computer advice

A

Alex of the West

New Member
I am looking to build my first computer and I need some help with what kind of parts to go with. my priorities might be slightly different than what some people look for.

Budget:1k max. (including OS)

highest priority:durability. I don't mean that the computer needs to survive hammer hits, but I don't want any overheating or melting problems whatsoever. I live in a hot climate so this is important. I don't want to replace parts every year.

Second biggest priority: being able to run a main task very well. multitasking doesn't particularly interest me, nor does the strangeness of having more than 1 monitor at time. I want a computer that can play almost all games out there, max video settings don't interest me, but i want the game to run efficiently and well. i am a gamer with a major bias of super fast (no lag) over pretty and colorful. i don't really know if different video cards are better at the two different functions.

third: I want it to run nice clean and fast. the the ability to upgrade ram later if needed is important to me.


-I live in Southern California
-I need it for standard computer use +gaming, but super graphics arnt my highest concern, speed is.
-Ill buy from any reputable dealer, that has user reviews
-i dont need a keyboard/mouse/speakers. most likely wont need a moniter. i WILL need an o.s.for this.




few questions i have:
-do all the wires come included when you by a case or motherboard?
-which is better amd or intel for MY needs? from what im hearing amd sounds like the better deal.
-antistatic wrist strap,is it neccisary, where do i get one?
 
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^ pfft, don't listen to that. that's a spammer. (see the links in his signature. don't click on them.) An AMD rig will suit your budget but you could go with intel. Anti static wirst strap isnt necessary, but when you build a computer you shouldn't do it on carpet or fabric.

Also, make sure you touch an unpainted part of the case before you touch any components.

Here's a build:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...727&cm_re=phenom_ii_x4-_-19-103-727-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_re=am3_motherboard-_-13-128-419-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9196&cm_re=storm_scout-_-11-119-196-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0145263&cm_re=4gb_ddr3-_-20-145-263-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...n_digital_caviar_black-_-22-136-320-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=thermaltake_700w-_-17-153-082-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...amsung_sata_dvd_burner-_-27-151-188-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ome_premium_oem_64_bit-_-32-116-754-_-Product

total cost before rebates/ shipping: $896.91

And how to build it:

http://www.computerforum.com/104641-how-build-computer-step-step-photos.html

If you're worried about heat, keep the computer out of sunlight (away from a window) and if you have aircon, keep it near there. a regular housefan can also help with airflow.

You have a monitor, keyboard and mouse?
 
 
Be sure to be properly grounded before working on your computer. Plug your power supply in, turn it on, and put it into your case and do what Linkin said.
 
@linkin
-thanks so much for the quick reply! I really appreciate the advice because I havnt built my own computer yet but I think its time. That amd you suggest looks like a beast! i am strongly leaning towards getting an amd over an intel, they just seem to have so much bang for the buck. one thing i noticed, you didnt include a video card? what would you go with?

Also,thanks for the tips daism, the turbo mode on that intel looks very interesting! i see you suggested an aditional cooling system, from what i read about both the cpus you 2 suggested, they say get an additonal cooling system if you ever overclock.doesnt look like you forgot anything!


you both suggested similar kinds of ram,cases,cdroms,and harddrives.

but you suggested Very different power supplies, why is this? do amds require more watts?
p.s. those combo deals look very efficient, how do they work, how do you find those?
 
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Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz costs 195

the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz costs 180

the two processors are very close in price. heres what i know:
-most people seem to prefer intel over amd
-the amd is slightly cheaper and has higher ghz which as far as i know is the speed.
-people are saying this is the top amd.

-you say the i5 is stronger, can you elaborate? are they better at different functions or is one just better than the other?
 
Overheating is only ever a problem when something isnt running the way its suppose to:
-too much dust inside the comp
-poor contact between the cpu/gpu and their heatsinks, with inadequate thermal paste on the heatsinks
-cpu/gpu clogged with dust or not spinning up fast enough when the temps rise
-too much overclocking

Choosing between fast single tasking or slower multitasking isnt much of an issue anymore since all newer processors are multicore and handle both types of tasking well.

Starting with 4gb ram is plenty for now and all newer motherboards can support atleast 6 or 8 for future upgrade. Nice graphics may not be a big deal to you but with $1k you'd be stupid to not get a nicer video card since you'll be able to run a nice game at the same frames per second that a lower card could run at lower graphics settings.
 
@Konsole

having relied on storebought pc's for the most part an their integrated onboard pos video systems, my knowledge of what to look for in a 'good' video card is lacking. from what ive read the general rule is make sure its express 2.0 but aside from that, i need a few tips.

if its possible, suggest a few good ones at varying prices so i can get an idea of what to look for.
 
ATi Radeon HD 4770 is a pretty entry-level gaming card, the 4850 and Nvidia GTS 250 are very decent, the 4870 and 5770 can max out a lot of games, the 4890 would pretty much destroy any game.
 
Stoic Sentinel said:
ATi Radeon HD 4770 is a pretty entry-level gaming card, the 4850 and Nvidia GTS 250 are very decent, the 4870 and 5770 can max out a lot of games, the 4890 would pretty much destroy any game.
Click to expand...

from what i am reading, a lot of the 5770's have major glitches. about a third of the reviews have had people with flashing pink lines.

for some 4770's they say it doesnt support dx11 like 5770 does and they tend to get too hot.

need some advice :(

also! one more question, i heard that its better to go with ATI if you use AMD and NVIDIA if you use Intel, is that true?



on an unrelated note, it seems a lot of people are distatisfied with their cases. i am not sure what to go with on that either. does it really matter or are they all about the same on fans / cooling // room to put stuff ?
 
Alex of the West said:
also! one more question, i heard that its better to go with ATI if you use AMD and NVIDIA if you use Intel, is that true?

on an unrelated note, it seems a lot of people are distatisfied with their cases. i am not sure what to go with on that either. does it really matter or are they all about the same on fans / cooling // room to put stuff ?
Click to expand...

1st - That is untrue... I've been a fan of AMD and NVIDIA for years and always use them in my computers

2nd - Since heat is an issue and you are worried about it. You could go a little 'over board' just for your mind's sake and get a slightly larger case w/ a few more fans. The biggest mistake I've seen people do with cases/fans is they have all the fans blowing in or all blowing out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

This is my case to my new build that is in progress, top fans blow out, bottom fans (with dust guards) blow in.
 
here is what i am looking at so far.

how much power do i need on the power supply?the ram seems to come with a lot of combo deals with power supplies.

i still need to pick a
1)videocard is 5770 the best deal? does nvidia make one or is that just the ati thing?
2)cd/dvd rom. dont need anything fancy, just needs to run fast. i dont even need a dvd burner, ill never use it.
3)hardrive doesnt need to be super large,i find that i need to format regularly to fix misc viruses and problems. but i do want it fast.
4)powersupply (?)

advice / opinions / suggestions are totally welcome :)
 
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how much power (watts) am i going to be needing with what i have so far, going with one of those 5770 video cards.
and is there a certain pin configuration or somthing i need to look for with compatability?
 
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Looks good, though if you want you can drop the CPU back to a 955 to save some money. You can get the same speed by upping the multiplier on it by 1(simple process), which will give it a very minor overclock. There's no risk of damaging it....Black Edition processors are made for that sort of thing.
 
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