Computer Build Resource Thread - Page 724

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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.

skyR

Canada13817 Posts

November 12 2011 19:06 GMT

#14461

On November 13 2011 03:48 Pseudoku wrote:+ Show Spoiler +

Hi TL,

I'm looking at building a desktop computer (bare minimum should support 1080p and have HDMI or DVI capability).
Please let me know if I'm missing something crucial or if you have recommendations.
Note: I don't need to purchase an OS

The only retailers I will buy from in person are:
-NCIX Canada (http://www.ncix.ca) [First Markham Place location]
-Canada Computers (http://www.canadacomputers.com) [Richmond Hill or Waterloo location - preferably Richmond Hill]
-Future Shop (http://www.futureshop.ca)
-Best Buy (http://www.bestbuy.ca)

I also do not wish to have parts shipped (unless free and reliable).
I am uncertain about power supplies and cases, but I'd like to build around the motherboard and CPU.
I will get fans or a power supply depending on the case I select (preferable if power supply is included with the case).
I am also in favour of companies that sponsor e-sports.

Note: All prices are in Canadian Dollars.
Build:

Case (one of):
- BitFenix Merc Alpha Black Mid ATX (BFC-MRC-100-KKX1-RP) ($42.99 - $3 discount = $39.99) [not sure if this case includes PSU]
- Logisys CS301BK Black ATX Tower Case 4X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5IN W/ 480W 80MM Fan Front 4XUSB Audio ($42.98)
- Cooler Master TC-101 Mid ATX w/500W PSU Black (TC-101-KKN1) ($41.99)
- iCAN A-200D Mid Tower Case with 450W Power Supply ($39.99)
- Thermaltake V4 Black Edition Mid Tower Case (VM30001W2Z) ($44.99)
- Cooler Master Elite 371 Black Mid Tower Case (RC-371-KKN1) ($44.99)
- Antec Two Hundred V2 Mid Tower Gaming Case ($49.88)
- Antec Three Hundred AB (ALL BLACK) Gaming Series ATX Case 3/0/(6) 2xUSB Audio (No PSU) ($69.99)

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3-B3 Socket 1155 Intel Z68 Chipset Dual-Channel DDR3 2133/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz 2x PCI-Express GLAN 7.1-CH HD Audio 2x SATA 6.0Gb/s 4x SATA 3.0Gb/s 10xUSB 2.0 2xUSB 3.0 ATX ($89.99 - $10 = $79.99)

CPU (one of):
- Intel Core i5-2300 Quad-Core Socket LGA1155, 2.80Ghz, 6MB L3 Cache, 32nm (Retail Boxed) (BX80623I52300) ($199.99 - $10 discount = $184.99)
- Intel Core i3-2120 Dual-Core Socket LGA1155, 3.30Ghz, 3MB L3 Cache, 32nm (Retail Boxed) (BX80623I32120) ($139.99)

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar Blue (WD5000AAKX) 500GB SATA3 6GB/s 7200RPM 16MB Buffer (OEM) ($99.99)

RAM (one of):
-Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333MHz CL9 DIMMs (996770) ($44.99 - $5 = $39.99)
-G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1333MHz (PC3-10666) 8GB (2x4GB) Dual Channel Kit (F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL) ($49.99)

DVD Drive:
LG GH22NS70 Super Multi 22X SATA DVD Writer Black OEM ($24.99 - $4 discount = $17.99)

Video Card (one of):
Zotac GeForce GTS 250 675MHZ 1GB 2.0GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E DVI VGA HDMI Video Card ($130.98 - $60.99 IR - $30 MIR = $39.99)
Zotac GeForce GT 520 1GB DDR3 PCI-E Video Card ($89.99 - $45 discount = $44.99)

Approximate total: $457.93 (cheapest of my current choices) to $547.93 (plus tax [13% HST] = $517.46 to $619.16)
Might cost more for additional PSU or fans depending on case.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S. I am also looking at the BenQ XL2410T 23.6IN Widescreen 120HZ LCD Monitor LED 1920X1080 2MS DVI HDMI HAS Pivot 3D Vision ($369.99 - $70 = $299.99) for another higher-end computer in the future. Should I purchase it now or wait? At the moment I will not be using the 3D features, but I am interested in 120Hz monitors.

You generally do not want a case that includes a power supply. All the ones you listed (iCan, Logisys, Coolermaster) all are bundled with shit power supplies. A Seasonic SS-350ET for $25: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=30144&promoid=1282 is a very good choice atm for entry level computers. If it's a gaming computer and you'll be getting a graphics card that requires a PCIe connector than the Corsair CX430 V2 for $35 would be a good choice: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=60345&promoid=1282

It seems like you're factoring in money you don't have...? I'm not sure if you're aware of what a mail in rebate is or not. A mail in rebate is where you fill out a form and send it in with a proof of purchase in order to get a cheque or prepaid credit card in the mail months later.

You're not overclocking so you do not need a Z68 motherboard. A H61 or H67 motherboard is fine.

You can get a DVD burner for $16: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=45667&promoid=1282

You didn't actually say what you're going to be doing with the computer... a GTS 250 or a GT 520 is simply not going to provide a smooth gaming experience even on low settings, for the majority of titles.

It's not a smart decision to spend money on 2x4gb of memory instead of the power supply and graphics card when you're on such a tight budget.

Again, when you're on such a tight budget. It's generally not a good idea to pay an extra $20 for 200MHz. The core i3 2100 can be pricematched to $115: http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD7933 Do you even need the hyperthreading provided by the i3? Probably not so you could just get a Pentium G860 for $98, pricematching with: http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=1220120038Q

There's also no difference between the Mushkin 2x4gb and GSkill 2x4gb besides the company, ICs, and heatspreader - all of which aren't important to most people. And it isn't advised to spend $10 more on a company that sponsers esports when you have such a tight budget.

Shikyo

Finland33997 Posts

November 12 2011 19:12 GMT

#14462

Yep, Noctua products are overpriced for the performance but they have the best support and they're also extremely high quality- and low noise-based. With noctua you kind of know that you're going to be getting a high quality product(but paying too much for it)

Also SkyR, I think you're getting GTS 250 mixed with something else. GTS 250 is perfectly fine for pretty much any current game if your plan is to play on the low graphics settings.

turdburgler

England6749 Posts

November 12 2011 19:39 GMT

#14463

my friend is building a pc in the £700 range but i dont know enough to give him decent advice so i thought id ask here if anyone can see anything obviously wrong with this build.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-128-MS
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-360-IN
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-343-GI
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-075-OC
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-299-CS
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-035-OP
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-229-CM
he isnt replacing his hard drive atm

he probably wont be ordering from this site as its a bit overpriced but if anyone could point out any glaring flaws would be appreciated

ty

Hallon

64 Posts

November 12 2011 19:45 GMT

#14464

Komplett is not a maybe, if you're ok with the delivery cost, they're just fine. Major store in Sweden and Norway, so should be fine in whatever other markets they're active on.

Pseudoku

Canada1279 Posts

November 12 2011 19:45 GMT

#14465

Thanks skyR,
Currently I am only planning to watch 1080p streams and have the potential to play SC2 on it, but may have more plans in the future. I actually have enough money to purchase all the parts and then send the mail-in rebate. I'm not on a tight budget, but I didn't want to build a higher-end computer on my first time. Currently I'm planning to connect the computer to a TV with HDMI or DVI.

I would like to have the possibility to upgrade the computer easily in the future. I might also swap out the memory into my next computer later.

I actually prefer to buy the parts in person at one of the locations (I don't want to ship back any items).

I've got a laptop with a ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 and that is fine for SC2, so I thought the GTS 250 would be enough.
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/video_lookup.php?gpu=GeForce GTS 250 gives the GTS 250 1073 marks and the Radeon HD 4650 522 marks.

I was looking at the Z68 motherboard because I am intending to upgrade a lot of the parts over time and a lot of the H61 boards I saw don't support SATA3 and the cheapest H67 for 1155 I saw on Canada Computers matched the price of the Z68.

The Corsair Builder Series CMPSU-430CXV2 430W ATX Power Supply that you suggest is actually $51.82 CAD so I didn't see it.

Hallon

64 Posts

November 12 2011 19:48 GMT

#14466

On November 13 2011 04:39 turdburgler wrote:
my friend is building a pc in the £700 range but i dont know enough to give him decent advice so i thought id ask here if anyone can see anything obviously wrong with this build.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-128-MS
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-360-IN
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-343-GI
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-075-OC
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-299-CS
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-035-OP
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-229-CM
he isnt replacing his hard drive atm

he probably wont be ordering from this site as its a bit overpriced but if anyone could point out any glaring flaws would be appreciated

ty

I'm not a fan of the motherboard and power supply. The motherboard is probably fine, but go for another power supply. Any from Corsair should be fine.

Shikyo

Finland33997 Posts

November 12 2011 19:49 GMT

#14467

GTS 250 is more than enough as I said, I have 4850 512MB which is weaker than GTS 250 and I'm playing stuff like SC2 on high, Anno 1404 on high, Metro 2033 on low, Just Cause 2 on medium settings, etc. That's such an awesome price as well.

There's that one asrock H61 mobo that supports USB 3.0 and SATA3, should be around 75$.

Also I agree that Logisys case + PSU combos aren't something that you should be buying but something like a Chieftec combo should be all right. You don't have too huge power requirements anyway for that system.

Pseudoku

Canada1279 Posts

November 12 2011 20:09 GMT

#14468

How about these power supplies and cases?

OCZ FATAL1TY 550W ATX12V 20/24PIN Active PFC ATX Modular Power Supply 120MM Fan 80PLUS Black ($34.99)
OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Power Supply (OCZ600MXSP) ($49.99)
OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Power Supply (OCZ500MXSP) ($44.99)
OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Power Supply (OCZ700MXSP) ($54.99)

Azza Orion 202EVO Black ATX Mid Tower 4X5.25 1X3.5 4X2.5/3.5INT 80/120MM Red LED Fans Window No PSU ($29.99)
Azza Triton 401 ATX Mid Tower Case 4X5.25 1X3.5 4X2.5/3.5INT 120MM Blue LED Fans Window No PSU Black ($29.99)
Azza Helios 910 Black ATX Mid Tower Case 9X5.25 1X3.5 4X3.5INT 230MM Blue LED Fans & Window No PSU ($49.99)
Azza Spartan 102E ATX Mid Tower Case 4X5.25 1X3.5 4X3.5INT 120MM Blue LED Fans Window No PSU Black ($44.99)
Apex SK-393-C Mid Tower ATX Case Black 4X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT 4 X Front USB 2 X Front Audio No PSU ($24.99)
Azza Orion 201 BLACK/SILVER ATX Mid Tower Case 4X5.25 2X3.5 5X3.5INT 120MM LED Fans Window No PSU ($24.99)

I'm pretty sure I won't need a 700W PSU any time soon though.

skyR

Canada13817 Posts

November 12 2011 20:14 GMT

#14469

On November 13 2011 04:45 Pseudoku wrote:+ Show Spoiler +

That's fine than if all you want to do is Starcraft II and watch streams. I probably shouldn't have used the word most, the GTS 250 struggles in certain titles at 1080p (BF3 comes to mind), even on low.

You wouldn't need hyperthreading so you would get a Pentium G860 in this case.

If you want to deal with mail in rebates than the Z68 isn't a bad choice.

On November 13 2011 05:09 Pseudoku wrote:+ Show Spoiler +

OCZ power supplies are okay. If you want to deal with mail in rebates, the XFX Core Edition 450 is probably the best option for $53, $33 after mail in rebate: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=63238 , pricematch with http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950AC3542

Invictus212

United Kingdom78 Posts

November 12 2011 21:32 GMT

#14470

Does anyone have any input over the Network Interface Card? I would like to minimize internet lag for both gaming and trading financial instruments (it's very important for the latter as well). I spoke to a friend about this after class several days ago, and I was instructed to get two network cards. I don't understand why.

I'm also wondering if I strive to have as many wired connections as possible. Based on my research, it seems to be more stable and has the option to deliver higher speeds. With too many devices using Wi-Fi, than can clog up my internet speed, correct?

As of right now, I'm leaning forward the wired connections due to the aforementioned benefits -- correct me if I am wrong please. That being said, what network card would be best? Wire management shouldn't be tricky since I'll have the router in the same room with my future desktop.

TL;DR

Internet speeds depend on my Internet/Cable provider. But can a network card enhance speeds? Would switching from Wi-Fi to wired help enhance speeds?

If yes, what card would you recommend?

Myrmidon

United States9452 Posts

November 12 2011 21:47 GMT

#14471

Two network cards for one computer? This is not useful unless you're passing in traffic through one and processing it, to send over the other, or have some other type of router or server functionality in mind.

Some network cards will have better performance because of better drivers and hardware processing, but don't expect more than a couple/few milliseconds difference, most probably unnoticeable.

Wired connections are better because of higher speeds allowed and less complications with all different possible types of interference (be it from other network traffic or not). In reasonably ideal circumstances, like if there's interference from cordless phones in the same band or similar devices, and if you live in a house and not an apartment complex (with many neighbors also using their own wireless), then wireless will generally be just as good.

Your outbound/inbound speeds are going to be limited by what you can get from your ISP and not what you use to connect your computer to your router, almost all of the time. Exceptions are if you're getting above 20 Mbps and are using 802.11g.

GloryOfAiur

United States127 Posts

November 12 2011 21:55 GMT

#14472

Quick question, is your CPU fan supposed to point towards the exhaust fan (back of your case) or towards the optical drive (front). I am assuming towards the exhaust fan, just that Jingle's pic looked like it was pointing the other direction.
EDIT: Xigmatek Gaia

skyR

Canada13817 Posts

November 12 2011 21:57 GMT

#14473

It's suppose to point towards your optical drive. Pulling air from the front of the case and pushing it out towards the back.

GloryOfAiur

United States127 Posts

November 12 2011 22:11 GMT

#14474

On November 13 2011 06:57 skyR wrote:
It's suppose to point towards your optical drive. Pulling air from the front of the case and pushing it out towards the back.

OOOOH, THANKS SO MUCH! been like this for 4 months T.T

Myrmidon

United States9452 Posts

November 12 2011 22:18 GMT

#14475

That's unless the fan itself is pointed the wrong direction (flipped around). Possibly you had the fan mounted towards the back of the case but intaking air from the heatsink rather than pushing air into the heatsink? That's not optimal but is not that bad. What you don't want is fans close to each other, directing air in opposite directions.

As mentioned, in almost every case (JingleHell's Lanboy Air is definitely an exception to the norm in a lot of ways btw) you want air from the front being pushed by the heatsink fan into the heatsink, towards the exhaust fan at the back of the case.

Womwomwom

5930 Posts

November 12 2011 22:46 GMT

#14476

On November 13 2011 04:12 Shikyo wrote:
Yep, Noctua products are overpriced for the performance but they have the best support and they're also extremely high quality- and low noise-based. With noctua you kind of know that you're going to be getting a high quality product(but paying too much for it)

That's somewhat debatable. If you can get a Noctua U12P for $60, I'd say go for it. It comes with a huge tube of thermal compound (like 10 mounts), a ton of 3 pin adapter accessories, two high end fans instead of the normal average quality one, a really nice screwdriver, and instructions that are so clear that even a child could install the cooler properly.

For the price you pay, you definitely get a cooler that mounts perfectly every time.

Invictus212

United Kingdom78 Posts

November 12 2011 22:53 GMT

#14477

On November 13 2011 06:47 Myrmidon wrote:
Two network cards for one computer? This is not useful unless you're passing in traffic through one and processing it, to send over the other, or have some other type of router or server functionality in mind.

What would the effects be on the computer with this kind of setup with respect to Internet connectivity/performance?

I found the following bit of text on another website, while googling for more information on the dual NIC setup.

You dont indicate why you are installing multiple network cards. If you are trying to get more speed of bandwidth over the network card, one thing to try is to get a faster switch between your computer and the one that you are trying to talk to.

I don't understand what a switch is, but is this relevant information? Would getting this switch be crucial in improving online performance (multiplayer gaming and in general)?

Shikyo

Finland33997 Posts

November 12 2011 23:05 GMT

#14478

On November 13 2011 07:46 Womwomwom wrote:

Show nested quote +

U12P is around 54€ in europe and considering that Thermalright Silver Arrow is 50€ and Venomous X is 47€, it's just not worth it in my opinion.

Isaac

United States810 Posts

November 12 2011 23:20 GMT

#14479

hello, i think i need a new graphics card and i think im getting one for Christmas.
my computer is a acer aspire x1300 model. its kind of got a skinny box, which i think (but am not sure) means i need a low profile graphics card. currently i have a nvidia geforce 8200 integrated(some reason it says its 9200 on my software).
I guess i want to spend like 150$ or less. im not sure o.o

I want to say I have a PCI Express port on my motherboard.
ive done some researching and I think there are some models that are available, but I don't know how to check if my system is compatible with those.
I think my current graphics card is on the low end of the spectrum in terms of quality.
thanks, btw what website is best to shop for these kind of things.

looking around, it seems like asus is a good manufacturer.

my system specs are:
4gb ram
amd phenom x4 quad core processor
640GB

thanks!!!

edit: i dont really understand watts and graphics cards, and i thnk this is because i got a stupid integrated one.

Shikyo

Finland33997 Posts

November 12 2011 23:23 GMT

#14480

open the case and check your power supply please(most importantly combined wattage / amperage on the 12V rail)

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