First time "building" a PC

[neolithic3]

Hi everyone,

 

I am putting together a new computer for which I will mostly be using it to play WoW (would like to play on Ultra settings) and other games such as Call of Duty:Ghosts and potentially some others over the next few years. What I am looking for is a computer that will last for me for several years to come (I know it obviously won't be as "good" 3 years from now as it is the day I buy it, but what I don't want is to have to start replacing things or buy a whole new system in a year or two).

A few things to note: I would like to purchase the PC from NCIX and pick it up from the store. I have dealt with them before and was happy with the service so please no suggestions for other stores or online sources. I don't feel comfortable building it myself and they will do it for $25 which is very reasonable. Also, I am in Canada (so the prices will be somewhat higher than you might be used to seeing).

Can you please look over what I have selected and share your thoughts, suggestions etc?

I have selected this so far. Please let me know if something is incompatible or if this set up will not work for some reason or if there is a better alternative.

-Intel Core i5 3570 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Ivy Bridge 6MB $251.07
-Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo Direct Touch 4 Heatpipe Heatsink AM2 AM3 1366/1150/1155/1156/2011 $34.98
-ASRock Z77 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1155 DDR3 2PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2PCI SATA3 DVI HDMI USB3.0 $189.99
-8GB RAM (2x4gb) (I will decide on brand etc later - I am not worried about this for now)
-Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 OC 1189MHZ 4GB 7.0GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E $461
-Corsair Carbide Series 230T Black Gaming Case ATX 3X5.25 4X3.5 Front USB3.0 Audio No PSU $70
-Seasonic M12II Evo 750W EPS12V 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply 80+ Bronze Full Modular 8PIN 120mm Fan $93.13 (I don't need this much power but it is on sale for less than ~650w ps)
-Bitfenix Spectre BFF-BLF-14025O-RP 140MM Orange LED Case Fan 1000RPM 47.7CFM 20DBA 3/4 Pin (2 fans) $18.25
-Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM SATA3 64MB Cache 3.5in Internal Hard Drive $90.24
-Samsung 840 Evo Series MZ-7TE120BW 120GB 2.5in SATA III Internal SSD Single Unit $119.99
-DVD/CD writer (cheapest one I can find)
-Windows 8.1 64bit $90.00

Thanks very much, in advance, for wading through all this and helping me!

The website you can look at and use to select parts for the build is: http://pc.ncix.com/ncixpc_new/ncixpc.cfm?uuid=9C65A775-F362-43D3-88D4589F602C88A1-5616968

Once you are on that form, you can select options from the list supplied or select "Advanced Options" just to the right of each of the components to select parts that are not on the list. That is what I did to get the majority of the parts I picked.

 

Thanks!

[Tea1337]

Get an unlocked processor, you can OC it in the future to keep your performance up. Or get an i5-4670k

[lilc]

Budget?

[neolithic3]

Ok, Tea1337, thanks for the info. I will make that adjustment

 

Anyone else feel free to chime in with suggestions. I'm all ears and looking forward to learning as I go

[Evostatic343]

Hi everyone,

 

I am putting together a new computer for which I will mostly be using it to play WoW (would like to play on Ultra settings) and other games such as Call of Duty:Ghosts and potentially some others over the next few years. What I am looking for is a computer that will last for me for several years to come (I know it obviously won't be as "good" 3 years from now as it is the day I buy it, but what I don't want is to have to start replacing things or buy a whole new system in a year or two).

A few things to note: I would like to purchase the PC from NCIX and pick it up from the store. I have dealt with them before and was happy with the service so please no suggestions for other stores or online sources. I don't feel comfortable building it myself and they will do it for $25 which is very reasonable. Also, I am in Canada (so the prices will be somewhat higher than you might be used to seeing).

Can you please look over what I have selected and share your thoughts, suggestions etc?

I have selected this so far. Please let me know if something is incompatible or if this set up will not work for some reason or if there is a better alternative.

-Intel Core i5 3570 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Ivy Bridge 6MB $251.07

-Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo Direct Touch 4 Heatpipe Heatsink AM2 AM3 1366/1150/1155/1156/2011 $34.98

-ASRock Z77 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1155 DDR3 2PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2PCI SATA3 DVI HDMI USB3.0 $189.99

-8GB RAM (2x4gb) (I will decide on brand etc later - I am not worried about this for now)

-Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 OC 1189MHZ 4GB 7.0GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E $461

-Corsair Carbide Series 230T Black Gaming Case ATX 3X5.25 4X3.5 Front USB3.0 Audio No PSU $70

-Seasonic M12II Evo 750W EPS12V 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply 80+ Bronze Full Modular 8PIN 120mm Fan $93.13 (I don't need this much power but it is on sale for less than ~650w ps)

-Bitfenix Spectre BFF-BLF-14025O-RP 140MM Orange LED Case Fan 1000RPM 47.7CFM 20DBA 3/4 Pin (2 fans) $18.25

-Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM SATA3 64MB Cache 3.5in Internal Hard Drive $90.24

-Samsung 840 Evo Series MZ-7TE120BW 120GB 2.5in SATA III Internal SSD Single Unit $119.99

-DVD/CD writer (cheapest one I can find)

-Windows 8.1 64bit $90.00

Thanks very much, in advance, for wading through all this and helping me!

The website you can look at and use to select parts for the build is: http://pc.ncix.com/ncixpc_new/ncixpc.cfm?uuid=9C65A775-F362-43D3-88D4589F602C88A1-5616968

Once you are on that form, you can select options from the list supplied or select "Advanced Options" just to the right of each of the components to select parts that are not on the list. That is what I did to get the majority of the parts I picked.

 

Thanks!

Seagate drives are shit. WD or go home

go with the 1150 platform ie: 4670k processor

get single channel 8gb ram if thats all you want. it offers more room for upgrades in the future. i would recommend dual channel 16gb if u have the funds.

 

otherwise the build looks sick! happy building 

[neolithic3]

LilC I would like to keep it under $1500 (canadian). Preferably in the $1300 range but anywhere up to 1500 would be doable.

[lilc]

Seagate drives are shit. WD or go home

go with the 1150 platform ie: 4670k processor

get single channel 8gb ram if thats all you want. it offers more room for upgrades in the future. i would recommend dual channel 16gb if u have the funds.

 

otherwise the build looks sick! happy building 

How are seagate drives shit. I would like to see this information.

[neolithic3]

Seagate drives are shit. WD or go home

go with the 1150 platform ie: 4670k processor

get single channel 8gb ram if thats all you want. it offers more room for upgrades in the future. i would recommend dual channel 16gb if u have the funds.

 

otherwise the build looks sick! happy building 

Okay, thanks Evo. I was thinking that I would go for a WD "Blue" harddrive. In my current computer I was thinking I could also take the RAM from it and add it to my new computer. That would give me 16gb total (8 new and 8 old from the PC I have now).

[Evostatic343]

How are seagate drives shit. I would like to see this information.

they have the highhest failure rates of all the mechanical drives on the market.

[legend8887]

Hi everyone,

 

I am putting together a new computer for which I will mostly be using it to play WoW (would like to play on Ultra settings) and other games such as Call of Duty:Ghosts and potentially some others over the next few years. What I am looking for is a computer that will last for me for several years to come (I know it obviously won't be as "good" 3 years from now as it is the day I buy it, but what I don't want is to have to start replacing things or buy a whole new system in a year or two).

A few things to note: I would like to purchase the PC from NCIX and pick it up from the store. I have dealt with them before and was happy with the service so please no suggestions for other stores or online sources. I don't feel comfortable building it myself and they will do it for $25 which is very reasonable. Also, I am in Canada (so the prices will be somewhat higher than you might be used to seeing).

Can you please look over what I have selected and share your thoughts, suggestions etc?

I have selected this so far. Please let me know if something is incompatible or if this set up will not work for some reason or if there is a better alternative.

-Intel Core i5 3570 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.4GHZ Ivy Bridge 6MB $251.07

-Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo Direct Touch 4 Heatpipe Heatsink AM2 AM3 1366/1150/1155/1156/2011 $34.98

-ASRock Z77 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1155 DDR3 2PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2PCI SATA3 DVI HDMI USB3.0 $189.99

-8GB RAM (2x4gb) (I will decide on brand etc later - I am not worried about this for now)

-Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 OC 1189MHZ 4GB 7.0GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E $461

-Corsair Carbide Series 230T Black Gaming Case ATX 3X5.25 4X3.5 Front USB3.0 Audio No PSU $70

-Seasonic M12II Evo 750W EPS12V 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply 80+ Bronze Full Modular 8PIN 120mm Fan $93.13 (I don't need this much power but it is on sale for less than ~650w ps)

-Bitfenix Spectre BFF-BLF-14025O-RP 140MM Orange LED Case Fan 1000RPM 47.7CFM 20DBA 3/4 Pin (2 fans) $18.25

-Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM SATA3 64MB Cache 3.5in Internal Hard Drive $90.24

-Samsung 840 Evo Series MZ-7TE120BW 120GB 2.5in SATA III Internal SSD Single Unit $119.99

-DVD/CD writer (cheapest one I can find)

-Windows 8.1 64bit $90.00

Thanks very much, in advance, for wading through all this and helping me!

The website you can look at and use to select parts for the build is: http://pc.ncix.com/ncixpc_new/ncixpc.cfm?uuid=9C65A775-F362-43D3-88D4589F602C88A1-5616968

Once you are on that form, you can select options from the list supplied or select "Advanced Options" just to the right of each of the components to select parts that are not on the list. That is what I did to get the majority of the parts I picked.

 

Thanks!

Hmm, I'm able to get a 4770K at Microcenter for only $250.

[neolithic3]

Hmm, I'm able to get a 4770K at Microcenter for only $250.

I am not familiar with that store. It might be a factor of US prices versus Canadian prices. Not sure.

[dizmo]

they have the highhest failure rates of all the mechanical drives on the market.

Are you getting that from the highly flawed article?

 

 

 

@neolithic3 do you live close to the border at all?

Also, you should use PCPartPicker. It makes it much easier for us to change things.

Also, welcome to the forum

[Shd0w2]

they have the highhest failure rates of all the mechanical drives on the market.

That's from a bullshit article a while ago.

[legend8887]

I am not familiar with that store. It might be a factor of US prices versus Canadian prices. Not sure.

Yeah, probably. Sorry about that. I live in Texas in the U.S. and we have a Microcenter so I could just drive over there and get a 4770K for $250. Veeeryy cheap.

[neolithic3]

Are you getting that from the highly flawed article?

 

 

 

@neolithic3 do you live close to the border at all?

Also, you should use PCPartPicker. It makes it much easier for us to change things.

Also, welcome to the forum

Hi Dizmo, thanks for the welcome. Yes, I do live close to the border so that is an option. However, I would like to get all the parts form NCIX and have them assemble it for me. I feel more comfortable having them do it versus myself since I don't know what I am doing and for $25 they will assemble it all and load windows and also if something goes wrong I can just take it back to them. I bought my current computer from them and have been happy with it. So, basically I

'm less worried about pinching pennies and more concerned about customer service and ease of getting a new computer if that makes sense. Unless the savings were massive in which case I could be swayed, lol!

[neolithic3]

Yeah, probably. Sorry about that. I live in Texas in the U.S. and we have a Microcenter so I could just drive over there and get a 4770K for $250. Veeeryy cheap.

No worries. I'm quite often jealous of how much cheaper things generally are in the US

[lilc]

LilC I would like to keep it under $1500 (canadian). Preferably in the $1300 range but anywhere up to 1500 would be doable.

The build looks good.

Go for an unlocked processor though.

[legend8887]

No worries. I'm quite often jealous of how much cheaper things generally are in the US

Microcenter purposefully looks at everyone else's prices and lowers them to compete with them. And it seems that they lower the prices whenever they feel like it.

[Jvagle875]

Hmm, I'm able to get a 4770K at Microcenter for only $250.

Grab a 4770k at microcenter if you can. Pair that with a MOBO and you can save around 40 bucks off the motherboard.

[neolithic3]

The build looks good.

Go for an unlocked processor though.

I think I will do the i5 4670k as that seems to be a few people's suggestion.

[dizmo]

Hi Dizmo, thanks for the welcome. Yes, I do live close to the border so that is an option. However, I would like to get all the parts form NCIX and have them assemble it for me. I feel more comfortable having them do it versus myself since I don't know what I am doing and for $25 they will assemble it all and load windows and also if something goes wrong I can just take it back to them. I bought my current computer from them and have been happy with it. So, basically I

'm less worried about pinching pennies and more concerned about customer service and ease of getting a new computer if that makes sense. Unless the savings were massive in which case I could be swayed, lol

 

If you use PCPartPicker and switch between Canada and the US (little tab at the top) the savings can be huge. Just spec'd out one for a friend and we saved $900 getting the parts south of the 49th.

A computer is super easy to put together, and if you ever have a problem with it you know how everything goes in rather than having to either experiment on your own, or carting it all the way there and back.

These days Windows pretty much loads itself.

[neolithic3]

If you use PCPartPicker and switch between Canada and the US (little tab at the top) the savings can be huge. Just spec'd out one for a friend and we saved $900 getting the parts south of the 49th.

A computer is super easy to put together, and if you ever have a problem with it you know how everything goes in rather than having to either experiment on your own, or carting it all the way there and back.

These days Windows pretty much loads itself.

wow, okay. I will have a look. If I can get a huge savings like that it would be worth it even if I ended up having to take all the stuff and pay someone to assemble it. I'd still come out ahead. Did you have them ship the parts to you or did you go across the border and bring them back? I am curious how much cheaper it is when you factor in the US $ exchange rate, the shipping costs to canada (which sometimes seems to be exorbitant from the US) and any duty or taxes that it incurs crossing the border.

[SAV1OUR]

LilC I would like to keep it under $1500 (canadian). Preferably in the $1300 range but anywhere up to 1500 would be doable.

here buddy :3 

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/2MVCL

[neolithic3]

Ha, thanks Sav1our! I'm looking forward to playing around on that site. Looks pretty cool.

[dizmo]

wow, okay. I will have a look. If I can get a huge savings like that it would be worth it even if I ended up having to take all the stuff and pay someone to assemble it. I'd still come out ahead. Did you have them ship the parts to you or did you go across the border and bring them back? I am curious how much cheaper it is when you factor in the US $ exchange rate, the shipping costs to canada (which sometimes seems to be exorbitant from the US) and any duty or taxes that it incurs crossing the border.

It depends highly on what parts you're getting, he was getting Quadro cards and a few monitors and such so the savings was substantial.

One thing to keep in mind when using PCPartPicker is, as a Canadian, you can't order things from NewEgg US.

I go down and pick them up in Blaine. Depending where you live there should be places on the other side of the border that you can have the parts shipped to. I have accounts at 3.

The exchange rate isn't too bad, but again you'd have to check with the parts you're getting. Avoid shipping to Canada from the US at all costs. It's not worth it.

There's no duty on computer parts so you're clear in that regard.

 

@SAV1OUR has an awesome build. I'd get the EVGA card from EVGA direct, their only $419 from their site, and you're much closer to your $1300 aim.

I'm sure you can manage installing that guy