Norcal's $1000 PC Build. Please Do Enter

[ribkin]



What's with all the (inexpensive) LED's coming out with no VESA compatibility?!? The LED version of my 25" wasn't mountable either... WTF.

Eh most people don't even realise that monitors have that kind of versatility ... those who need it should pony up and kop the more professional models

Waiting for a third to pop up for below $100, then I can begin my triple monitor gaming goodness!

It gets old really fast

 

[otc]

Those dell ultrasharps have long been some of the best deals out there.

The ultrasharp line always uses nice panels and since it is dell there are usually discounts to be had. I bought mine following some slickdeals.net scheme where I had to buy a $2 coupon code from ebay but I ended up with the monitor and a printer (one of the promotions was something like save $50 on a monitor when you buy a printer...but the printer only cost $40) for less than a mediocre screen from some other manufacturer would cost.

 

[otc]



OK, I've got my build pretty well worked out. I'll post a list later but what say the peanut gallery to this monitor?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002453K5G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=A1XBPHGHAXLHDG

Pretty sure that is the monitor that they just bought a ton of in my office. I snagged a slightly older model (I wanted a 16:10 display instead of a 1080p 16:9) so I don't use it personally.

It looks fine (has DVI and VESA mounts)...but it is absurdly bright and the color temperature looks a touch too high.

Hopefully you can wrangle down the settings with some tweaks...it seems to be otherwise a relatively nice monitor but the absurd brightness is only appropriate if you are working in direct sunlight 24 hours a day...otherwise you are going to get eye strain. Also..there were visual artifacts at 1080p with the VGA cable but who the **** wouldn't use HDMI/DVI?

 

[yjeezle]



Those dell ultrasharps have long been some of the best deals out there.
The ultrasharp line always uses nice panels and since it is dell there are usually discounts to be had. I bought mine following some slickdeals.net scheme where I had to buy a $2 coupon code from ebay but I ended up with the monitor and a printer (one of the promotions was something like save $50 on a monitor when you buy a printer...but the printer only cost $40) for less than a mediocre screen from some other manufacturer would cost.

the dell ultrasharps use LG IPS technology (same as the stuff in the iphone).
for monitors don't skimp... get the best.

i would also like to add: don't be afraid to get a refurb monitor. you'd be surprised at the quality, especially if you take into consideration that the US has some of the best/strictest warranty standards of any country.

i have that g700 mouse you were looking at... i love it but the scroll wheel is a tad bit sensitive.
one thing i regret when i built my system is not getting a mechanical keyboard (i didn't look at what you got but i really like it)... and gamers love mechanical keyboards.

get a really nice PSU btw. when i built my computer... i spent an extra $400-500 bucks because i had to replace mine.

also, you can get either an AMD or ATI graphics card and get really good bang for the buck compared to it's intel/nvidia counterparts.

 

[otc]

For some things I almost like referbs better (as long as they come with the real warranty).

Refurb monitors and vacuums have been inspected WAY more thorougly than the ones sitting on the store shelf...and half the time there was nothing wrong, they were just returned with beat up enough packaging that they couldn't sell them as new so they brown boxed them and listed them as refurbs. The ones that actually hand a broken or missing part have had that part replaced and are then inspected by a real person rather than rolled off the line in the hopes that they work (and/or the customer doesn't notice the dead pixel).

 

[yjeezle]

^ truth.

the same goes for all electronics. from what i remember from visiting one of our subsidiaries was that cell phone refurbs undergo 3 human quality checks.

 

[NorCal]

OK I just bought this case:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163154

I've settled on

PSU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087

MOBO (for 159): http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378094

Intel i5 2500k

RAM (34.99):http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347306

Mechanical Keyboard:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZV51DI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8

I can't decide if I care about a wireless mouse. It is between these two, but I think I'm going to go cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HWRJBM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
or
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055QZ216/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=AYI2NB7YOB0MX

GPU:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KM49WO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A23NVCSO4PYH3S

Likely the Coolmaster 212 for a CPU fan. I shtere any reason to get a higher end one?

After I buy all that I'm going to check my bidget and buy the most monitor I can get.

Any other things I should pick up? A long screw driver, maybe a crimping tool? Cables? Satta, hdmi, anything else that will make my life easier? Brand of thermal paste?

 

[Rambo]

If the boy's into FPS games get him a wired mouse. I have no idea why you'd need a crimper. You'll need SATA cables for your HD's. Where are those btw? I see no links. If you can find one, get a cheap small SSD and a huge HD . Zip ties are a godsend for tying up cables. I'd recommend 16GB ram but the gamers here might say 8's ok.

 

[skitlets]

^ A well lit and comfortable area to put everything together. Just get a cheap tube of Arctic silver 5 or ceramique or something. Maybe a fan controller if noise bothers you and the case fans aren't adjustable.

After having put together a couple of machines, I've noticed my upgrade pattern to alternate between GPU or mobo/cpu/ram. Once every 2 years, it's a new GPU or cpu.

I don't do much except game so I only upgrade when I have to. If I were to build a new machine, I'd shell out for the things that will last between builds (PSU, case, ram, motherboard if it will support the next generation of processors.) My current machine was upgraded from core 2/7900gt to core2/4870 to core2quad/4870 and will probably last me another 2 years before I'll do a major overhaul.

It seemed natural at first to skimp on everything else and spend more on the core components but after doing this for 10 years, I think my current method makes more sense. Buying a mid range gpu for 150 every 2-3 years gets you better performance than buying a 300 gpu and sitting on it for twice as long.

 

[ribkin]

just build it already

or don't.

...make your son do it himself

 

[yjeezle]

you should get satas with either the mobo or the HD.

imo, you should scrimp on the graphics card and the cpu and get a good quality monitor/mouse. as the poster above said... you're going to end up upgrading those anyway.

get the G700! trust me. it comes wired & wireless... and rechargeable batteries.

the peripherals count a lot more to me (ie. monitors, mouse, etc.)

 

[NorCal]



I'd shell out for the things that will last between builds (PSU, case, ram, motherboard if it will support the next generation of processors.) My current machine was upgraded from core 2/7900gt to core2/4870 to core2quad/4870 and will probably last me another 2 years before I'll do a major overhaul.
It seemed natural at first to skimp on everything else and spend more on the core components but after doing this for 10 years, I think my current method makes more sense. Buying a mid range gpu for 150 every 2-3 years gets you better performance than buying a 300 gpu and sitting on it for twice as long.

This makes a lot of sense. I figured the case I bought was pretty good, more than twice what I had first planned on buying. Is a 750 watt PSU likely to be undersized anytime soon?

I'm pretty sure that ASUS Mobo will support he Ivy Bridge CPUs when they come out.

 

[imageWIS]



OK I just bought this case:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163154
I've settled on
PSU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087
MOBO (for 159): http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0378094
Intel i5 2500k
RAM (34.99):http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347306
Mechanical Keyboard:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZV51DI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8
I can't decide if I care about a wireless mouse. It is between these two, but I think I'm going to go cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HWRJBM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
or
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055QZ216/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=AYI2NB7YOB0MX
GPU:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KM49WO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A23NVCSO4PYH3S
Likely the Coolmaster 212 for a CPU fan. I shtere any reason to get a higher end one?
After I buy all that I'm going to check my bidget and buy the most monitor I can get.
Any other things I should pick up? A long screw driver, maybe a crimping tool? Cables? Satta, hdmi, anything else that will make my life easier? Brand of thermal paste?

For cables buy here, save money: http://www.monoprice.com/

 

[NorCal]

Thanks all, I've bought all the parts.

Intel i5
Asus Z68 Pro/gen3
Gigabyte GTX 560 ti
Seasonic 750 Gold
X-4 Mech. Keyboard,
G700 logitech gaming mouse
Refurbished Seagate 750 GB HD
Refurbished 24 inch Dell
Asus DVD burner
Corsair 1600 Ram 8G
Coolmaster 212 Evo CPU cooler
Silverstone RV-2 Case

Should be pretty awesome. I spent more than a grand but I always knew I would. Still need to pick up cables and Software.

I have radioshack and Jons suggestion for Cables, but any idea for software? I will likely get hooked up by a friend at Microsoft for Win 7 but I obviously need games now. Are the torrented games generally reliable? Anyone want to share/sell/trade any?

 

[yjeezle]

i used to have civ 4 & the new total war and i didn't have any problems with it.

if you're into MMORPGs grab star wars old republic. it's a little glitchy... but it's GOOD.

soon, you should be able to grab diablo 3.