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.
Am I missing something here, or did nineninja9 just put together DDR2 RAM with an AM3 only motherboard that doesn't support DDR2, and GeneralStan recommend only 1 GB of DDR3 RAM? o_O
By the way, if you're just going to be using the 9500 GT and maybe an Athlon X2 dual core with no plans of high-end gaming in the future, a lower-Wattage PSU would be okay. It would be fine for a budget GPU upgrade in the future and a mid-end CPU. This one is 300W, priced at $35, but it's 80+ Bronze certified (power efficient, so less heat, etc.) and probably quieter and more reliable than the others posted. 100% 5 eggs on 6 reviews, if you believe in that.
Awesome, thanks for the help everyone. Hm, I doubt my brother is going to do any high-end gaming, but I chose that higher-wattage psu for the possibility of adding a better cpu or gpu in the future.
Most of you suggested that Sempron cpu, so I'll definitely look into that. As for the HD, I guess I'll just use the old one for now.
So im looking at purchising a new computer that can run SC2 on ultra or high settings @ 60fps. Also it will be used for some photoshop and basic video editing though rendering time not a huge deal.
My budget for it is around 800-900 CAD. I would also like it to be future proof in the sense of diablo 3 as thats the next big game for me personally.
Also ontop of the 800-900 i have a allocated buget of 150 for a keyboard and mouse and headset.
If anyone can help me know the best parts in those price ranges thanks you.
Does the 800-900 CAD budget--that doesn't include a keyboard or mouse--include an OS and monitor? Before knowing the specifics, for around that price range a GTX 460 1GB is probably in your future. More suggestions incoming once the budget is more clear.
On another note, it's kind of weird how some posts get lost without suggestions. Sorry.
On August 21 2010 13:43 Myrmidon wrote: Does the 800-900 CAD budget--that doesn't include a keyboard or mouse--include an OS and monitor? Before knowing the specifics, for around that price range a GTX 460 1GB is probably in your future. More suggestions incoming once the budget is more clear.
On another note, it's kind of weird how some posts get lost without suggestions. Sorry.
thats the budget just for the pieces of the computer. I Have a 24inch monitor plus a secondary monitor that died and will increase it to something sub 20inches.
that means Ill be using Dual Monitors with one bein 1900 x 1080 and the second probably around 20-23inch range.
Gamble I made this build for another user but if you want intel this is nice. Or do you want AM3? AM3 has a longer shelf life because AMD is going to be releasing new processors that should utilize AM3 still. + Show Spoiler +
T_T 1 Post accounts demanding so much from me. ------------------------ @zekie you can do payment plans on newegg.ca, you just need a verified decent credit score, which is probably the same as Dell's procedure. Not sure about ncix but probably also.
On August 21 2010 13:52 R04R wrote: Gamble I made this build for another user but if you want intel this is nice. Or do you want AM3? AM3 has a longer shelf life because AMD is going to be releasing new processors that should utilize AM3 still. + Show Spoiler +
T_T 1 Post accounts demanding so much from me. ------------------------ @zekie you can do payment plans on newegg.ca, you just need a verified decent credit score, which is probably the same as Dell's procedure. Not sure about ncix but probably also.
I dont have a pref between intel and AMD but would like the best at the time.. I personaly have no idea what am3 is.
I would get the Phenom II X4 955 BE + mobo above instead of the Core i3-540.
edit: AM3 is the CPU socket type that all modern AMD processors use. The good thing is that AMD's new processors next year are supposed to be using the same socket, so you could later upgrade your CPU to one of those without replacing the motherboard.
The i3-540 is enough for high/ultra, as is the Phenom II X4 955. The former is a dual core and the latter is a quad core. The extra cores are going to be more useful for the future when more applications are better threaded. The best CPU right now is around 1000 CAD, but that's obviously out of budget and wouldn't make a difference playing games with a reasonable GPU setup.
With the extra 100 CAD or so left in budget, looking at R04R's build as reference, you should definitely upgrade the GTX 460 to the 1 GB version, such as this. More VRAM is useful for higher resolutions and multiple monitors. Actually, I don't know whose GTX 460 is best, but that one has decent reviews. Also, you can get a better case with better ventilation and features like this CM 690.
On August 21 2010 14:16 Myrmidon wrote: I would get the Phenom II X4 955 BE + mobo above instead of the Core i3-540.
edit: AM3 is the CPU socket type that all modern AMD processors use. The good thing is that AMD's new processors next year are supposed to be using the same socket, so you could later upgrade your CPU to one of those without replacing the motherboard.
The i3-540 is enough for high/ultra, as is the Phenom II X4 955. The former is a dual core and the latter is a quad core. The extra cores are going to be more useful for the future when more applications are better threaded. The best CPU right now is around 1000 CAD, but that's obviously out of budget and wouldn't make a difference playing games with a reasonable GPU setup.
With the extra 100 CAD or so left in budget, looking at R04R's build as reference, you should definitely upgrade the GTX 460 to the 1 GB version, such as this. More VRAM is useful for higher resolutions and multiple monitors. Actually, I don't know whose GTX 460 is best, but that one has decent reviews. Also, you can get a better case with better ventilation and features like this CM 690.
what about compared to the i5 - 750 as that is interesting to me too. I do want some logevity. My average cycle of upgrading is 2 years.
Clock for clock, core for core, Intel beats AMD. AMD competes by being more affordable. Here is a pretty useful benchmark.
I think AM3 will at least outlast 1156. 1366 has a slightly better upgrade path because in the future you can probably upgrade to a hexcore when prices fall, whereas with 1156 your only option is the i7-8xx series, which is basically the i5-7xx series except with hyperthreading. Of course 1366 is outside of your budget, but since the i5-750/760 are good enough to last quite a few years, it really doesn't matter that much either way.
Yes, if you want to spend more, i5-750/760 is good too. The improvement in most games is generally very marginal though. 2 years upgrade cycle is fairly short, so any of the processors will be fine for that time span.
Reiterating the above and nineninja9, if you get the i3-540 or i5-7xx, there won't be really anything to upgrade to in 2 years without having to replace the motherboard too. If you go with AMD now, you may well not have to get a new mobo when you upgrade later on.
On August 21 2010 15:00 Myrmidon wrote: Yes, if you want to spend more, i5-750/760 is good too. The improvement in most games is generally very marginal though. 2 years upgrade cycle is fairly short, so any of the processors will be fine for that time span.
Reiterating the above and nineninja9, if you get the i3-540 or i5-7xx, there won't be really anything to upgrade to in 2 years without having to replace the motherboard too. If you go with AMD now, you may well not have to get a new mobo when you upgrade later on.
Thats the thing which is the better decision, what if I went with a i7 instead of the i5 it would drive my price up but be better in the long run?
Being the computer noob I am, I'm asking all you tech wizards to help guide my cousin to upgrading her 2007 computer. The info she has sent me is that she has an Athlon 64 and she has 1.5 gigs or ram. She wants to upgrade that 512 stick with a 1gb DDR400 to make it 2 gigs. But she doesn't like the price for her gain. She is wondering if it is better to change her ram to DDR2 ram instead because it's cheaper to buy 4 gigs of ram and stick it into her 2 slots than to buy the DDR400 ram and only get 2 gigs out of it. I don't know jack about ram except more is better, so I don't know what to tell her. What do you guys think?
T_T 1 Post accounts demanding so much from me. ------------------------ @zekie you can do payment plans on newegg.ca, you just need a verified decent credit score, which is probably the same as Dell's procedure. Not sure about ncix but probably also.
Would this build be around the same as the one posted above? I live in Canada and would spend less on shipping if i use www.ncix.com so I tried to get the same parts since I don't know if getting a cheaper brand would make it incompatible.
If I were to just play sc 2 in 1600X1200 resolution, would a cheaper graphics card like Radeon HD 5770 be more cost effective, i.e. able to play it in ultra with over 60 FPS?
Also, I've read that i3 540s are great to overclock. Would an overclocked i3-540 be better than a Phenom II X4 955 BE in terms of gaming? If I did overclock, would I need to buy a cooling fan?
On August 21 2010 15:25 Hyde wrote: Being the computer noob I am, I'm asking all you tech wizards to help guide my cousin to upgrading her 2007 computer. The info she has sent me is that she has an Athlon 64 and she has 1.5 gigs or ram. She wants to upgrade that 512 stick with a 1gb DDR400 to make it 2 gigs. But she doesn't like the price for her gain. She is wondering if it is better to change her ram to DDR2 ram instead because it's cheaper to buy 4 gigs of ram and stick it into her 2 slots than to buy the DDR400 ram and only get 2 gigs out of it. I don't know jack about ram except more is better, so I don't know what to tell her. What do you guys think?
Generally speaking, when you change your RAM type, you are looking at changing the motherboard as well.
Changing to DDR2 is not recommended as DDR3 ram and motherboard have reached price parity versus DDR2.
So, let me summarize this, tell her she will be better off upgrading the RAM + MOTHERBOARD + CPU.
I upgraded mine for less than $400 dollars, I'm sure you can do better than that.
For Australians, you should refer to forums.whirlpool.net.au for information on shops and pricing. use www.staticice.com for pricing check.
Also if anyone can look on this website http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php and see which products would be better to buy in a build, as its local pick up id save alot on shipping.
Specifically a case as those are rather large. but pretty much anything i can get non shipped. I belive the combo of processor / mobo would be better to get online compared to the store.
but if the parts are cheaper online with shipping in mind ill go that route.
Using the previous build posted, Im at about 850ish withought tax / shipping.
Ordering from NXIC or Newegg.ca anyone know what there is about paying taxes? and its shipped from canada or from the states and i get hit with duties?
EPT
