PC Buildng Resources

[Mouko OCS]

Howdy folks,

I'm hopefully going to start building a new PC at some point over the next few months, depending on how my side-work goes...and I'm looking for some good sites online to shop for all the components I need.  Some of you I know do this and have done it far more than I and I'm sure you have a favorite place to get stuff from.  That and any sites that have good parts for lower prices...etc., etc.....

Anywho, any links or what-nots you can post I'd appreciate...thanks!!

[Cortath OCS]

I'm a big Newegg fan here! You can get good combo deals too. Motherboard/CPU. Just make sure you get some room to expand on the board. Let me know if you need any help.

[Heff OCS]

When I am doing a build, one of the first things I do is research.  I really don't like surprises.

http://www.tomshardware.com/index.html

http://www.sharkeyextreme.com/

http://www.motherboards.org/index.html

http://www.extremetech.com/

When I decide on the specific parts, I shop.

http://www.xoxide.com/       (I have gotten a few cases and speciality parts here, cool website  )

http://www.newegg.com/

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/index.hmx?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/

http://www.globalcomputer.com/

http://www.techbargains.com/

http://www.slickdeals.net/

Just to name a few.

I have also found some deals, at all places:

http://www.radioshack.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2063031

I got a X-Finity 500 w power supply there that, at the time, normally ran $100 to $150  at NewEgg for $20 after rebates.

I haven't shopped for monitors lately but Best Buy use to have a big sale about once a month .

http://www.bestbuy.com/

[Mouko OCS]

Thanks guys for the help!

I'll definatey be picking ya'lls brains when I get started.  Thanks for all the sites Heff...and yeah, I agree, I'm definately a research guy when it comes to this.

[Mouko OCS]

Ok, been doing a little research.  Now, looking for opinions, preferences, experiences, etc.  You game-machine builders out there...that's essentially what I'm building.  My question-of-the-moment is processors...AMD or Intel?  AMD processors I've typically heard are geared better for gaming.  However, help me understand the benefits of that verses going with an SLI setup.  Does an AMD setup support that or does is just call it something else?  Keep in mind I have a short attention span...lol...and pardon if I ask dumb questions.  My hardware knowledge when it comes to this type of thing is growing, but, still not as good as much of yours I'm sure.

Thanks ahead of time!!

[Cortath OCS]

Hey Big Cat.   I Love AMD......and have never had any problems with their CPU. If your are looking for GPU(graphics), Nvidia all the way!!! ATI are good.....and cheap......but you just can't beat Nvidia in my book!  I'm using a AMD CPU, ASUS motherboard, and Nvidia graphics. Make sure when you buy a board.....that it has more than 1 PCI-E 2.0 x16 slots so you can "SLI" cards. If not.....than you'll have to get one high capacity card.......which cost a lot more.

[Heff OCS]

SLI (Scalable Link Interface) was designed by NVIDIA so that you can have two graphics cards in one system working together. If you are interested in SLI both AMD and Intel  have a version.

AMD vs Intel has been an on going debate for years.  You will find people who swear by AMD and others that wouldn't have anything but Intel.  Me, personally, I prefer AMD over Intel as I have had no problems with their processors and I have yet seen anything that would make me want to switch. 

[Mouko OCS]

I understand what SLI is, but do Intel and AMD use the same terminology for the same technology?  There is one board I was looking at yesterday that had SLI capability for 3 cards.  However, I don't know that I'll ever need that kind of kick.  But, then again....

I'm building my list now...SLOWLY as I can only do it at work because my dial-up is so slow it's just not worth doing at home.  When I get done I'll post the components.  Keep in mind when I do it'll probably not be the "shopped-for" prices but mostly first thing I find.  I'll shop around for deals after.

[Etchglow]

I've got to say I'm an AMD fan and ATI just because ATI's cards are so much more reasonably priced than the NVIDIA ones.  Also, Crossfire (ATI's version of SLI) scales much better when you are talking 3+ cards it seems (it's really a moot point because most games cannot take advantage of that kind of horsepower).  Mostly, as long as you get some of the newer hardware you shouldn't have any problems.

Etchglow OCS

[Mouko OCS]

Ok, somebody talk to me about multicore processor speed.  The AM2+ Phenom I'm looking at is a 2.5GHz quad-core.  This may be a stupid question...but I'm only assuming that the processor does not combine the speed of all 4 cores.

[TheLastSparten OCS]

Me and Cortath have a whole lot in common when it comes to technology. Nvidia all the way!!!!! But the AMD's are always better.

[Etchglow]

The Phenom you are looking at (9850 I believe) has 4 cores that each have a clock speed of 2.5 ghz.  More modern games are able to take advantage of multiple cores better than the old ones.  The old games (ones that do not multi-thread very well) would not be able to take advantage of the quad cores and dual cores with higher clock speeds would actually perform better.  Surprisingly enough with Windows Vista (I know I just used a bad word) the processor is no longer the main limiting factor in gaming.  Instead of drawing everything at the CPU like XP did Vista draws things at the video card.  This change allows freeing up of CPU resources and (if you have a good video card/video cards) can create a jump in performance.  I actually like Vista (now that SP1 released) and there are a couple of nice DX10 games out there.

Etchglow OCS

[Heff OCS]

One thing I would like to add is if you are planning to build a computer, build it the way you want it.  Don't build it with plans of future upgrades namely because technology is changing so quickly.  For example, the computer I built a couple of years ago.  I allowed my self some room to grow but I had no idea that technology would advance so fast that what growing room I left won't do me a lot of good.  Single Core cpu's are all but obsolete and dual cores are getting old.  I was reading about how in the very new future we will be seeing 100 core processors. 

[Etchglow]

If you are planning on buying the latest and greatest as well you might want to hold out for a little while because there have been rumors of USB 3.0 and a new Firewire generation coming out sometime early next year.  These are just rumors and unfortunately I haven't looked into it due to the fact I am trying to spend as much time away from the computer as possible (still sorely addicted to gaming but its getting better!!!).

Etchglow OCS

[Goose OCS]

i hear you etchy!! luckly i still have school and sports to keep me busy haha

[Goose OCS]

but i have a question for all of you techy dudes. i want to get a better pc for my room so i can play newer games on it. unfortuneatly i don't work till summer so i have time. but should i build from scratch or just buy?

[Mouko OCS]

Yeah, definately considering the whole "upgradabilty" of the build, but, with a good understanding that tech is changing quickly...so yeah Heff, good points and I'm building with that in mind...giving a little room, but not overboard.  I'm looking at a motherboard now that has AM2/AM2+ support with the idea of using a good dual-core now and the ability to go on up to a better quad later if I choose to.

[Heff OCS]

What MB are you considering?

I am building a computer for my daughter for Christmas.  I am using a Phenom cpu, just to see how well it performs.  If it goes well then I will probably plan on a build for me.

You had asked about multi core processor speeds.  If I understand it correctly a 2 Gig qud core does not give you an 8 Gig processor speed.  Basically the multicores are for multi tasking. One core handling one operation while another core is working on others. 

[Mouko OCS]

Right, I didn't think it did that, quadrupling the speed...but I have read about, and I can't remember the term, something about multicore scaling...something where one proc runs at 100% and the other at approx 70 - 80%, combining proc speed.  I'll see if I can find the article.

That's the way, Heff, I've always understood it to run.  I don't have the mobo info in front of me right now, but I'll post it later.

I'm wanting to get a 3.0GHz AMD quad if I can find one, but, so far not much luck beyond a 2.6.  At least what I saw in newegg and tigerdirect.

[Etchglow]

Multiple core CPU's allow one to do more than one process at a time.  The old single core CPU's made it seem that they were running multiple processes at a time by devoting a small amount of time in a cycle to each process.  There are supposed to be some new Phenom processors released at the beginning of next year.

Etchglow OCS

[Mouko OCS]

Another question:

SLI vs Crossfire...Intel's vs AMD's naming for the same technology right?  My question is if I get a motherboard Crossfire support I'm assuming the cards have to be Crossfire ready and SLI one's will not be supported unless specified...am I correct?

Another question...some opinions on video cards as far as good brands, etc.....

-------------------------

I think I've got a "rough-draft" build going on now.  Had planned on building a while back, but, some unexpected expenses are going to be sapping up some of the extra cash I earned doing some contract work...

I'm having a hard time justifying the expense of a new system with a new vehicle and new Air Condition needed and recent roof work.  Yeah, it may have to wait a little while.  Although, that may be good as some of the items may drop in price by the time I'm ready to buy.

I'll post the build as soon as I can for all you "better at this than me" folks to correct and suggest because I've little doubt I'm missing some issues.

[Navy CW4]

Mouko, I have been doing some pricing lately myself and I can tell you that New Egg is cheaper than Tiger Direct.

This is just some of the stuff I have been looking at:

Asus Xonar D2X 7.1 PCIe Sound Card  Model: XONARD2X
 
Ultra / ChillTec / Socket 939/775/AM2 / Thermal Electric CPU Cooler Model: ULT33186

Cooler Master / Real Power / 1000-Watt / ATX v2.2 / 135mm Fan / SATA Ready / Quad SLI Ready / PFC/EPS / 20/24-Pin / Power Supply  Model: RS-A00-EMBA

EVGA GeForce GTX 285 SSC Edition

Lite-On DH-4B1S Serial ATA Interface Blu-ray Disc Writer Model: DH-4B1S
 
Intel DX58SO Socket LGA1366 Motherboard

i7-965 Extreme

Patriot Viper Dual Channel 2048MB PC16000 DDR3 2000MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)  Model: PVS32G2000LLKN  X 2
 
WD VelociRaptor 300GB Hard Drive WD3000HLFS

Ultra m998 ULT40069 Mid-Tower ATX Case - Aluminum. Clear Side, Front USB 2.0, FireWire, eSATA and Audio Ports Model: ULT40069  (Tiger Direct)
 
Can't make my mind up between the two

LIAN LI PC-7BYCF Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail  (New egg)

[Mouko OCS]

Yeah, that's what I'm quickly discovering with New Egg...good prices and flexibilty as far as finding the parts I want. 

[Heff OCS]

Always check shipping costs.  I have seen items at newegg cheaper than tiger direct but their shipping costs would be higher, so you may be purchasing at a lower price but the added shipping cost would end up costing you more in the long run.  Free shipping is a great find.

[PureKnight OCS]

Yeah... I just want to input my cent... I am not technology person like you... thats why Cortath built me a computer which I still continue to praise Lord for that!!!! Like comptuer... I tend to shopping for book online because always cheaper. I always look for the rate of shipping. Amazon.com against the used one with shippin rate to see the price. I am sure it is same thing for computer parts. You are right!