The (new) Official PC building thread!

abuzar1,
I amended the list to include a Sapphire HD3870 which puts him about $27 over his budget. He could also go with the Sapphire HD3850 and save about $50!

I think it would be an awesome computer!

Best Regards,
Russ

 

Haha finally you listen to me. There is no fanboyism, you should only buy whats better.

 

abuzar1,

It's not a question of what's better, but the needs of redmars. He had indicated an ATi card so I switched it. I prefer nVidia!

If you bought 3 Fords over the years and had trouble with all of them, the chances are you wouldn't buy a 4th, right? That's how I am with ATi video cards. I've owned 3 and have had problems with each and every one of them The first one I bought died in a couple of months and was replaced by another one that lasted about the same amount of time, The second one, when you went to install the software that came with it, the software couldn't find the card! My last (which we still use in the D-940), a Sapphire X800GTO. Good card but the power thing is always a problem. The molex plug gets hot and eventually the damn thing starts arcing and when you shut it off and turn it on the next day you get an error message, Open it up clean the prongs and inside the female part and squeeze the female pins a little bit and it lasts for months. I was never very happy with all the heat anyway! I've never had a problem with any Nvidia Card except when I bought an XFX 5200GT for the old workstation which had the older 4x AGP Spec and the one Newegg sold me and promised would work, didn't. I went through all kinds of hell getting them to give me the PCI version to replace it, and sent me 3 before I finally blew up. I finally wound up disputing the Credit Card charge and only after Master Card found in my favor did Newegg finally give me the PCI in place of it! I've since found out that if it's a 4x-8x card, it won't work in the older 4x. You need a 2x-4x for that!

I've bought tons of XFX cards for years and have never had a problem so I'm happy with them. When the X800GTO I have now dies, it will be replaced by another XFX! It's a good card but I know with the heat issues and the connection problems, eventually it will die. If it doesn't, that's all right too! LOL!!

Best Regards,
Russ

 

Well it's not really like a car. It's proven to have better performance for less. What's wrong with that? I've personally never had problems with any video card so I can't comment on the ati vs nvidia thing. I've had three computer parts fail on me. A Nvidia board, a Gigabyte Board, and a WD hdd.

 

abuzar1,

I understand what you are saying but in all fairness I've built over 200 of them so I'm bound to have a larger number of failures than the average person. I tend to stay with what works best for me.

Every computer I build these days gets a Cooler master Cavalier case, a Thermaltake TR2 500W PS, An XFX video card, a Seagate Sata 3.0 Mb/s hard drive, G.Skill memory, a GigaByte or Biostar Tforce (AMD) MB and a NEC/Sony Optiarc DVD Burner. I've found these components to have almost no issues, so I continue to use them unless something better comes along. I sell 40 or so a year and the failure rate of the components is extremely low. Of course if they want something different I accommodate that as well, as long as they are willing to pay for it, they can have whatever they want! LOL!!.

Best Regards,
Russ

 

Yeah thats true, but I wouldn't call having three ATI cards as a good chance. I've been through more video cards this year. Sapphire has a very good rating and I think the one you got was a freak accident. Electronics, they have have to have SOME fail.

Seriously if you are ever in the market give the new ATI cards a try.

 

@Redmars
Here is what I would recommend...Makes a great HTCP build...A little over budget...but with an O/S...and a wireless...Media Center Keyboard...with built in mouse...
It looked like you were going Vista...for the Media Center...and Micro for HTCP...which is why I picked...what I did...
The Motherboard I chose...gives you DDR3 support as well...so you can upgrade to the new memory...once it is affordable...

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM Model #: 66R-00838 Item #: N82E16832116215 $179 FREE SHIPPING
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16832116215

Microsoft Remote ZV7-00009 Black IR Wireless Slim 3-in-1Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM Model #: ZV7-00009S Item #: N82E16823109163 $39 FREE SHIPPING
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16823109163

(2)Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AL1065 - Retail Model #: BL2KIT12864AL1065 $109 with $25 Rebate $84
http://www.buy.com/prod/crucial-bal...1066mhz-240-pin-ddr2/q/loc/101/204681868.html

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply - Retail Model #: CMPSU-550VX $83.04 with $15 rebate $68.04 FREE SHIPPING
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx-550w-power-supply/q/loc/101/205852646.html

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail Model #: BX80557E6750 Item#:N82E16819115029 $189 FREE SHIPPING
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115029

Black Cooler Master CM Media 280 HTPC / Desktop Computer Case, w/ VFD Display, 120mm Fan, Model: RC-280-KKN1-GP. $119
http://www.directron.com/rc280kkn1gp.html

Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R LGA775 ATX Motherboard, Intel P35 Chipset, Supports Intel Core 2 Multi-Core CPUs, Dual DDR2 and DDR3 $149
http://www.directron.com/gap35cds3r.html

GIGABYTE GV-RX385512H Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail Model #:GV-RX385512H $212 FREE SHIPPING
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814125084
Out of Stock...Available here...
http://www.computerhq.com/GIGABYTE_...GV-RX385512H/hardware/partinfo-id-992858.html

COOLER MASTER R4-S2S-124K-GP (4 PACK) 120MM LOW NOISE FAN 44.73CFM 19.3DBA $13.99
http://www.svc.com/r4-s2s-124k-gp.html

COOLER MASTER RR-CCH-L9U1-GP HYPER TX 2 CPU COOLER FOR AMD K8, AM2 AND INTEL LGA775 $15 with $15 rebate FREE AFTER REBATE
http://www.svc.com/rr-cch-l9u1-gp.html

(2)CASE THUMB SCREWS - BAG OF 10 (20 total) $1.50
http://www.svc.com/redcasthumsc.html

(2)Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $64 FREE SHIPPING
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148144

Or buy only one 250gb drive...then buy one of these for storage when you have the extra $$$...

Western Digital Caviar GP WD10EACS 1TB 5400 to 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Model #: WD10EACS Item #: N82E16822136151 $259 FREE SHIPPING
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136151

Total $1346.50 with $80 in rebates $1266.50

I would get this for a TV Capture Card...This you give you a full on Media Center...
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1800 1129 NTSC/ATSC/QAM/FM Tuner Card PCI Express X1 - WhiteBox - Retail $94.99 3 Business Day Shipping $4.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116016

It Add another $100...so...$1,366.50 with-out some shipping...and manybe...some tax...

 

Lp531,
Dang it now Lp!! LOL!! I had to go back and edit my post because I forgot the MIR! ROFLMAO!!
Seriously, you got some good solid choices there. I just used Newegg for everything figuring anything redmars was interested in, he could research for the best price.

I didn't include the OS either, although it will snow in hell before Micro$oft gets another penny out of me! I have bought and paid for every version of Windows since 3.0 and when I was unable to read the card with the numbers on it because some idiot put the card on the outside of the computer and they got rubbed off, Micro$oft wouldn't do a thing for me in spite of my scanning the Disk and sending the pic to them, along with a copy of the receipt for it. They can kiss my Foot! I'll probably die before Microcrap forces me into vista anyway!

Whatever he does build, it should be a whale of a computer!

Best Regards,
Russ

 

Besides the GPU (for me at least) all the other components are pretty good for the total money spent.

mobo: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P $153
RAM: Crucial Ballistix TRacers (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066 $77
GPU: FoxConn GeForce 8400GS $25
CPU: Intel C2D E6850 $268
P/S: Cooler Master RS-850-EMBA $75
Case: Cooler Master RC-690 $55
HDD: 3 x Seagate 320GB 16MB SATA $195 ($65 each)
CPU hsf: Cooler Master HYPER TX 2 CPU COOLER $6
DVDRW: 4 ODD drives @ $30 each $120
CAse fans: various brands and models 3 x $6 = $18

I think that adds up to $992 after MIR. Prices include tax and shipping if applicable and prices were rounded to nearest dollar for my adding pleasure. LIke I've said before the only thing that I want to change is the GPU and maybe add a HDD or two.

Whatchu fellas think??

...gm

edit: It does need a P/S right?? lol.

 

@greensman

All nice buys...wait till march on upgrading the Video Card...the HD3850 512mb will be $40 cheaper...You should add a TV capture card...you already have the H/D space...

@theonejrs
I thought you'd like the thumb screws I threw in...Just being thorough...
I figured since he was going to have to suffer with Vista...at least he should have a screaming media center for his $$$...
My brother still hasn't got any of the media center extenders in yet...they look like promising technology...for giving a house HD/Video throughout...via wireless...

 

Lp531,

I chuckled a bit when I saw those! LOL!! I still like the Ammo Case for him as he intends to take it to Lan parties. I've seen a couple of those cases and the handle is really sturdy. I left him some options price wise in the rig I suggested. He could go HD3850 on the video and an E6750 on the CPU, add $6 for the Cooler Master cooler and just about come out with the right figure adding the OS. I may go back and revise a couple of things and see what redmars thinks! The performance would take a very small hit. LOL!!

So when are we going to see your new CPU in something?

May You and Yours Have a Happy New Year,
Russ

 

@theonejrs

I never Saw Lan Party...If he wants a Gaming Machine...Vista is a Bust for Gaming...Cut the Ram in half...forget 64 and get XP 32...Vista is only good for a Media Center...and forget the case I mentioned...I only posted what I did because of the Vista 64 O/S...

Ordered the parts yesterday...basically what I just posted...No Vista...2gb of the Crucial PC-8500 memory...(2) seagate 320gb H/D...and a familiar CPU are really the only difference...

 

redmars,
I did a little pencil sharpening and came up with this rig. Should suit your needs to a tea. These are just Newegg's prices but you can check for better pricing and maybe even improve it a little more. I included everything this time! LOL!! I was wrong about which Crucial was the best, so I've changed that too. This will make an awesome system!

Case: Cooler Master Ammo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119098

Motherboard: GigaByte GA-p35-DS3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050

CPU: E6750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master TX2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103031

Power Supply: Corsair 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Memory: Crucial Ballistix 2x1GB 1066MHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069

Video Card: Asus HD3850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121100

Hard Drives: Seagate 250GB Perpendicular Recording 16MB Cache (2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148144

Operating System: Vista 64-Bit Ultimate
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view


Total Price: $1,250.63 less $86.99 MIR = $1163.64 with Tax & Shipping
Brings you into what you want for under your $1200 budget.

Beat Regards,
Russ

 

Lp531,

Hey, I'm tired and I've been scrolling through so much stuff checking all of this out. He mentioned unreal Tournament and I thought Lan Party. Dain Bread!! lOL!! Does it count if you quote your own post? ROFLMAO!!

I just went back over the whole thing and as far as the case goes he can get any number of that at the Ammo case price so it shouldn't change anything. This time I managed to include everything. take a look and let me know what you think!

Best Regards,
Russ

 

Really need input from Redmars as to what he wants from this build...

 

Lp531,

I hope he didn't think we were all arguing and left! LOL!!

Honest redmars, we always do this. It's how we refine things! We post our thoughts and read what other members suggest, think about it a bit, sharpen our pencils and research a bit more and then post again. Believe me when I say, we all respect one another. It's not a peeing contest and the ultimate choice is yours. We all learn more this way! Our aim is to give you choices that will suit your needs, not ours!

Warmest Regards and Happy New Year,
Russ

 

I don't think anyone would take this thread as arguing, but it is like a soap opera. If you miss a day you spend 3 days catching up with the wealth of information put out in this thread,not only for Tech but for pricing too.Chris

 

and we all know how important aim is in a peeing contest...

 

LP is right, you can't use Vista for that, especially a 64Bit version. Honestly DX9 is still very good and with a little messing around many of the effects in DX10 can be enabled in DX9. So I personally think that XP is still a pretty good choice. Either way don't pay for the OS if you get my drift...

 

All you guys are great gave me a lot of ideas.

I thought it over and did some checking and went past my budget. But plan on having this system for a few years and I can always upgrade parts.

Case: Cooler Master Ammo -- 39 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119098

or

COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum -- 39 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106

ABIT IX38 Quad GT LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail 229.99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127033

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor 274.99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115028

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD 179.99 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116215

COOLER MASTER RS-850-EMBA REAL POWER PRO 850W SLI ATX12V 2.2 POWER SUPPLY 69.99 AR
http://www.svc.com/rs-850-emba.html

GIGABYTE GV-NX88T512HP GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 259.00 (out of stock looking other places)
HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125081&Tpk=GV-NX88T512HP

TWO -- Maxtor 300GB Serial ATA/300 16MB Buffer L01F300 - Retail Hard Drive Kit.(really Seagate 320) 59.99x2= 120
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4987891

DDR2 4GB PC6400 DUAL A-D (2X2GB) SPEED 800MHz 70.99
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/5475029

Rough price about 1350.00 including shipping when done. Still have to decide on the case I like...