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Author Topic: Build or buy PC  (Read 2058 times)

Offline mia389

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Build or buy PC
« on: November 08, 2008, 09:38:28 AM »
Its time for a new PC. I was looking at a alienware pc. I know I could get by cheaper by building one but have never attempted. I play lots of PC games and I always have to run them at the lowest settings. I want my new pc to be able to play games great with no need to turn settings down.
   My current pc, I have added memory and a video card. That is the only experience I have had opening the case in a pc. I would like to keep it under $3,000. Should I attempt to build one or go to a local computer store and have them build one?
  If you suggest building one, can someone post a build sheet for me. ( in my budget range) I do have a monitor already. It would be great to play AH at 60fps with all settings turned up on high resolotion pack. That is my goal.
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Offline The Fugitive

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2008, 09:42:38 AM »
Search the "hardware and software" thread for new builds. There are a number of good set put together with links to new egg for parts and everything. For $1000-$1200 you could build a screamer that would stay ahead of the games for a couple of years. Far cheaper then an Alienware box.
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Offline BaldEagl

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2008, 10:02:47 AM »
For $1200-1500 you can build something that will play all your games well and will easily handle AH.  For $3000 you can be on the bleeding edge of technology.  So as far as builds go you're saying that money isn't an object.

I built mine for about $2000 but that included a monitor, mouse, keyboad, speakers, power strips, cables, etc., etc., etc. as I kept my old machine and mostly built based on bang for the buck.  I run AH at 60 fps (monitor refresh rate) steady.

I'm not saying don't spend the money because you can build a really nice machine but want you to realize that you don't need to in the world of builds like you might buying pre-built.
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Offline mia389

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2008, 10:19:30 AM »
Thanks for the replies guys. I found your pc you built BaldEagle. What are some good websites to find parts? Also did your system run good with out overclocking it?
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Offline Masherbrum

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2008, 10:30:23 AM »
Newegg.com
TigerDirect.com
mwave.com (never used them)

Those three should give you almost eveything you need.   I went a step further with cable management and hit a couple other websites.   
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Offline SIK1

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2008, 10:34:21 AM »
Build it. Like the others have said you can build a killer box for far less than you would spend buying one.

It's not that hard to do if you have upgraded RAM or a vid card you can build your own computer.

Toms hardware has good reviews and info on components.
http://www.tomshardware.com

I like newegg for parts.
http://www.newegg.com/

You might also check out tiger direct sometimes they have better prices than newegg.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/
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Offline Getback

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2008, 10:36:55 AM »
Baldegle built a great machine but go with the E8500 cpu. I also prefer ATI. Frankly if I were building another I would use the Radeon 4850 or 4870.
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Offline BaldEagl

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2008, 10:42:25 AM »
Quote from: mia389 on November 08, 2008, 10:19:30 AM
Thanks for the replies guys. I found your pc you built BaldEagle. What are some good websites to find parts? Also did your system run good with out overclocking it?

I bought everything at newegg.com.  I don't have my system OC'd right now and it runs great.

A couple of things I'd upgrade if I were building it at this point:

CPU (I'd get an E8400 or an E8500 which were'nt available when I built mine)
GPU (I don't think the 8800 GTS 512 is still availabe.  I'd get a 9800 GTX+ or the GT260/GT280).
Motherboard (I'd look at the 790i or 790i FTW with a corresponding upgrade in RAM)

I'd also consider a 300 Gb WD VelociRaptor HD.

One last thing; I don't think my build posts include the fact that I've added an Arctic Freezer 7 Pro aftermarket CPU cooler.  It's well worth the price.

[EDIT]  Oh, and my case is no longer available.  I'd consider the Antec 900.

« Last Edit: November 08, 2008, 10:51:34 AM by BaldEagl »
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Offline mia389

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2008, 11:27:10 AM »
Great info guys. I have lots of pc stores around. I am going to see if I can get started today. I live in Silicon Valley so I would think they would be competitive. Heres what I will look for.



Antec 900                                                
EVGA NVidia NForce 790i               
E7500                     
Kingston HyperX DDR2 800 2x1Gb            
9800 GTX                             
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro                 
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W PSU            
300 Gb WD VelociRaptor HD               
Seagate 200 Gb ATA HD               
Seagate 160 Gb ATA HD               
Asus SATA 20x DVD+R DVD Burner                      
Asus SATA DVD-ROM                   


Will that memory still work with the 790i ?

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Offline Fulmar

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #9 on: November 08, 2008, 11:30:40 AM »
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3 English for System Builders 1 Pack CD - OEM
$139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515

Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 Wolfdale 3.33GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8600 - Retail
$269.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115054

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
$74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$269.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136260

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148274

ASUS Maximus II Formula LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$269.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131319

SAPPHIRE 100251SR Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
$519.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768

PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
$134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

Acer P243WAid Black-Silver 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support - Retail
$319.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009125

Logitech G15 2-Tone USB Wired Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126034

Logitech MX518 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Gaming-Grade Mouse - Retail
$39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104178

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$109.9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional 70SB088600002 7.1 Channels PCI Express Interface Sound Card - Retail
$139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102019

LG Black 6X Blu-ray Disc Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive SATA Model GGW-H20LK - OEM
$219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136155

Logitech G51 155 watts RMS 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers - Retail
$129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121012

TOTAL: $2,849.85
S/H: $14.76 (Most items Free S/H)
GRAND TOTAL: $2864.61
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Offline Fulmar

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #10 on: November 08, 2008, 11:32:01 AM »
Note to wife:  This would be the best Christmas gift ever!
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Offline BaldEagl

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #11 on: November 08, 2008, 11:47:06 AM »
Quote from: mia389 on November 08, 2008, 11:27:10 AM
Great info guys. I have lots of pc stores around. I am going to see if I can get started today. I live in Silicon Valley so I would think they would be competitive. Heres what I will look for.



Antec 900                                                
EVGA NVidia NForce 790i               
E7500                     
Kingston HyperX DDR2 800 2x1Gb            
9800 GTX                             
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro                 
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W PSU            
300 Gb WD VelociRaptor HD               
Seagate 200 Gb ATA HD               
Seagate 160 Gb ATA HD               
Asus SATA 20x DVD+R DVD Burner                      
Asus SATA DVD-ROM                   


Will that memory still work with the 790i ?



You will want to go to DDR3 memory with the 790i.  I'd probably go with this:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104040

Don't get these:

Seagate 200 Gb ATA HD               
Seagate 160 Gb ATA HD   

They were just old drives I had lying around.  If you want more storage space get a Seagate SATA drive in whatever size fits your budget.

BTW, did you mean to say E8500?  And don't forget the OS.  I'd get Windows XP Pro.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2008, 11:54:26 AM by BaldEagl »
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Offline mia389

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #12 on: November 08, 2008, 12:08:32 PM »
Yes I meant E8500! I might use the HDs off my old pc. Thanks for the update on memory
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Offline NHawk

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #13 on: November 08, 2008, 12:15:52 PM »
Quote from: mia389 on November 08, 2008, 12:08:32 PM
Yes I meant E8500! I might use the HDs off my old pc. Thanks for the update on memory
Don't use your old HDs. If you look at what's available you'll find ATA drives are disappearing fast. ATA 133 drives are down to only a handful of models.
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Offline BaldEagl

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Re: Build or buy PC
« Reply #14 on: November 08, 2008, 12:51:36 PM »
Quote from: NHawk on November 08, 2008, 12:15:52 PM
Don't use your old HDs. If you look at what's available you'll find ATA drives are disappearing fast. ATA 133 drives are down to only a handful of models.

I think he meant as storage.  If you notice he's looking at a VelociRaptor as his primary boot drive.

My old ATA drives work just fine as storage drives.

BTW, if you don't want to spend the premium for the VelociRaptor, then get a Seagate 7000 RPM SATA as your primary drive but I'd keep it under 500 Gb (I personally think 250 Gb is optimum for a non-partitioned drive) and then add drives for storage as needed.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2008, 12:56:41 PM by BaldEagl »
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