Yay! The core i5s are finally out... I’ve been waiting for this for quite awhile, now to find all the other parts. I don’t really have a idea on what to get, but ill list the parts that I have a clue about. Please give me suggestions on the parts I have chosen, and parts that i still need. Btw, my prices range is about around 1700 canadian, which is about 1,577.30 USD at this moment. Mainly I would be using the computer to play new games, but not those hardcore games and stuff. Ok so now, lets see
Acutally.. All I know for sure is the core i5.. So I’ll just list the preferences for each part.
CPU: Intel Core i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 – Retail
Hard Drive: something from the 250gb-320gb range would do just fine. OEM has no cables and stuff, so what should I do if i decide to buy an OEM one?
Video Card: GTX 260-285, as high as the budget would allow
Ram: any ram, I think it needs 6 gb? Not sure for core i5. Just need something thats good
Monitor: 24” monitor with 1920x1200
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021, cant really tell whether i need half tower or full, just need something that isn’t too small and has easily accessable usb ports
Motherboard: have no idea
PSU: something that does the job, would this work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
Cooling: it comes with case?
Keyboard, mice speakers I have, and for OS- windows 7 I think
*could u have 3 gtx 260s? My bros telling me you can only have two
Suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated, Thx.
New Computer built around core i5
Rezolve
Elder III
Few thoughts:
Windows 7 isn't due to be released until October 22'nd - what are you going to do until then? I believe you can still buy Vista now and get a free upgrade mailed to you once Win 7 is released - cheaper then buying it separate when it comes out too.
Hard Drive - OEM doesn't come with cables, but any half way decent motherboard will include at least 2-3 SATA cables in the box.
Case - Mid Tower is plenty for most people, but it kinda depends on what you want to do in it.
Video Card(s) - you can Tri-SLI, so 3 gtx 260s is doable, but don't waste your money on it. Even at 1900x1200 resolution you don't have any need for 3 of them. I suggest GTX 275 or HD 4890 - whether you need 2 of either depends on the games you play.
For motherboard I would get EVGA or Gigabyte or Asus as first choices for Intel chipsets.
The PSU you selected is a very good one.... so is the case....as for cooling you might want to get an after market CPU cooler, since INtel is not known for good stock cooling - of course if you won't over clock it then you really don't need to bother with that...
Windows 7 isn't due to be released until October 22'nd - what are you going to do until then? I believe you can still buy Vista now and get a free upgrade mailed to you once Win 7 is released - cheaper then buying it separate when it comes out too.
Hard Drive - OEM doesn't come with cables, but any half way decent motherboard will include at least 2-3 SATA cables in the box.
Case - Mid Tower is plenty for most people, but it kinda depends on what you want to do in it.
Video Card(s) - you can Tri-SLI, so 3 gtx 260s is doable, but don't waste your money on it. Even at 1900x1200 resolution you don't have any need for 3 of them. I suggest GTX 275 or HD 4890 - whether you need 2 of either depends on the games you play.
For motherboard I would get EVGA or Gigabyte or Asus as first choices for Intel chipsets.
The PSU you selected is a very good one.... so is the case....as for cooling you might want to get an after market CPU cooler, since INtel is not known for good stock cooling - of course if you won't over clock it then you really don't need to bother with that...
Rezolve
i plan on using RC windows 7 until it is released
if motherboards come with cables then that would be fine
uh in my case, for the case, I would just need what i mentioned above, with space for probably a second gpu, anyways how do people tell what kind of case they need anyway?
for motherboards im leaning towards evga, just because I have been told evga is good, but is there anything special to look for when choosing motherboards?
I'm gonna wanna oc so I'll find some cooling
if motherboards come with cables then that would be fine
uh in my case, for the case, I would just need what i mentioned above, with space for probably a second gpu, anyways how do people tell what kind of case they need anyway?
for motherboards im leaning towards evga, just because I have been told evga is good, but is there anything special to look for when choosing motherboards?
I'm gonna wanna oc so I'll find some cooling
moriz
i would recommend waiting for around a month. this will allow the technology to mature a bit more as well as settle the pricing down. by that time, the new Radeon graphic cards (HD 5800 series) would be available for purchase, and you'll get to benefit from them also.
remember, the biggest determinant of game performance is the graphic card. if gaming is your primary concern, always go with the best graphic card within your price range.
remember, the biggest determinant of game performance is the graphic card. if gaming is your primary concern, always go with the best graphic card within your price range.
Elder III
for a mobo the first thing is to go with a Reputable Brand (that's been covered already), second what features do you want? You want a core i5 compatible motherboard, so it needs the right socket type, an 8pin CPU power plug, and support for DDR3 RAM. If you think you will have multiple GPUs then get one with 2 PCIEx16 2.0 slots running in 16x each (although 8x each is ok, you won't likely notice the difference). Then check for extra things like Firewire, E-SATA, etc....
**this would get you started and is wallet friendly too:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.252817
**this would get you started and is wallet friendly too:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.252817
RTSFirebat
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Elder III
Few thoughts:
Windows 7 isn't due to be released until October 22'nd - what are you going to do until then? I believe you can still buy Vista now and get a free upgrade mailed to you once Win 7 is released - cheaper then buying it separate when it comes out too. |
A fresh install of Windows 7 would be the best way forward. Better then dragging the legacy horrors of Windows Vista along in order to save a few Pounds
paranon
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rezolve
Mainly I would be using the computer to play new games, but not those hardcore games and stuff. Ok so now, lets see
Acutally.. All I know for sure is the core i5.. So I’ll just list the preferences for each part. Video Card: GTX 260-285, as high as the budget would allow Ram: any ram, I think it needs 6 gb? Not sure for core i5. Just need something thats good Cooling: it comes with case? *could u have 3 gtx 260s? My bros telling me you can only have two |
Memory: in my opinion it is important to spend a little to get good memory. 4GB should be plenty for gaming, and go for a good quality brand, like corsair.
Cooling: Aftermarket coolers cost next to nothing, but are well worth buying. if it were me, i would get a half-decent CPU cooler and replace all the Standard Case fans with some nice quiet ones.
Elder III
Quote:
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Originally Posted by RTSFirebat
Cheaper yes, but this is about the WORST thing you can do. An upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 has been showed to reduce the performance of Windows 7 drastically.
A fresh install of Windows 7 would be the best way forward. Better then dragging the legacy horrors of Windows Vista along in order to save a few Pounds |
moriz
the RTM copy has been available for some time. i have access to like... fifty of them.... for free.
god i love being a university student
god i love being a university student
DeadEcho
You should take an ATi card into consideration. ATi is planning on releasing three of their 5 series cards (which are DX11) tomorrow apparently. The 5850 is priced at $299 the 5870 is priced at $399 and the 5870X2 is priced at $599. Those would probably be better than going for the high end Nvidia cards as you'd be getting new technology and DX11.
Rezolve
Quote:
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Originally Posted by moriz
i would recommend waiting for around a month. this will allow the technology to mature a bit more as well as settle the pricing down. by that time, the new Radeon graphic cards (HD 5800 series) would be available for purchase, and you'll get to benefit from them also.
remember, the biggest determinant of game performance is the graphic card. if gaming is your primary concern, always go with the best graphic card within your price range. |
im looking at motherboards and i see this for memory standard
OC2000/OC1833/OC1600/1333
what does that mean? and having a higher memory standard does that neccessary mean that the motherboard is better right?
Elder III
it means that you will have to overclock to achieve any memory frequency past 1333, higher memory frequencies is a good thing, but that in and of itself does not make a motherboard a better option than another.
Rezolve
but for over clocking to achieve higher frequencies after 1333, for example would i need a 1600 memory stick to do that? or would i be able to do that with a 1333 stick. Also what if i use a memory stick that is higher than the motherboard standard?
EDIT: also my brother tells me motherboard decides the amount of usb ports? I thought it just mattered on the case
If I wanted to put 3 graphic cards, not saying I want to, but if i did, would I need 3 PCIE *16 slots? also do PCIE*1 and PCI slots matter?
thx
EDIT: also my brother tells me motherboard decides the amount of usb ports? I thought it just mattered on the case
If I wanted to put 3 graphic cards, not saying I want to, but if i did, would I need 3 PCIE *16 slots? also do PCIE*1 and PCI slots matter?
thx
Schnellburg
Usually the mobo will have USB ports built into them (the back of the computer) and some areas you can connect the USB ports from the front of the computer. Im using a Thermaltake Armor+ case and i have 4 usb ports on the actually tower, and another 8 USB ports on the actual Mobo (EVGA x58).
Rezolve
so basically, you take the amount of ports on the mobo and the case, find the lowest number and thats the amount of usb ports you get?
Schnellburg
The mobo should have how many USB ports it has on the actual motherboard. Same with the case. Click on specs and it will tell you.
Elder III
you will need a separate PCI Express x 16 2.0 slot for each video card you have in your computer. PCI is usually used for things like sound cards or old school dial up modems you probably don't need either of them...
Rezolve
ahh thanks you guys that clears up a lot about mobos..
for the usb ports, what I mean is for example on a mobo theres 6 ports, and on the case theres 8, then after the PC is put together you would only have 6 usable ports?
for the usb ports, what I mean is for example on a mobo theres 6 ports, and on the case theres 8, then after the PC is put together you would only have 6 usable ports?
Schnellburg
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rezolve
ahh thanks you guys that clears up a lot about mobos..
for the usb ports, what I mean is for example on a mobo theres 6 ports, and on the case theres 8, then after the PC is put together you would only have 6 usable ports? |
Elder III
If you go to a site like newegg.com or tigerdirect.com they will tell you how many "back panel" usb ports you have (what will be at the back of your PC tower) and how many "onboard usb connectors" it has, these will connect to the case's "front panel" USB (generally each onboard connector will support 2 actual USB ports) - your case will have the cables with it, all you have to do is plug them into the right place.
moriz
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rezolve
but when the graphics card comes out, wouldn't you want me to wait another month for the graphic card technology to mature?...
|
Rezolve
Ok I get that you have to connect the front ones, but from the looks of it, the motherboard just connects directly to the back of the case, so I don't have to connect anything on the back right?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...%20Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ShowIma...omputer%20Case
Looking at those two pictures. The motherboard side, which connects to the back of the case, does not match the case. I’m thinking when you buy the motherboard it comes with the plating that covers the hole in the back of the case? And the plating on the case right now is just an example.
So for the USB ports, it does not matter how much there is on the back of the case, because that’s for the motherboard to decide, and if the motherboard supports two USB ports in the front, and you have two USB holes in the front of the case, then you get two USB ports in the front. Is that correct?
@Schnellburg why would I have 14 USB ports? If I use all six ports on the mobo on rear panel, shouldn’t that just leave 8 empty holes in the front of my case? Sorry, I don't see how they can add up; I thought all USB port holes in the case had to connect to the mobo for it to work.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...%20Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ShowIma...omputer%20Case
Looking at those two pictures. The motherboard side, which connects to the back of the case, does not match the case. I’m thinking when you buy the motherboard it comes with the plating that covers the hole in the back of the case? And the plating on the case right now is just an example.
So for the USB ports, it does not matter how much there is on the back of the case, because that’s for the motherboard to decide, and if the motherboard supports two USB ports in the front, and you have two USB holes in the front of the case, then you get two USB ports in the front. Is that correct?
@Schnellburg why would I have 14 USB ports? If I use all six ports on the mobo on rear panel, shouldn’t that just leave 8 empty holes in the front of my case? Sorry, I don't see how they can add up; I thought all USB port holes in the case had to connect to the mobo for it to work.
moriz
you connect the front panel USB slots by wire to your motherboard. there should be a number of connectors on your motherboard for it.
you also connect the front panel audio the same way. the power and reset buttons, as well as the front LEDs, work the same way too.
you also connect the front panel audio the same way. the power and reset buttons, as well as the front LEDs, work the same way too.
Schnellburg
Quote:
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Originally Posted by moriz
you connect the front panel USB slots by wire to your motherboard. there should be a number of connectors on your motherboard for it.
you also connect the front panel audio the same way. the power and reset buttons, as well as the front LEDs, work the same way too. |
Elder III
The best thing to do when you are starting out for the first time is to sit down with the User Manual and the motherboard in front of you. Read through the manual and visually check everything it refers to. That way you will get to know the layout of your motherboard and what options are available to you before you actually start putting things together.
*and buy one of this before you touch anything >>>>>>>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-001-_-Product
*and buy one of this before you touch anything >>>>>>>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-001-_-Product
Rezolve
Actually I have a neighbor who I think would help me set up =P
I'm really sorry if I sound annoying, but I wanna get this straight, If u guy help me answer these two questions I will have everything figured out.
[mobo- 6 back usbs, 2 front usbs] + [case- 6 front usbs] = how many total usb ports.
[mobo- 4 back usbs, 6 front usbs] + [case- 2 front usbs] = how many total usb ports.
Thanks a lot
*question about memory standard, if memory standard on my mobo is 1333, then if i buy a 1600 ram it won't work right? but if it says OC1600 then that means I need to overclock my mobo for it to work?
again Thx
I'm really sorry if I sound annoying, but I wanna get this straight, If u guy help me answer these two questions I will have everything figured out.
[mobo- 6 back usbs, 2 front usbs] + [case- 6 front usbs] = how many total usb ports.
[mobo- 4 back usbs, 6 front usbs] + [case- 2 front usbs] = how many total usb ports.
Thanks a lot
*question about memory standard, if memory standard on my mobo is 1333, then if i buy a 1600 ram it won't work right? but if it says OC1600 then that means I need to overclock my mobo for it to work?
again Thx
vamp08
If you buy 1600 RAM, it will work It just will not run @ 1600. The BIOS/CMOS will clock the ram lower to match the 1333 spec. And yes, you will have to OC your ram if you want to reach the "OC" 1600Mhz spec.
As far as RAM goes, the only way your RAM wont work is if you put, lets say, 2.1v RAM in a 1.8v DIMM.
As far as RAM goes, the only way your RAM wont work is if you put, lets say, 2.1v RAM in a 1.8v DIMM.
Elder III
vamp08 is correct on the RAM
Your total amount of USB Ports will be as follows:
The amount of USB Ports on the Back Panel of the motherboard (say 6 for example) = 6
The amount of USB Ports on the front of the case (say it's 6 again) = 6*
Total = 12 USB Ports (see below)
*this depends on how many USB headers are on the motherboard itself, Usually every 2 USB ports on the front of your case will have a cable leading to it. IF your motherboard has 3 empty USB Headers you will be able to have 6 working USB ports on the front of your case, if the motherboard only has 2 USB Headers available then you will most likely only have 4 of the USB ports on the front of the case working.
hope that makes sense
Your total amount of USB Ports will be as follows:
The amount of USB Ports on the Back Panel of the motherboard (say 6 for example) = 6
The amount of USB Ports on the front of the case (say it's 6 again) = 6*
Total = 12 USB Ports (see below)
*this depends on how many USB headers are on the motherboard itself, Usually every 2 USB ports on the front of your case will have a cable leading to it. IF your motherboard has 3 empty USB Headers you will be able to have 6 working USB ports on the front of your case, if the motherboard only has 2 USB Headers available then you will most likely only have 4 of the USB ports on the front of the case working.
hope that makes sense
Rezolve
its the ram I have to oc? not the motherboard?..
and acutally how many kinds of oc is there, I have never done it before, so I just want to OC the simplest one, like the cpu?
EDIT: ah.. thank you elder, makes sense now
and acutally how many kinds of oc is there, I have never done it before, so I just want to OC the simplest one, like the cpu?
EDIT: ah.. thank you elder, makes sense now
Elder III
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rezolve
its the ram I have to oc? not the motherboard?..
and acutally how many kinds of oc is there, I have never done it before, so I just want to OC the simplest one, like the cpu? |
You overclock memory by increasing voltage and adjusting other things via the motherboard - they go hand in hand. Think of it as the motherboard being the means to overclock your RAM/CPU/GPU/etc - this is why it's important to buy a motherboard with good overclocking capabilities if you want to go that route. You pay more but it's worth it.
Seriously though, for your first build don't mess with overclocking. Let it break in for awhile before you even think about overclocking. As for what's easiest to OC it depends so much on the mobo, the other hardware, the software used (or BIOS), and just plain luck. If I had to say though I would go for the CPU, at least under the right circumstances can be very easy to OC....
Rezolve
Ok, I have the parts picked out, but some I'm still unsure about
Case- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021
Hard Drive- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320
Monitor- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001280
GPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130475 -if ATI options are better, let me know, becuase I have only ever looked at Nvidia ones
PSU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
RAM- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145224 -I just took the highest rated one at 2*3 GBs
Mobo I have two picked out, not sure if they're good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130239
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188054
CPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215
EDIT: this comes to about 1400$ USD
As for OC, I'll listen to your advice and wait awhile, see If I actually need that boost in performance.
I just noticed my RAM speed is too high, does that mean I would need to switch?
And for the EVGA mobo, the memory standard is 2000MHz+, what does that mean?
Case- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021
Hard Drive- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320
Monitor- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001280
GPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130475 -if ATI options are better, let me know, becuase I have only ever looked at Nvidia ones
PSU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
RAM- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145224 -I just took the highest rated one at 2*3 GBs
Mobo I have two picked out, not sure if they're good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130239
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188054
CPU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215
EDIT: this comes to about 1400$ USD
As for OC, I'll listen to your advice and wait awhile, see If I actually need that boost in performance.
I just noticed my RAM speed is too high, does that mean I would need to switch?
And for the EVGA mobo, the memory standard is 2000MHz+, what does that mean?
Elder III
I would get the EVGA mobo, better features and a better brand imo.
Also get this RAM instead if you have a mobo that supports 2000mhz RAM frequency:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231254
Also get this RAM instead if you have a mobo that supports 2000mhz RAM frequency:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231254
Quaker
To be more accurate on the USB port thing - the motherboard will have a certain number of actual USB ports on the backpanel. It will also have a certain number of "headers" for "external" USB ports, such as those built into the case and/or things like an internal card reader. The headers are just a set of pins to which you would attach physical USB "ports" - each header connects to 2 ports. The total number of physical USB ports you can have (without a hub, etc.) will not exceed the total of the on-board plus the external ports available on the motherboard. The case may have 8 USB ports on it, but there may not be enough ports on the mobo to support them all.
Total = 8 - the 6 on the back + the 2 front on the mobo (1 header) - there would be nowhere to plug in the other 4 from the case.
Total = 6 - the 4 on the back + the 2 on the case - there would be nothing to plug into the other 4 on the mobo.
Quote:
| [mobo- 6 back usbs, 2 front usbs] + [case- 6 front usbs] = how many total usb ports. |
Quote:
| [mobo- 4 back usbs, 6 front usbs] + [case- 2 front usbs] = how many total usb ports. |
Rezolve
thanks quaker, that clears everything up
Listed in the specifications in my gpu, it says its DirectX 10, does that mean I won't be able to play DirectX11 games when they come out?
@elder, how come the ram you suggested me, is cheaper than the one I picked, and at a higher speed?
Listed in the specifications in my gpu, it says its DirectX 10, does that mean I won't be able to play DirectX11 games when they come out?
@elder, how come the ram you suggested me, is cheaper than the one I picked, and at a higher speed?
Elder III
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rezolve
thanks quaker, that clears everything up
Listed in the specifications in my gpu, it says its DirectX 10, does that mean I won't be able to play DirectX11 games when they come out? @elder, how come the ram you suggested me, is cheaper than the one I picked, and at a higher speed? |
more expensive doesn't always mean better, let alone a good deal. G Skill is a very good brand, you won't regret it if you buy them. DX 11 games will be backwards compatible, just like you can now play DX10 games with a DX9 only card... you jost won't get the extra "eye candy" benefits of DX11.
Rezolve
so would buying a gpu now be stupid? I wouldn't wanna buy a new card, and miss out on new stuff thats just gonna come out
moriz
that's what i've been trying to tell you actually. the new ATI radeons will be here late september/early october, and from preliminary benchmarks, will clobber everything available right now. so yes, wait for the new radeons.
Rezolve
yes, but wats the estimated price range of those? I don't want to spend 400$ on a card
moriz
no one is really sure, but it's been rumored that the 5870 (the top of the line card) will be $400.
but given your budget, you will be able to fit it in. even if you don't want it, the mere presence of the new radeons will drive the prices of everything down.
but given your budget, you will be able to fit it in. even if you don't want it, the mere presence of the new radeons will drive the prices of everything down.
Rezolve
how long does it usually take for a new directx to come out? If its like a really long time then I'll wait.