21 replies to this topic

[Flak Kannon]

Hi All.

I have wrung nearly 5 years out of my current build, ( one video card and OS update in this time) and it's time to build another PC.

I am plan on using my existing case, Cooler Masters Stacker 830, great case..

I want to know what plays nice together, I hate hardware conflicts with every fiber of my being..


I want to run an EVGA NVIDIA Video card ( not top of the line please, don't want to spend $600.00 on a video card, would be happy with a $300-$375 middle ground video card)).

450-600Watt power supply ( i could use my Thermaltake 430w if I can't squeeze in a PS with my budget)

I want I7 CPU

I want 8 Gig Ram

I want a Creative Sound Card ( don't bust me on this, been buying them since the eighties..)

I Like ASUS MB, but will go another well known, brand, I currently have an NVIDIA motherboard.

I want just a normal 7200rpm HDD, not SSD, they are just a tad pricey for me, don't really care for the speed increase..1 TB will do.




And I want o keep it all at or around $1000, not including a new copy of Windows 7 Home Premium OEM at $99


Thanks in advance for your suggestions, I just would like to 'not' spend the 10-20 hours I normally do researching what plays nice with each other.

Help me steer clear of conflicts I know nothing about...

[Barbaric Soul]

For what your asking for, $1000 budget makes it a little hard. Before I post my suggestions, I want to say this. Unless your doing some serious number crunching or running video editing programs or autocad, you don't need a i7. In fact, and i7 is a waste for gaming. I know, I have one. An i5 is more than enough for gaming today and in the forseeable future. Also, with the audio set up todays motherboards have, you don't need a soundcard. My last four motherboards were fully capable of producing 7.1 channels and high quality sound. I did include a sound card like you asked for though. My suggestions -

CPU- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819116504

motherboard- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813130644

RAM- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145345

video card- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130809

PSU- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817151094

hard drive- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148697

sound card- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829102017

CPU heatsink- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835103099

thermal paste- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835100007

price- $964.91 before shipping

Drop the soundcard and you can upgrade the CPU to i7 and still be around the $1000 mark. Price would be $1019.92 dropping the soundcard and upgrading the CPU to the 3770k.

Edited by Barbaric Soul, 05 April 2013 - 03:27 AM.

[Orion2011]

Just use the sound that comes with the motherboard. There really isn't much point in a separate card these days.

[Loc Nar]

pcpatpicker (the the smurfy's mechlab tool of computer building) is your friend! It makes selecting parts for a proposed build really easy to put together as well as to share with others to get their opinion. Good luck!

edit: delivery

Edited by Loc Nar, 08 April 2013 - 10:24 AM.

[Barbaric Soul]

Loc Nar, on 05 April 2013 - 08:45 AM, said:

Sigh... . pcpatpicker (the the smurfy's mechlab tool of computer building) is your friend.

Nice tool for finding the best prices, but it doesn't say squat about what works together and what doesn't. The OP would still have to do his/her research as to what parts to pick, which I was kind enough to do for them.

[Loc Nar]

Quote

Nice tool for finding the best prices, but it doesn't say squat about what works together and what doesn't. The OP would still have to do his/her research as to what parts to pick, which I was kind enough to do for them.

Wat? This is not correct. It automatically does this, and in fact you have to turn the compatibility filter off if you even want to be able to make a computer that isn't compatible. Your post is extra amusing since many use it just because of the comprehensiveness of this compatibility feature. I'm not sure why you resist this objectively superior method of computer part picking/sharing/helping...

Parts Are Compatible: No issues/incompatibilities found. <---copypasta'd from the 'system builder' page at the top left of the list. It gives you a detailed 'notes' section even with acceptable compatibility, just to alert you about more subtle features you may have otherwise overlooked.


Compatibility Filter: On (turn off) <----also copy pastad from system builder

[Barbaric Soul]

Ok, it does make sure everything is compatable. I'm sorry I didn't play with it enough to see that.

What it doesn't do is tell you anything about how each part compares by it's performance. Sure, it'll make sure you don't get a socket 775 cpu and a socket 1155 motherboard, or ddr2 RAM for a ddr3 system. What it won't do is insure the OP, wanting very high graphics settings, doesn't try to match a high-end i7 with something like a HD7770. It also doesn't take into account hardware having known issues, like one model motherboard(cough4phasemodelscough) or video card (coughAsusDC2videocardshavinglockedvoltagecough) being known to not be as good a OC'er as some other model, or some other similar issue.And lastly, it doesn't take into account user experience with the choosen hardware. I have used product from every company a product I suggested comes from. And I would not have a issue with buying that brand again. Also from my experience, I could suggest that the OP may not need to spend the money on the i7 CPU, unless they just absolutely had to have it. Same with the sound card.

Anyway, like I said, nice tool. It's excellent for finding hardware at the lowest cost, and because of that, I'll use it in the future. But it doesn't do everything the OP asked for.

[Loc Nar]

Quote

But it doesn't do everything the OP asked for

I just reread the OP, and it not only does what he asks with panache, it does a lot more.

plays nice together -check
aggregate by brand/performance -check
aggregate by specs -check

His other requests are reiterations of these same criteria.

It gives you base performance specs if you click 'view' instead of 'buy', and if you need the products compared to each other, go the option 'benchmarks', where any selected product type is listed in descending/ascending order of performance rating. In addition, all products on the selection list when assembling a computer can be aggregated by any of their relevant parameters of interest if you want to compare different products across different spectrums. I'm not sure what else you expect a tool like this to do, but your resistance seems increasingly arbitrarily contrarian as this thread progresses.

It has everything anyone needs for nearly all levels of know how. It was designed by computer builders, for computer builders, however if you have any suggestions on how it can be improved (after spending time *really using it of course...), you should honestly forward your suggestions to pcpartpicker since they continually improve this tool and would likely appreciate your input, which is one of the reasons it is what it is today. Most importantly though, it provides a much more time-friendly format for people to query others about proposed builds, without requiring them to chase down a bunch of separate links. Other users can then easily tweak parts as needed or provide input on the parts there, and don't need to spend the time required to put together long lists of links to their pet parts that are equally tedious to try to follow.

One thing I'm sure we can agree on though, it that this thread needs more jolly!

[Catamount]

Partpicker's kind of an interesting tool, but I don't really see the niche for it. An experienced builder doesn't really need it, and there are plenty of ways an inexperienced builder can screw up with it, such that it's still not even close to a replacement for a real consultation.

Let's take my build here, for instance: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/OHQJ

I took an outdated budget Athlon II, paired it with a Titan, put in more RAM than I'd ever likely need, added nothing as storage but a 5400RPM drive, stuck it on a PSU that would probably literally explode from trying to put the machine under serious load, and crammed it into a micro-ATX (yes, micro), and the biggest problem it can find with all of this is that the case doesn't have USB 3 ports

Now in its benchmarks it does note that the machine would be a little slow, but if you swap out the CPU for an FX6200, one of the few chips they actually have data for, all seems well again, and an unsuspecting builder might well figure that since CPU performance is of limited relevance in a gaming machine, that this would run just fine, even though that's a wholly inappropriate chip to pair with a Titan.

Here's what Partpicker missed in my build:

-CPUs aren't subject to some dichotomy of good or bad, or even on a gradation there. It's more complicated than that. This site doesn't account for things like whether the combination of CPU and GPU is going to bottleneck one or the other

-The stated wattage of a PSU is almost a useless measure of performance. That Diablotek PhD unit may be claimed to be able to deliver 650W, but according to HardOCP's testing, it fails at delivering about half that, and is dangerous at any wattage due to atrociously bad voltage regulation and ripple

-A micro-ATX case might be fine with a micro-ATX board, but the site didn't account for the GPU length. A 10.5" GPU is not going to fit into that case

-Many gamers think more RAM is better, regardless of how much you have. We see this come up quite a bit on these forums. Those not well-versed in computing seem to think there's a performance advantage from more, or something. Maybe I need that 32GB of RAM, maybe I don't, but it's unlikely if I'm picking a low-end CPU, and either way, if someone posted that build here, I'd question them on it just to be sure

-5400RPM drives are fine for bulk storage, but any modern OS will be painfully slow to run on one. Believe me, I've run Windows 7 on a Caviar Green; it's not fun.


How could this site be improved to reflect these things? I don't think it can. That's just too many variables for a tool like this to account for. A program doesn't know to look for these things, and wouldn't know how to find out about them if it did (a program can't, for instance, read a HARDOCP, review of a PSU). A program can't account for every aspect of what might be good for a case and what might not.

In order for a program to be able to evaluate a build like this, it would have to be pre-programmed with a database of every possible issue with every possible part combination, and that just can't happen. Humans don't even do that. We look at parts and use experience and deductive reasoning to spot potential problems, and then check them out.

In short, if the goal here is for this site to be the PC consultation version of a self-check out, the the concept it fundamentally unworkable in the first place. This sort of tool can't even spot critical issues, let alone tell me if the machine I've put together is the best machine I can get for my money.

I don't think it's an entirely useless tool. In fact, I think it's a great place to put together hypothetical builds to show people. For instance, when I put together a build for another member of my house unit, I didn't use this tool to figure out the build, but I did use it to link it to him, because it's easier to deal with than a Newegg wishlist. In that capacity it's a great tool.

But someone who isn't well versed in computing should never "just" use such a tool, imo, because one still needs information that tool can't provide, while coming here to this forum will give all the information that tool provides.

[Loc Nar]

Couldn't agree more. I mostly recommend it because it makes it an easier job for the people here to assess and likewise offer advice to others, just like using smurfys to get meaningful advice with mechbuilds. I don't recommend people just go it alone in either case, but I do recommend they use a friendly format like these to solicit help from others, to save everyone else the hassle of mucking through all the separate links to even see what it is to begin with. There's no substitute for actual advice, especially with computer builds and especially with builds intended for potentially finicky things like MWO!

[Oderint dum Metuant]

I think it would be best practice, that people ask for people to suggest a build, then pick up with PC partpicker to find those parts at the cheapest price point.

It's a great tool, but it's not a substitute for actually asking.

[Gremlich Johns]

You really can omit the sound card unless you absolutely HAVE TO have one. MOBO sound capabilities are a lot better these days. Howevere, I still use my SB X-Fi xtreme gamer card (awesome software!!)

minimum 650 w PSU.

i just got to newegg and do my own research. More fun that way.

[ICUBurn]

suggestion to stay under $1000 go amd. me and all my friends use it and the 8350CPU is a powerhouse and is just as good as that I7 for alot cheeper.

MB: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131851 $145 (asus makes great boards)
CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819113284 $200 (i have and love)
RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231460 $67 (everyone i know including me uses gskill ram)
HDD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136533 $95 (I have one of these as a storage drive)
PSU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817152042 $65 (in my brothers Computer)
GPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121656 $310 (i have this 60-70 fps on max. i like the asus cards they seem to cool better than my roomates evga one.Note its huge 11 inches long)
CD/DVD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827135204 $20 (in mine my friends and brothers systems)
OS: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116986 $99 (i have the pro version but basic will suffice)

Total price $1002 NOT including rebates and sales.
Note. will suggest a good air cooler($50-$60)for the cpu as an upgrade afterword. the stock cooler is ok but can be a little lacking at times. i put liquid cooling in my personal build.

my brothers build is slightly cheaper at around $800 using a different processor, vid card, and HDD and includes a case for around $800.

Edited by ICUBurn, 07 April 2013 - 03:30 AM.

[Barbaric Soul]

Loc Nar, on 05 April 2013 - 05:42 PM, said:

Couldn't agree more. I mostly recommend it because it makes it an easier job for the people here to assess and likewise offer advice to others, just like using smurfys to get meaningful advice with mechbuilds. I don't recommend people just go it alone in either case, but I do recommend they use a friendly format like these to solicit help from others, to save everyone else the hassle of mucking through all the separate links to even see what it is to begin with. There's no substitute for actual advice, especially with computer builds and especially with builds intended for potentially finicky things like MWO!

Wait, what? You argue with me about the use of PCpartpicker, then agree with Catamount after he says the exact same thing I'm saying? W.T.F?

[ArmageddonKnight]

Greetings OP.

Ok so....

U want an i7, so ur looking at ether a Ivy 3770k, 3820, or 3930k.

The 3820 would give u the opotunity to upgrade at a later date to Sandy K, E, ivy E, but they r more expensive.
The 3770k is usualy what peopel choose.
They can all be OC'd. (yes even the 3820)

Motherboard wise both Asus and Gigabyte r neck and neck on quality and features. I personaly go for Asus so...Asus P8Z77 V for the 3770k or a P9X79 for the 3820/3930k

CPU cooler, A CoolerMaster 212 Evo is a good mid range high value for money cooler.
Thermal paste...well the Noctua NT-H1 is good and non conductive (which is always handy).

RAM wise i would get G.Skill ram as it never has issue with CPU air coolers, they r not high profile unlike alot of Corsairs stuff. 2x4gb or 2x6 or 2x8gb sticks at 1600mhz CL9 will do great if ur gunna use a 3770k CPU, if ur going for a 3820 or 3930k then u want 4x4gb for best performance since those cpu's are quad channel.

GPU wise i sugest a Sapphire 7870XT, its a great bang for buck card. If u must stay with Nvidia and want a EVGA card then a 660ti is ur best bet.

For the PSu , u wil ldeffinatly want to change, Thermaltake PSU's r not that great, and 430w is a tad low imo. You want to try keep ur PSU usuage to bettwen 50 and 75% for best efficiency. If i were u i would get a 600w PSu or above. Look for Corsair TX, HX,AX series or a Seasonic. You can also look at NZXT's hale90 series.

Soundcard wise, im with u on the whole Creative thing, i used ot always use them BUT honestly, Asus have taken the lead nowerdays. Im personaly upgrading from onboard to a Asus D2X soon, so i advise u look for one of those.

HDD, i would get a Western Digital or a Seagate, ether is fine. if u want 1TB of space i sugest getitng 2x 500g (or 2x 250gb for 500gb) and use Raid0 for the extra performance..specialy if ur not going to get even a small 128gb SSD.

Think that covers everything u wanted.

Edited by ArmageddonKnight, 07 April 2013 - 08:26 AM.

[Loc Nar]

Quote

Catamount after he says the exact same thing I'm saying? W.T.F?

I'm not sure why you are so emotionally charged with this topic. In my OP, I passively suggested pcpartpicker as a tool for the OP to solicit help with, for future reference. You then begin to openly attack this tool I suggest, based on incorrect assumptions and your own lack of familiarity with it. Twice. This warranted the corrections I have put forth, since you were flat out wrong both times and potentially steering people off course with this misinformation. The thread then began to drift with a irrelevant red herring that no one ever even came close to suggesting, about whether someone should even ask advice or not and my vain attempt at course correction was to agree with said red herring in an attempt to try to allow it to get back on topic; which you seem perfectly content to continue pulling it back off of. What is it you are trying to accomplish here?

Silly misunderstandings are silly! I have edited my OP to better reflect my intentions and apologize for contributing to thread drift...

Edited by Loc Nar, 08 April 2013 - 10:29 AM.

[DocBach]

ICUBurn, on 07 April 2013 - 03:19 AM, said:

suggestion to stay under $1000 go amd. me and all my friends use it and the 8350CPU is a powerhouse and is just as good as that I7 for alot cheeper.

MB: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131851 $145 (asus makes great boards)
CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819113284 $200 (i have and love)
RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231460 $67 (everyone i know including me uses gskill ram)
HDD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136533 $95 (I have one of these as a storage drive)
PSU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817152042 $65 (in my brothers Computer)
GPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121656 $310 (i have this 60-70 fps on max. i like the asus cards they seem to cool better than my roomates evga one.Note its huge 11 inches long)
CD/DVD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827135204 $20 (in mine my friends and brothers systems)
OS: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116986 $99 (i have the pro version but basic will suffice)

Total price $1002 NOT including rebates and sales.
Note. will suggest a good air cooler($50-$60)for the cpu as an upgrade afterword. the stock cooler is ok but can be a little lacking at times. i put liquid cooling in my personal build.

my brothers build is slightly cheaper at around $800 using a different processor, vid card, and HDD and includes a case for around $800.

I like the 8320 a lot better for budget builds -- I got one to build my nephews computer on sale for $159. Otherwise the price of the 8350 is about the same a mid-ranged Intel i5, which will do the job cleaner, cooler, smaller, and in some cases better.

[DCLXVI]

Flak Kannon, on 04 April 2013 - 02:52 PM, said:

Hi All.

I have wrung nearly 5 years out of my current build, ( one video card and OS update in this time) and it's time to build another PC.

I am plan on using my existing case, Cooler Masters Stacker 830, great case..

I want to know what plays nice together, I hate hardware conflicts with every fiber of my being..


I want to run an EVGA NVIDIA Video card ( not top of the line please, don't want to spend $600.00 on a video card, would be happy with a $300-$375 middle ground video card)).

450-600Watt power supply ( i could use my Thermaltake 430w if I can't squeeze in a PS with my budget)

I want I7 CPU

I want 8 Gig Ram

I want a Creative Sound Card ( don't bust me on this, been buying them since the eighties..)

I Like ASUS MB, but will go another well known, brand, I currently have an NVIDIA motherboard.

I want just a normal 7200rpm HDD, not SSD, they are just a tad pricey for me, don't really care for the speed increase..1 TB will do.




And I want o keep it all at or around $1000, not including a new copy of Windows 7 Home Premium OEM at $99


Thanks in advance for your suggestions, I just would like to 'not' spend the 10-20 hours I normally do researching what plays nice with each other.

Help me steer clear of conflicts I know nothing about...

im normally a guts kinda guy myself but I have recently found a reason to upgrade from the old box monitor... Asus, 1 ms, 144 refresh rate gtg, eye sex. http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16824236313 oh and you should put a price cap on the cpu not the gpu, your so close to a gtx 680

[DocBach]

I have the 27" version of the Asus monitor and my wife has the 24". They're beautiful and really bring out our SLI setups amazing ability to process images.

[Flak Kannon]

Oh my God..

Thank you all so much for the amazing info.

I have bumped up my budget to ~ $1500, my tax return was triple what I thought it would be... I need to recalculate my withholdings....

so I may go with a 128 gig SSD for boot and a 680GTX, and I will look long and hard at the Asus sound card..

You guys are amazing, and I am very thankful for all the input..