Help me get a new computer!

So long story short my current PC is approaching the end. The only worthy component in it is my ATI Radeon 4870 1gb which will be placed into my new computer.


Things I dont need:

Power Supply
Video Card


Things I do need:

CPU
Motherboard
Case
Heatsink (assuming it doesn't come with anything else)
RAM
Hard Drive


Unless I am mistaken this is pretty much everything I would need. Is anyone here leet enough to be able to put up a list of something that would be worthy for a gaming PC? + if you can put up a good website to buy them (I live in Canada however)

Does Newegg or Tigerdirect work for Canadians? How much you willing to spend? If you got the money, a Core i7 setup would be the way to go. A motherboard, CPU, and 6gb of ram for it will set you back about $600 US dollars

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SneeBeezums

Does Newegg or Tigerdirect work for Canadians? How much you willing to spend? If you got the money, a Core i7 setup would be the way to go. A motherboard, CPU, and 6gb of ram for it will set you back about $600 US dollars

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Those both work for Canada. Although I have looked up some of those things I couldn't find anything that good for only that much.


Should I be looking into a quad core? Part of me things that would be sick

I am willing to spend up to 1000-1100~

Core i7 are quad core. I'm not sure how much of a difference between US and Canadian currency would be, but here's some stuff I dug up:

Core i7 920 - $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202

Gigabyte x58 Motherboard - $200 (185 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128375

OCZ 6GB Triple Channel DDR3 - $100 (80 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227365

As for a heatsink and fan, I recommend a Xigmatek. You'll need this conversion kit ($10):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233027

For this color ($25)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233001

HDT technology provides better cooling on the CPU. Get some Arctic Silver and you'll be set.

All of this for $615 USD. That leaves you plenty of money to put a HDD of your choice and a case. Something like the Antec 900 or the Thermaltake Element S would be good. Or maybe a Coolermaster Cosmo. Get something bigger that provides plenty of airflow. Make sure your PSU will be strong enough to support the CPU

This set up will pretty much gobble up anything you throw at it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SneeBeezums

Core i7 are quad core. I'm not sure how much of a difference between US and Canadian currency would be, but here's some stuff I dug up:

Core i7 920 - $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202

Gigabyte x58 Motherboard - $200 (185 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128375

OCZ 6GB Triple Channel DDR3 - $100 (80 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227365

As for a heatsink and fan, I recommend a Xigmatek. You'll need this conversion kit ($10):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233027

For this color ($25)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233001

HDT technology provides better cooling on the CPU. Get some Arctic Silver and you'll be set.

All of this for $615 USD. That leaves you plenty of money to put a HDD of your choice and a case. Something like the Antec 900 or the Thermaltake Element S would be good. Or maybe a Coolermaster Cosmo. Get something bigger that provides plenty of airflow. Make sure your PSU will be strong enough to support the CPU

This set up will pretty much gobble up anything you throw at it.

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Thanks a lot man.

How much wattage would you estimate I need to support my CPU? I believe my PSU is 550W which is enough to support my graphics card.

www.ncix.com has weekly sales where you might be able to pick up some hot parts for cheap

You might want to step it up a notch. I believe the CPU requires 130W alone. Not sure how much your video card requires. I believe there are websites out there that will calculate how much you need.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SneeBeezums

Core i7 are quad core. I'm not sure how much of a difference between US and Canadian currency would be, but here's some stuff I dug up:

Core i7 920 - $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202

Gigabyte x58 Motherboard - $200 (185 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128375

OCZ 6GB Triple Channel DDR3 - $100 (80 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227365

As for a heatsink and fan, I recommend a Xigmatek. You'll need this conversion kit ($10):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233027

For this color ($25)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233001

HDT technology provides better cooling on the CPU. Get some Arctic Silver and you'll be set.

All of this for $615 USD. That leaves you plenty of money to put a HDD of your choice and a case. Something like the Antec 900 or the Thermaltake Element S would be good. Or maybe a Coolermaster Cosmo. Get something bigger that provides plenty of airflow. Make sure your PSU will be strong enough to support the CPU

This set up will pretty much gobble up anything you throw at it.

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Yeah but after the video card ($250) and psu ($120) alone youre looking at a price around 1k. For the i7 youre going to want to make sure it has active PFC.
The i7 and Q9550 are pretty similar running a single gfx card and you can save some money by going with a Q9550 setup as opposed to the i7. The i7 tends to do better with multiple gfx cards though. Keep in mind when picking a graphics card that it makes more sense to spend more on the video card because most of the time the frame rate is bottled not by the CPU, but by the graphics card. I think you can get like a GTX 280 for $250 these days. Or you could spend like $350 and get a 4870X2 which is a pretty godly card. The GTX and 4870 and 4870x2 are great cards/lines to go with. I mean if you already have a comparable video card though, you dont really need to get another one but maybe should get another to run in SLI with an i7 if you choose that path.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SneeBeezums

You might want to step it up a notch. I believe the CPU requires 130W alone. Not sure how much your video card requires. I believe there are websites out there that will calculate how much you need.

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http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp
this works well if you dont feel like finding it out by hand

I actually got the Radeon 4870x2 card, my CPU is just bottlenecking the shit out of it (socket 939 AMD 3400).


ALso im thinking that I should get another OS...would you suggest XP or Vista? There are pros and cons to both but I no longer know what I should go for.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kozzle

I actually got the Radeon 4870x2 card, my CPU is just bottlenecking the shit out of it (socket 939 AMD 3400).


ALso im thinking that I should get another OS...would you suggest XP or Vista? There are pros and cons to both but I no longer know what I should go for.

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Grab another 4870x2 and run it in crossfire ;)
Neither.
Wait about 2 months for Windows 7 to come out, or get Vista x64 Pirate Edition.

You need a 64-bit OS. XP 64-bit is utter garbage. Vista x64 is a great OS, I dont understand peoples problems with Vista to take XP over it; its ridiculous. I got the beta of Windows 7, and it is an amazing OS. MS Paint is sick; they have brushes and stuff like that, the OS its very visually pleasing, windows media player has been redone among other things. I think the release is like August 2009.

I didn't list a video card because he doesn't need one. If he runs crossfire then for sure he'll need to buy a higher end PSU.

Windows 7 comes out October 22nd

I can only imagine how much Windows 7 will cost...

It will be priced probably around how Vista was priced at launch. Buy OEM. It's cheaper. Unless you really feel the need for the instructions manual and shit. I'm running the RC edition of 7 right now as my primary and only OS and it's rock solid. I can't wait for the release.

I've always seem OEM but I am not too sure what it means

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kozzle

I've always seem OEM but I am not too sure what it means

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When you buy oem you just the disc and cd key, no retail packaging . Its like if you buy a hdd or odd oem, you just get the drive by itself and no retail packaging.

EDIT -

You should still stick with the i7 system. The i7s are the best processors you can get on the market. Over the next couple years they'll still be more than adequate for your gaming needs. Then all you'll need it to replace your video card. Intels going to be doing more with the i7s over the next few years.

Doesn't make a lot of sense to be to go back to a last gen socket type but put a bunch of money into video cards that will need replaced down line. If you put the money now into the best processors when you already got a very good video card seems more logical.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SneeBeezums

When you buy oem you just the disc and cd key, no retail packaging . Its like if you buy a hdd or odd oem, you just get the drive by itself and no retail packaging.

EDIT -

You should still stick with the i7 system. The i7s are the best processors you can get on the market. Over the next couple years they'll still be more than adequate for your gaming needs. Then all you'll need it to replace your video card. Intels going to be doing more with the i7s over the next few years.

Doesn't make a lot of sense to be to go back to a last gen socket type but put a bunch of money into video cards that will need replaced down line. If you put the money now into the best processors when you already got a very good video card seems more logical.

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Would you say the quad core is definitely the way to go?

quad core is definately the way to go
i've got a q6600 at 3.0ghz and a 4870x2 as well and i havn't noticed any bottlenecking.

but yeah, get an i7 and if you can buy another 4870x2 and crossfire it lol.
that would be rediculous.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kozzle

Would you say the quad core is definitely the way to go?

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Core i7 processors are quad core. Each core is hyperthreaded so it's 4 cores with another virtual 4 cores. Not to mention the FSB on the chips is huge. So yes, go with the i7 system.

http://dealnews.com/Intel-Core-i7-92...re/303266.html

Cheapest I've seen the 920 for $230 USD. No idea if that deal extends to you Canadians though

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...4&Sku=B69-1066


Would you guys say this is a decent buy? Keep in mind prices are Canadian and, therefore, inherently more expensive.

The power supply and (imo) case suck, and I'd choose a faster drive. It says you'd only save ~$9 going with their bundle, so why not build that same PC with a better PSU and a WD Black drive, and possibly a better case?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ephekt

The power supply and (imo) case suck, and I'd choose a faster drive. It says you'd only save ~$9 going with their bundle, so why not build that same PC with a better PSU and a WD Black drive, and possibly a better case?

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This. Plus they charge $310 for that i7 processor when you can buy it on newegg for 280. And 200 for memory. You can get 12GB of memory on newegg for cheaper. Then again you'll probably never need that much memory anyway.

I'd recommend a Corsair PSU. Or Antec, Seasonic, or Xigamentec. Don't rely on a shitty brand PSU or the ones that come with cases bundled unless it's a reputable brand.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16819115202


The i7 on newegg.ca is actually SLIGHTLY more expensive.


American prices just seem to be extremely better than Canadian ones. I have compared newegg to tigerdirect (.ca, not .com) and they seem to typically be priced the same across the board.


What's your opinions on the "performance" of the case...would you say it's a good case for airflow? Do you think it would solve any overheating problems I currently have with my case? And what exactly should I be looking for in a PSU? I am not familiar with much about PSU's other than their wattage

Amperage. Look at the statistics and it will say what the amperage across each rail is. Then look at your individual components and make sure that the voltage and current (amps) needs are met. Check into their 80 plus certifications. These give you a good idea of how efficient your PSU actually is.

That sucks about prices. I was always under the impression Newegg was always cheaper than Tiger but I guess it's different in Canada.

What case do you have now that is causing over heating? One thing I would look for in cases is ones with foam dust filters. Dust alone can cause serious overheating issues by clogging your fans and your heatsink. Also, make sure that a case is well designed for cable management. Small things like holes behind the motherboard and pre-placed ties help you route your cables better which increases airflow.

Actually that Tempest case seems like a cheaper version of the Antec 900. Compare prices. The Antec case seems like a higher quality build.

That case is cheap, poorly made and probably has poor airflow as well. It's best to stick with something from a reputable manufacturer - it doesn't even have to be expensive - but stick with Antec, Lian Li, Cooler Master et al.

I'd get this power supply: (it's $125 on Tiger)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817139004

Quote:

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Output +3.3V@30A,+5V@20A,+12V@41A,[email protected],+5VSB@3A

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Apparently, there's a Windows 7 pre-order sale.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/...leID=218101425

Quote:

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But U.S. shoppers who pre-order between June 26th and July 11th will receive discounts of 50% or more, Microsoft said. For instance, Windows 7 Home Premium will sell for $49 during the discount period, while Windows 7 Professional will sell for $99. Participating retailers include Best Buy and Amazon, as well as Microsoft's own online store.

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Do towers/cpu's generally come with the heatsink etc? or do I have to buy those separately

The CPU will come with a Heatsink with a Fan. However, they are not of the best build quality. My original part listing lists a great heatsink my friend owns. Use the converter kit for the i7 socket, some arctic silver 7 and you'll be set. Thermal issues with your CPU will be non existent. That's not to say that the stock heatsink is awful, but it's far from great.

stock heatsinks are awfull though. buy a nice one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SneeBeezums

The CPU will come with a Heatsink with a Fan. However, they are not of the best build quality. My original part listing lists a great heatsink my friend owns. Use the converter kit for the i7 socket, some arctic silver 7 and you'll be set. Thermal issues with your CPU will be non existent. That's not to say that the stock heatsink is awful, but it's far from great.

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Hmm ok, I only have very basic hardware knowledge. How does the converter pack kit work?

I imagine you'd just attach it like normal, then attach the heatsink to that.
tbh i have no idea, never used a converter kit i am just guessing.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134
This is the heatsink I'm using. Its not the BEST but it is very good and pretty cheap.
Its better than it should be for the price imo, I was expecting less from it, but it keeps my q6600 at 3.0ghz idlin around 35.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShitFace

I imagine you'd just attach it like normal, then attach the heatsink to that.
tbh i have no idea, never used a converter kit i am just guessing.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134
This is the heatsink I'm using. Its not the BEST but it is very good and pretty cheap.
Its better than it should be for the price imo, I was expecting less from it, but it keeps my q6600 at 3.0ghz idlin around 35.

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I have the same. It's for an LGA775 socket only though.

A lot of heatsinks use spring loaded push pin locking mechanisms to attach the heatsink. However, there are some such as the one I listed that you have to manually screw into place. This provides a better contact between the heatsink and CPU, thus, better thermal transfer. The converter kit essentially changes the brackets on the heatsink since it's for an LGA775 socket to make it fit the 1366, which is for the i7 CPUs.

yeah just get a converter kit if you are gettin that heatsink, no worries bruv

i didn't like the push pin things at first but i quite like them now i'm used to them. easier to fit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShitFace

stock heatsinks are awfull though. buy a nice one.

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Nope. They're not amazing, but they will cool even a decently overclocked chip quite nicely. Many people were running 600MHz+ OCs on the Core 2s just fine. Keep in mind that the tjunction on i7s is about 90 F. My only complaint about the stock heatsinks is the stupid pushpin design.

i wouldn't want to overclock on a stock heatsink, but thats just me

also i like the push pin design :P dont be hatin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShitFace

I imagine you'd just attach it like normal, then attach the heatsink to that.
tbh i have no idea, never used a converter kit i am just guessing.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134
This is the heatsink I'm using. Its not the BEST but it is very good and pretty cheap.
Its better than it should be for the price imo, I was expecting less from it, but it keeps my q6600 at 3.0ghz idlin around 35.

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I'm running this heatsink on a e8400 Wolfdale OC'd to 3.0 and its pretty decent. It lowered my temps decently, but I noticed the biggest difference when I got rid of those piece of shit push pins and converted to a Scythe screw and bracket kit. The heatsink alone brought my temps down probably 6 or so degrees, but with the screw kit it added another 5 or so, just from the significantly better contact.

What temps are you gettin?