP-GFLOPS (1/4)
GTX 680: 3090 SP-GFLOPS, 129 DP-GFLOPS (1/24)
Nvidia did exactly this for fermi. GF100 was a beast for compute but was hot and massive and lost against AMD for gaming.
GF104 cut a lot of compute performance and went head to head vs AMD.
GK110 should bring back the compute crown for Nvidia (their Tesla business depends on it) but I suspect it will be at the cost of gaming performance.
Ailos
2012-07-05, 11:29 AM
So just getting an SSD will cause a bigger increase in performance than an i7? I thought I'd that SSDs are fragile/susceptible to failing. Is this true? Something to worry about? Do i5 cores handle running several CPU intensive programs at once well?
To get a significant increase on performance above the i5 3570K (by more than 15%), you're going to have to step up to the LGA 2011 platform. These chips are basically the byproducts of the high-stakes, high-price server CPU production line, and the prices start at $300 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115229) just for the chip itself. It also requires a considerably more expensive motherboard.
And even here, the only time the $300 i7 I linked will be more beneficial with a pretty specific set of applications - your average IM clients like Skype don't actually stress your CPU much. In fact, very few things (except for games) an average consumer can own will stress it. And even there, your mileage can vary. What most definitely WILL help you handle more programs at once is more RAM, which (if you have a couple extra bucks) should be stuffed into your system to your heart's desire. That and the SSD.
At the end of the day, putting an extra $600+ into a different CPU/mobo set will make your Photoshop filters process 40% faster, and will have little effect beyond that.
I guess, my point is, if you've got an extra $200 to spend on the system, spend it to double your RAM (to 16GB) and an SSD. The performance increase from that will make your second-to-second experience so much smoother you'll want to dance like Rainbow dash. The only thing you'll gain from throwing an extra $500 onto your CPU will be a slightly faster compression time for files, probably.
Crimson the only part I would add to that system is a 256GB SSD. You really won't see a benefit from anything else IMO. You have a top notch CPU and GPU already. Anything else besides adding in a 3570K to overclock is wasteful.
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-05, 07:06 PM
Gotcha, thanks guys! I appreciate the advice, and I learned something here. SSD it is.
I suggest looking into the Crucial M4, Samsung 830, Plextor M3, or Intel 520 in 256GB flavor. None seem to be on sale atm. They were going for as low as $180 recently. If you can't wait for a deal get this one off amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W2JL2A/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?t=slickdeals&tag=slickdeals).
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-05, 08:41 PM
Sweet, thanks. If you have the time, are there any particular parts you would suggest I order for all of the other components? All of the deals you had originally found expired yesterday. :cry:
Let me see what I can find. Are you ordering in the next few days? Deals only go week to week is all.
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-05, 09:00 PM
I'd like to. I'm so ready to get this thing put together. I was only putting it off until after my trip.
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-07, 02:35 PM
ReEdit: Thanks again for all the advice, I've been looking at parts again and it's beginning to come back to me. I see the logic behind the picks you make. The only thing I am still wondering about is how you find deals so reliably? Just googling for them? At this point I'm tempted to just get all the stuff from newegg even if the parts are 10 bucks each more expensive than they would be from somewhere else, so I can have them all shipped at once.
I am subscribed to newegg's newsletter and microcent'ers news letters. Plus, newegg reliably advertises daily deals and shell shockers (sometimes up to like 40% off) on their homepage.
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-07, 06:51 PM
I see, thanks Bags. I'm browsing the daily deals now.... turns out I have no idea what kind of motherboard I need. They vary a lot in price, too... how important is a good motherboard? Anything in particular I should be looking for there?
I was also thinking of throwing down the extra 30 bucks to get a .3 ghz faster processor: i5-3570k Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504). Would this be wasteful? I tend to be a sucker for the "throw in a little bit more for a slightly better one" sort of sales pitch. I want a top of the line machine and I want it to be one for as long as possible, I probably won't have a chance to throw money down on computer parts again for a long, long time. Also, I'm seeing 4GHz processors from other brand names that are cheaper, what's up with that?
I'm grabbing an SSD Crucial M4 256GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148443). I figure I can store images and videos and stuff on my 1tb external and just keep game install files and such on the SSD for fast performance, so 256GB should last me a long time.
I think I'm going to go for 16 GB of RAM. 2x of these, as suggested: G SKill Value Series 8GB (2x4GB) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424)
Also, anyone know if I can sign up for this ShopRunner trial to get the free 2 day shipping, and then cancel before the trial ends and I get billed, for free and fast shipping? Seems like an awesome one time deal but I'm wary.
My cart is up to $1,371, with a $170 monitor in it, and I think it has everything except the motherboard and a mouse (which I don't really need, I can just use this cheap one I'm using right now).
My Cart at the moment (https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=20798806)
Ailos
2012-07-07, 07:17 PM
Motherboard is one of the more important components. It needs to have reliable components since everything else in your system communicates through it.
The 3570k is not only slightly faster but has an unlocked multiplier, which means you can over clock it in the future if you want to. If you're looking for a place to put the extra $30, this isn't a bad place, IMO, since over locking is an easy way to make a system last longer.
With that, I recommend this combo: 3570k ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504) + ASRock mobo ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293 )
Crimson what exactly is wrong with the build I came up with originally? I went through it already and there wasn't any deals associated with it. Everything there is all you need with the exception of the SSD according to what Bags told me.
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-07, 09:06 PM
Nothing's wrong with it except that (I thought) the deals all expired. I'm using it now to put together my cart, and the prices actually look all the same. As is I'm just throwing a little extra money ($30) at the processor speed and amount of RAM ($40). Part of the reason the order is much larger than I said it would be is the monitor, keyboard, and SSD adding another $305. I have the order put together here (https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?BundleExist=N&ID=20798806) on Newegg and I'm probably going to check out fairly soon. I'm using the recommended case, RAM (twice as much), monitor, DVD drive, video card, power supply, OS, and core, but it's a .3ghz faster version. It appears I need the more expensive motherboard to use 4 RAM sticks? 4 memory slots on that one as opposed to 2 on the other.
Sorry for asking so many dumb questions and stuff, this is a big investment for me and I'm all excited about it. Also, sorry about the confusion. I really shouldn't have bumped this thread in the first place.
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-07, 09:48 PM
I was also thinking of throwing down the extra 30 bucks to get a .3 ghz faster processor: i5-3570k Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504). Would this be wasteful? I tend to be a sucker for the "throw in a little bit more for a slightly better one" sort of sales pitch. I want a top of the line machine and I want it to be one for as long as possible, I probably won't have a chance to throw money down on computer parts again for a long, long time. Also, I'm seeing 4GHz processors from other brand names that are cheaper, what's up with that?
I'm grabbing an SSD Crucial M4 256GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148443). I figure I can store images and videos and stuff on my 1tb external and just keep game install files and such on the SSD for fast performance, so 256GB should last me a long time.
I think I'm going to go for 16 GB of RAM. 2x of these, as suggested: G SKill Value Series 8GB (2x4GB) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424)
i5 Ivy Bridge 3570k 3.4GHz
Edit: I see you actually mentioned this earlier. Should be fine, then. I think I've got it just about all worked out, assuming my RAM + Motherboard upgrade is fine.
Getting this RAM as it's on sale and I save $12 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313123
I was comparing power sources and I notice that the one in my cart says "Power Cord Not Included" under Extra Features (ironically). Guess I'd better order one of the site?
I plan to submit the order later today. I am getting free shipping on almost everything, only the case wasn't covered.
Are you going with Alios recommendation on the motherboard? You do plan on overclocking? Otherwise you are throwing away that extra money on that CPU plus motherboard. You are not going to notice a difference of 300MHz on these at all.
That ram is a bad choice. The IB processors are only rated to run with 1.5V and that is a 1.65V kit, so that can potentially damage your CPU.
Do you not have any extra power plugs laying around to put in the PSU? If so get this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812270406).
That link you provided doesn't go to any parts either, so I can't see what you are buying.
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-08, 03:18 PM
Damage? Ok, see this is why I ask. That's definitely not worth saving $12.
Yes, I was planning on getting the Mobo that Alios suggested. I probably will overclock someday. I know I wanted a motherboard with 4 memory slots, seems like it has more potential for upgrading in the future. I also thought the onboard USB 3.0 slot would be useful, since I will be using an external HD heavily. Does this not matter? 30 extra bucks on $1,500 isn't really a big deal to me anyway (the next one down with 4 slots was only $105, but had no onboard USB 3.0).
Not sure which link you speak of, they all seem to work to me. The wishlist? I'll make it public and try again with the updated one. Now to see if we have any extra power cords... I kind of doubt it but maybe.
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=27617988
Does it work this time? I made it public, but I don't see it on the list of public wishlists, even when I use the search function. How do I do this?
Yes it can potentially damage the CPU due to the higher voltage.
You can save $17 going for this combo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.985159) with that mobo and the same CPU.
Nope nothing. Was there any other changes you didn't already mention?
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-08, 04:19 PM
Sweet, thanks for the combo deal!
I saved the html and put it in a zip in my dropbox folder, try this.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/31193965/Newegg.com%20Shopping%20Cart.zip
I think that should work.
No other changes that I can think of, just buying a cheap keyboard + mouse combo and pair of headphones with it.
You're welcome. Just don't forget the power plug for the PSU.
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-08, 04:26 PM
Yep, I had that on there, but I took it off before I saved the html because I might have one around here somewhere after all (from my old, oooold computer that I haven't touched in years).
Lol. I see. Anyway it will be a great comp. Enjoy it...
CrimsonRisk
2012-07-08, 06:25 PM
Definitely will do. Thanks again for all the help!
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