Curse

Rezolve · Sep 09, 2009, 12:31 AM // 00:31

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.

Elder III · Sep 09, 2009, 12:47 AM // 00:47

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...

Rezolve · Sep 09, 2009, 04:02 AM // 04:02

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

moriz · Sep 09, 2009, 04:13 AM // 04:13

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.

Elder III · Sep 09, 2009, 03:03 PM // 15:03

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

RTSFirebat · Sep 09, 2009, 06:22 PM // 18:22

Quote:

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.

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

paranon · Sep 09, 2009, 06:45 PM // 18:45

Quote:

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

Expand on "hardcore games and stuff", unless you are planning on running crysis on full blast, 3 260's really isn't necessary, i would just go for one higher range card to make things easier. ATI cards are often much better value than Nvidia Cards, it would definitely be worth looking at a 4890, or as someone else said, wait for the next series to come.

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 · Sep 09, 2009, 06:48 PM // 18:48

Quote:

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

Since there hasn't been a full and final release of Windows 7 yet, let alone of the Upgrade version, that statement is pretty shaky my friend.

moriz · Sep 09, 2009, 06:59 PM // 18:59

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

DeadEcho · Sep 09, 2009, 07:48 PM // 19:48

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 · Sep 11, 2009, 11:46 PM // 23:46

Quote:

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.

but when the graphics card comes out, wouldn't you want me to wait another month for the graphic card technology to mature?...

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 · Sep 11, 2009, 11:51 PM // 23:51

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 · Sep 12, 2009, 12:37 AM // 00:37

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

Schnellburg · Sep 12, 2009, 01:30 AM // 01:30

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 · Sep 12, 2009, 01:38 AM // 01:38

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 · Sep 12, 2009, 01:41 AM // 01:41

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 · Sep 12, 2009, 02:45 AM // 02:45

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 · Sep 12, 2009, 04:42 AM // 04:42

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?

Schnellburg · Sep 12, 2009, 05:17 AM // 05:17

Quote:

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?

Nope you would have a total of 14 USB ports, you can use all the ports on the mobo and the case, as long as you plug them in, the usb connecters that is from the tower into the mobo.

Elder III · Sep 12, 2009, 12:47 PM // 12:47

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.