I've been throwing around the idea of using tiger direct to build myself a performance gaming desktop tower.

Only problem is I have no idea where to start. Was going to just go and let HP customize one of theirs but wasn't too impressed for $740+ price tag compared to how low powered they seemed.

So does anyone out there that has built their own have any suggestions? I know I am wanting at least a 3.3ghz quadcore processor and 6 gig RAM. But I don't know about the graphic cards. They changed their numbering and with red orchestra 2 hero of stalingrad coming out next month I don't want to sped 4+ months researching graphic cards to find one that will give me max fps on max settings.

 

I've built several of my own computers, the last one being an AMD quad core. I would suggest Tiger Direct, Newegg, and any local computer stores. I would check any and all the computer forums that I could. Then decide which and what fits your needs, desires, and pocketbook. I took two years to build mine. I bought parts as I could afford them. The last things that I bought were the cpu, motherboard, and memory. I did this because the market and offerings change continuously. I also built my wife's dual core computer, which still runs pretty fast, about five years ago. If you have any questions or need any help, give me a shout. Good luck.

 

I'm looking at tiger direct. But I need a lot of help, trying to get the hottest gaming rig I can for $700-$750 or less.

My major issue is piecing the components together. I don't know what motherboard to go with or what makes one better than another. Same with the latest graphic card power level. I thought about getting a bare bones kit and adding to that but all bare bone kits I've came across has a graphics card thrown in.

 

For instance, I found a phenomII X4 975 quad core 6mb L3 cache 3.6GHz socket AM3 unlocked fan for $159.99

But for $10 more I can get a phenom II 1075 six core processor at 3.0GHz, 6mb cache, 2000MHz (4000 MT/S) DEN, socket AM3 processor with fan for $169.99.

If I am thinking correctly a 3GHz six core would be equal to a 4.5GHz quad core, which would mean the 2.8GHz quad core recommended for red orchestra 2 would be blown away with a 3.0 six core.

Now my problem is how do I match the other components to get compatible components?

 

If you are looking for speed, go with the quad core. If you are looking for processing/multitasking power, go with the six-core.

3.6ghz speed is per processor, 3.0ghz is per processor. The total speed is the same for all cores, just more cores at the same speed.

Here is a really good forum for AMD; AMD Processors Forums - AMD Phenom

I would read all that I can about the processor that I am interested in (maybe several choices), then find several motherboards that would work for your application. Then go to the manufacturers website forums and read some more.
Here are a few more;
Dolk's Guide to the Phenom II - TechREACTION.net Forums
PC Case Mods Store & Professional Case Modding
The Mod Brothers • Index page
I would also Google some of the parts that you are interested in and look into the forums and reviews on those parts.

I should also point out that I built my quad core for about $700-800.

 

Check out newegg.com too. Both newegg and tigerdirect do budled PC kits too (all parts included). If you want to build a computer but don't want to sit and worry about picking out every component and whether or not there will be compatibility isssues...that's a good option. I've dealt with both newegg and tigerdirect. Both were good to deal with (I built my desktop with parts from newegg).

This leaves you a few bucks to get an OS.

Edit: Strike that. It doesn't look like it comes with a video or audio card. The last time I went to their site, their DIY kits were complete.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...679762-_-Combo

 

I used Newegg quite a bit for my parts. They have an excellent review area. As far as an operating system, I would find someone in college or trade/Vocational school and use their school email address and order an operating system copy. Students get an excellent educational discount. If you look at the bundles, I have found that some of the parts bundled are of a lesser quality, or not quite up to the par of a more expensive part, or are lacking in the bells and whistles of another part. Some parts that are bundled are worth it while others are not, it just depends on what you are trying to do and how much time and effort you are willing to put into it. If you can do mechanic work on vehicles and such, then building a computer is relatively along the same lines.

 

I'm looking for max power for gaming, I know this game I'm getting recommends a 2.8ghz quad core but I was under the impression that a 3.0ghz quad core be faster than a 3.0ghz dual core.

If I go with the quad core the and 760g motherboard will work with that as well since bot processors are AM3 sockets. Just don't know if 2 PCI slots are enough. Would like to go with a dedicated cd drive and a dedicated blurry drive. But I was also looking at liquid cooling systems so I need to make sure what I'm picking will work.



I am looking at this setup on parts. It has changed since earlier today but this is what I have so far.

1. Intel Core i5-2500 Quad Core 3.30GHz Processor 3.70GHz max turbo, 6MB L3 cache, 1MB L2 cache, Socket H2 (LGA1155) 95W with Fan
2. Asus P8H67-M Pro Rev 3 Mother Board Micro ATX Intel H67 LGA 1155, 133 MHz DDR3 HDMI, Gigabit LAN, 8 Channel Audio, SATA 6.0 USB 3.0
3. Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Buffer SATA 6GB Hard drive
4 Ultra X4 400 Watt Modular Power Supply with 90mm fan
5. Azza Solano 1000 Full Tower Gaming case, x8 internal 3.5" Drive bays, x7 expansion slots, x3 front USB ports, x1 120mm Fan x1 140mm fan, x2 230mm fans
6. Crucial CT51272BA1339 4GB PC10600 DDR3 memory Upgrade ram cards x4 (16GB Ram)

I would feel better with a 500 Watt power supply since this will be a gamer unit and I still havent figured out if a liquid cooling fan will be do able on this current setup at the moment nor what graphics card I should be looking at. So far the above 6 items I picked out I am at $769.91 and what really jumps the price up is the Crucial brand ram that is $49.99 per 4GB card. I could possibly get by with just 8GB of ram for now and upgrade later, that would drop me down to $669.93 with 8 gigs of ram which should be well over enough considering this very graphic card killer game I just pre ordered today recomends 3GB of ram.

 

What's a good sound card for gaming and bluray usage? I believe the motherboard I picked comes with integrated 8 channel audio but not sure if its saying it does or if it supports up to 8 channels.

 

I would go with at least a 650+ watt power supply, mine is 750watts (needs to be a very good quality). I would also say that if you are only going with a 32bit operating system, then it will only see 4gb of ram. If you need more ram, go with a 64 bit operating system. Both my systems are of the AMD variety, and my wife's has a Nvidia 8600gts (which works fine for her). As far as mine, I purposely left out the video card and went with an AMD 780g motherboard (built in graphics and HD), which leaves me room for upgrade later. You should also make sure your case has plenty of airflow and cross ventilation. That not only means enough fans, but also how and where they are located for air flow and cross ventilation. You do not want cavitation.

 

I did a search on tiger direct, most powerful peer supply I four for micro atx was 400 watts, I'd prefer at least 500 watts.

I also keep seeing the soundblaster x-do xtremegamer 7.1 sound card recommended

 

This is what I put in my wife's; Newegg.com - OCZ ZS Series OCZ-ZS650W 650W ATX12V v2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Performance Power Supply
And this is mine; Newegg.com - OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandybridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom
I would suggest that maybe you should go with a larger case. This is what I have for mine; Newegg.com - RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case With 500W Power Supply, then I trashed the power supply and put in my own.
But, if I did it again, I would probably get one of these; Newegg.com - Antec Nine Hundred Two V3 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Compucase Case with USB 3.0, Black Interior and Four Fans-1x 230mm front RED LED fan, 1x 140mm rear fan, 1x 230mm top fan, and 1x 230mm side fan
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case

 

Also, the case I'm looking at is # A702-0007 it has a 120mm exhaust fan on the side I planned to use the 120mm liquid cooler fan on instead. There is also two 230mm fans on the front of the case, and a 140mm fan on the back of the case.

My only major concern is having enough hooks on the motherboard for what I'm wanting to get. Most doesn't say how or what plug it uses. Figured the bd-Rom drive combo uses a PCI slot leaving me one free for the sound blaster xtremegamer sound card if I go with that, then is have a PCI-e x4 and a PCI-e x16 slots left for graphics card.

 

I have to say that I kinda like that case. And it comes with a really good quality power supply too.

 

It's on tiger direct. I haven't checked the other company out. One through tiger has no power supply. Which is really confusing me since I have out dated knowledge on how things hook up. Don't know if its how I member and the motherboard is supplied power then power is leeched by the other systems through the mother board. Then the cooler doesn't say what hook up it uses for power and the bd-Rom drive combo says SATA interface like the hard drive meaning it gets its power there from my understanding. Which means I have to see if the motherboard I picked has two SATA connectors.