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This topic has moved here: Subject: Want to build a PC? PC Building Guide and FAQ of The Flood
  • Subject: Want to build a PC? PC Building Guide and FAQ of The Flood
Subject: Want to build a PC? PC Building Guide and FAQ of The Flood

I think I've found a solution to my OS problem.. If I buy a copy of windows xp, then back up my files and things on an external HDD, install windows xp, immediately upgrade to windows 7 with the disk I have, everything should work, correct?

  • 07.11.2012 10:33 AM PDT

I got these cheeseburgers man....


Posted by: jross1993

Posted by: Vadam930
Posted by: jross1993
Herp.

Seriously though, I'm thinking about building a PC for myself. I have a budget of $2000 that I've saved up for it.

Anyone want to recommend anything?
What will you be using it for?

Gaming, mostly. Of course it'll be used for uni assignments and whatnot, but that's not a big deal. $2000 is my upper most limit. I'd prefer it to be less however as I still need to buy my motorcycle, but it's what I have aside.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($22.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ eCost)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Constellation ES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($127.99 @ eCost)
Hard Drive: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.95 @ B&H)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($569.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) ($124.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1547.86
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

Alright, how's this? I didn't add monitor or anything. The MOBO could probably be bumped up a little, and I gave you Professional in case any of your programs you might need to use have Win7 issues, there's the XP emulation.

  • 07.11.2012 11:58 AM PDT

Who the hell do you think I am?


Posted by: SuicidalSplatter
Look at the benchmarks for the 670 and 680, then look at the prices.

A 670 will already be way more than enough, so you could definitely save a lot of money by just getting that. With that extra money you could upgrade your CPU to an i7, or get a great mouse/headset/keyboard, etc.

Just saying.

  • 07.11.2012 12:20 PM PDT

Xbox LIVE gamertag: Dat3lessNutella
Steam username: TopWargamer
To look up my Halo stats...search for the gamertag TopWargamer.
SAVED THREAD PAGES: 283
One does not simply get rid of TopWargamer so easily.
You know this to be true.
ALL HAIL GABEN


Posted by: THE SALTY CHIP

Posted by: SuicidalSplatter
Look at the benchmarks for the 670 and 680, then look at the prices.

A 670 will already be way more than enough, so you could definitely save a lot of money by just getting that. With that extra money you could upgrade your CPU to an i7, or get a great mouse/headset/keyboard, etc.

Just saying.

There's hardly a performance difference between the 670 and 680, and the 670 is $100 cheaper I believe. So just go with that.

  • 07.11.2012 1:02 PM PDT

Who the hell do you think I am?


Posted by: TopWargamer

Posted by: THE SALTY CHIP

Posted by: SuicidalSplatter
Look at the benchmarks for the 670 and 680, then look at the prices.

A 670 will already be way more than enough, so you could definitely save a lot of money by just getting that. With that extra money you could upgrade your CPU to an i7, or get a great mouse/headset/keyboard, etc.

Just saying.

There's hardly a performance difference between the 670 and 680, and the 670 is $100 cheaper I believe. So just go with that.
Yeah, that's why I'm saying get the 670.

  • 07.11.2012 1:08 PM PDT

FLOOD QUOTES!
Posted by: G3N3RAL R3VAN
The Flood....... if it doesn't go anywhere else, stick it her pooper
Posted by: xflox231
Idiots. I'm surrounded by idiots
Posted by: ferrrari
the flood, there a bunch of jerks, but there my jerks.


Posted by: SuicidalSplatter

If you are going with a PCIe 3.0 card such as the 680, you probably should go with a PCIe 3.0 compatible CPU, like the Ivy Bridge processors.

  • 07.11.2012 3:13 PM PDT
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Hi guys.

Right now I'm trying to build a relatively cheap rig and am trying to save on as much as possible. With that said, is it alright if I use my current HDD, Optical Drive and OS for my new rig?

Like, all I would have to do is take out said items and put them into the new one. Is it that simple? Will everything work okay?

  • 07.11.2012 6:59 PM PDT

I got these cheeseburgers man....


Posted by: Ferrari DuDe856

Posted by: SuicidalSplatter

If you are going with a PCIe 3.0 card such as the 680, you probably should go with a PCIe 3.0 compatible CPU, like the Ivy Bridge processors.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($22.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ eCost)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Constellation ES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($127.99 @ eCost)
Hard Drive: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.95 @ B&H)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($407.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) ($124.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1554.41
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

Mkay, changed the GPU to the 670, and bumped up the processor to an i7.

Posted by: Ue Okipro
Hi guys.

Right now I'm trying to build a relatively cheap rig and am trying to save on as much as possible. With that said, is it alright if I use my current HDD, Optical Drive and OS for my new rig?

Like, all I would have to do is take out said items and put them into the new one. Is it that simple? Will everything work okay?
Make sure you format the HDD and that it's SATA, you might need something special if it's PATA(IDE)., but the OS, will probably not work if it's OEM. The optical drive should work as well.

[Edited on 07.11.2012 7:10 PM PDT]

  • 07.11.2012 7:06 PM PDT

Color The Sky
Lost In Las Vegas
Missed You

Remember all
The sadness and frustration
And let it go


Posted by: Ferrari DuDe856

Posted by: SuicidalSplatter

If you are going with a PCIe 3.0 card such as the 680, you probably should go with a PCIe 3.0 compatible CPU, like the Ivy Bridge processors.

Ivy Bridge processors are a waste of money if you have a video card.

  • 07.11.2012 7:13 PM PDT

Posted by: xSapphire
Posted by: Ferrari DuDe856
Posted by: SuicidalSplatter

If you are going with a PCIe 3.0 card such as the 680, you probably should go with a PCIe 3.0 compatible CPU, like the Ivy Bridge processors.

Ivy Bridge processors are a waste of money if you have a video card.

I'm not sure if I understand your reasoning on that. They work on two fronts. Ivy Bridge is also currently the only processor architecture to support PCI-e 3.0.
Posted by: SuicidalSplatter
Looks like a nice build to me. Quite a jump in processors though. :P

[Edited on 07.11.2012 7:15 PM PDT]

  • 07.11.2012 7:14 PM PDT
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Uhm, that sounded very confusing. I think I'm going to just go with building it from the ground up.

Another question. Do I need a CPU cooler?

[Edited on 07.11.2012 7:25 PM PDT]

  • 07.11.2012 7:23 PM PDT

Posted by: Ue Okipro
Uhm, that sounded very confusing. I think I'm going to just go with building it from the ground up.

Your parts should work just fine, and to see if your current parts use SATA, check the cables coming out of them. If any of those cables is about the width of a smartphone, it's probably not SATA. The OS should also work since the "machine" in this case is the HDD. However, I would highly recommend installing the OS fresh for the new hardware (and in this case your current OS is of no use).

Posted by: Ue Okipro
Another question. Do I need a CPU cooler?

Most CPUs come with a stock cooler that will do just fine if you don't plan on overclocking.

[Edited on 07.11.2012 7:27 PM PDT]

  • 07.11.2012 7:25 PM PDT
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Cool, no cooler it is then.

A question on RAM. Is 4G enough to handle modern day games?

  • 07.11.2012 7:30 PM PDT

I got these cheeseburgers man....


Posted by: CostlyAxis
Posted by: Ue Okipro
Uhm, that sounded very confusing. I think I'm going to just go with building it from the ground up.

Your parts should work just fine, and to see if your current parts use SATA, check the cables coming out of them. If any of those cables is about the width of a smartphone, it's probably not SATA. The OS should also work since the "machine" in this case is the HDD. However, I would highly recommend installing the OS fresh for the new hardware (and in this case your current OS is of no use).


I'm pretty sure they're tied to the first motherboard.


And yes, 4GBs is enough.

[Edited on 07.11.2012 7:35 PM PDT]

  • 07.11.2012 7:35 PM PDT
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Sweet :)

  • 07.11.2012 7:36 PM PDT

I got these cheeseburgers man....


Posted by: Ue Okipro
Sweet :)
You need any help picking out parts?

  • 07.11.2012 7:40 PM PDT
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Yeah, if you guys think you could help me out that'd be great. This is my very first build so I have little to no idea as to what I'm doing! I'm trying to keep it around $800, as well.

  • 07.11.2012 7:42 PM PDT

I got these cheeseburgers man....

Give me a few, I'll make one now.

  • 07.11.2012 7:44 PM PDT

I got these cheeseburgers man....

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 960T Black 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($115.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($103.99 @ eCost)
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($22.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.65 @ Amazon)
Total: $645.57
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
Ok, since I wasn't sure if you already had a monitor, I made this one, which still leaves enough room for a good monitor.

  • 07.11.2012 8:11 PM PDT
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Looks great, thanks man! I built one myself and it includes an HD 7770 instead of the 6870. Is there any particular difference other than the price and series?

  • 07.11.2012 8:20 PM PDT

I got these cheeseburgers man....


Posted by: Ue Okipro
Looks great, thanks man! I built one myself and it includes an HD 7770 instead of the 6870. Is there any particular difference other than the price and series?
7770 has lower power consumption, and some newer tech, but the 6870 preforms better than it. All I changed in this version of the build, is I changed the 6870 to a 7870.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 960T Black 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($115.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($103.99 @ eCost)
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($22.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.65 @ Amazon)
Total: $745.57
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

[Edited on 07.11.2012 8:30 PM PDT]

  • 07.11.2012 8:23 PM PDT

Posted by: Gandalf: I'm new. And a wizard.

Sapphire just got even more awesome.

Posted by: mount420: You are late.
Posted by: jaythenerdkid: A wizard is never late.
Posted by: THORSGOD: Nor is he ever early. He arrives precisely when he means to.

Posted by: CostlyAxis
I'm not sure if I understand your reasoning on that. They work on two fronts. Ivy Bridge is also currently the only processor architecture to support PCI-e 3.0.
Officially, yes. But the Sandy Bridge-E processors can support it as well.

  • 07.11.2012 8:29 PM PDT
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Dude, you just built my rig :D

Thanks! The PSU will be fine right, 500w is enough? Also, the CPU won't hold back the GPU will it? Also, how do you know if the CPU will hold back the GPU? I've never really understood how that worked.
Posted by: SuicidalSplatter

Posted by: Ue Okipro
Looks great, thanks man! I built one myself and it includes an HD 7770 instead of the 6870. Is there any particular difference other than the price and series?
7770 has lower power consumption, and some newer tech, but the 6870 preforms better than it. All I changed in this version of the build, is I changed the 6870 to a 7870.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 960T Black 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($115.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($103.99 @ eCost)
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($22.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.65 @ Amazon)
Total: $745.57
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)

  • 07.11.2012 10:25 PM PDT

I got these cheeseburgers man....


Posted by: Ue Okipro
Dude, you just built my rig :D

Thanks! The PSU will be fine right, 500w is enough? Also, the CPU won't hold back the GPU will it? Also, how do you know if the CPU will hold back the GPU? I've never really understood how that worked.
Posted by: SuicidalSplatter

Posted by: Ue Okipro
Looks great, thanks man! I built one myself and it includes an HD 7770 instead of the 6870. Is there any particular difference other than the price and series?
7770 has lower power consumption, and some newer tech, but the 6870 preforms better than it. All I changed in this version of the build, is I changed the 6870 to a 7870.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 960T Black 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($115.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($103.99 @ eCost)
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($22.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.65 @ Amazon)
Total: $745.57
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)


Actually, I didn't re-calculate the PSU wattage when adding in the new GPU, so you might want to bump that up to either a 550W or 600W. And no, the CPU shouldn't bottleneck the GPU, I see a lot of people in this thread add in a very similar CPU and they all seem to like it.

  • 07.11.2012 11:24 PM PDT
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Cool, I found a 700W with a very high rating for about $50, dropping the price down a bit.

  • 07.11.2012 11:37 PM PDT