Building A Custom Desktop

[PS3-Playb3yond]

This is my first time building a computer and I need some recommendations for parts and all that. I'm looking to build a super computer that will last me a while. I'm hoping to keep it below $1000. I will get speakers, mouse, keyboard and monitor after I'm done with building the motherboard.

My other question is how can I backup or create a copy of my OS and put in the new computer after I build it? If I put in the hard drive that has my Windows 7 Pro in the new PC it will force me to format it, right? I would love to hear your opinions on this.

And I'm looking for Intel CPU only, no AMD. Should let you know that I will be doing some video encoding as well.

As for where to buy what I need, my three choices are Amazon, Newegg or Microcenter.

Thanks!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

This is my first time building a computer and I need some recommendations for parts and all that. I'm looking to build a super computer that will last me a while. I'm hoping to keep it below $1000. I will get speakers, mouse, keyboard and monitor after I'm done with building the motherboard.

My other question is how can I backup or create a copy of my OS and put in the new computer after I build it? If I put in the hard drive that has my Windows 7 Pro in the new PC it will force me to format it, right? I would love to hear your opinions on this.

And I'm looking for Intel CPU only, no AMD. Should let you know that I will be doing some video encoding as well.

As for where to buy what I need, my three choices are Amazon, Newegg or Microcenter.

Thanks!

I think if you put your old HDD in the new PC, it should load up Windows as it currently exists.

It probably wouldn't hurt to create a system backup from that HDD if you want to keep things they way they are from it.

Otherwise, if you're looking for a Windows install disc, you should be able to create a boot disc with the system's available tools, or from the Microsoft website.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

This is my first time building a computer and I need some recommendations for parts and all that. I'm looking to build a super computer that will last me a while. I'm hoping to keep it below $1000. I will get speakers, mouse, keyboard and monitor after I'm done with building the motherboard.

My other question is how can I backup or create a copy of my OS and put in the new computer after I build it? If I put in the hard drive that has my Windows 7 Pro in the new PC it will force me to format it, right? I would love to hear your opinions on this.

And I'm looking for Intel CPU only, no AMD. Should let you know that I will be doing some video encoding as well.

As for where to buy what I need, my three choices are Amazon, Newegg or Microcenter.

Thanks!

Are you running an OEM edition of 7? You might have MOBO issues, if it's locked itself to the MOBO in your current PC. However, you can always call MS and explain the situation, how your other one is no longer in use, and you want to use your HDD on this MOBO/computer.

If you are building now, and don't want to wait for the Ivy Bridge, get the i7 2600k. I have it, and I do video encoding.

Prices:
Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115070 - 314.99 but you get a discount if you get a BD burner
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-2600K...1262431&sr=8-1 - 314.99
Microcentre:http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354587 - 279.99

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I think if you put your old HDD in the new PC, it should load up Windows as it currently exists.

Are you 100% sure?

It probably wouldn't hurt to create a system backup from that HDD if you want to keep things they way they are from it.

Otherwise, if you're looking for a Windows install disc, you should be able to create a boot disc with the system's available tools, or from the Microsoft website.

What is it called?

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

Are you 100% sure?

Unfortunately, I'm not 100% sure. I feel it should work that way, but I'm hoping someone can verify this. I'm not savvy with hardware.

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

Are you running an OEM edition of 7? You might have MOBO issues, if it's locked itself to the MOBO in your current PC. However, you can always call MS and explain the situation, how your other one is no longer in use, and you want to use your HDD on this MOBO/computer.

I got it through Microsoft's MSDN website, student discount through college. How would I check if it's OEM or not?

If you are building now, and don't want to wait for the Ivy Bridge, get the i7 2600k. I have it, and I do video encoding.

What's the difference between the 2600k and Ivy Bridge?

Prices:
Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115070 - 314.99 but you get a discount if you get a BD burner
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-2600K...1262431&sr=8-1 - 314.99
Microcentre:http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0354587 - 279.99

I might go to Microcenter today and get it. I don't know what the price is going to be for the Ivy Bridge so.....let me know ASAP.

[BLindsay]

if u just take your hard drive as it is and put it in a new machine it will probably blue screen due to the vastly different drives for each machine. you might be able to get it in safe mode and uninstall all the drives for the old setup and then install the new ones from there.

usually its a better idea to start fresh

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Originally Posted by BLindsay

if u just take your hard drive as it is and put it in a new machine it will probably blue screen due to the vastly different drives for each machine. you might be able to get it in safe mode and uninstall all the drives for the old setup and then install the new ones from there.

usually its a better idea to start fresh

The hard drive is a Western Digital 500GB. I took out the HD (Win XP) that came originally with my PC and installed the new one and loaded Win 7 Pro on it. Why wouldn't it accept the WD drive?

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

The hard drive is a Western Digital 500GB. I took out the HD (Win XP) that came originally with my PC and installed the new one and loaded Win 7 Pro on it. Why wouldn't it accept the WD drive?

because its going to be trying to load all the drives for your old machine so it will probably bluescreen as the hardware is vastly different. you will probably have to do a reinstall of windows

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Originally Posted by BLindsay

because its going to be trying to load all the drives for your old machine so it will probably bluescreen as the hardware is vastly different. you will probably have to do a reinstall of windows

Yeah, I guess so. I'm using a 32-bit right now so I'm going to get a 64-bit next.

A few questions that I need answers to:
- How many RAM should I get? Which brand makes quality/reliable ones?
- Power supply?
- Graphics card? And I'm going to be using HDMI for my monitor but I'm assuming all cards now come with HDMI, right?
- Motherboard?
- Fan/heatsink? I don't know where to start for this one. Everything is pretty much the same, right? Unless it's watercooling....you know a little something on this subject blindsay.
- Considering an SSD for my OS also, which brand? Is there an internal SSD or just external?

Thanks fellow members!

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

Yeah, I guess so. I'm using a 32-bit right now so I'm going to get a 64-bit next.

A few questions that I need answers to:
- How many RAM should I get? Which brand makes quality/reliable ones? - Depends on how much encoding you do. I have 16GB of Ripjaw, but that was a bit of an overkill - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231315
- Power supply?
- Graphics card? And I'm going to be using HDMI for my monitor but I'm assuming all cards now come with HDMI, right? - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102908 I love this card!
- Motherboard? - depends on what CPU you go with, decide and I'll get back to you
- Fan/heatsink? I don't know where to start for this one. Everything is pretty much the same, right? Unless it's watercooling....you know a little something on this subject blindsay.
- Considering an SSD for my OS also, which brand? Is there an internal SSD or just external?

Thanks fellow members!

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

Yeah, I guess so. I'm using a 32-bit right now so I'm going to get a 64-bit next.

A few questions that I need answers to:
- How many RAM should I get? Which brand makes quality/reliable ones?
- Power supply?
- Graphics card? And I'm going to be using HDMI for my monitor but I'm assuming all cards now come with HDMI, right?
- Motherboard?
- Fan/heatsink? I don't know where to start for this one. Everything is pretty much the same, right? Unless it's watercooling....you know a little something on this subject blindsay.
- Considering an SSD for my OS also, which brand? Is there an internal SSD or just external?

Thanks fellow members!

1. 8GB is a pretty good solid number
2. Power supply will depend on what parts u get for the rest of the system, in particular the video card.
3. How much u want to spend?
4. P67 or Z68 Asus board should do the trick
5. i dont know anything about watercooling If you wanted to try watercooling without really getting into it then check out something like the Corsair H50 or H70
6. SSD's are great, Crucial, intel, and corsair ive owned personally. Current i own 2x 128GB C300 Crucials. They are usually internal drives but 2.5" size so you need an adapter to make them fit properly in most cases but a lot of them come with the adapter

[PS3-Playb3yond]

I think I will go with the 2600K. I did a quick research and found that the Ivy Bridge is compatible with the LGA 1155 but not fully compatible as one using a Sandy Bridge might experience issues with just replacing a SB chip with an IB chip.

I'm going with the 2600K, I'm on my way there right now to Microcenter to see if they have it at the same price.

Originally Posted by BLindsay

1. 8GB is a pretty good solid number
2. Power supply will depend on what parts u get for the rest of the system, in particular the video card.
3. How much u want to spend?
4. P67 or Z68 Asus board should do the trick
5. i dont know anything about watercooling If you wanted to try watercooling without really getting into it then check out something like the Corsair H50 or H70
6. SSD's are great, Crucial, intel, and corsair ive owned personally. Current i own 2x 128GB C300 Crucials. They are usually internal drives but 2.5" size so you need an adapter to make them fit properly in most cases but a lot of them come with the adapter

I don't want to spend too much on the graphics card. I'm going for a $1000 limit...maybe less if possible. I only need an SSD big enough to put my OS on it. And do you have a link for those boards P67 and Z68? I don't know what to look for. Thanks!

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

I think I will go with the 2600K. I did a quick research and found that the Ivy Bridge is compatible with the LGA 1155 but not fully compatible as one using a Sandy Bridge might experience issues with just replacing a SB chip with an IB chip.

I'm going with the 2600K, I'm on my way there right now to Microcenter to see if they have it at the same price.



I don't want to spend too much on the graphics card. I'm going for a $1000 limit...maybe less if possible. I only need an SSD big enough to put my OS on it. And do you have a link for those boards P67 and Z68? I don't know what to look for. Thanks!

the video card bohemianGraham linked is a good one.

this motherboard is good

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131770

SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148357

[zwostler]

just buy a used system or parts and you will save up to 25% which you can invest in other or better things. This is what I allways do.

[BLindsay]

i threw together a few parts for ya, i bet microcenter will be cheaper then newegg for the cpu though but its a rough idea





forgot ram lol

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820233144

[BohemianGraham]

I say that card I is fantastic as I've been using it since May. I also love the 2600k i7. I didn't want to wait IB

I agree with BLindsey, 8 GB RAM is decent. I readily admit my 16GB was overkill, but I still think it was worth it for when I do my video encoding, it does it in 2 hours, and I can still run firefox (memory hogger) and do other things. It's also good for The Sims 3, which has memory issues. I linked it in my post. If anyone thinks Ripjaw is bad, please correct me. I've had no issues so far.

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

I say that card I is fantastic as I've been using it since May. I also love the 2600k i7. I didn't want to wait IB

I agree with BLindsey, 8 GB RAM is decent. I readily admit my 16GB was overkill, but I still think it was worth it for when I do my video encoding, it does it in 2 hours, and I can still run firefox (memory hogger) and do other things. It's also good for The Sims 3, which has memory issues. I linked it in my post. If anyone thinks Ripjaw is bad, please correct me. I've had no issues so far.

yeah i just figured since he was on a budget 8GB of RAM was an easy cut, the money he saves from dropping down to the 8GB kit i linked from the 16GB kit u linked almost pays for the SSD. Ripjaws are fine though.

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Awesome! Looks like that's everything. But the motherboard doesn't have any reviews, I'm a little worried that I might experience issues. Is it a new model?

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

Awesome! Looks like that's everything. But the motherboard doesn't have any reviews, I'm a little worried that I might experience issues. Is it a new model?

its a new revision of an existing board