DrankisDank Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 So I am on a quest to rid my life of the crappy computers that my family has been oh-so-accustomed to. I am the first person in my family to actually understand technology, so I want to build my own high(ish)-end desktop for my own use and enjoyment. The problem is that I have never done this before, and have never messed around/explored hardware before, so I basically dont know the difference between a graphics card and a motherboard. (that was of course an exaggeration) But I need some help from you guys to put this thing together. Remember, I'm not looking at some crazy super computer that can play 100 videogames at once on high graphics settings, just a good, reliable, gaming machine that I can live with. If you feel like helping me do this, just post up some parts (maybe even a link?) that I could look into buying. Here's what I'm started on... Which one of THESE i5 or i7? (remember I dont want to punch a hole in my tree erm i mean wallet) currently im looking at this i5 also, graphics cards I am completely lost on... but yeah just give suggestions or links or w/e. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastercraze Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 11-129-066 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115072 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822145532 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131770 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231438 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817341022 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814150521 Have a look into those and see what you want. That'd be about $800 - whatever rebates you end up getting back. If you want something a bit cheaper, drop Intel and go with AMD Phenom II X6 1066T (I think that's the one) and for a board ASUS is usually the top board maker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrankisDank Posted December 9, 2011 Author Share Posted December 9, 2011 Coaster, don't be surprised if I make the exact build you just suggested. And one more question, isn't RAM just RAM no matter who makes it? does it really matter what kind of sticks I buy? and how much do you think I would need? 4? 6? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoa Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 there is a difference in RAM but i can't think of many differences at the moment, but as to quantity, 4 should be good for games, any more would be a waste unless your wabuf, who creates HD video all the time, and manages to use all 12GB of the RAM he has... ( < 4 GB would be used for digital/multimedia production... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabuf Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 Coaster's choices are exceptional, however: Get Mushkin RAM if you care about RAM quality at all, whatsoever. I have tried them all. Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 12GB - $68 (Blackline = gaming RAM) I just got this same 12 GB tri-channel setup for $123 about 2 months ago. ...it's come down to $68 since then with free shipping (lol, it hurts >. I have this stuff running at slightly over 2000 MHz--a bit overclocked from the stock 1600 MHz it advertises, and it absolutely runs like a dream. It gets programs (any number of them) up and running so quickly and smoothly, it's unreal. One of the best performance enhancements you can give your computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrankisDank Posted December 9, 2011 Author Share Posted December 9, 2011 another question, is it bad to fill up RAM slots with different sticks? like say I get 2 sticks of X brand, and then I put in 2 more sticks of Y brand. any downsides to that or things I should know about doing that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrankisDank Posted December 9, 2011 Author Share Posted December 9, 2011 and yeah I think i'm just gonna stick with the ripjaws 4Gig I HIGHLY doubt i'll need 12Gigs, and I don't need to drop the extra money on it either. Worst case scenario, I buy new RAM in a year or so when I realize i need it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabuf Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 Ah, that's a shame. That Mushkin is the best price it's ever been... O: A few years back, 12 GBs of triple-channel RAM was easily $500. That's why it's such a big deal. Ripjaws was the last RAM I owned before this Mushkin and it really didn't perform as it stated... it wouldn't even run cool at it's stock clock rate. Hence, the reason why my Minecraft always used to crash. xD Yes it does matter where you put RAM. If it's dual or tri channel they must go in a certain way in order for you to get the full MHz out of it. Otherwise, you won't get the full performance. For Example: Let's say your board has 6 DDR3 RAM slots. Here is how you would arrange dual-channel: [] | [] | | | Here is how you would arrange tri-channel: [] | [] | [] | | = empty slot [] = stick of RAM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastercraze Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I haven't tried out Mushkin yet so I can't comment on that. G-Skill seems alright to me. I'm using the dark blue sticks (mind you they were $80 during the RAM price hikes lol). Crucial is also another good brand which I use in my netbook. The main thing on RAM is to look for the CAS latency (lower is better). If the ram brands are all the same size, it doesn't make a difference where it's at. The main thing is if you put 4GB in the first slot, put the next 4GB stick in the 3rd slot (leave one open between them). Then put say a 2GB and 2GB in the empty slots and that should do it. Also make sure when buying ram it's like -minded as the type and latencies. (DDR3 1600 for example with a CAS latency of 7) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrankisDank Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share Posted December 10, 2011 Give me the ultimate pros/cons to buying a pre-made PC to building my own. I know I want to build my own, but my dad isn't so sure. I need sound arguments and key points to present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrankisDank Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share Posted December 10, 2011 oh and if i wanted to step down a notch from that current graphics card in coaster's suggestion, what would I step down to and what capabilities would I cripple in doing so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabuf Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Give me the ultimate pros/cons to buying a pre-made PC to building my own.Buying Premade - Pros: [*:2spsn4nd]All the internal components are compatible (manufacutrer tested)Buying Premade - Cons: [*:2spsn4nd]Much more expensive [*:2spsn4nd]Usually less powerful [*:2spsn4nd]Full of useless programs [*:2spsn4nd]Usually comes with a crap OS (Home or Standard editions) [*:2spsn4nd]Chances are even if it doesn't say "Dell", it probably isBuilding Your Own - Pros: [*:2spsn4nd]It is less expensive [*:2spsn4nd]You get what you want [*:2spsn4nd]You know what you're getting [*:2spsn4nd]It is no longer a PC, it's a workstation [*:2spsn4nd]You get better warranties per product (and another through Newegg) [*:2spsn4nd]You will better know how to replace parts if you built itBuilding Your Own - Cons: [*:2spsn4nd]You have to know how to do it [*:2spsn4nd]You have to buy everything separately (However, you can buy all parts in 1 order on Newegg) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrankisDank Posted December 25, 2011 Author Share Posted December 25, 2011 Santa (and my uncle who works for microsoft) did a good job this christmas! I now have the following parts! - Case - i5 2500K processor - Windows 7 Professional - 4GB of RAM - a morph suit well, the last bit isn't really for my computer, but yeah its all good. MERRY CHRISTMAS ERRBUDY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoa Posted December 25, 2011 Share Posted December 25, 2011 holy fucking shit morph suit?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrankisDank Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 quick! can someone tell me if bad things will happen if I get this power supply as opposed to this power supply? the difference? I have a promo code for the second one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastercraze Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817139028 $10 off w/ promo code EMCJHHA58, ends 1/4 That'd make it $39.99 after rebate. Probably your best bet. 600W name brand, 80+ certified can't beat that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrankisDank Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 okay so I'm scared that I shorted my motherboard somehow... because when i flipped the PSU switch, the fan lights came on for a split second and the fans twitched (they are plugged directly into the PSU) but then they both stopped and now my computer won't do anything I dont think... anyone have any input on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrankisDank Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 NEVERMIND!!!!!!!!!!!! (FUCK YEAH!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabuf Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Haha, good to hear it's not dead! That same thing happened to one of my old builds .. it's terrifying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrankisDank Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 this post was made on my new computer :D :D :D epic time starts now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastercraze Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 haha glad everything is going alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wabuf Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Damn 'Thanks' plugin isn't working ... ): I'd "Like" the crap out of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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