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[Minsc]

dirt 1 works on my windows 7 64bit, only problem is that the game engine is shit and runs crap, grid improved on that however and dirt 2 made it one of the best performing pc engines out there.

I get a locked 60fps w/ 4XAA, everything maxed. Extremely rare drops (usually only when I crash). Engine is fine for me, but I moved on to GRID now and it looks so much nicer (DiRT 2 after that, then F1, then DiRT 3, I'm set for a while!).

 

[infinityBCRT]

I got an Asus G51JX-A1, and apparently the headphone jack also duals as an spdif jack as well. However, I have no idea as to what connector it uses (as I mostly see Optical and sometimes Coaxial for digital audio devices, but never this type) or if there are any 5.1 headphones out there that can actually work with this laptop.

Heres a video which shows the jack at 1:20 --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxuUVXQQgmY

 

[1stStrike]

Just got my second monitor today. I'm now running two Acer 23.6" monitors. It's crazy. Never used dual monitors before. It's going to take some getting used to but I've got Ultramon installed and I'm loving the extra taskbar + the ability to just drag things to the other screen.

 

[Salaadin]

Anyone here use ATI Tray Tools? Am I better off with that instead of CCC? I see it also supports triple buffering. Is this on par with d3doverriders?
Im assuming its possible to remove CCC using the uninstaller and it wont affect the drivers, right?

I tried ATT once before but it didnt work right but that was on a bad card so Im thinking of giving it another shot.

 

[Smokey]

I am going to stick a pencil in my fucking eye. To keep it simple I still have the 1055t setup that I posted awhile back. I also mentioned I visited nerd heaven aka microcenter for the first time this past weekend. They have the I5 for 160 so I decided to make a build with it.

Basically my two setups feature the same main components (RAM, gtx 470, hdd, ssd). I plan on overclocking the shit put of either one with either the hyper 212+ (20 bones at MC) or the corsair h50 to get to 4ghz and maybe more.

Which one do I go with here? Which one overclock the best? 6 cores vs 4. What is better for gaming ? Overall? The price difference between the two is <100.

I've looked this shit all day during work and my head is fucking killing me bc of it :/

 

[No_Style]

I'd go Core i5 750 and never look back.

Here's an article about the number of cores for gaming.

I don't know about overclocking potential, but I will say that CPU clockspeed doesn't mean much when you're gaming at 1080p.

Here's a great example.

 

[brain_stew]

Anyone here use ATI Tray Tools? Am I better off with that instead of CCC? I see it also supports triple buffering. Is this on par with d3doverriders?
Im assuming its possible to remove CCC using the uninstaller and it wont affect the drivers, right?

I tried ATT once before but it didnt work right but that was on a bad card so Im thinking of giving it another shot.

Its the same tripple buffering that you can enable in CCC as well (i.e. it only works for OpenGL games so its pretty much useless).

 

[brain_stew]

I'd go Core i5 750 and never look back.

Here's an article about the number of cores for gaming.

I don't know about overclocking potential, but I will say that CPU clockspeed doesn't mean much when you're gaming at 1080p.

Oh come one, you're not pulling this shitty article out again? Its a fundamentally flawed test because just one of those 980x cores is much faster than your average CPU core. Its testing how much CPU grunt you need, not how many cores games use. They're two fundamentally two fundamentally different things.

Their suite of games isn't exactly modern either, it includes two titles which are 3 year old ffs. Buying hardware based on the performance of 3 year old game engines isn't the smartest of things you could do.

 

[No_Style]

Oh come one, you're not pulling this shitty article out again? Its a fundamentally flawed test because just one of those 980x cores is much faster than your average CPU core. Its testing how much CPU grunt you need, not how many cores games use. They're two fundamentally two fundamentally different things.

Their suite of games isn't exactly modern either, it includes two titles which are 3 year old ffs. Buying hardware based on the performance of 3 year old game engines isn't the smartest of things you could do.

It many not be perfect, but you're not going to tell this guy that he should get a 6 core CPU over a 4 core CPU because it'll give him a better gaming experience?

 

[brain_stew]

It many not be perfect, but you're not going to tell this guy that he should get a 6 core CPU over a 4 core CPU because it'll give him a better gaming experience?

It'll offer a similar gaming experience with a potentially better gaming experience along the road and a decent set of upgrade options instead of none at all. That's why I prefer the 1055T to the i5-750. The only times I'd usually recommend the Intel chip is if you plan to use Dolphin or PCSX2 a lot or you're aiming for a big ~4ghz OC. Both are great chips of course.

Look to history: the Athlon x2 3800 was a much better buy than the Athlon 4000+ and the Q6600 was a better buy than the E8400 for a gamer in time despite the fact that the two chips with fewer cores performed slightly better in the games of the day. It seems pretty clear to me that if you want a chip that lasts then you buy one with as many cores as you can possibly afford (within reason).

 

[Shalashaska161]

Anyone got any suggestions for a good video card for around 100 bucks? I'm trying to help my friend buy a new card for Starcraft 2. The 5570 is looking like a good bet right now, but any other suggestions are welcome.

 

[brain_stew]

Anyone got any suggestions for a good video card for around 100 bucks? I'm trying to help my friend buy a new card for Starcraft 2. The 5570 is looking like a good bet right now, but any other suggestions are welcome.

No its not! :lol

That things a piece of crap.

Get a GTS 250 or 4850, maybe a 5670 if his PSU is shitty and you can't afford to upgrade it.

 

[Wallach]

Anyone got any suggestions for a good video card for around 100 bucks? I'm trying to help my friend buy a new card for Starcraft 2. The 5570 is looking like a good bet right now, but any other suggestions are welcome.

Newegg has a HIS 5770 for $139 (and a $10 MIR to boot I guess). It's a bit over $100 but it would really smash a 5570.

If that's a bit too much they've got an ASUS 4870 for $119 and $30 MIR on top of that, but I hear the HSF on this thing kinda sucks.

 

[alanias]

It'll offer a similar gaming experience with a potentially better gaming experience along the road and a decent set of upgrade options instead of none at all. That's why I prefer the 1055T to the i5-750. The only times I'd usually recommend the Intel chip is if you plan to use Dolphin or PCSX2 a lot or you're aiming for a big ~4ghz OC. Both are great chips of course.

Look to history: the Athlon x2 3800 was a much better buy than the Athlon 4000+ and the Q6600 was a better buy than the E8400 for a gamer in time despite the fact that the two chips with fewer cores performed slightly better in the games of the day. It seems pretty clear to me that if you want a chip that lasts then you buy one with as many cores as you can possibly afford (within reason).

Is there confirmation somewhere that the Bulldozer chips will support existing AM3 mobos? I have seen that logic 100 times in this thread and just want to make sure before making a decision.

 

[Smokey]

It'll offer a similar gaming experience with a potentially better gaming experience along the road and a decent set of upgrade options instead of none at all. That's why I prefer the 1055T to the i5-750. The only times I'd usually recommend the Intel chip is if you plan to use Dolphin or PCSX2 a lot or you're aiming for a big ~4ghz OC. Both are great chips of course.

Look to history: the Athlon x2 3800 was a much better buy than the Athlon 4000+ and the Q6600 was a better buy than the E8400 for a gamer in time despite the fact that the two chips with fewer cores performed slightly better in the games of the day. It seems pretty clear to me that if you want a chip that lasts then you buy one with as many cores as you can possibly afford (within reason).

See that is what I was thinking. More cores the better to make my machine as future proof as possible. It was one of the reasons I was gonna go with that 980x but decided to go the AMD route if I did go 6 core. And I've been reading that the 1055t/1090t are pretty easy to get to 4ghz as well.


Another reason I'm leaning towards the AMD is because I was I've been reading about how the Bulldozer chip may be compatible with todays boards whereas the 1156/1366 sockets are not going to be compatible with Sandy Bridge therefore cutting off upgrading potential?

 

[Minsc]

Anyone here use ATI Tray Tools? Am I better off with that instead of CCC? I see it also supports triple buffering. Is this on par with d3doverriders?
Im assuming its possible to remove CCC using the uninstaller and it wont affect the drivers, right?

I tried ATT once before but it didnt work right but that was on a bad card so Im thinking of giving it another shot.

Why would you need to? It loads instantly and doesn't slow anything down. The days of XP's CCC are long gone.

I'm pretty sure you're stuck with the same level of tweaking with or without CCC. There's no nHancer for ATi, that's pretty well known, and if you need to tweak games outside of the parameters that can be adjusted in the options/ini files, then you should be looking at an nVidia GPU probably.

 

[Salaadin]

Why would you need to? It loads instantly and doesn't slow anything down. The days of XP's CCC are long gone.

I'm pretty sure you're stuck with the same level of tweaking with or without CCC. There's no nHancer for ATi, that's pretty well known, and if you need to tweak games outside of the parameters that can be adjusted in the options/ini files, then you should be looking at an nVidia GPU probably.

Thats pretty much all I needed to know. I wont bother with it then. Thanks.

 

[Minsc]

It'll offer a similar gaming experience with a potentially better gaming experience along the road and a decent set of upgrade options instead of none at all. That's why I prefer the 1055T to the i5-750. The only times I'd usually recommend the Intel chip is if you plan to use Dolphin or PCSX2 a lot or you're aiming for a big ~4ghz OC. Both are great chips of course.

Look to history: the Athlon x2 3800 was a much better buy than the Athlon 4000+ and the Q6600 was a better buy than the E8400 for a gamer in time despite the fact that the two chips with fewer cores performed slightly better in the games of the day. It seems pretty clear to me that if you want a chip that lasts then you buy one with as many cores as you can possibly afford (within reason).

i5 750 2.66Ghz vs 1050T 2.8Ghz

Black is the i5 750, and the 1050T even has a clock advantage in those benches.

There's multiple benches where the i5 is ~50% faster than the 1050T! I wouldn't dismiss the i5 so quickly. StarCraft 2 also heavily favors intel's i-series over AMD's Phenom (not to mention Photoshop is slightly faster w/ the i5 and many other editing programs).

 

[Smokey]

My head is going to crack

 

[alanias]

My head is going to crack

Don't overthink it. The AMD boards are generally cheaper and have more features than the 1165 boards, but the i5 has seen a slight edge in gaming performance. Getting an i5 for that cheap is awesome, I would go for the deal.

 

[brain_stew]

i5 750 2.66Ghz vs 1050T 2.8Ghz

Black is the i5 750, and the 1050T even has a clock advantage in those benches.

There's multiple benches where the i5 is ~50% faster than the 1050T! I wouldn't dismiss the i5 so quickly. StarCraft 2 also heavily favors intel's i-series over AMD's Phenom (not to mention Photoshop is slightly faster w/ the i5 and many other editing programs).

Look at the actual numbers. In damn near every situation there you've already moved the bottleneck from the CPU to the GPU with a single GPU rig at which point anything above and beyond that is just epeen massaging. Your actual ingame experience in the here and now isn't going to be much different at all, that's the point. So after that then all you can do is take a guess at how performance will scale in the future my guess is that more cores will serve you better, I could be wrong.

 

[coopolon]

So I need to build a desktop for my GF. It has to be able to stream HD (netflix, abc.com, etc.), and preferably play bluray rips. I was originally planning on just getting a pretty cheap pre-built, integrated gpu, etc. for $300-$400.

But then I was thinking, why not just build a good gaming PC for $600, and give her my current one (two years old, 4850 and e8400). But I'm pretty dismayed at the prices right now, gone are the days of building a competent $500 rig huh?

I already have disc drives, hdd's, and os's. So would need case, cpu, mobo, ram, and psu. Can I still build a quad core rig that will be able to play the games of the next year at 1080p for $600? I was hoping for a 460, and have given up hope on an i5 in this price range.

 

[1stStrike]

So I need to build a desktop for my GF. It has to be able to stream HD (netflix, abc.com, etc.), and preferably play bluray rips. I was originally planning on just getting a pretty cheap pre-built, integrated gpu, etc. for $300-$400.

But then I was thinking, why not just build a good gaming PC for $600, and give her my current one (two years old, 4850 and e8400). But I'm pretty dismayed at the prices right now, gone are the days of building a competent $500 rig huh?

I already have disc drives, hdd's, and os's. So would need case, cpu, mobo, ram, and psu. Can I still build a quad core rig that will be able to play the games of the next year at 1080p for $600? I was hoping for a 460, and have given up hope on an i5 in this price range.

Umm yes. It's called newegg. You should have no trouble building something for $600 if you're excluding the drives/HDD. The mobo, CPU, ram, graphics card and PSU and a decent case should come to about $500. I'd actually go with a AMD at this point. I got a 955 quad core, 4 GB of DDR3 ram, a good antec PSU and a pretty decent gigabyte mobo along with a geforce 250 GTS and it's been running great. No hitches with any of the games I've tried maxed out.

 

[Shalashaska161]

No its not! :lol

That things a piece of crap.

Get a GTS 250 or 4850, maybe a 5670 if his PSU is shitty and you can't afford to upgrade it.

Awesome thanks for the help. I helped him buy a GTS 250 and a new PSU since his was only 300W. It's amazing how much more computer equipment costs in stores compared to online. I saved him like $100 buy buying it off NCIX instead of at Best Buy.

 

[Smokey]

Also why is the 1090t $95 more? What does "unlocked multiplier" mean?

 

[kagete]

My head is going to crack

Judging from your earlier posts, it looks like you can afford Intel. IMO, anyone that can afford i5, should buy i5. Doubly so if you have a Microcenter nearby (heck, go to i7 at that point).

If you can afford an i5/7 right now, you can afford to upgrade the mobo/proc later on. By the time you'll feel the need to upgrade it, you can maybe afford a new build already.

If you can barely make a $700 to 800 budget, then you'll have to go AMD. If you have a GTX460 or better in your build, you won't feel the need for extra power as you'll be gaming just fine up till 1080p. Sure, seeing benches will make you feel bad, but you saved a hundred bucks or more going AMD. In my experience, going AMD will just make you want to upgrade earlier since you'll always feel like you're in 2nd place

 

[Hazaro]

Also why is the 1090t $95 more? What does "unlocked multiplier" mean?

It means you can get to 4.0 instead of 3.8, not a deal breaker. The chips clock around the same before the multi really becomes an issue.

and...

i5-750 is better at: Clock for clock speed, gaming, some movie editing, can overclock to 4.2Ghz on average.
x6 1055T is better at: Having 2 more cores for same price, some specialized movie editing, stuff that actually uses 6 cores, Socket AM3 will stay for next generation of CPU's, can OC to ~3.8Ghz on average (95w release soon, looks to clock a bit better).

i5-750 vs x6 1055T http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/147?vs=109
*Note that the super leads that are present in 3/4 games are entirely CPU bound unlike most modern games such as Batman: AA.
i5-750 vs i7-920 (Both 2.66Ghz, 920 has HT)

It comes down to having an upgrade path that you think will be better and worthwhile.
An overclocked x4 955, x6 1055T, or i5-750 will all breeze though most tasks.
Going for an x4 or x6 now is calling it 'good enough' and you are waiting on the new CPUs later.

So I need to build a desktop for my GF. It has to be able to stream HD (netflix, abc.com, etc.), and preferably play bluray rips. I was originally planning on just getting a pretty cheap pre-built, integrated gpu, etc. for $300-$400.

But then I was thinking, why not just build a good gaming PC for $600, and give her my current one (two years old, 4850 and e8400). But I'm pretty dismayed at the prices right now, gone are the days of building a competent $500 rig huh?

I already have disc drives, hdd's, and os's. So would need case, cpu, mobo, ram, and psu. Can I still build a quad core rig that will be able to play the games of the next year at 1080p for $600? I was hoping for a 460, and have given up hope on an i5 in this price range.

http://i.imgur.com/SY7cc.jpg

-20 disc
-55 hdd
-55 (swap 955 for x4 635

-20 slightly cheaper mobo
-15 (Swap for Antec Sonata + 500W)
____
$635

You could probably pawn off or trade the 4850/E8400 and get a E5200 + 8400GS or something.

And my E7200 + GTX 260 is worth about $500 now :[

 

[Milabrega]

I had the same debate myself of i5-750 vs either X6 recently. X6's are better for video/graphical work stations and to have a cheaper mobo that you can upgrade later on, i5 gets you better gaming performance now/the near future and saves you bank on power consumption but you sacrifice ability to upgrade your current mobo to the future short bridge cpu's.

CAG has a similar thread as this one, in the bottom of the first post the creator has Wishlist links to builds of various intel/amd configurations at various price points. It was helpful for input in addition to this thread's contributors here. Perhaps we should make our own Gaf equivalent?

 

[BudokaiMR2]

Okay gaf someone please help.
I just moved yesterday and now my pc isn't firing up. My mac laptop broke a couple o weeks ago too so I was kind of depending on this thing.

It seems like it is starting up normally but produces no display signal. I haveno ideas how to trouble shoot something like this if I can't see shit

I have a 4870 and am scared it got busted somehow.

 

[Milabrega]

Open up your PC case and see if anything got dislodged during the move? Does the boot screen display but the screen turn to black when the OS is suppose to load? If so try to boot in safe mode.

 

[BudokaiMR2]

I don't know what is going on. I was getting absolutely 0 signalat first using my normal dvi-hdmi adapter. Now I changes from that to dvi-> and it is workig.

What in the hell

 

[Smokey]

Judging from your earlier posts, it looks like you can afford Intel. IMO, anyone that can afford i5, should buy i5. Doubly so if you have a Microcenter nearby (heck, go to i7 at that point).

If you can afford an i5/7 right now, you can afford to upgrade the mobo/proc later on. By the time you'll feel the need to upgrade it, you can maybe afford a new build already.

If you can barely make a $700 to 800 budget, then you'll have to go AMD. If you have a GTX460 or better in your build, you won't feel the need for extra power as you'll be gaming just fine up till 1080p. Sure, seeing benches will make you feel bad, but you saved a hundred bucks or more going AMD. In my experience, going AMD will just make you want to upgrade earlier since you'll always feel like you're in 2nd place

Yes I can afford the i5/i7. My setup originally had a 980x in it until one of the PC Master Race generals convinced me to not go for it. Since that enlightening conversation I've looked at "cheaper" routes. i don't really have a USE for 6 cores, I just like knowing that my shit won't be THAT outdated in a couple years (yes I know pc tech etc etc).

As I mentioned the i7 can be had at MC for $30 bucks more than the i5. I just don't know I feel about not being able to upgrade to the CPU's down the line with the 1366 socket.

Maybe I'm just thinking too hard. A 1055t, i5, i7 machine paired with a GTX 480 will destroy most games out at 1080p and I'd be getting the far superior version of multiplatform titles regardless of which route I go.

Maybe I'll just wake up tomorrow and the first fuckin one that pops in my head I go with it and call it a day:lol

And thank you all for the help. I'm pretty sure I'm getting annoying with all these different variations of setups and shit...but if I'm gonna pay 1.5k - 2k I need to get it right :/

 

[Hawk269]

I am still on the hunt for a pre-built and found this alienware at best buy that it listed as new...was hoping some of the more well informed of you can take a look at it and let me know your thoughts. As mentioned a few pages back, I am just looking for a gaming rig that will let me hook it up HDMI to my HDTV using a wireless keyboard/mouse and be able to run games at 1080p at a really good frame rate. Starcraft 2 at ultra etc.

Thanks

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alienwa...rive/1021392.p?id=1218209982680&skuId=1021392

 

[brain_stew]

Definitely sounds like an AMD build is the right way to go for you personally imo.

 

[brain_stew]

I am still on the hunt for a pre-built and found this alienware at best buy that it listed as new...was hoping some of the more well informed of you can take a look at it and let me know your thoughts. As mentioned a few pages back, I am just looking for a gaming rig that will let me hook it up HDMI to my HDTV using a wireless keyboard/mouse and be able to run games at 1080p at a really good frame rate. Starcraft 2 at ultra etc.

Thanks

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alienwa...rive/1021392.p?id=1218209982680&skuId=1021392

Dunno how that warrants a ~$500 premium over the Dell Studio XP 7100.

 

[Gouty]

I am still on the hunt for a pre-built and found this alienware at best buy

Are you reading our recommendations....or even looking at the specs? That computer is more money for less computer than either the Dell or Gateways mentioned earlier.

 

[kagete]

he has $1.5K to spend! You can go AMD for a bit above 1k and pocket the change or you can go 1.5k for i7. With that much budget, you can start looking into either an SSD, 3D gaming, expensive sound setup, a better monitor, etc. No need to blow all available cash on just the desktop. PC gaming man, you have options

 

[1stStrike]

I am still on the hunt for a pre-built and found this alienware at best buy that it listed as new...was hoping some of the more well informed of you can take a look at it and let me know your thoughts. As mentioned a few pages back, I am just looking for a gaming rig that will let me hook it up HDMI to my HDTV using a wireless keyboard/mouse and be able to run games at 1080p at a really good frame rate. Starcraft 2 at ultra etc.

Thanks

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alienwa...rive/1021392.p?id=1218209982680&skuId=1021392

Jesus dude, don't buy an alienware. Send me the parts. I will build you a god damn PC and you'll save a bunch of money.

 

[Hawk269]

Are you reading our recommendations....or even looking at the specs? That computer is more money for less computer than either the Dell or Gateways mentioned earlier.

I need to get all the specs and run a comparison then. I think the one thing I liked abotu the ALienware was that it came with the higher end graphics card, but I also know that the alienware is a bit pricier.

Right now, the gateway you guys recommended is the leading canidate. this is just a big investment and I want to get the most I can and be able to handle games at 1080p and very good frame rate etc.

Appreciate all the replies and yes I am a noob in this area so I appreciate the patience as well.

For the guy that said send the parts and you will build it...well I am starting to lean towards having someone just build it for me. I just dont know what to order myself, I can figure out the CPU/Graphics cards etc..but all that other stuff is foreign to me..well HDD and Memory I can handle as well.

I guess, what i am asking, if I were to have one built, with the specifications of it being able to be plug in play to my hdtv and 5.1 system, 1080p/ultra for Starcraft 2 and something that is going to be able to run games coming out in the next 6-12months at high rez/framerate, what would you put together? This is open to anyone.

 

[Hawk269]

Jesus dude, don't buy an alienware. Send me the parts. I will build you a god damn PC and you'll save a bunch of money.

I know I might be getting on yours or others nerves, but when you are noob and dont want to get ripped off, I post stuff like I do here. But, if you were to build it, see the above post...I may take you up on it..of course pay you for your service as well.

 

[Gouty]

I think the one thing I liked abotu the ALienware was that it came with the higher end graphics card, but I also know that the alienware is a bit pricier.

It's the same graphics card thats in the Dell.

 

[Hazaro]

I guess, what i am asking, if I were to have one built, with the specifications of it being able to be plug in play to my hdtv and 5.1 system, 1080p/ultra for Starcraft 2 and something that is going to be able to run games coming out in the next 6-12months at high rez/framerate, what would you put together? This is open to anyone.

Swap in the i5 / Intel mobo.
TBH I've been itching pretty bad to build something but if you ordered with me CA tax of 9.75 would make it cost $90 more :lol (Still cheaper and better though).

 

[WEGGLES]

Anyone know how to make a hard drive stop shutting off when not in use?

I have a 750GB drive with OS/software on it and a 1TB drive from an external installed in the case now, for music/movies/pictures/whatnot. If it's not in use it shuts off, and spins back up when in use. Any way I can stop it from shutting off? It's rather annoying. It means it takes an extra 20+ seconds for my media player to start. And some programs, like speedfan, spin the drive up before starting etc etc. And when I shut my computer off it spins up as it shuts off. Just annoying. I've looked around and can't seem to find power settings for that drive specifically.

And anyone know how to change what comes up by default when you click the "Windows Explorer" icon on the taskbar? I'd rather it just open "Computer" or my folder by default not "libraries"


And Hazaro I don't think Microcenter carries that Cooler any more...

 

[Stormtrooper30]

Alright guys, here's my first go through looking at Newegg. Tell me what you think for a budget gaming PC.

My question is if I want to overclock this, what kind of cooling should I buy? The Cooler Master Elite 335 comes with a single rear fan and says you can install a second one in the front. It also looks like I can mount a side fan as well. What cheap fans would yall recomend for the vents and also for the CPU/anyywhere else I need temp control?

Edit: Apparently I suck at taking screen shots of Newegg stuff. Sorry bout that.

Edit2: Newegg has the i5 750 and Phenom II x6 priced the same... the i5 has been getting a lot of praise lately so I chose that one.

 

[Hazaro]

Alright guys, here's my first go through looking at Newegg. Tell me what you think for a budget gaming PC.
http://i27.tinypic.com/2wc1qfr.jpg

My question is if I want to overclock this, what kind of cooling should I buy? The Cooler Master Elite 335 comes with a single rear fan and says you can install a second one in the front. It also looks like I can mount a side fan as well. What cheap fans would yall recomend for the vents and also for the CPU/anyywhere else I need temp control?

See above you.

Combo the 650w and 1TB F3 HDD
See if you can combo the i5 and one of the mobos (think ASUS you can)
HS see above.

 

[·feist·]

For any of you that are looking to get the i5 750 from Microcenter, you better hurry as it looks like they are phasing them, and the i7 860, out in favor of the i5 760 and i7 870. On the plus side, it seems like the 750 has dropped (???) another $10 in price from the $170 they had it at before to $160 now. Same for the 860, going down to $220, but it's obviously still more than the i7 920/930-matching $199 that they used to sell it for.

They also have the Samsung F3s still listed at $45 and $65, so it looks like those may be the daily prices now.

Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7,200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
$44.99
https://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340804

Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
$64.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340562


As far as cheap DVD drives, Newegg has this LG model for $17.99 + free shipping.

LG GH22NS40 DVD Burner
$17.99
Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...136180&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-27-136-180-_-Product

 

[1stStrike]

I need to get all the specs and run a comparison then. I think the one thing I liked abotu the ALienware was that it came with the higher end graphics card, but I also know that the alienware is a bit pricier.

Right now, the gateway you guys recommended is the leading canidate. this is just a big investment and I want to get the most I can and be able to handle games at 1080p and very good frame rate etc.

Appreciate all the replies and yes I am a noob in this area so I appreciate the patience as well.

For the guy that said send the parts and you will build it...well I am starting to lean towards having someone just build it for me. I just dont know what to order myself, I can figure out the CPU/Graphics cards etc..but all that other stuff is foreign to me..well HDD and Memory I can handle as well.

I guess, what i am asking, if I were to have one built, with the specifications of it being able to be plug in play to my hdtv and 5.1 system, 1080p/ultra for Starcraft 2 and something that is going to be able to run games coming out in the next 6-12months at high rez/framerate, what would you put together? This is open to anyone.

Just FYI, I was a newb years ago and a guy built my first two PC's for me. He helped me pick out the parts, built them and I payed him the cost. He did it all for no additional fee. If it'll save you some cash I'd be willing to do the same. I'll even post the specs here so other gaffers can verify the build before I build it. Shoot me a PM if you're serious about it.

My last PC was an HP because I was lazy and didn't feel like building one. The case was pretty crappy, it was rivetted together so I'd have to pop the rivets out in order to get to any of the hardware, and it just didn't last the test of time like the PC's I've built on my own in the past.

I spent $1176 on my new PC. That's including a 23.6" monitor and wireless keyboard/mouse as well. I can build you one for less then that since you don't need the monitor and an SSD drive isn't a requirement (unless you want one).

 

[Hawk269]

Swap in the i5 / Intel mobo.
TBH I've been itching pretty bad to build something but if you ordered with me CA tax of 9.75 would make it cost $90 more :lol (Still cheaper and better though).

I spent some time looking at this setup you made. For one, I think upgrading the processor would be something I would be interested in doing..not sure if that would be overkill, but looking at techspot and the writeup they did when testing Starcraft 2, I would likat an I7 920 and I have seen on some sites I7930. I think I would also add another 2 gigs of RAM.

Outside of that, that looks pretty good and way cheaper than a prebuilt, of course I would need Windows 7 to add to the cost and on that Gforce you listed, does it have HDMI Out an intergrated 5.1 sound, so all I would need is just the HDMI to run to my HDMI switchbox so it could handle both the video/audio?

Thanks again..oh and I did not see an I7 920, 930's on newegg. Is it something they do not carry. One last thing, any other fans other than what you listed?

 

[Milabrega]

Hazaro, an i5-750 + that gigabyte 460 will use 446 watts under full load not counting any other component, so I think a 500w PSU should be the minimum recommended in the build, especially since AMD's X6 line uses more wattage than the i5's currently.

 

[Stormtrooper30]

See above you.

Combo the 650w and 1TB F3 HDD
See if you can combo the i5 and one of the mobos (think ASUS you can)
HS see above.

Is 650W the minimum I need for my rig? That DVD drive and 500W power supply come out to only $45 after the discounts and rebate, the HDD and PSU combo would cost more, but its also more power so idk. And I already combo'd the i5 and a mobo together, but I have no idea what discerns a good motherboard from a bad one, so your insight would be great (maybe that's what you meant with the ASUS? I have trouble figuring these things out).

And now that Microcenter is selling the i5 at $160, would it be smarter to buy from there (as well as the HDD and Disc drive)?
How does the i7 930 compare to the i5 750? I looked on the CPU comparison site but they don't have the 930 on there. Would it be smarter to buy the i7 930 from Microcenter instead of the i5?