Finally gonna build...

[BC_Programmer]

Well, I finally decided to build my own PC, and I think I'll actually try to be up to date somewhat.

Haven't dealt with a lot of stuff after Socket 7 as far as building, so I don't even know what's compatible anymore!

Here is what I have so far- (all prices, are CDN, btw)

Total budget- I can spend 1000$ CDN, but I'd rather have it around 800-900$
current total is 883$.

I Don't include a OS, I already have a Copy of Vista I can use; and for sound I could scoff the XtremeGamer from my current PC.

Everything is up for grabs here, I just whipped this up without a whole lot of thought. (In fact I completely forgot about the HD and PSU until the end).

Main purpose would be various desktop applications as well as likely virtual Machines (thus the quad core). Also like to try out all the new games that haven't a hope in *censored* of working on my current PC. Of course if necessary I can skip out on a Video card altogether and get one later on, using the IGP (which I imagine would be sufficient for at least those games I play now).

Thanks all for any suggestions. 




Motherboard:BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M ($119.99) link
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail Link
PSU: Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ... - Retail link
HD: 1TB WD Green ($99.99) 
RAM:OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10664GK - Retail link
Graphics: SAPPHIRE 100266HDMI Radeon HD 4830 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail link
Case:Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail link

[Calum]

For $806 - Antec 300, WD Black 1TB, XFX Radeon 4870 1GB, Corsair 750W PSU, Corsair 4GB RAM, Gigabyte EP45-UD3L, intel Q8200.

Compared to yours the processor is weaker, the PSU isn't modular, but the graphics and HDD are better.  For a little more it's possible to get a better CPU etc of course, I just went for a low-mid end build in your price range.
If you need the 1TB of space, definitely either get a faster HDD than the WD Green, or get another drive for your OS and programs and use the Green for storage.  If you're using a lot of VMs you might want to consider more RAM too.

[BC_Programmer]

thanks Calum, Think I'll use that build, and double the RAM with what it saves over mine

Now I just have to wait a week for paypal to finish the transfer.

Building a new PC sure has gotten cheaper then it used to be, I think. 


Can't imagine what a jump this will be when I switch to using it; each core is twice the speed of my current single core, and I remember the huge boost when I switched to this one; (great feeling).

Only thing holding me back from doing this earlier was that I had never replaced a PSU or installed a heatsink; replaced the PSU and the CPU/heatsink in my old PC for practice and it all went smoothly, and I must have done the paste right because the idle temp went from 49 to 29 .

[Calum]

You're welcome, enjoy the build.
In terms of raw power it's impossible to compare directly - your Pentium 4 at 1.6Ghz is, at a guess, about equivalent to 1GHz of Core 2 power.  Consider that you've got 4 cores at 2.33GHz, which is over 9GHz (yes, I know it doesn't work out quite like that, but if you fully utilise all the cores it will be similar) and, well, prepare to be amazed.

[patio]

Best of Luck on the new build BC...if you need anything we're here...
patio.

[BC_Programmer]

thanks Patio.

heh, Silly me, I went and started a transfer of only 900$, just realized that that total was a sub-total, not the full cost.
 Then thought I "forgot" a Optical drive- when in fact I have 6 or 7 to choose from that I don't have in a PC, including DVD-RW burners.( hey, when you see a CD-RW burner for $9.99...)
Full price, came to, $1,007.71. Thankfully, I only have to add another 50 or so, since somehow my paypal account still has 68 dollars in it. Once those transfers complete I'll be ready to actually buy it. Paypal takes forever to transfer, usually over a week.... just hope the prices don't change in the meantime. 




Just curious though, what do you mean when you say the PSU isn't modular?

[Calum]

Sorry ... didn't realise that didn't include tax.  My mistake.
As for the PSU - the Antec you picked is modular.  That means most of the cables (the less important ones, like SATA and Molex connectors) are detachable.  Removing the ones you're not using means less cable clutter.  The Corsair I chose isn't modular, so all the cables are permanently attached.

[BC_Programmer]

oh, didn't even know they HAD power supplies that could do that; I usually just let the unused ones hang free, unless they are trying to visit the motherboard or something, if it makes me nervous I just twist tie'em together and toss em in a drive bay or something.

and hey, I forgot about tax and handling fees too; In fact that's partially why I chose that specific price range, to avoid going over my total funds after the addition of said fees; just forgot about them when I went to transfer is all).

[computeruler]

Have fun with your new computer!  But really, there was 200CDN of taxes?

[BC_Programmer]

Have fun with your new computer!  But really, there was 200CDN of taxes?

and newegg handling fees and such- and 50$ was shipping, as well.

[BC_Programmer]

well.... transfer is under way. Expected completion, July 20th... (paypal is slow transferring from CDN banks...)

Which would be alright.... except... the grand total has taken a nosedive.. from 1,007 to $910.15...

turns out the PSU now has a instant rebate of 115$....

I hope it's still on on three days... or

[Aegis]

Very nice...congratulations!   

Be sure to have your multimeter and a hairdryer available for your build.  These are, as you have learned, important diagnostic tools.   

I'm gonna check your specs, again -- not that I can do better -- just wanna see the proverbial bang for the buck, again.

[BC_Programmer]

thanks. I have a multimeter. Might have ot acquire a hairdryer. I wonder if a curling iron could be adapted to be a diagnostic tool?


And of course, I need something to play these games... I don't enjoy them. just making sure these darn kids are keeping out of trouble and learning good techniques. the importance of circle-strafing cannot be over emphasized.

Although I think I'll avoid that whole "call of duty" line. seems like a poop reference waiting to happen.

[Aardobard]

Main purpose would be various desktop applications as well as likely virtual Machines (thus the quad core).

I'm pretty sure that the q8200 does not support virtualization if it makes that big a difference to you.  I tried to double-check on the egg, but they dropped those specs from the description.

[computeruler]

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=36547
google ftw