PC build thread

[emwearz]

Download superpi to find out its temps under load, some people use IntelBurnTestV2, but that tends to go way beyond what any typical load will ever bring.

[ZenErik]

I can give it a shot after work. I figured video encoding would be a decent load test, but maybe not. Each core is consistently under 97 - 100% load when encoding with Handbrake. At least affording to Core Temp.

Tonight I'll actually try playing more than a few minutes of games now that I have everything all set up including the SSD.

[Blu]

Great thread. I recently pieced together my first PC Build, on an AMD platform.

AMD FX 6300
8 GB G.Skill Ripjaws
128 SSD Samsung EVO
AMD R9 270X
Corsair CX750
NZXT Tempest 210


ZenErik the R9 series cards are great, I know mine is a 7850 rebrand but they're great pricepoints and performance. It runs games great and my core temps have been just fine. Plenty of airflow.

[noiseredux]

getting closer, here's what I've acquired so far:


CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor
Motherboard: Biostar TP67XE ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill NS 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Memory: PNY Optima 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Storage: OCZ Vertex 450 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 6950 2GB Video Card
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-07 20:25 EST-0500)


...so the only really outstanding part I need is a nice big HDD.

[flex wood]

So I've got a ton of money burning a hole in my pocket right now. I had planned on waiting until black Friday to do my shopping, mostly online but figured I'd hit micro center because they have CPUs for about 30 cheaper then anywhere else, but I just want to stop thinking about it and go buy stuff now.

My question I guess is should I wait or do it now? I'm just not sure I'll find any good deals, I've never shopped on black Friday so I really have no idea what to expect. I figured that I'd be able to get HDD's cheap but besides that I am not really sure what to expect. Does anyone have any advice for me?

[noiseredux]

you should give the $ to me if it's burning a hole in yr pocket. I still need an HDD myself.

[isiolia]

Main thing is to get an idea of what the stuff "should" cost now. For one, because with all the doorbuster type deals going on, you'll always have quite a lot that really isn't much of a deal (and people buying it up anyway because OMG black friday prices must be great).

Personally, one of the things I prefer with building is being able to pick exactly what parts I want. If they happen to be the ones on sale, great, but buying a particular motherboard or something just because it's cheap, ehhhh, not always a recipe for success.

Another observation is that as you start getting closer to Christmas, a lot of the online price adjusters kick in. At least, in years prior when I've done builds around this time of year, I've noticed it.
Also, not to downplay the difficulties that the Philippines are having right now, but, in the past we've seen RAM and HDD prices spike up due to weather/natural disasters in the region, citing supply issues...so...snagging what you need now may not be a bad idea, just in case.

IMO, if the prices seem good now on the core components you want, it's not a bad time to go for them. If you wait and don't wind up with deals, chances are you'll be paying a little more in December.

[flex wood]

Noise that's funny because sending my money somewhere else to live was one of my ideas to keep myself from spending it.

Thanks isiolia I think I'm just going to start piecing things together this week. I'm going to order a corsair 500r case from newegg this weekend and lock down a parts list while I'm at it. I'm guessing even if I do come across some deal that is to amazing to pass up I should be covered by most return policies.

Last stupid question from me until I get my parts list figured out: Do I really need to buy a CPU cooler if I don't over clock? I want to over clock but I would prefer to wait and put the money I would be spending on a cooler towards a decent moose & keyboard.

[isiolia]

A decent cooler will be an improvement over the stock one even at stock speed. However, the included cooler should be sufficient, so a different one isn't necessary off the bat.

[ZenErik]

Actual picture of the outside.

Been playing some Far Cry: Blood Dragon today. Pretty amusing. I love the cheesy 80's feel of it. Haven't played any regular entries in the series yet, but I may after this.