Building a PC

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

Hey guys i've been reading a lot about some of you guys building some sweet desktops. Well i've been itching of building a new pc ever since i saw the new Arma 3 trailer. Looks awesome. The last time i played a pc game was back in the battlefield 2 days.

Im no expert in building pcs but hopefully with you guys help i can build it myself. It will probably take some time since i wont be buying all the parts at the same time since right now i'm in college and currently don't have a job, but i have some money saved up. My plan is to build it little by little in consecutive order.

So first things first. Lets start off with a case. Right now my old rig has this case. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811233013

I dont know if i should stay with this case or try to find another one.

The more affordable the better lol

**HellsJester** · 03-13-2013

Tell us your budget.
Battlefield 2 was the shit! I played that every day for 2 years.

**x_terna** · 03-13-2013

Originally Posted by HellsJester

Tell us your budget.

This^, and I'm assuming this rig is for gaming right?

I've also kept an eye on Arma 3, looks cool.

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

Well since i'm not going to buy all the parts at the same time and the the expensive parts like the cpu, gpu, and motherboard later on it really all depends on how much money i have and how much more ill save up. Like the cpu probably no more than 300, gpu no more than 500, and the motherboard well i don't really know which one is good lol so i'm going to try to get as much info as i can from you guys. But ideally i want to run arma 3 on max settings and then maybe some just all depends on prices.

This is mostly going to be a project when i have nothing else to do at my place.

**HellsJester** · 03-13-2013

ok so $800 max for CPU and GPU. Not bad

We kinda need a final budget. What is the max you are willing to spend on everything?

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

The final budget maybe around $1500 more or less since i know maybe prices will lower on some things because i remember reading in other threads that new gpu's will release later this year. I'm not looking for the latest and greatest of parts just something that will handle some of the latest games with decent performance. Just particularly looking for a rig that can handle arma 3 at max settings.

But first off i don't know if i should upgrade the case or keep the one i currently have.

**HellsJester** · 03-13-2013

Originally Posted by jrp0024

The final budget maybe around $1500 more or less since i know maybe prices will lower on some things because i remember reading in other threads that new gpu's will release later this year. I'm not looking for the latest and greatest of parts just something that will handle some of the latest games with decent performance. Just particularly looking for a rig that can handle arma 3 at max settings.

But first off i don't know if i should upgrade the case or keep the one i currently have.

$800 for GPU and CPU
$700 for everything else

If all the parts you want fit in the case you have now and you are happy with the way it looks keeping it should be fine.

In the $700 does this include things like Monitor, OS, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers/Headset?

Do you plan to Overclock?

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

no monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset. Those will be personal preference.

This is the reason im asking if i should keep the case because i don't know if new motherboards will fit in the old case. The case also says that it can be water-cooled but i have no idea about those things lol.

And overclocking....i do not know anything about it. So some info would be nice.

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

no monitor, keyboard, mouse, headset. Those will be personal preference.

This is the reason im asking if i should keep the case because i don't know if new motherboards will fit in the old case. The case also says that it can be water-cooled but i have no idea about those things lol.

And overclocking....i do not know anything about it. So some info would be nice.

**HellsJester** · 03-13-2013

I have never done water cooling so i cant help there but overclocking is rather easy these days. Tons of step by step guides online for that.

Your case supports ATX / Micro ATX motherboards according to the link you provided in the OP.

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

ok cool thanks! Keeping the case!

Now with the motherboard. Looking for something with wi-fi. Which do u think is the best? I usually think higher price is better but i dont really know much about motherboards other than thats where you assemble everything lol.

**HellsJester** · 03-13-2013

Originally Posted by jrp0024

ok cool thanks! Keeping the case!

Now with the motherboard. Looking for something with wi-fi. Which do u think is the best? I usually think higher price is better but i dont really know much about motherboards other than thats where you assemble everything lol.

I havent bought a motherboard in around 2 years. Hopefully someone else with more recent knowledge will post here with specific parts to help you out.

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

Thanks a lot for the help. I will wait for a response about the motherboard. I will get back to you later for your input on some other parts. Thanks again.

**MATRIX 2** · 03-13-2013

I would strongly advise against buying pc components over an extended period of time. Due to changes in pricing/availability and product updates it makes sense to buy everything within a one month period at the most.

Having said that, given your budgetary constraints, have you considered going with a prebuilt system?

The advantage is that you can get a lot of computer for your money.

With these models, the only upgrades that would be necessary would be for the psu and the video card of your choice.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...en&s=dhs&cs=19

or (add the 3770 cpu)

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...9&acd=ZmVnZuWD

Power supply upgrade:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151095

IF you sell off the gpu, that will almost cover the cost of the psu upgrade. Then all that is left is the replacement video card.

Alternatively, the build I would go with:

DVD:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

CPU:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=I69-3570K

HDD:

http://www.amazon.com/WD-Blue-Deskto...words=WD10EZEX

RAM:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226295

Motherboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128544

PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151095

Video:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130826

Windows:

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premiu...7+home+premium

Comes out to a bit over $900 or so.

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

I see what you mean. That makes sense in buying all at the same time but right now i don't have that kind of money to spend it all at once.

I like the motherboard you have chosen. Great price. Ill do a little bit of more research on it.

I have a few questions about the cpu. What is the difference between an I5 and an I7?

With the power supply i have an 800w(i think) on the old rig i have. Can i reuse it?

The gpu looks good but what are some differences between this gtx660 and the other gtx660's that are more expensive on newegg?

**x_terna** · 03-13-2013

Originally Posted by MATRIX 2

Video: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130826

Nice!, I have this card haven't had any problems with it yet.(had a 690.)

Originally Posted by jrp0024

The final budget maybe around $1500 more or less since.

Also newegg tends to have deals at times, you can also look out for that. I got my CPU for $450.

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

Originally Posted by x_terna

Nice!, I have this card haven't had any problems with it yet.(had a 690.)

Also newegg tends to have deals at times, you can also look out for that. I got my CPU for $450.

What kind of games do you play and what are your settings with this video card?

What kind of cpu do you have? seems a little pricey to me.

**MATRIX 2** · 03-13-2013

Originally Posted by jrp0024

I see what you mean. That makes sense in buying all at the same time but right now i don't have that kind of money to spend it all at once.

I like the motherboard you have chosen. Great price. Ill do a little bit of more research on it.

I have a few questions about the cpu. What is the difference between an I5 and an I7?

With the power supply i have an 800w(i think) on the old rig i have. Can i reuse it?

The gpu looks good but what are some differences between this gtx660 and the other gtx660's that are more expensive on newegg?

Well then you should buy the components that are most price sensitive first.

The i7 has hyperthreading enabled which is useful for certain tasks but offers no benefit for gaming and other general tasks.

What is the +12V amp rating on the old powersupply?

The only difference is clockspeeds, more expensive models have slight overclocks which give a few percentage points improvement in performance. EVGA has a utility which allows you to overclock by moving a few slider type buttons.

**Fenix** · 03-13-2013

Not ready anything but ill give you this:
Dont over spend on a sound card, dont get a power supply thats "just enough", get a lot of RAM, dont just settle on a GPU.

Few years back I built my PC and I regret a lot of my decisions, mostly the fact I settled on my GPU (should of waited and maybe got a better one), over spent on my sound card (like I really needed it.. lol), and how little RAM (4 GB) I bought. (OCZ left the ram market, so it made getting more a tad difficult/matching it. You wont have that issue, but 8+ is ideal I find. -- though I do more then game.)

**Shibby** · 03-13-2013

At that price range I'd probably go with a 3570K and a GTX680. Combo would probably run about $700.

**HellsJester** · 03-13-2013

I just remembered that Gaf has a thread just for PC upgrading and parts etc

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=509570

I hope that helps

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

Originally Posted by MATRIX 2

Well then you should buy the components that are most price sensitive first.

The i7 has hyperthreading enabled which is useful for certain tasks but offers no benefit for gaming and other general tasks.

What is the +12V amp rating on the old powersupply?

The only difference is clockspeeds, more expensive models have slight overclocks which give a few percentage points improvement in performance. EVGA has a utility which allows you to overclock by moving a few slider type buttons.

First thing will be motherboard then the cpu then towards the end of the build the video card soley on the fact i might change my mind and might buy a bit more expensive one.

So the I5 is the way to go for gaming?

The power supply is this one but i dont know if its the 700w or 900w.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171032

Originally Posted by Fenix

Not ready anything but ill give you this:
Dont over spend on a sound card, dont get a power supply thats "just enough", get a lot of RAM, dont just settle on a GPU.

Few years back I built my PC and I regret a lot of my decisions, mostly the fact I settled on my GPU (should of waited and maybe got a better one), over spent on my sound card (like I really needed it.. lol), and how little RAM (4 GB) I bought. (OCZ left the ram market, so it made getting more a tad difficult/matching it. You wont have that issue, but 8+ is ideal I find. -- though I do more then game.)

Thinking of doing 8gb of RAM but might do 16gb depending if its worth it.

Do i need a sound card if i just use a bluetooth headset?

Originally Posted by Shibby

At that price range I'd probably go with a 3570K and a GTX680. Combo would probably run about $700.

Right now its looking good for the 3570k.

Originally Posted by HellsJester

I just remembered that Gaf has a thread just for PC upgrading and parts etc

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=509570

I hope that helps

Tried searching for my case but it wasn't there. A lot of good info though, thanks.

**MATRIX 2** · 03-13-2013

Originally Posted by jrp0024

First thing will be motherboard then the cpu then towards the end of the build the video card soley on the fact i might change my mind and might buy a bit more expensive one.

So the I5 is the way to go for gaming?

The power supply is this one but i dont know if its the 700w or 900w.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171032

Thinking of doing 8gb of RAM but might do 16gb depending if its worth it.

Do i need a sound card if i just use a bluetooth headset?

Right now its looking good for the 3570k.

Tried searching for my case but it wasn't there. A lot of good info though, thanks.

Yeah the I5 dies a great job for gaming.

It seems like you can re use your current psu, there shouldn't be any issues.

**jrp0024** · 03-13-2013

ok cool. Im going to order the motherboard tonight then update this when it comes in.

**x_terna** · 03-13-2013

Originally Posted by jrp0024

What kind of games do you play and what are your settings with this video card?

What kind of cpu do you have? seems a little pricey to me.

Well as far as games, they only two games I play are Counter-Strike, and Source. I'm not gaming as much with this computer but the settings for this card are high, only thing I've done was update the drivers and that was it. I have an i7 3930k but my computer wasn't made with gaming in mind. lol