Custom built PC

[Mister X]

Any comments/objections?

Nice batch of components but I think I would go with DDR3-1600 (RAM) with that motherboard.

For example:

NCIX.com - Buy G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL Ripjaws PC3-12800 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 Core i5 1.5V Memory Kit - F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL In Canada.

[GPH]

Good call, I made the update. Funny how every time I add a new item they kill my price match.

[GPH]

I just placed my order, thanks guys for the help.

Next step will be to assemble the system when it arrives, I'm looking forward to that.

[HDen]

Enjoy, be sure to install windows 7 x64 and have fun playing sc2, I know I am!

[bhd812]

damn good luck with it, i was going to suggest going the i7 930 route as i love mine but the i5 760 is a damn great cpu itself! if you are buying windows always buy the oem version (89$ for home x64). Windows is a breeze to install. after you put it all together and plug everything in just turn on the computer and insert the windows disc..all Should be good from there.

make sure you pick up a static mat before you start putting the pc together. i only remember needing a good philips screw driver (though this case seems to use lots of thumb screws). might want to install a cheap 120 fan on the front and mount your hdd right in back of it to keep the hdd cool, should cost you nomore then $8 for a decent fan. hdd's get pretty hot so its never a bad idea to have a fan infront of them, plus the cool air from the front fan will help keep the internels cool also.

[HDen]

Yes also the amount of heat that video card will be generating any extra cooling helps

[Mister X]

With a loudish 120mm rear fan, a louderish 140mm top fan and the PSU sucking/blowing out the bottom I'm not sure another fan is going to do a whole lot.

I would just cover the hole in side panel if you're worried about directing air over the harddrive.

[screaming oranges]

btw, a bit off-topic, but I reme,ber I bought some Arctic silver thermal compound and didn't use up all of it. This was about four years ago. I'm pretty sure I have it in my big ol' box of misc stuff. Anyhow, does that shit expire? I wouldn't think so, right? I mean, if it did, we'd have to be "re-gluing" the chip all the time, no?

[Dusty Chalk]

It does dry out, though.

[screaming oranges]

Can I use it as personal lubricant... shit gets HOT, yo!

[Mister X]

Squeeze some out on a piece of paper to see if it has separated.

[GPH]

For those of you who enjoy a bit of geekiness.

[HDen]

See? Easy to build no need to pay anyone!

Hope you're enjoying it

[Iron_Dreamer]

Nice to see it turned out ok! Definitely a motherboard I'd recommend (I use Asus mobos with all-solid capacitors exclusively in my PC builds). Buy me a ticket to Montreal and a nice dinner, and I might just tidy up those wires for ya

[screaming oranges]

Pretty straight-forward, eh, GPH? I always try to steer friends/family to custom builds because (1) you get more for the money and (2) I enjoy putting them together, opening up all the little boxes, running cables, etc.

I see why those who get started on DIY audio get hooked! It's fun putting shit together (when it works at least!)

Looking good there, GPH! How about some action shots (i.e. game screenshots)?

[Eric5676]

Nice work.

It really has gotten a lot easier to DIY with a PC then it used to be. Even I almost couldn't screw it up now if I tried, and that's saying something. It can't be overstated: If you shop smart and can build it yourself you really do save a lot of money.

[screaming oranges]

This thread (along with yesternight's chat suggestions) have convinced me to build a mini-atx form factor pc. This will be the pc I take to Nicaragua in November for the family.

[Eric5676]

This thread (along with yesternight's chat suggestions) have convinced me to build a mini-atx form factor pc. This will be the pc I take to Nicaragua in November for the family.

Thou hast chosen wisely.

[GPH]

It was straightforward indeed, just plug and play and since all the connectors are different, it's pretty much impossible to screw up. The Antec 300 case was very easy to work with plenty of space to put everything so I didn't encounter any trouble. One thing I might change though is the stock top and rear fans which are controlled by Low-Medium-High manual switches, I'd prefer something I can plug on the motherboard.

I've been playing some Mass Effect 2 and Half-Life 2 (old I know, but my laptop couldn't handle it) and it's definitely a lot of fun to be able to play recent games with graphics at high. I'll be buying SC2 this week, it's a good thing I'm not too busy this month.

[Eric5676]

It was straightforward indeed, just plug and play and since all the connectors are different, it's pretty much impossible to screw up. The Antec 300 case was very easy to work with plenty of space to put everything so I didn't encounter any trouble. One thing I might change though is the stock top and rear fans which are controlled by Low-Medium-High manual switches, I'd prefer something I can plug on the motherboard.

I've been playing some Mass Effect 2 and Half-Life 2 (old I know, but my laptop couldn't handle it) and it's definitely a lot of fun to be able to play recent games with graphics at high. I'll be buying SC2 this week, it's a good thing I'm not too busy this month.

I'm forever spoiled by PC gaming myself. I do have a PS3 that I use for the occasional odds and ends like a Red Dead Redemption, which I sorely hope Rockstar reconsiders and brings to the PC down the road, but otherwise it's all PC for me.

[screaming oranges]

A good large case is the best way for a first-timer. It gets rid of added fear of breaking something because your hands can't reach, etc etc, so you're just stuck figuring out how to connect the pieces (which, as you said, is a no-brainer).

That said, I have always been a fan of Antec cases. By the way, if you want quieter fans, you might wish to look into the Noctua brand.

[Mister X]

you might wish to look into the Noctua brand

Normally I would say they're to expensive for what you get but NCIX has the low noise 120mm (NF-S12B ULN) fans listed for 2 for $24.52 (CAD). Which is a pretty nice deal.

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=47335&vpn=2x%20NF%2DS12B

The problem is the Noctua 140mm fan (that is not an actual 140mm fan) is $22 (CAD) and it was a little to noisy for me.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b393/X86inside/fanz.jpg

Edit: the little "adapter brackets" that came with the 140mm fan did come in handy when it was replaced though.

[GPH]

Last upgrade for a long while on my machine, I just added 2 Noctua 120mm fans and a Coolermaster Hyper 212+. It runs super cool now, 18C on idle and 40C under 99% load and fans are surprisingly quiet, compared to 30C idle before and 75C under load with the stock Intel cooler and Antec case fans. Very satisfied for the ~70$ this upgrade has cost me.

[Jabreal53hcase]

There is a friend of mine that just bought a new gaming computer, and here are the specs.

CORE I5 2500

GIGABYTE H67M-D2

CORSAIR PC1333 D3 2G (GAMING) x2

W.DIGITEL 1TB HDD (GREEN)

LG DVD/RW SATA

C.MASTER GX550W PSU

SAPHIRE HD6850 VGA CARD

C.MASTER ELITE 310 CASING

He got it for around $800.

[grawk]

Why should we give a fuck?