Help me build a computer (I'm so out of touch with new technology)

[Vulcan]

On second thought, his i7 930 processor is a good choice. The comparable 1156 MB isn't much cheaper and the i7 860 processor costs just as much if not more. The 750 processor would be about $70 cheaper but it isn't as good either.

[Hanni]

In my opinion for the small price difference you're better off with the 930 and the MB you have picked out. That way it gives you more options in the future. In a few years if you want to upgrade a little more you can always add a second video card and another 6 gigs of ram (once 64bit applications are the standard). You'll actually see better performance out of the i7's with multi-GPU's and 12 gigs of ram it's just that almost no applications support that at this point. Essentially I'd opt for the future proofing for the little bit extra money.

One other thing is the size of the video card, when you first get everything just check to make sure the card will fit in the case. I bought a Full ATX case and could barely fit my GTX260 in. The 5770 is shorter, but just something to watch out for. Also the thickness of that card will block the slot below it, which shouldn't be an issue since there are plenty of slots and you're not adding anything else, just FYI.

[Hanni]

I don't know if anyone mentioned operating systems but if MemEx sells them look into the OEM version of Windows 7 (I assume you'll be getting 7), 64bit. You'll pay half the price but you don't get a manual, microsoft support (has anyone ever actually called MS for support?), and you can't install it on a different computer if yours craps out. Requires a call to microsoft if you do any major upgrades (cpu, motherboard) for re-activation.

Just something to consider.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

On second thought, his i7 930 processor is a good choice. The comparable 1156 MB isn't much cheaper and the i7 860 processor costs just as much if not more. The 750 processor would be about $70 cheaper but it isn't as good either.

You just went through my thought process entirely. I don't really need an i7 given my requirements, but the comparables aren't much cheaper and since this is the first new computer in 6 or 7 years I'd rather future proof myself as much as possible.

Hell the only reason I'm really upgrading other than the aforementioned 7 year old computer is because my motherboard is so old that it's only got an AGP slot so I pretty much have to.

Originally Posted by Hanni

I don't know if anyone mentioned operating systems but if MemEx sells them look into the OEM version of Windows 7 (I assume you'll be getting 7), 64bit. You'll pay half the price but you don't get a manual, microsoft support (has anyone ever actually called MS for support?), and you can't install it on a different computer if yours craps out. Requires a call to microsoft if you do any major upgrades (cpu, motherboard) for re-activation.

Just something to consider.

Yeah I was looking at doing the OEM solution.

[Sly]

So does memory express build the computers for you? Or do you just buy the products from them and build it yourself?

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Sly

So does memory express build the computers for you? Or do you just buy the products from them and build it yourself?

Can do either

[Hack&Lube]

You save money doing it yourself of course and it's fun and you learn stuff.

[photon]

I think they will mount the CPU and heatsink for you though for free, that's sometimes a little scary for a first-timer and the consequences of getting that wrong is letting out all the magic smoke.

[Sly]

Do you guys think this is a good build for a cheap gamer? I copy and pasted from http://www.build-gaming-computers.co...-computer.html


MotherboardAsus M4A785TD-V Evo ($100)
CPU
AMD Phenom II X2 555 3.2 GHz ($100)
RAM
Corsair XMS3 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM ($100)
Video Card
Diamond Radeon HD 5670 1024MB ($130)
Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black 750 GB ($75)
DVD Burner
LG GH22NS50R DVDRW Drive ($45)
Case
Thermaltake V3 Black Edition Mid Tower Case ($35)
Power Supply
Corsair CMPSU-450VX 450-Watt ($45)

TOTAL COST: $630 (USD)

OR

Processor: Intel Core i3 530 $140Motherboard: ASUS P7H55-M Pro mATX $110RAM: OCZ Gold 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1600 $110Video Card: Powercolor Radeon HD 5670 $90Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 500GB SATA2 7200RPM $54Optical Drive: Samsung 22X Dual Layer DVD Writer $30Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W $55Case: Antec Three Hundred $54

Total: $633

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Sly

Do you guys think this is a good build for a cheap gamer? I copy and pasted from http://www.build-gaming-computers.co...-computer.html


MotherboardAsus M4A785TD-V Evo ($100)
CPU
AMD Phenom II X2 555 3.2 GHz ($100)
RAM
Corsair XMS3 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM ($100)
Video Card
Diamond Radeon HD 5670 1024MB ($130)
Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black 750 GB ($75)
DVD Burner
LG GH22NS50R DVDRW Drive ($45)
Case
Thermaltake V3 Black Edition Mid Tower Case ($35)
Power Supply
Corsair CMPSU-450VX 450-Watt ($45)

TOTAL COST: $630 (USD)

OR

Processor: Intel Core i3 530 $140Motherboard: ASUS P7H55-M Pro mATX $110RAM: OCZ Gold 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1600 $110Video Card: Powercolor Radeon HD 5670 $90Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 500GB SATA2 7200RPM $54Optical Drive: Samsung 22X Dual Layer DVD Writer $30Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W $55Case: Antec Three Hundred $54

Total: $633

Definetely do not buy that 1GB 5670, that's a really terrible card, both in performance and value. If you are gaming, that is the most important part of the system. Skimp elsewhere. Do not skimp on the card. Get a GTX 460 or a HD 5770 at the very least.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...4&promoid=1026

http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/22...RE_2DI_1GD5_A/

I honestly would not spend that money on a dual core Phenom II or an i3. Those are very slow processors for the money. As a gamer on a budget, I would buy a last generation quad Intel 775 CPU (even if used for even more savings) and overclock it and it will crush that dual core Phenom or i3.

Do you have an old computer? Take the harddrive and DVD burner from that to further save money.

Easy 6 core AMD build that will actually give you good performance:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboBu...t=Combo.432231
$527.98

Add a $150-$200 videocard. Find a harddrive and optical drive cheaply.

http://www.build-gaming-computers.com seems to be out of date and giving terrible advice. Don't pay it any attention.

Of course, you could do better by isolating better components and waiting for big sales and pricematching shopbot.ca

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Sly

Do you guys think this is a good build for a cheap gamer? I copy and pasted from http://www.build-gaming-computers.co...-computer.html


MotherboardAsus M4A785TD-V Evo ($100)
CPU
AMD Phenom II X2 555 3.2 GHz ($100)
RAM
Corsair XMS3 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM ($100)
Video Card
Diamond Radeon HD 5670 1024MB ($130)
Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black 750 GB ($75)
DVD Burner
LG GH22NS50R DVDRW Drive ($45)
Case
Thermaltake V3 Black Edition Mid Tower Case ($35)
Power Supply
Corsair CMPSU-450VX 450-Watt ($45)

TOTAL COST: $630 (USD)

OR

Processor: Intel Core i3 530 $140Motherboard: ASUS P7H55-M Pro mATX $110RAM: OCZ Gold 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1600 $110Video Card: Powercolor Radeon HD 5670 $90Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 500GB SATA2 7200RPM $54Optical Drive: Samsung 22X Dual Layer DVD Writer $30Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W $55Case: Antec Three Hundred $54

Total: $633

You've linked to the Tiger direct American site, so prices and choice of components may be different if you live in Canada.
I'd check out the prices on shopbot before buying anything as I know NCIX can get you a DVD writer for under $20. Mostly don't stick to any one brand unless there is minimal price difference. My last choice for parts would be Tiger Direct but that's a personal choice.

Also on personal choices, I'd go Intel and the HD 5670 isn't a terrible video card. It's rated in the same class as the 8800 GT and is very good on power and runs cool. Still for gaming a 5770 or 5750 would be better. I paid about $100 at MemXpress for mine (5670) but I got it more for a home theater computer than for gaming.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Also on personal choices, I'd go Intel and the HD 5670 isn't a terrible video card. It's rated in the same class as the 8800 GT and is very good on power and runs cool. Still for gaming a 5770 or 5750 would be better. I paid about $100 at MemXpress for mine but I got it more for a home theater computer than for gaming.

An 8800GT is about 3 years old now and pretty slow in modern games although it could handle Crysis @ 1680x1050 at low-medium settings. I meant it is a terrible value if you are paying $130 for a 5670 like that site suggests. I see you can get one for $100 now that I look but I still think that is not good value for the money. You can pick up an 8800/9800GT used for $60. I sold mine on Kijiji for $50.

Sly, what size is your monitor? What kind of gaming do you want to do?

[Sly]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

An 8800GT is about 3 years old now and pretty slow in modern games although it could handle Crysis @ 1680x1050 at low-medium settings. I meant it is a terrible value if you are paying $130 for a 5670 like that site suggests. I see you can get one for $100 now that I look but I still think that is not good value for the money. You can pick up an 8800/9800GT used for $60. I sold mine on Kijiji for $50.

Sly, what size is your monitor? What kind of gaming do you want to do?

Nothing too crazy... just SC2, WoW and in the future Diablo 3. I just don't want to spend too much just to play a few games on PC. I play my FPS games on my PS3.

I don't have a monitor at the moment, I only have a laptop.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by photon

I think they will mount the CPU and heatsink for you though for free, that's sometimes a little scary for a first-timer and the consequences of getting that wrong is letting out all the magic smoke.

Yeah they mounted mine for free when I ordered everything. They actually had everything in stock so I was able to get everything price matched (thanks shopbot) and be out the door with the full system in about 45 minutes.

I've built my whole system and this thing is phenomenal. It's total overkill but it'll last me years and this SSD drive is especially ridiculous. Yeah it's a fresh install of Windows7 but everything is practically instantaneous.

Sly when you do a price match, the best thing to do is take a usb flash drive in with you with a copy of all the URL's for the competing sites. I just built an excel spreadsheet with my components and click-able links and the guy that helped me out was quite appreciative of that.

Thanks again for all the help guys, the advice was much appreciated and I'm a happy customer until the wife sees the credit card bill