Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Help me build a computer (I'm so out of touch with new technology)

Vulcan · 07-05-2010, 03:28 AM

If you want to connect to dual monitors plus a TV, I'd recommend you get two video cards. Some of the entry level i3 and i5 MBs and CPUs have on board video but I'm not sure this would work at the same time that you have a video card. Most Motherboards you look at (1366 for i7 and 1156 for i5 and i3) should have two PCI-e slots for dual video cards but check before buying.

I'd recommend going ATI 5xxx series video cards as they do HD audio if you want to connect it to an audio reciever but if you go nvidia probably a GT 240 or 250 would be good for your needs. For ATI the HD 5670, 5750 or even the 5770 which should be good for anybody but a serious gamer. Maybe get one 5670 and one 5770 or get two of one model for future Xfiring.

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...E&promoid=1078

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=49184&...anufacture=XFX

The HD 5670 runs cool and doesn't even need a 6pin PCIe power connector so you can cheap out on a PowerSUpply.
All of these cards should have HDMI and will do 1080p without breaking a sweat.

For a MB look for one with the latest Sata3 and USB3.0 but going with a 1366 board is going to be a lot more expensive for memory than a 1156 board as it requires a three stick set.

Here's a good reasonable Power Supply.

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...y&promoid=1078

Here's a couple of SSD drives at a good price.

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...y&promoid=1078

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...n&promoid=1078

Here's an inexpensive DVD writer

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...g&promoid=1078

For a case, I think this one for $80 with the blue LED light switched off is great.

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...R&promoid=1078

This one for $50 is well thought of too and also has routing holes to manage cabling.

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...c&promoid=1078

A few suggestions to help you get started and Memory Express and NCIx should pricematch so search for the best prices when you're ready to zero in on your parts.

http://www.pricebat.ca/

http://www.shopbot.ca/

Go to the NCiX forums and you'll find a number of threads on people building a computer. It should give you some good ideas and you can ask for help too.

07-05-2010, 03:28 AM	#5
Vulcan Franchise Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sunshine Coast Exp:	If you want to connect to dual monitors plus a TV, I'd recommend you get two video cards. Some of the entry level i3 and i5 MBs and CPUs have on board video but I'm not sure this would work at the same time that you have a video card. Most Motherboards you look at (1366 for i7 and 1156 for i5 and i3) should have two PCI-e slots for dual video cards but check before buying. I'd recommend going ATI 5xxx series video cards as they do HD audio if you want to connect it to an audio reciever but if you go nvidia probably a GT 240 or 250 would be good for your needs. For ATI the HD 5670, 5750 or even the 5770 which should be good for anybody but a serious gamer. Maybe get one 5670 and one 5770 or get two of one model for future Xfiring. http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...E&promoid=1078 http://ncix.com/products/?sku=49184&...anufacture=XFX The HD 5670 runs cool and doesn't even need a 6pin PCIe power connector so you can cheap out on a PowerSUpply. All of these cards should have HDMI and will do 1080p without breaking a sweat. For a MB look for one with the latest Sata3 and USB3.0 but going with a 1366 board is going to be a lot more expensive for memory than a 1156 board as it requires a three stick set. Here's a good reasonable Power Supply. http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...y&promoid=1078 Here's a couple of SSD drives at a good price. http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...y&promoid=1078 http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...n&promoid=1078 Here's an inexpensive DVD writer http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...g&promoid=1078 For a case, I think this one for $80 with the blue LED light switched off is great. http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...R&promoid=1078 This one for $50 is well thought of too and also has routing holes to manage cabling. http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...c&promoid=1078 A few suggestions to help you get started and Memory Express and NCIx should pricematch so search for the best prices when you're ready to zero in on your parts. http://www.pricebat.ca/ http://www.shopbot.ca/ Go to the NCiX forums and you'll find a number of threads on people building a computer. It should give you some good ideas and you can ask for help too. Last edited by Vulcan; 07-05-2010 at 03:51 AM.