Help me build a new computer(I'll be your best friend)

Sanova Profile Options #1

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Hey all, because of TERA and because I need to do it anyway I've decided to build a new computer. Sadly when it comes to the actual hardware I'm a retard, with the help of a friend I've got a basic idea of what I want, but could always use more than one opinion. That's where you guys come in. This is the rig i will at this point in time be building http://pcpartpicker.com/p/5fok . Please tell me what you guys think and any suggestions you may have. I don't plan on or want to OC this machine if I need to upgrade I'd rather save up and buy the part vs risk my entire machine. In terms of what I want to do with this machine I only plan on gaming, streaming, and doing everyday everyday school work/work work.

Because I was only planning on upgrading my graphics card and PSU before I realized that my prefab i got as a graduation present couldn't be upgraded. I'd like to not spend any more money than I already am unless what I'm currently buying is inferior trash.

I'm mainly looking for the following feedback
Does my build just plain suck/are all the parts i chose horrible
Is there something better that's cheaper I don't know about
Am I overpaying for these parts at this given store
Is there a decent upgrade I don't know about that won't add another $200 to my build
ect

I'm also still having trouble deciding on the graphics card, and have a couple questions. I'm currently debating between the one I listed in my build an identical HIS card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161372 , and a comparable Nvidia card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130683 . Of the two AMD whic is a better manufacturer? Which is better all around AMD or Nvidia? Based on my own semi research AMD is suppsoed to be better preformance, but Nvidia is supposed to be a better bang for your buck. and finally, Do i really need the 2GB version of these cards?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help as this does confuse the hell out of me, and I don't wanna spend this much cash on a pile of crap.
tomvs Profile Options #2

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Looks like a good build. You could save a couple of hundred by going with slightly slower parts/different brands, but then again you're probably paying the premium for a reason :)

If building a system now, I would go with a 2gb graphics card if possible. It won't be needed for Tera, but may be very useful in the near future. XFX is a great brand simply because they have lifetime warranties. I don't buy anything but XFX as it seems my perfectly-usable gfx cards seem to die after about 3 years (just got my 8800gt xfx replaced with something a bit better)

To save a bit of $$, you can:
Go with an i5-2500k
Get a 6870 instead of 6950 (not much slower, and $100 cheaper)
Go with a different PSU that's on sale (should find one for $70 or so). You don't need more than 600w for this system

Also:

The antec 900 was good about 5 years ago. It hasn't updated much since then and is huge. Take a look at some of the alternatives. I got a cooler max storm scout a year ago. Its small, but much better than my old 900.

If you have a spare $150-200, get a 128gb SSD (I recommend Crucial M4 for reliability). This will make a huge difference in loading times for games/etc, but you need to deal with a small boot drive and possible ssd-related issues.
Meleoffs Profile Options #3

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His CPU is very very good, even for the price. It will save him a LOT more in the long run as opposed to a cheaper one on sale as in that range it's the -only- cpu in that range on newegg that's certified 80+ -SILVER- and that's a big deal because even when he's using only 600 watts, its got nearly a 95% power efficiency. What that means is less of the power his computer draws from the wall is wasted.


As far as GFX cards go, I'd say go with an EVGA geforce 560ti 1gb. It's moderately priced and a very good card as well as it's manufactured by the best and most reliable company. Not only that, but if you find the right card you can get little more out of it from EVGA as they often "superclock" their cards making them slightly faster with no overclocking needed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610 has 50 more core clock, and 100 more shader clock than the non superclocked counterpart, and 100 more core clock (god knows how much shader clock) than the specific card you have, while also being 30-40 dollars cheaper.

As far as RAM goes, you NEVER want to use ANYTHING but corsair in a gaming rig. They have by far the longest lives of any ram out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345
Asurastrike Profile Options #4

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To save a bit of $$, you can:
Go with an i5-2500k
Get a 6870 instead of 6950 (not much slower, and $100 cheaper)
Go with a different PSU that's on sale (should find one for $70 or so). You don't need more than 600w for this system

1, there has been a huge debate on 2500k vs 2600k. In short, u pay 100 more for hyperthread, and it's up to you to decide whether it's worth it. It's worth it if you multitask a lot. ie playing many different games at once, streaming a lot etc.
2, regarding the video card, you get what you pay for. You WILL have higher FPS with 6950 than 6870, and it's entirely up you to decide whether it's worth it.
3, the corsair 750w is a good pick. Why? The op likely wants room for upgrade picking a motherboard with sli/cf support, and the 750w is the cheapest/best PSU that will support it.

Don't forget to check out the 7XXX series, 7970 and the latest 7950 if you have money to spare. Currently 7970 is the king of hill needless to say. 7950 is on par with 580 if not better and goes for about 470. Once again, you get what you pay for. Picking up the latest gen is always a wise choice.

Conclusion: it's a VERY GOOD build and you shouldn't have come here to ask for advice cuz you clearly know your stuff. 90% people here give out bad advice and have less building skill than you. The only thing I would change is buying a cheaper tower. You can get one for 50 dollars unless you want fancy lights of course, or go all out on overclocking since you may get about a 5 degree difference on CPU between a 200 dollar and a 50 dollar tower, but seeing you haven't picked a cooler, I assume you're not big on overclocking; therefore, I recommand a cheaper case.

Edited by: Asurastrike about 1 year ago
Sanova Profile Options #5

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Asurastrike on 2012-03-01 09:55:51 UTC - view

To save a bit of $$, you can:
Go with an i5-2500k
Get a 6870 instead of 6950 (not much slower, and $100 cheaper)
Go with a different PSU that's on sale (should find one for $70 or so). You don't need more than 600w for this system

1, there has been a huge debate on 2500k vs 2600k. In short, u pay 100 more for hyperthread, and it's up to you to decide whether it's worth it. It's worth it if you multitask a lot. ie playing many different games at once, streaming a lot etc.
2, regarding the video card, you get what you pay for. You WILL have higher FPS with 6950 than 6870, and it's entirely up you to decide whether it's worth it.
3, the corsair 750w is a good pick. Why? The op likely wants room for upgrade picking a motherboard with sli/cf support, and the 750w is the cheapest/best PSU that will support it.

Don't forget to check out the 7XXX series, 7970 and the latest 7950 if you have money to spare. Currently 7970 is the king of hill needless to say. 7950 is on par with 580 if not better and goes for about 470. Once again, you get what you pay for. Picking up the latest gen is always a wise choice.

Conclusion: it's a VERY GOOD build and you shouldn't have come here to ask for advice cuz you clearly know your stuff. 90% people here give out bad advice and have less building skill than you. The only thing I would change is buying a cheaper tower. You can get one for 50 dollars unless you want fancy lights of course, or go all out on overclocking since you may get about a 5 degree difference on CPU between a 200 dollar and a 50 dollar tower, but seeing you haven't picked a cooler, I assume you're not big on overclocking; therefore, I recommand a cheaper case.



honestly IDK ANYTHING about this. the build i linked was the product of a friends help and me spending like a week pretending i know what I'm doing. Yeah I'm looking at different towers, maybe not cheaper but different
Asurastrike Profile Options #6

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just reread your post hehe(just skimmed through the first time).

1, definately get a cheaper case since you're not interested in overclocking
2, regarding manufacturer for video cards, the only difference is warrenty. Some have limited 2 year-warrenty like sapphire while others(such as evga,xfx) have lifetime. MSI likes to add more fans, making it cooler but louder, but in general it's trivial.
3, 1gb vs 2gb vram. I can tell you that Tera uses about 700mb vram, so getting the 2gb version is meaningless if it's the only game u play. If you play other games or simply want future proof, then it's wise to pick up the 2gb version. Skyrim uses 1.3gb and bf3 uses up to 1.7gb. Having only 1gb may result in lag, micro-stuttering or even artifacts. It's your call. I would get the 2gb personally.
Edited by: Asurastrike about 1 year ago
Asurastrike Profile Options #7

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honestly IDK ANYTHING about this. the build i linked was the product of a friends help and me spending like a week pretending i know what I'm doing. Yeah I'm looking at different towers, maybe not cheaper but different

your friend is very good =)
Sanova Profile Options #8

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Asurastrike on 2012-03-01 10:17:00 UTC - view

honestly IDK ANYTHING about this. the build i linked was the product of a friends help and me spending like a week pretending i know what I'm doing. Yeah I'm looking at different towers, maybe not cheaper but different

your friend is very good =)


he better be. I bought him lunch to do that
Snoopy Profile Options #9

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Easy point of reference for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mlasW-Cf7Q
Caladbolg Profile Options #10

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For the RAM, I'd suggest getting a set of 3 in either 6GB total or 12GB total. The i7's support triple channel, which needs 3 sticks of RAM.
Example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335
If you look for anything else, keep an eye out for low CAS latency. I'll leave you to do some research on CAS if you like.

For the GPU question, I PERSONALLY prefer nVidia simply cause they're drivers are less painful to use. I had a HD 5xxx in an old PC and fought constantly with the drivers to get anywhere near the performance of my old 7600GT. (Which makes ZERO sense btw. Probably the ancient system's fault, but I still just did not like ATi/AMD's drivers.)

For the case, I've been recommending this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=nzxt+phantom&x=0&y=0
Multiple colors and REALLY good air flow. You do need to buy the fans on your own, they don't come with em.
Edited by: Caladbolg about 1 year ago