[Help] Beginning to Build a Desktop.

[Pmadison]

Hey there,

I'm going to begin building a desktop. I currently use a laptop, and don't find it very upgradeable and they become outdated very quickly. So! I'm going to begin to build a desktop.

My goals are to have a desktop running with few problems, with the ability to run games like World of Warcraft or Starcraft on High settings with decent FPS (I'd classify 35-50 as decent :p).

I don't want to get too extreme (I don't plan on doing any SLI or Crossfire yet).

I do not know everything about building the computer or exactly what I'll need to be able to run these settings, but I did read a couple guides and some tips and tricks and here is a shopping cart I've made from Newegg:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=21097328

There are a few things I'm not sure about with that setup.
1) The Motherboard, I was going to go with an ROG one, but I they seemed expensive and a bit overboard for what I wanted to do with my desktop. Maybe if this one isn't looking too good, someone could suggest one that is a bit better, but at a decent price?
2) The video card... So many numbers going on.. Will a GTX 460 be fine for me?
3) The Power Supply, I'm pretty sure 600Watts would be fine for this, but I'm not sure.


Is there anything I'm missing or anything I should know about?

Thanks

[xeromist]

The motherboard you chose will work just fine but you can go with an ROG board for less money:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131482
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131599

The GENE is microATX but it will still work just fine in a full sized case if that's what you want. It's what I use in my gaming rig.

A GTX460 will do you just fine but since you're on an ASUS forum you should pick this one. 🙂 It will save you money too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

600W is more than enough. I wouldn't go smaller because you should have the ability to add new hardware, but with the current configuration you won't even approach it.

Also, 1156 boards only support dual channel memory so you'll want 2 sticks, not 3. It doesn't hurt performance in any meaningful way in case you wonder.

[Retired]

what kind of budget do you have?

you can consider going with an AMD setup for possibly better specs and similar price?
Chew already has a 24/7 stable bios profile that you can download and update on your system for an instant overclock.
http://www.asusrog.com/forums/showthread.php?523-Crosshair-4-easy-OC-bios-profiles.

Crosshair IV Formula
new or open box:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=crossha...

AMD 6 core 1090T CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849&cm_re=1090t-_-19-103-849-_-Product

memory
OCZ or G.Skill
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227496&Tpk=OCZ%20DDR3%20PC3-12800%20Black%2...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

ASUS GTX460 with DirectCU
for the same price and bundle the specs vs spec, ASUS is better
EVGA:
Core Clock: 720MHzShader Clock: 1440MHz
VS
ASUS
Core Clock775MHz Shader Clock1550MHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121389&cm_re=asus_gtx460-_-14-121-389-_-Pro...

maybe a ASUS blu ray just to have everything match?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135205&cm_re=asus_blu_ray-_-27-135-205-_-Pr...

If you could dish out another $100 bucks on a SSD, it will make your experience a world of a difference. A WORLD! you can use your 1TB for storage.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227542&cm_re=ocz_ssd-_-20-227-542-_-Product

[Pmadison]

Oh, oh! Another question, is that the right Windows 7? Or do I get the "system builders" one?

And to add to the question,
What all will I need after I get the parts to actually set it all up?
Do they come with cords/wires to hook everything up? Or do I have to buy them seperately?

[Pmadison]

It isn't a very tight budget.. But if I go more expensive, I'll have to save up a bit longer. I'm still continuing my education, so I've got to work up some cash for it all.
I'm not too familiar with AMD so I think i'm going to stick with Intel for now.

I updated the wishlist a bit. Still going to look around for an Asus card, maybe go with the new 580.. That's going to set me back quite a few dollars though lol.

If you guys wanna check out the wishlist again, it should be updated. Let me know if you find anymore problems.. (Besides the gpu, which I'm still figuring out xD)

[xeromist]

The OEM version is only supposed to be installed on one machine and not transferred. I guess that means that the retail one can follow you to your next machine. That said if I need to change the motherboard I just call Microsoft and they can reactivate it.

You put thermal paste in your order but no heatsink. There is one included in the boxed processor but it's generally louder and hotter than even the cheapest of aftermarket coolers. I'd go with something simple like this if you don't need to do any heavy overclocking. And if you're not going to do any major overclocking then the paste that comes with this one should be sufficient as well.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106139

ROG motherboards come with SATA cables in the box and your power supply will come with all of the power connections so you don't really NEED anything. However, you may end up wanting better or more fans for the case. I'd just see how you like the ones that come with it and you can always replace them later if you want.

[Pmadison]

xeromist wrote:
The OEM version is only supposed to be installed on one machine and not transferred. I guess that means that the retail one can follow you to your next machine. That said if I need to change the motherboard I just call Microsoft and they can reactivate it.

You put thermal paste in your order but no heatsink. There is one included in the boxed processor but it's generally louder and hotter than even the cheapest of aftermarket coolers. I'd go with something simple like this if you don't need to do any heavy overclocking. And if you're not going to do any major overclocking then the paste that comes with this one should be sufficient as well.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106139

ROG motherboards come with SATA cables in the box and your power supply will come with all of the power connections so you don't really NEED anything. However, you may end up wanting better or more fans for the case. I'd just see how you like the ones that come with it and you can always replace them later if you want.

Ahhhh Thank you!

[Retired]

I would go with Win 7 professional, and why buy it when you can get it through *ahem* other methods. Actually check to see what programs your college provides, I know that UCF gives their students free Win 7 pro 64 bit keys and MS office and adobe CS5 for like $30. SO your University might have a free win 7 for you, and regardless of which it is, free is better XD

[xeromist]

Obviously go Pro if you can but there isn't a huge difference. The main issues that I've run into is a lack of the Group Policy Manager and inability to use a dual socket motherboard with Home Premium. Usually you won't need GP anyway but it's useful for things like disabling the annoying forced restart after Windows Updates. Otherwise I use Home Premium on 3 of my computers and like it just fine.

[Retired]

i knew this day would come!:cool:

we will do a step by step guide on how to build a PC within the next week.