I'd go with the tri-core as well.

Cool, thanks guys. I will grab that triple core mobo then. I didn't see that one before.

Hey CAG's. I think I am finally ready to take on the endeavor of building my own PC. I have done some research and watched a "how to vid" from the OP. I feel fairly confident in building my own as I have upgraded/tinkered with the family computer numerous times. I feel as if the $1200 i7-930 + 5850 Build fits my budget. I understand I will have to pick out my optical drives,OS, speakers etc.


The only input I would like from you guys is how decent is this build now? I honestly don't have a ton of knowledge when it comes to how capable the hardware actually is. I noticed the MB doesnt do USB 3.0 and what your opinions on that are. I also wondered if both sides of the coolmaster case open. Naturally i can tell from the pics that the one side opens for installation but couldn't tell if the other side opens up for cable management.

Any other input would be much appreciated.

Originally Posted by BackInBlack The only input I would like from you guys is how decent is this build now? I honestly don't have a ton of knowledge when it comes to how capable the hardware actually is. I noticed the MB doesnt do USB 3.0 and what your opinions on that are. I also wondered if both sides of the coolmaster case open. Naturally i can tell from the pics that the one side opens for installation but couldn't tell if the other side opens up for cable management. Any other input would be much appreciated.

It's a very decent, capable build. You could possibly shop around and get the price lowered a tad for similar quality products.

About USB 3.0, how many devices do you have that are 3.0? If you have a lot, then get a different mobo. If you have none, then don't worry about it. If you're thinking about the future, then get 3.0. For my own devices, I have none and don't really anticipate switching out all my devices to 3.0 in the near future.

I've never seen the case personally, but from the pictures, I see thumbscrews on both sides of the case, so I'd take a guess and say both side panels are removable.

Originally Posted by BackInBlack Hey CAG's. I think I am finally ready to take on the endeavor of building my own PC. I have done some research and watched a "how to vid" from the OP. I feel fairly confident in building my own as I have upgraded/tinkered with the family computer numerous times. I feel as if the $1200 i7-930 + 5850 Build fits my budget. I understand I will have to pick out my optical drives,OS, speakers etc. The only input I would like from you guys is how decent is this build now? I honestly don't have a ton of knowledge when it comes to how capable the hardware actually is. I noticed the MB doesnt do USB 3.0 and what your opinions on that are. I also wondered if both sides of the coolmaster case open. Naturally i can tell from the pics that the one side opens for installation but couldn't tell if the other side opens up for cable management. Any other input would be much appreciated.

I'd upgrade to the 1TB version of that hard drive for only $20 more.

Also, it's an SLI (nVidia) motherboard, but you're buying an ATI card... you wouldn't be able to crossfire the card later on down the road. Might look into that as well.

Originally Posted by Lawyers Guns N Money I'd upgrade to the 1TB version of that hard drive for only $20 more. Also, it's an SLI (nVidia) motherboard, but you're buying an ATI card... you wouldn't be able to crossfire the card later on down the road. Might look into that as well.

What comparable board would you recommend that supports that? How well does "crossfire" work? If I am content with using one card does it matter?

Originally Posted by BackInBlack If I am content with using one card does it matter?

No, it does not matter

Also, what is recommend version of windows 7? What are essential tools for the task? The only tools i could imagine are a screwdriver, needlenose/pliers, socket wrench. I'll need to buy that special thermal glue for my heatsink if I'm not mistaken. I'm about ready to take the plunge. I may be ready by tomorrow night to commit.

Thanks so much for the tips!

depending on your case you might need a screwdriver and possibly a nut driver for the cpu sink.
if you have a .edu address you can get win7pro for $65 I think it is, it actually might be $30 now (you only need an upgrade disk)

I'm debating between a 3.4 quad core or 3.2 6core anyone know how far you can overclock the amds I have a msi with an overclocking genie

Hey all, I'm also thinking of going the home built rig route, and I had a quick question. New Egg is running a combo deal right now which my buddy says is pretty sweet: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.472801

1. AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Thuban 2.8GHz 6 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor (Model: HDT55TFBGRBOX)
2. GIGABYTE AM3 AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX Motherboard (Model: GA-880GMA-UD2H)
3. G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (Model: F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT)
4. Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (Model: ST31000528AS)
5. Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan
6. Rosewill Green Series 630W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7, i5" Power Supply (Model: RG630-S12)

I'll be adding in a Radeon HD 5770 1 GB video card as well, to complete the package. My questions is two-fold. One, is this really a decent deal, and two, will that power supply be able to handle all that plus the video-card? My budget is roughly $700 (saving a little for a nice monitor) so I have a little wiggle room, but this seems to offer everything I need. Am I missing some glaring flaw in any of these components?

This is my first personally-built PC, so go easy on me, interwebs. The primary use will be for editing videos, and I'll be hooking up my rig to my 32' Vizio TV. I have keyboard and mouse already.



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136180
LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R - $17.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM- $89.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231275
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 - $91.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128425
GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard- $119.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115067
Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB[/link] - $209.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...force%209800gt
XFX PVT98GYAF3 GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 - outside of Newegg for $50

I still need the tower and Windows 7, but it's looking to me like it'll peak at about $700. But I have a feeling I screwed something up.

I would like to run SC2 better (1920x1080 w/ medium-to-high settings) so any tips on what I should upgrade w/ the exception of my video card?

OS: Windows XP Professional 32-bit
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor ADO4200CUBOX
RAM: G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5S-1GBNQ
Video card: GIGABYTE GV-R577SO-1GD Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Mobo: BIOSTAR TForce TF7025-M2 AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7025 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Game_Dude_3 This is my first personally-built PC, so go easy on me, interwebs. The primary use will be for editing videos, and I'll be hooking up my rig to my 32' Vizio TV. I have keyboard and mouse already. ... I still need the tower and Windows 7, but it's looking to me like it'll peak at about $700. But I have a feeling I screwed something up.

Looks fine to me. Get a PSU.

I would like to run SC2 better (1920x1080 w/ medium-to-high settings) so any tips on what I should upgrade w/ the exception of my video card? ... Thanks.

Is this what you have or want to upgrade to? Actually w/e the case, upgrade the RAM first, but you'd probably want to then upgrade your mobo and then cpu.

If you're looking for just one thing to upgrade, upgrade the RAM, but it seems that everything else could use an upgrade.

Originally Posted by kilm If you're looking for just one thing to upgrade, upgrade the RAM, but it seems that everything else could use an upgrade.

It's what I have. I copy-pasted and forgot to mention I actually have 2 sticks of that RAM so I'm at 2 GB. Maybe just buy another stick of the same one? If it would still be good to get more or a different one any recommendations for RAM that works on my mobo? I've actually had my eyes on A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model but I don't know if it would work or if there would be a noticeable difference (in either desktop performance or games).

Originally Posted by Hostile It's what I have. I copy-pasted and forgot to mention I actually have 2 sticks of that RAM so I'm at 2 GB. If it would still be good to get more or a different one any recommendations for RAM that works on my mobo? I've actually had my eyes on A-DATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model but I don't know if it would work.

That would not work.

You could just buy more sticks of what you have, upgrade to 4 gigs. That will help with performance quite a bit, IMO. Then you'd have to upgrade your CPU, because that's probably what's actually bottlenecking your performance.

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1. The CPU was actually a hand-me-down from a friend and he said he used to overclock it to 3 GHz. Know of any guides that would help me with that?
2. Is there a problem with Windows XP not knowing how to use 4 GB of RAM or is that just a problem of XP just not seeing the extra RAM even though it works? I'll look into buying either 1 or 2 sticks of the same RAM.

I think I would just prefer to upgrade my CPU/mobo at the same time and get a real good one and I can't do that just yet after spending money on the new video card. Forget that. What would be the best CPU for the motherboard I have? All I see on Newegg is the 5600 that does 2.9 GHz.

Originally Posted by Hostile 1. The CPU was actually a hand-me-down from a friend and he said he used to overclock it to 3 GHz. Know of any guides that would help me with that? 2. Is there a problem with Windows XP not knowing how to use 4 GB of RAM or is that just a problem of XP just not seeing the extra RAM even though it works? I'll look into buying either 1 or 2 sticks of the same RAM. I think I would just prefer to upgrade my CPU/mobo at the same time and get a real good one and I can't do that just yet after spending money on the new video card. Forget that. What would be the best CPU for the motherboard I have? All I see on Newegg is the 5600 that does 2.9 GHz.

1. Overclocking is a lot on the motherboard. Maybe your motherboard doesn't support OC well, so you'd have to check it out on other forums other documentation, maybe the official forums for that support.

2. That's right, Windows XP 32-bit won't support 4 gigs. You should upgrade your OS to 64 bit as well =/ Even at stock, your rig should have little issues with 64 bit OS

I think you're right about the 5600+. I don't see anything better than that for AM2

I probably won't go XP 64-bit (it just seems like I should pay for Windows 7 if I was going to upgrade my OS at all). Would getting another gig of that RAM do anything noticeable for performance?

Thanks for the help. I'll see what I can do for now.

I was wondering if anyone saw a 12-1 Media Reader/Writer for sale anywhere? I found some but they are like unknown companies... not really interested in those

Also has anyone got the Killer Network Card? If so, is it worth it?

I am building my own computer and this what I ordered so far:
Thermaltake V9 Black Edition Mid Tower Case
Corsair 850W CATX CPU Power Supply
MSI 870G45 AM3 AMD 870 ATX Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Six Core Processor
Western Digital 2TB 7200 RPM Hard Drive

Still Need-
Corsair 16 GB RAM DDR3 1333 (not sure which one yet)
CD/DVD Drive (LG?)
12-1 Memory Card Reader
Sound Card
2 ATI Graphics Cards (2GB Total)
Windows 7
New Monitor (Samsung) ?
Network Card ?
Blu-Ray Drive (LG) ?
LCD Display ?