Need a Build from $700-$900

[citizensmurf]

Well look at this build I just came up with:

CPU:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.php?PageTag=&page=file&memx_menu=EmbedProductDetail.php&DisplayProductID=10660&SID=220632

Motherboard:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index....ctDetail.php&DisplayProductID=8610&SID=220632

RAM:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index....ctDetail.php&DisplayProductID=8743&SID=220632

Video Card:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index....tDetail.php&DisplayProductID=10119&SID=220632

Case With Power Supply:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index....tDetail.php&DisplayProductID=10402&SID=220632

OS:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index....ctDetail.php&DisplayProductID=9699&SID=220632

Thermal Compound:
Artic Silver 3.5g $9.99

I also included Assembly for $40, so they assemble it and becasue of that I get a 1 year warranty.

Total came out to $912

Didnt include a hard drive as that would have brought it up too much, Can I use my current 160GB IDE hard drive, will my mobo support it?

Also do I need thermal compound? or does it come with it?

I just (as in last weekend) bought a system from Memory Express, and I can say that they are pretty competitive with prices, factoring in shipping costs from other places. Great service too. I put together a similar system to this one, except different motherboard:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/index....ProductDetail.php&DisplayProductID=10777&SID=

Don't know too much about the differences between motherboards, so maybe someone else can give the pros/cons between yours and mine. Mine was $40 cheaper, and I'm using the same CPU.

Different video card too, but I'm not a serious gamer. I think the last game I played to the end was Myst. Kept XP as well. Still setting it up (my first build) so I can't say how it's performing yet, but I'm was very happy with Memory Express. Prices, selection, service and location from my house (in Calgary) were all plus'. If they are building it, you shouldn't need to buy the thermal compound, they won't put a heatsink on w/o it.

 

[martyvice]

I just (as in last weekend) bought a system from Memory Express, and I can say that they are pretty competitive with prices, factoring in shipping costs from other places. Great service too. I put together a similar system to this one, except different motherboard:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/index....ProductDetail.php&DisplayProductID=10777&SID=

Don't know too much about the differences between motherboards, so maybe someone else can give the pros/cons between yours and mine. Mine was $40 cheaper, and I'm using the same CPU.

Different video card too, but I'm not a serious gamer. I think the last game I played to the end was Myst. Kept XP as well. Still setting it up (my first build) so I can't say how it's performing yet, but I'm was very happy with Memory Express. Prices, selection, service and location from my house (in Calgary) were all plus'. If they are building it, you shouldn't need to buy the thermal compound, they won't put a heatsink on w/o it.

Did you just walk in the store and pick and choose parts? or did you order it online and pick it up? Also did you get them to assemble the parts? The only reason I'm getting them to do it is because you get a year warranty if they do it.

I'm glad to talk to someone with firsthand experience.

Also, that is a very nice motherboard, It looks pretty much the same just cheaper. I'll probably use that if I decide to build one from memoryexoress.

 

[citizensmurf]

Did you just walk in the store and pick and choose parts? or did you order it online and pick it up? Also did you get them to assemble the parts? The only reason I'm getting them to do it is because you get a year warranty if they do it.

I'm glad to talk to someone with firsthand experience.

Also, that is a very nice motherboard, It looks pretty much the same just cheaper. I'll probably use that if I decide to build one from memoryexoress.

I researched using this forum and the 'Computer Specs' section, then tweaked it and ordered it online. I assembled it myself, and the only snafu was they changed CPU's on me since the original one I ordered wasn't available anymore, but didn't bother to check if the mobo supported the new one. Took everything home and tried to post and nothing. After a weekend of hair pulling (my first build) and second-guessing (did ground myself first?), went back in, and they realized it was their error (rather one guys oversight) and got the mobo I posted here.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you building it yourself, although they only charge $40, and if you're coming into town from Red Deer (or maybe Edmonton is closer for you), it might be easier to get them to build if anything goes wrong. My system ended up costing $1100 CDN, w/ monitor, speakers, key, mouse but no O/S.