Hi, I wasn't sure what site to post this and someone suggested I could get help here. I have always wanted to build a computer but this is my first time and I am a little rusty on the theory.
The purpose of this build is to run Starcraft 2 and possibly in the future run Crysis 2 after a graphics card upgrade (is motherboard/CPU good enough?). Justification for CPU/GPU choices come from benchmarks for Starcraft 2. link: http://www.techspot.com/review/305-starcraft2-performance/
I live in Canada (remember shipping costs) but will also show prices in US currency using a 1.03 multiplier from US to CAD. All prices are pre-tax. Websites I looked on are bewawa.com, ncix.com, newegg.ca, tigerdirect.ca.
I am not 100% sure yet if all the components listed are fully compatible with eachother. For example, I was looking at the back of the case and I am not sure how the motherboard ports will manage to fit through those holes. Should I pick a new case? Please let me know if you feel they are not compatible.
My budget is $534 US which is $550 CAD. This is what my build looks like:
Being below budget is not bad because that leaves me $59 to buy stuff like PC Toolkit, ethernet and other cables, Thermal Paste, cooling fans or heat sinks, anti-static stuff (gloves?) for when I build it (do I need all these things?). I also need to buy a new monitor so the spare cash will help me scrape together some funds for it.
Was wondering what you guys thought of the build and if you have any suggestions (budget monitor suggestions welcome also). Also do you think I can save some more money from the power supply?
Here are two more power supplies (at a lower cost):
Planning on running Windows 7 Home Premium Edition - 64 Bit OEM. Also, I would really appreciate advice about keeping the system running efficiently for a long time (ie. security software (not-pirated please), reformatting, defragmentation, use of an external hard drive, how to use Win 7 effectively, etc.)
I am not against overclocking the CPU (was told that this CPU is only worth it for OCing) however I will need to learn much more and feel that I can do so safely.
Thank you in advance for reading this. If you wish to help me out I really appreciate it.
All your components are compatible at glance. As for your case worries, motherboards will come with their own faceplate so you can pop the one out of your current case and use the motherboard's specific faceplate.
The only tool you need is a screwdriver (phillips), so a toolkit is unnecessary. Your cpu is retail so it comes with a heatsink (the heatsink has thermal paste already attached) so you don't need new thermal paste or a new heat sink unless you plan on overclocking which it seems like you aren't atm. You don't need an anti-static wristband to ground yourself, just touch a piece of exposed metal on the case (inside somewhere usually works) before you go handling stuff but it really shouldn't be a problem.
It doesn't take much to keep a system running smoothly, defrag monthly (use a program other than the windows default, google to see what people use), clean out your computer with compressed air every couple of months or so and you don't need antivirus as long as you stay away from shady sites, use a good browser and aren't stupid in general. Reformatting isn't a necessary part of good maintenance, you can get by with reformatting only when you got a virus / other bad thing on accident or need to install new hardware like a new graphics card since it sounds like you plan on upgrading later.
On August 08 2010 04:54 xmShake wrote: All your components are compatible at glance. As for your case worries, motherboards will come with their own faceplate so you can pop the one out of your current case and use the motherboard's specific faceplate.
The only tool you need is a screwdriver (phillips), so a toolkit is unnecessary. Your cpu is retail so it comes with a heatsink (the heatsink has thermal paste already attached) so you don't need new thermal paste or a new heat sink unless you plan on overclocking which it seems like you aren't atm. You don't need an anti-static wristband to ground yourself, just touch a piece of exposed metal on the case (inside somewhere usually works) before you go handling stuff but it really shouldn't be a problem.
It doesn't take much to keep a system running smoothly, defrag monthly (use a program other than the windows default, google to see what people use), clean out your computer with compressed air every couple of months or so and you don't need antivirus as long as you stay away from shady sites, use a good browser and aren't stupid in general. Reformatting isn't a necessary part of good maintenance, you can get by with reformatting only when you got a virus / other bad thing on accident or need to install new hardware like a new graphics card since it sounds like you plan on upgrading later.
Hi. First, thanks for replying I just had a few questions based off your reply.
1. What web browser do you suggest? Firefox?
2. Should I wear gloves when handling the parts?
3. I was looking at a review to the GFX 9800 GT video card (it seems this outperforms mine by a bit since it has a faster clock speed and shader clock) and the guy mentions to use a minimum 450 W power supply (just checking since you suggested the 400 W). What do you think? link: time: jump to 3:20
Not sure if you added this into your budget already, since I didn't add up all the numbers, but I'm not sure if you figured Windows 7 into your costs. If you're a student and have access to MSDNAA, you can get it legally for free, but otherwise that OS is around 90 dollars.
If you have some other way of getting it then this obviously doesn't matter
That system also uses an overclocked core 2 quad, which uses quite a bit more power than a phenom ii x2,and that corsair power supply will handle it very easily.
You should use whatever web browser you like, firefox, chrome, opera, and IE are all popular choices.
Unless you plan on rubbing your feat against carpet your at very little risk, and if you did end up frying something you can just call it DOA and have it RMA'd. That said antistatic wrist straps are cheap and I do own one.
Hi, you can probably find the max voltages your CPU and GPU use. Then add to it about 100W and you should be fine because memory and mobo dont need that much power, don´t know about HD that much though. I think 450W is enough for that setup but remember that the more watts your PS can give also means it probably handles lower amounts better ( lower heat, noise). It´s also better if you ever plan on overclocking and have good cooling. I definitely think you could squeeze some to get a better GPU, 9800 GT is good.
And with that CPU you definitely want to try to open the cores first before OCing, you can easily get a 100$ worth of extra POWERRRR!!! so make sure your Mobo can unlock those cores...
Also with HD I´d recommend Samsung Spinpoint F3 or WD´s Caviar Black line, try to get one cheap if your budget allows.
I´m also getting a new SC2 machine with the same budget ( although I already have a mouse, kboard and monitor) and I´m building the cheapest possible system that can run SC2 on ultra with 1920 monitor with decent FPS
That's more than plenty to play SC2, unless you're looking at really high/ultra graphics. My Macbook Pro with a 2.53GHz C2D and 256MB graphics card can play it without lag (although at low settings, but it doesn't bother me).
On August 08 2010 05:37 ramen- wrote: Not sure if you added this into your budget already, since I didn't add up all the numbers, but I'm not sure if you figured Windows 7 into your costs. If you're a student and have access to MSDNAA, you can get it legally for free, but otherwise that OS is around 90 dollars.
If you have some other way of getting it then this obviously doesn't matter
Yeah Windows 7 was budgeted elsewhere. What is MSDNAA?
[B]Unless you plan on rubbing your feat against carpet your at very little risk, and if you did end up frying something you can just call it DOA and have it RMA'd.
Hmm, what are these terms DOA and RMA?
[B]And with that CPU you definitely want to try to open the cores first before OCing, you can easily get a 100$ worth of extra POWERRRR!!! so make sure your Mobo can unlock those cores...
Does anyone know if that mobo can unlock the cores? It says the following under overclocking ability in the specs on ncix.com :
Intelligent overclocking tools - ASUS Turbo Key SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection) - FSB tuning from 200 MHz up to 550MHz at 1MHz increment - PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 150MHz at 1MHz increment Overclocking Protection - ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
On August 08 2010 06:13 mishimaBeef wrote: Yeah Windows 7 was budgeted elsewhere. What is MSDNAA?
A program microsoft runs to offer big discounts to college students.
On August 08 2010 06:13 mishimaBeef wrote: Hmm, what are these terms DOA and RMA?
Dead on arrival, and return merchandise authorization(basically means they approve you for a warranty replacement)
On August 08 2010 06:13 mishimaBeef wrote: Does anyone know if that mobo can unlock the cores? It says the following under overclocking ability in the specs on ncix.com :
Yes it can, however unlocking cores is rare, and when it works it often requires lots of tweaking to get it stable. While its a nice plus don't consider it the driving force behind a purchasing decision, If you want a quad an Athlon ii x4 is in your budget. If you buy the phenom hoping to unlock, you will probably end up disappointed.
On August 08 2010 06:13 mishimaBeef wrote: Does anyone know if that mobo can unlock the cores? It says the following under overclocking ability in the specs on ncix.com :
Yes it can, however unlocking cores is rare, and when it works it often requires lots of tweaking to get it stable. While its a nice plus don't consider it the driving force behind a purchasing decision, If you want a quad an Athlon ii x4 is in your budget. If you buy the phenom hoping to unlock, you will probably end up disappointed.
I heard it´s actually quite likely to get atleast 3 working cores, anyway phenoms are often better for gaming than athlons.
No problem. I'm not really so much planning to unlock cores as possibly overclock the processor in the future when I get more experience and enough funds to safely do so.
On August 08 2010 07:19 mishimaBeef wrote: No problem. I'm not really so much planning to unlock cores as possibly overclock the processor in the future when I get more experience and enough funds to safely do so.
No worries about unlocking, it´s easy and safe if you read a bit on it, can´t really brick anything Overclocking however needs some more thought.
WCS
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