I am new/ $1077 build

[DesiPower]

my current gpu is the Nvidia geforce 9600gt HAL 512mb version. The SSD does sound good, but i can live with a minute boot up time xD I dont want to add more to the current price because i am only 17 and will be relying on my parents to pay the bulk of the cost, so i would feel guilty to add extra just for reduced load times.

EDIT: also what's a microcenter?

Another EDIT: the reason i am more concerned with processors is because with just about all games i play, my processor is the thing holding me back, when i let the program detect the best graphics settings it usually goes to high/ultra, but if i play in anything more than a 1v1 i will lag because of my processor.

OK you seriously need to look for a new GPU, its simply too old. I think you should spend close to $150 on it...

 

[mfenn]

OK you seriously need to look for a new GPU, its simply too old. I think you should spend close to $150 on it...

Agree 100%.

OP, since you have such a weak GPU, you should take the ~$200 we saved you and spend some of it on a $155 AR 6870.

 

[newtobuilding]

I'll try, but it may have to come from my own wallet, don't know for sure.
EDIT: I just looked at some benchmarks and i have to say that it's over 3 times faster than my card, buuuut, i am only 17 and since i have already gotten the current alterations' permition, i would have to ask again for the card as extra.
EDIT again: K i have the go ahead

 

[T_Yamamoto]

wootwoot. im 15, but i have to pay for my own build -__- lucky you

 

[JorgeOlivera]

You two are lucky. In my household they would never allow me to spend $1000 on a PC. Especially at your ages lol. Now its me spending my money haha.

Good luck with your build, I'm eager for mine

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G

 

[mfenn]

I'll try, but it may have to come from my own wallet, don't know for sure.
EDIT: I just looked at some benchmarks and i have to say that it's over 3 times faster than my card, buuuut, i am only 17 and since i have already gotten the current alterations' permition, i would have to ask again for the card as extra.
EDIT again: K i have the go ahead

I guess this is a little belated, but you could point out that since you asked for help on the forums and got the price on the base computer dropped by $200, then the least they could do is let you spend up to the original amount that they approved on a new GPU. Negotiation! :awe:

 

[newtobuilding]

lol that's exactly what i did xD
also i'm not really 17 yet, birthday is in a month though, so i called myself it

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Boy, you are lucky. My parents are like "your saving 1k to build a COMPUTER?!"
me: "yeah"
Dad: "i can help you" (dads a computer guy)
Mom: "you're crazy"

 

[DesiPower]

You really need to get it, as you are building a "gaming" rig, it will be worthless without an actual GPU. The one you currently have is actually weaker than the IGP of you 2500k

 

[newtobuilding]

i know, I've done my research xD The gpu you guys recommended is over 3 times more powerful than my current one, and it is the 2nd most cost effective. I'm rather excited, my current build is very disappointing, like it recommends high textures on many things, but then i have to lower all the settings due to my crappy 6 year old processor. (amd sempron 3400+) i also have an amethyst motherboard atm, 2 gb of pny ddr2 ram that i put in to prolong the pc's life, a newer 550w rocket fish psu, the gpu was also put in to replace a void of nothingness, and i think that's it, oh and the stock monitor died on me so i replaced it with an asus led 1600x900 monitor.

 

[DesiPower]

IMHO, the minimum requirement for a GPU should be 256-bit mem interface, DDR5 RAM and 1GB minimum RAM... and then sky is the limit on the core speed and all the other stuff...

 

[newtobuilding]

just know this, when i got my upgrade on this thing, it was some of the best stuff (that i knew of) xD it was like 2-3 years ago, can't remember.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I'm going to add another vote for SSD. I work with servers and most of our SAN implementations are going to SSD for speed boosting. The price has come down enough now that they're definitely more feasible for an OS boost. For gaming, you will definitely see a huge difference if you are working off SSD compared to SATAII or even SATAIII.

 

[newtobuilding]

ok guys, i have another question about my build, should i keep my current Rocket Fish 550w, or should i also upgrade my psu to something better?
EDIT: What do?

 

[mfenn]

ok guys, i have another question about my build, should i keep my current Rocket Fish 550w, or should i also upgrade my psu to something better?
EDIT: What do?

Rocketfish is Best Buy's house brand IIRC? It's probably junk, but look at the sticker and tell us how many amps it can deliver on the 12V rail(s).

 

[T_Yamamoto]

they have a shoe company called rocketdog xD LOL

 

[newtobuilding]

2 12v rails each with 18 A. Also it says 500w continuous with 550w max. Looking at it now, i would say i should replace it, I'm holding the box in my hands now.

 

[asuka10456]

Just wait up for deals, I got a okay z68 motherboard and 8gb of decent ram together for 110 and a i5 2400 for 140. You don't need a 2500k if you don't plan to overclock. I would stay away from the older non-sandy bridge i series unless it was dirt cheap. Get a cheap SSD like a kingston or something thats always on sale for $1 per GB. You won't notice a difference in day to day use from the better SSDs anyways. Then get a huge HDD just for storage. If you can't find anything decently priced in Canada. You can buy some stuff on ebay and boards like this(anandtech, hardforum, overclock), a lot of people from the US are willing to ship to canada for a few bucks more. Just be sure to check for sellers with feedback/heatware

 

[newtobuilding]

I'm thinking about this psu, because of a nice low cost, good ratings, and a modular design. http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...114&CatId=1483

 

[mfenn]

I'm thinking about this psu, because of a nice low cost, good ratings, and a modular design. http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...114&CatId=1483

OCZ? Nope. Let's not upgrade from one bad PSU to another.

2x18A isn't terrible for a 6870. I would hold onto what you've got for now. Can't beat free (or already paid for).

 

[newtobuilding]

Alright, that's perfect, i hope to build it withing a week or two
EDIT: WAIT, i want to keep my old build running for my father to use, so i will need a new psu. i saw a good thermaltyke which was my first choice over that ocz i linked. http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6624656&CatId=1483

 

[mfenn]

Thermaltake is also pretty bad to be honest. Check out this XFX 550W for a solid alternative.

 

[newtobuilding]

Thanks again, as you can see i don't have much experience with brands yet xD

 

[Rifter]

go with a 2500k or 2600k. No point in going 1366 now. And im a 1366 user.

 

[mfenn]

Thanks again, as you can see i don't have much experience with brands yet xD

No problem.