First time building a new desktop computer.

M

Michael199x

New Member
I'm looking to upgrade from a HP m9040n, to something far more reliable; The graphics card in this thing is so horrible that it overheats even when no games or graphics intensive applications are running on it. (NOTE: Card is Nvidia 8400GS)

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions from anyone experienced in building desktop computers for the following purposes:

1. Must be able to handle graphics-intensive applications (Such as gaming). Does not to be the -very- best, but I would prefer top-tier of some sort, and preferably from Nvidia.

2. An emphasis on speed, utilizing parts such as SSD.

3. Quality and durability.


Money is no issue here, unless the price is completely outlandish (Ex: "Heres a $40,000 supercomputer!!"). Though, within reason, I'd like to stay below $2,500 for sure, and more reasonably below $1,999. But I want something that will last (I've had this particular desktop, the m9040n, since 2007), handle gaming, be very quick, and not fall apart on me and overheat; And I'm willing to pay for it so long as I'm getting my money's worth.

Again, new to building. Apologize if some of my questions/requests are a bit odd sounding or vague.

I already have a standalone copy of Windows 7 Professional, so no OS is needed.
 
2500 bucks is certainly very doable, you'll get a very high end machine for that money.

I would spec you a build but I'm a little busy at the moment, I'm sure somebody else will give you a hand. :) We're all pretty experienced around here.
 
Michael199x said:
I'm looking to upgrade from a HP m9040n, to something far more reliable; The graphics card in this thing is so horrible that it overheats even when no games or graphics intensive applications are running on it. (NOTE: Card is Nvidia 8400GS)

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions from anyone experienced in building desktop computers for the following purposes:

1. Must be able to handle graphics-intensive applications (Such as gaming). Does not to be the -very- best, but I would prefer top-tier of some sort, and preferably from Nvidia.

2. An emphasis on speed, utilizing parts such as SSD.

3. Quality and durability.


Money is no issue here, unless the price is completely outlandish (Ex: "Heres a $40,000 supercomputer!!"). Though, within reason, I'd like to stay below $2,500 for sure, and more reasonably below $1,999. But I want something that will last (I've had this particular desktop, the m9040n, since 2007), handle gaming, be very quick, and not fall apart on me and overheat; And I'm willing to pay for it so long as I'm getting my money's worth.

Again, new to building. Apologize if some of my questions/requests are a bit odd sounding or vague.

I already have a standalone copy of Windows 7 Professional, so no OS is needed.
Click to expand...

where do you live, so I can see on an online shop that has a shop near you.
I'll see for you tomorrow because it's late here in belgium :P
 
Here's a rig I threw together, you'll get more builds as people see your thread.

MoBo- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188120

CPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

GPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130798

RAM- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233254

DVD/CD/BluRay- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136250

PSU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139029

HSF- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017

HDD- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

SSD- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233211

Case- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139006

Total=$2,148.90 This is just one build out of many possible builds that you will get, GL!
 
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Here is a non CF/SLI build.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($102.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($94.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1235.44
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-12 00:55 EDT-0400)

It is more than you will need for 1080p gaming. No need to spend more than the parts in this list.
 
Azeem's build looks OK but I'd recommend getting a better board - Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H or GA-Z77X-UD3H, that ASRock board is pretty low-end and if you're going to spending that kind of money you don't want to cheap out on anything.

I'd recommend changing the RAM to something like G.Skill RipJaws-X or Corsair Vengeance, or maybe Kingston Hyper-X.

550W for a GTX 670 isn't a great idea to be honest, get a 600 or 650W unit becuase then you'll have far more headroom for upgrading. Corsair TX 650, that would be a great unit for a 670, or even a Corsair CX 600 would work.

Rest looks fine.
 
A few questions.. (PS: I've read many of the guides throughout the sections here; Just getting some clarification)

1. Will nVidia graphics cards mix with AMD/ATI processors?

2. Do I need a great cooling setup? How do I go about it? [Please note, my graphics card has been overheating quite a bit and is now routinely failing on me. Do not want this situation ever again. System refuses to boot, sounds two short beeps followed by one long beep]

3. How do I perform the proper calculations to determine what my PSU should be? (How much wattage, amperage, etc needed)

4. I've read that Intel is for work and multitasking, while AMD is for gaming. If I get an AMD processor, will performance in multitasking and efficiency for non-gaming purposes take a hit?

5. Install the OS on an SSD, use HDD for storage. Is this correct?

6. What is SLI needed for? Is it worth the money/does it provide great value for all that extra cash?

7. Noob question here, but I'll ask anyway; Are 32-bit applications going to have any trouble whatsoever running in a 64-bit environment? (32-bit Windows 7 compatible apps running on 64-bit Windows 7)
 
Azeem's build looks OK but I'd recommend getting a better board - Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H or GA-Z77X-UD3H, that ASRock board is pretty low-end and if you're going to spending that kind of money you don't want to cheap out on anything.
Click to expand...

Why get a board that CF/SLIs when a GTX 670 is already powerful enough to max most games?

I'd recommend changing the RAM to something like G.Skill RipJaws-X or Corsair Vengeance, or maybe Kingston Hyper-X.
Click to expand...

Why would you change the RAM? What is wrong with the Crucial kit?

550W for a GTX 670 isn't a great idea to be honest, get a 600 or 650W unit becuase then you'll have far more headroom for upgrading. Corsair TX 650, that would be a great unit for a 670, or even a Corsair CX 600 would work.
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http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1339825843iGh88o8atj_9_1.gif
On the most demanding game, it uses 442W in multiplayer. I think 550W is plenty. The test system was http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1339825843iGh88o8atj_2_1.gif and the card's settings were http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1339825843iGh88o8atj_2_2.gif
 
azeem40 said:
Why get a board that CF/SLIs when a GTX 670 is already powerful enough to max most games?



Why would you change the RAM? What is wrong with the Crucial kit?



http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1339825843iGh88o8atj_9_1.gif
On the most demanding game, it uses 442W in multiplayer. I think 550W is plenty. The test system was http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1339825843iGh88o8atj_2_1.gif and the card's settings were http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1339825843iGh88o8atj_2_2.gif
Click to expand...

Yes, you are right, a 550w PSU will power the rig fine, but, it will leave no head-room for expansion or OC'ing.
 
azeem40 said:
Why get a board that CF/SLIs when a GTX 670 is already powerful enough to max most games?
Click to expand...
Honestly if you're spending this much on a PC like this why not get a good board? You want a good board for overclocking and such too just in case you decide to overclock in the future and SLI is also an option for the future. A single 670 may be fine now, but in several years time it may not be, and it's always nice to have the option to CF or SLI because if you ever sell the machine you'll get more for it with a decent board. Something to think about.

Why would you change the RAM? What is wrong with the Crucial kit?
Click to expand...
I just prefer G.Skill's, Corsair's and Kingston's RAM, never liked Crucial all that much.

http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1339825843iGh88o8atj_9_1.gif
On the most demanding game, it uses 442W in multiplayer. I think 550W is plenty. The test system was http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1339825843iGh88o8atj_2_1.gif and the card's settings were http://www.hardocp.com/images/articles/1339825843iGh88o8atj_2_2.gif
Click to expand...
Yeah sure it will power it, just not with much headroom, hence why I'd go for a 600W+ PSU now so if he ever upgrades in the future he doesn't have to spend more on a better PSU.

And it all comes back to the fact that he's got the money, why not spend it now and get good stuff rather than cheap out and end up spending more later on.
 
spirit said:
Honestly if you're spending this much on a PC like this why not get a good board? You want a good board for overclocking and such too just in case you decide to overclock in the future and SLI is also an option for the future. A single 670 may be fine now, but in several years time it may not be, and it's always nice to have the option to CF or SLI because if you ever sell the machine you'll get more for it with a decent board. Something to think about.


I just prefer G.Skill's, Corsair's and Kingston's RAM, never liked Crucial all that much.


Yeah sure it will power it, just not with much headroom, hence why I'd go for a 600W+ PSU now so if he ever upgrades in the future he doesn't have to spend more on a better PSU.

And it all comes back to the fact that he's got the money, why not spend it now and get good stuff rather than cheap out and end up spending more later on.
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Nothing about my build is cheaping out. Btw, that was with a CPU that uses a lot more power than an i5-3570k. I get the feeling you didn't look at the image. :/
 
Your motherboard choice is definitely cheaping out.

I'm not saying what you have specced is "wrong" or "bad", it's just I would go for a more powerful PSU myself if it were me - and I'd get a better board, just my opinion.
 
azeem40 said:
I am lost for words tbh. I will just leave it to you all because my advice isn't good enough apparently.
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For goodness sake look at the post I wrote after you had put your build up - I said it was all fine bar those few things. If it were me I would just change those few things, otherwise I would have come up with a pretty similar build.
 
Sorry, I am just in a bad mood today. Tire went flat, got yelled at for not knowing how to change a tire (never done it before), lost my sister's wallet (it is attached to the car keys)..
 
azeem40 said:
Sorry, I am just in a bad mood today. Tire went flat, got yelled at for not knowing how to change a tire (never done it before), lost my sister's wallet (it is attached to the car keys)..
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It's ok don't worry. We all have our days.
 
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