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When using this resource, please read FragKrag's opening post. The Tech Support forum regulars have helped create countless of desktop systems without any compensation. The least you can do is provide all of the information required for them to help you properly. |
Hi guys,
I'm a canadian student, leading part of the Starcraft Club at my university, and would greatly appreciate help to build a lasting desktop computer!
What is your budget?
I aim for a computer that would cost from 700 to 800, very max 900$ (build, everything included).
What is your resolution?
I don’t know, because I want to include a monitor in my build. My desk can hold up to a 13.6 inch (in terms of space), but I suspect that with my budget (is it the case?), a 13-inch one with a resolution of 1920x1080, in pair with a GPU that fits those needs, will cost a bit too much. However, if it CAN be covered by my budget, that would be great! Otherwise, I can go down to a 15-inch screen; I am used to gaming on 15-inch. 1680x1050 seems like a good compromise, but if price calls it, 1280x1024 it shall be.
What are you using it for?
I’m a computer science student, so I plan to use it to program and store the usual stuff of a computer-heavy guy; I watch anime, I watch streams (+ for screen size). However the main thing is the SC2 gaming. I want to have a computer that can best guarantee not to lag in low and medium graphics settings; I plan to play sc2 maybe in CSL this year, so I want to have a nice gaming experience. I might consider starting streaming at one point; if it could do decent (aka: a bit laggy) streaming, I’d be satisfied. If you make me a build, please precise how well it would do in streaming; again, if my budget is too low for that, I can deal.
I don’t want extra-powerful or highest performance; Instead, please focus on reliable, and if possible lasting 2-3 years, performance  .
What is your upgrade cycle?
This is my first build, this would be my first desktop computer. I have changed laptops on a 2-year basis, but now my current does not deliver anymore, and I am more established physically.
When do you plan on building it?
I am open on that: I would order it from in one week, to in one month and a half. In other words, if waiting 3 weeks is needed to reduce the price by 200$, sure! Of course I look forward to the moment I can hit the ladder with more than 3 FPS in big battles :p
Do you plan on overclocking?
Nope.
Do you need an Operating System?
No, or most likely I’ll deal with NCIX. My university provides Win7 for free in my program, but since I want to buy from Ncix, it’s possible that they will install Win7 with the 50$ I would pay them to build the computer.
Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?
No. I do not see being able to play on medium with no lag on sc2 as a big performance demand. Of course, please correct me if I am wrong, especially on the longevity aspect.
Where are you buying your parts from?
NCIX. I am Canadian, and this seems like the best site around; mostly, I want them to assemble the computer for me. Thanks to their policy, if you can give me a list, I can also look up other sites maybe to see if I can get comparison cuts.
Any other thing?
My keyboard has double USB output, and no input, so I need an extra USB port.
I also need to be able to use my wireless network (a network card?)
I would like the computer to have at least 500G of space; but here, for a comp sci student, I don't know enough about the advantages of SSD and HDD to say anything. I might very well install a lot more than SC2 on this thing.
Thanks a lot - you guys are great help for us fellow gamers, and an example to follow!
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On September 10 2012 04:31 MaDSci wrote:+ Show Spoiler +Hi guys, I'm a canadian student, leading part of the Starcraft Club at my university, and would greatly appreciate help to build a lasting desktop computer! What is your budget?I aim for a computer that would cost from 700 to 800, very max 900$ (build, everything included). What is your resolution?I don’t know, because I want to include a monitor in my build. My desk can hold up to a 13.6 inch (in terms of space), but I suspect that with my budget (is it the case?), a 13-inch one with a resolution of 1920x1080, in pair with a GPU that fits those needs, will cost a bit too much. However, if it CAN be covered by my budget, that would be great! Otherwise, I can go down to a 15-inch screen; I am used to gaming on 15-inch. 1680x1050 seems like a good compromise, but if price calls it, 1280x1024 it shall be. What are you using it for?I’m a computer science student, so I plan to use it to program and store the usual stuff of a computer-heavy guy; I watch anime, I watch streams (+ for screen size). However the main thing is the SC2 gaming. I want to have a computer that can best guarantee not to lag in low and medium graphics settings; I plan to play sc2 maybe in CSL this year, so I want to have a nice gaming experience. I might consider starting streaming at one point; if it could do decent (aka: a bit laggy) streaming, I’d be satisfied. If you make me a build, please precise how well it would do in streaming; again, if my budget is too low for that, I can deal. I don’t want extra-powerful or highest performance; Instead, please focus on reliable, and if possible lasting 2-3 years, performance . What is your upgrade cycle?This is my first build, this would be my first desktop computer. I have changed laptops on a 2-year basis, but now my current does not deliver anymore, and I am more established physically. When do you plan on building it?I am open on that: I would order it from in one week, to in one month and a half. In other words, if waiting 3 weeks is needed to reduce the price by 200$, sure! Of course I look forward to the moment I can hit the ladder with more than 3 FPS in big battles :p Do you plan on overclocking?Nope. Do you need an Operating System?No, or most likely I’ll deal with NCIX. My university provides Win7 for free in my program, but since I want to buy from Ncix, it’s possible that they will install Win7 with the 50$ I would pay them to build the computer. Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?No. I do not see being able to play on medium with no lag on sc2 as a big performance demand. Of course, please correct me if I am wrong, especially on the longevity aspect. Where are you buying your parts from?NCIX. I am Canadian, and this seems like the best site around; mostly, I want them to assemble the computer for me. Thanks to their policy, if you can give me a list, I can also look up other sites maybe to see if I can get comparison cuts. Any other thing?My keyboard has double USB output, and no input, so I need an extra USB port. I also need to be able to use my wireless network ( a network card?) I would like the computer to have at least 500G of space; but here, for a comp sci student, I don't know enough about the advantages of SSD and HDD to say anything. I might very well install a lot more than SC2 on this thing. Thanks a lot - you guys are great help for us fellow gamers, and an example to follow!
13" and 15" monitors like... no longer exist? Are you actually talking about screen size or are you talking about the width of your desk? If you're talking about actual screen size, you need a new desk seriously.
You need to purchase Windows 7 with them if you want them to install Windows 7 for you.
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My desk (the specific frame) can hold up to 23.6'' ; since I've never had a desktop or recently shopped for a monitor, I had no idea that 15'' ones did not exist ^^.
For Windows 7, then I'll simply install it later with no cost at my university.
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What's the exact space limitation, W x L x D? Of course, the base of the monitor is not going to be as wide as the viewing area.
btw they don't make desktop monitors that are 1080p, smaller than 21.5" (or if they do, they're very uncommon). A few/several years ago, 23.6" was the smallest size for 1080p. Quoted monitor size is for the diagonal of the viewing area.
If somehow your remaining desk area is tiny and you can't get another desk, you can get aftermarket stands with standard VESA mounting holes that will work with many monitor models. Some of these stands can clamp to a desk or wall.
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23-inch wide, 22-inch high, and 12-inch deep (16 inches left to the front, which I would keep for keyboard / wires). That's more than I thought I had myself.
From this I understand that the size is not really an issue as much as what image the monitor will produce.
Sorry not to have been precise enough on the available space
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No problem. That should fit everything but the huge stuff way out of your price range, so no worries there. (btw in hindsight I have no idea wtf the dimensions I meant by W x L x D  )
Some of this may look familiar:
Core i5-3450 - $180
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=70543&promoid=1219
Gigabyte B75M-D3H - $65
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=70273&promoid=1219
G.Skill 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600MHz - $38
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=57953&promoid=1219
Gigabyte HD 7770 - $117
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=74900&promoid=1219
Hitachi Deskstar 500GB - $50
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=57878&promoid=1219
LG CD/DVD writer - $15
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=66853&promoid=1382
BitFenix Merc Beta - $35
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=63257&promoid=1219
XFX Core 450W - $55
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=63238
Asus VS229H-P - $154
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=69496
edit: wireless adapter — TP-Link 802.11n 300Mbps USB adapter - $25
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=57498
That checks in at around the lower end of the range. The graphics card is definitely overkill for medium settings, so that could be reduced. Aside from that, you could add an SSD. Or for somewhat better performance in maxed-out battles, you could spend about $100 more on a i5-3570k, a Z77 motherboard, and an aftermarket cooler. A milder overclock to 4.2 GHz or even higher on many chips, is most likely sustainable long term, no problems.
I don't think that most CS students work with very large projects regularly, with lots and lots of files scattered everywhere, accessing many files. An SSD may speed up compile times if it's storing all the necessary files—maybe useful if you're compiling such large code a lot—if it is I/O bound, waiting on files to be fetched. SSDs are good for scratch space, though how much are you waiting on storage now? Aside from that, the usual IDEs, other utilities, programs, games, OS, etc. can benefit from being on an SSD.
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Edit: I'll wait a bit and check if someone has any more comments, but I'm ready to order otherwise! Thanks a lot!
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He's not overclocking, hence the 3570k and z77 mobo are a waste of money, myrm's monitor is IPS for only $45 more, it's well worth it over some bottom range TN trash, the aftermarket cooler is pointless, as again he's not overclocking.
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Does someone happen to know what they (NCIX) do if you order the assembly without purchasing an OS?
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he will overclock if he wants to stream, people are just scared of doing it as they dont know how easy it is.
edit: its 45$ + shipping which will come to 65?, but he can definitely go with the IPS one.
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On September 10 2012 09:47 MaDSci wrote:
Does someone happen to know what they (NCIX) do if you order the assembly without purchasing an OS?
Nothing... no different buying an OS or not with your build. They do everything the same minus the OS part.
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On September 10 2012 09:48 Ata wrote:
he will overclock if he wants to stream, people are just scared of doing it as they dont know how easy it is.
edit: its 45$ + shipping which will come to 65?, but he can definitely go with the IPS one.
Fair enough. Although if he doesn't it would be very wasteful ^.^
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What is your budget?
$600-$700 USD
What is your resolution?
1680x1050
What are you using it for?
Mainly SC2 (but also GuildWars 2) I would like to be able to run it high-ultra and be able to stream on medium.
What is your upgrade cycle?
3-4 years.
When do you plan on building it?
Within a month.
Do you plan on overclocking?
Never done it before, although I recognize the large benefit from doing it and I hear its super easy now-a-days. Should I try it or go with the i5 non-overclocked version?
Do you need an Operating System?
No
Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?
Not at this time.
Where are you buying your parts from?
Newegg or other reliable online store.
Here's what I've come up with so far:
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $59.99
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-H77-DS3H LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $99.99
Graphics Card: EVGA 01G-P3-1556-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) FPB 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $114.99
PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply $69.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAO $39.99
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K $229.99
SSD: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $109.99
I do not need a monitor or optical drive nor HD storage drive. I DO need recommendations on an aftermarket heatsink. I think the video card might not be optimal so recommendations there are appreciated as well. Thanks and good day.
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I went ahead and made changes per your suggestions. The mobo I've chosen is an ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard. Will that fit properly into the above HAF 912 Case? Mobo dimensions are 12" x 8.6".
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Have been going through the overclocking process for my 6850 over the weekend. Started by just using the AMD overdrive program. Managed to get it to around 900/1200 without any troubles. However, after rebooting my computer the screen flashes black intermittently. If I reset the graphics card to factory settings it goes back to normal. If i slowly increase the click speeds it works fine. If I reboot it goes back to flashing black screens every minute or so. Any one know why this might be happening?
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On September 10 2012 14:00 Wartortle wrote:
Have been going through the overclocking process for my 6850 over the weekend. Started by just using the AMD overdrive program. Managed to get it to around 900/1200 without any troubles. However, after rebooting my computer the screen flashes black intermittently. If I reset the graphics card to factory settings it goes back to normal. If i slowly increase the click speeds it works fine. If I reboot it goes back to flashing black screens every minute or so. Any one know why this might be happening?
Did you use a program to stress test the gpu to see if the overclock is stable?
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On September 10 2012 14:06 Proxie wrote:Show nested quote +On September 10 2012 14:00 Wartortle wrote:
Have been going through the overclocking process for my 6850 over the weekend. Started by just using the AMD overdrive program. Managed to get it to around 900/1200 without any troubles. However, after rebooting my computer the screen flashes black intermittently. If I reset the graphics card to factory settings it goes back to normal. If i slowly increase the click speeds it works fine. If I reboot it goes back to flashing black screens every minute or so. Any one know why this might be happening? Did you use a program to stress test the gpu to see if the overclock is stable?
Instead of using a specific program I just played Gw2 at pretty high settings while i slowly moved up the clock speeds. I stopped when the temperate started to get close to 65 degrees and I started to get some graphics lag. This was over about 2 hours.
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EPT
