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  1. #1

    Need some advice

    My current computer is getting closes to its death bed as its pretty old and probably need to stop stuffing it with newer video cards and just get a newer one. I was actually going to build me a computer whenever I got my school loans etc, for school and gaming. I had all the parts picked out, and was pumped and nervous to do my first build. I watched tons of tutorials and felt pretty confident in doing so. BUT I've been talked out of building my first computer. I am pretty clumsy, and have a toddler that likes to go through the house and wrecking things, especially climbing up to any tables. So if a part got damaged while I was building, I may not be able to return it and would be stuck with a damage part and the possibility of not getting to order a replacement. When I've gone to ibuypower and cyberpower I can't seem to get the exact parts I am wanting in the build or I get a little to handy of wanting things out of budget.

    Long story short, I need a manufacturer built computer. (so it cuts out the need I have to HAVE a certain part) It needs to be a desktop and not a notebook/laptop. I was looking at a few desktops and came across a sony vaio.

    https://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/st...52921644863998

    and here is how I have it customized:

    3rd gen Intel® Core™ i7-3610QM quad core processor (2.30GHz / 3.30GHz with Turbo Boost)
    Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
    24" 3D LED backlit Full HD touchscreen display (1920 x 1080)
    NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 640M (2GB) dedicated graphics
    Blu-ray Disc™ player
    1TB (7200rpm) hard drive
    8GB (4GB x2) DDR3-1600MHz

    I can't seem to find a review on this anywhere but it does appear to be one of the newer models that just released.

    Any comments? I also looked at Dells new XPS 8500, the only thing they don't have that I want in a computer is a Blu-ray. I looked at HP but I'm not a fan of AMD Radaeon graphic cards :| (you may throw tomatoes at me). I also looked at Lenevo, but I just recently heard of the brand and not so sure about buying something that I didn't know that existed till last year.

    In the end I need to know if the sony vaio and the dell XPS 8500 can run games on the highest setting or pretty close to it. The games that I will be playing is: World of Warcraft(25 man raiding), Diablo 3, Assassin's Creed series, and other games that I may purchase in the future when I get rich, lol.

  2. #2
    Epic! Idrinkwhiterussians's Avatar
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    Ok. I will tell you the bad thing about that build. It utilizes a laptop GPU, CPU and RAM.

    I know you are scared to build one at home, so there is another option. Figure out if there is a computer shop around you that will assemble your parts for you. This generally will cost ~$50. That way, you can get what you want.

    Are there any parts you can possibly re-use from your current rig? Are your peripherals still ok? (monitor, mouse, keyboard)

    Please let us know, and I am sure if I do not get back to you right away, someone else on this lovely forum will!
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  3. #3
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    -Dont get Sony
    -Dont get All in One systems like that (they're near impossible to fix/upgrade)
    -Dont get that one, as its graphics are pretty low (mobile)

    Im confused about the budget/parts thing, because you can get a MUCH more powerful computer for less cost than that.

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Idrinkwhiterussians View Post
    Ok. I will tell you the bad thing about that build. It utilizes a laptop GPU, CPU and RAM.

    I know you are scared to build one at home, so there is another option. Figure out if there is a computer shop around you that will assemble your parts for you. This generally will cost ~$50. That way, you can get what you want.

    Are there any parts you can possibly re-use from your current rig? Are your peripherals still ok? (monitor, mouse, keyboard)

    Please let us know, and I am sure if I do not get back to you right away, someone else on this lovely forum will!
    Monitor is still good, as well as my mouse and keyboard. I didn't know I could get a computer shop to assemble it for me. I think I may just do that, so I can have the parts I want and the computer that I truly want.

    ---------- Post added 2012-06-13 at 01:56 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by chazus View Post
    -Dont get Sony
    -Dont get All in One systems like that (they're near impossible to fix/upgrade)
    -Dont get that one, as its graphics are pretty low (mobile)

    Im confused about the budget/parts thing, because you can get a MUCH more powerful computer for less cost than that.
    I suppose I should have stated my budget. No more than 2200 dollars. Since someone mentioned having a computer shop put it together for me, I think I may just go that route, so I can have all the parts I want and picked out.

  5. #5
    Deleted
    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
    CPU Cooler: NZXT HAVIK-140 90.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Newegg)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
    Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.99 @ Newegg)
    Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Hard Drive: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($199.99 @ B&H)
    Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
    Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: NZXT 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($108.61 @ CompUSA)
    Monitor: Dell U2412M 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($299.00 @ B&H)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
    Total: $1771.38
    (Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-13 14:25 EDT-0400)

    This might be something for you then. All games available will be playable at max settings, and this build should last you quite a few years.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Anderzon View Post
    snip
    OP,

    The build Anderzon posted is good. The only thing I would note is this is pretty overkill for the games you listed. You could spend $1100 and probably would not notice a difference.

    PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

    CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($227.99 @ NCIX US)
    Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($102.55 @ Newegg)
    Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
    Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ SuperBiiz)
    Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
    Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Amazon)
    Case: Fractal Design Arc Midi Tower ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
    Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.64 @ Newegg)
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ B&H)
    Total: $1131.11
    (Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
    (Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-13 15:01 EDT-0400)

    Do you already have a copy of Windows7? If so you can save an additional $100.

  7. #7
    I wanted to revive this thread as I will be building me a computer but I have a question on video cards.

    Should I get 2 SLI cards that are:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=02g-p3-1469-

    or one video card that is:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130787

    I was leaning more towards the 2 SLI cards.

    Game I will play:
    WoW
    Diablo 3
    Assassin Creed Series
    Mass Effect 3

    And many more games whenever I become rich enough to buy them. I would like everything to be set at max settings. Keep in mind it has to last at least 6 years or pretty close to it. I don't want to keep investing money into computers every 2-3 years.

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by pinkusagi View Post
    I wanted to revive this thread as I will be building me a computer but I have a question on video cards.

    Should I get 2 SLI cards that are:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=02g-p3-1469-

    or one video card that is:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130787

    I was leaning more towards the 2 SLI cards.

    Game I will play:
    WoW
    Diablo 3
    Assassin Creed Series
    Mass Effect 3

    And many more games whenever I become rich enough to buy them. I would like everything to be set at max settings. Keep in mind it has to last at least 6 years or pretty close to it. I don't want to keep investing money into computers every 2-3 years.
    Never go for SLI/CfX unless you have 2 or more screens with x1080 resolution. You will only get errors and problems such as microstuttering & flashing. Go for single GTX 670, but take one with an aftermarket cooler:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121637

  9. #9
    I was considering running two monitors since I started college and have multiply windows open at once and I get tired of flipping through them all. Plus I don't like to keep alt tabbing out of my games to look at something. However I don't know if I have the money to get a monitor on top of everything. Just something I will have to see. I had no idea about getting errors and such with one screen running two cards! You saved a lot of curse words being thrown at the computer while trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with it :P

    I looked at that video card many, many times and drooled over it honestly :P I really like ASUS products. But for some reason, I thought it was more than that. Since its the same price, it will replace the EVGA.

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by pinkusagi View Post
    I was considering running two monitors since I started college and have multiply windows open at once and I get tired of flipping through them all. Plus I don't like to keep alt tabbing out of my games to look at something. However I don't know if I have the money to get a monitor on top of everything. Just something I will have to see. I had no idea about getting errors and such with one screen running two cards! You saved a lot of curse words being thrown at the computer while trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with it :P

    I looked at that video card many, many times and drooled over it honestly :P I really like ASUS products. But for some reason, I thought it was more than that. Since its the same price, it will replace the EVGA.
    It is indeed confusing, the new GPU generations' prices don't seem to have so much of a difference with aftermarket cooler, as previous generations did. Asus DC2 / Gigabyte WF3x / MSI Twin Frzr2 are the best choices as coolers.

    GTX 670 will run two screens fine, it's a good choice. A second option would be AMD HD 7970, which is faster than GTX 670. Its 3 Gb memory allows greater results with multiple screens for gaming, but the price is higher obviously.

  11. #11
    Unfortunately, I am just not an AMD video card fan D: I have them in the past, and I probably just got bad video card but it was just one to many for me. Two in a row. My husband also had problems with them when he still used them. Its been years ago though, I actually think it was still when it was ATI. I have multiple Nvidia cards and haven't had a single problem out of any of them, and I ran one of them especially into the ground. I finally trashed it because it was just making to much noise from age, but still worked fine.

    But If i get the GTX 670 it will only have to be one I believe. To go with two SLI it would have to be a GTX 560 TI fermi model or older. Maybe just a little bit newer, depending on price. I don't want to spend more than 420 US $ for a video card altogether.

    I really wish I could give more specifics, but I'm still about 2 weeks away from a definite answer on my budget for a computer from financial aid. I'm trying to keep my computer budget at/around/below 2200 dollars.

    If you wish I can post what parts I have picked out.
    Last edited by Usako; 2012-06-26 at 09:04 AM.

  12. #12
    To me SLI/CF is something you do with top of the line cards or if you have an older card and want more performance for a small amount of money. I really don't see the point in going double mid range cards.
    IMO you should just get a gtx670 now and perhaps add another one in a year or two.

  13. #13
    Parts I have picked out:

    CPU:
    I haven't fully decided. I know the i7 is used for heavy video editing and photo-shopping, but it has to last up to or around 6 years. In my logic the i7 might fair better as technology advances leaving the two CPU's behind.

    Intel Ivy Bridge i7 3770K
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116501

    or

    Intel Ivy Bridge i5 3570K
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116504

    Video Card:
    This is dependent on how much of a budget I can actually have for a new computer. If I have enough to get a second monitor I will be doing a 2 SLI but the video cards will have to be around the GTX 560 ti range. If I don't get to get a second monitor I will be getting only one video card.

    One video card:

    ASUS GTX 670 2G
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121637

    Two video cards:

    EVGA GTX 560 Fermi 2G
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=02g-p3-1469-

    Heat Sink:

    I will be doing a very mild OC of the CPU I choose. Around 4.0 or 4.1. Most likely 4.0 to be safe since I don't want a water cooler and the IB's run hotter than previous generation.

    Arctic Cooling 120mm Fluid Dynamic
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186058

    Motherboard:

    I am an ASUS fan

    ASUS P8Z77-V Deluze LGA 1155
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131818

    Memory:

    I thought about perhaps doing a quad kit of 8GB sticks making it up to 32GB's of memory. More than I need however, but how long does ram generally last? If it last for 6+ years, I will actually upgrade to the 32 GB's of memory and use it in future builds if this build doesn't last for whatever reason. And when I graduate I would truly like to build another computer and re-use the quad kit of 32 GB's.

    G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB)
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231537

    Storage:

    SSD:

    Will use it for Windows 7 and any other base programs like, Firefox, Adobe, etc. Not for usage of games, pictures, videos, documents.

    Samsung 830 series 128 GB
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147134

    HDD:

    Its so big of a HDD as I am hoping it will last for a very long time, so I will be able to keep storing, and using in future builds.

    Seagate Barracuda 3TB 7200 RPM
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148844

    Power supply:

    I chose a such a powerful power supply because I heard they last for YEARS and would like to use it in future builds. I know I probably only need around 750 for this current build.

    Antec Full Modular 1000W 80 Plus Platinum
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371060

    Card Reader:

    74-1 Rosewill
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820223119

    CD/DVD/Blu-ray:

    ASUS
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135247

    Computer Case:


    I know this case is huge. I plan to use it for many, many years I hope. Beyond 6 years. Also it gets really hot in my room, the more air flow the better, and this case as LOTS of air flow and fans. I LOVE it.

    Rosewill BLACKHAWK-ULTRA

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147157

    Case fans:

    I will be removing the side fan on the case and replacing it with 9 120mm fans to provide more air flow. Along with putting one behind the CPU as you can with this case, and one down by the power supply. Making for 11 120mm fans. Did I mention it gets REALLY hot in my room?

    Rosewill Red LED 120mm
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835200050



    I hope for the most part that is a pretty solid build. What do you guys think? Again I need it to last for 6 years at least. I would also like to use the old parts from this build in future builds, such as the case, memory, power supply, HDD, SDD. I know I would certainly like to get 2 monitors before the 6 years, and adding more SSD as money allows. I know the color of the ram and motherboard don't match the case, but I won't be able to really see it through all the red LED fans and if I can I am not to concerned about it :P

  14. #14
    Do you use a lot of hard drive space? /curious

  15. #15
    Note that the GTX 670 outperforms the GTX 560s you linked in SLI.

    The PSU you linked has 500W extra for what? Even if you went for GTX 670 SLI, a 600W PSU would be enough. If you want to have an 80+ Gold PSU, take the Corsair AX650.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by pinkusagi View Post
    snip
    It should last for a long time and I am sure you won't be disappointed
    Last edited by OhpUldum; 2012-06-26 at 09:52 PM. Reason: Please don't quote a giant wall of text

  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by Drunkenvalley View Post
    Do you use a lot of hard drive space? /curious
    Yes I do, and more so as the years go by. I store tons of pictures and hopefully soon will be storing a lot of video on it as well. But I have thought about getting two smaller HDDs. One for games and whatever else. And one just for pictures and videos as they are very important to me and I would want to cut down even more on the chance of me possibility loosing them.

    ---------- Post added 2012-06-26 at 01:49 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by Hirv3s View Post
    Note that the GTX 670 outperforms the GTX 560s you linked in SLI.

    The PSU you linked has 500W extra for what? Even if you went for GTX 670 SLI, a 600W PSU would be enough. If you want to have an 80+ Gold PSU, take the Corsair AX650.
    I will just get the one video card then, the 670. I will cut down on that PSU as well.

    ---------- Post added 2012-06-26 at 01:50 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by hapylol View Post
    It should last for a long time and I am sure you won't be disappointed
    I will look into some 8GB then. Will repost parts here soon with an upgraded list.

    ---------- Post added 2012-06-26 at 02:11 PM ----------

    CPU:

    Intel IB i5 3570K

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116504

    Video Card:

    ASUS GTX 670 2G
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121637

    Memory:

    G.Skill Ripjaws X series 8GB (4GBx2)
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231536

    Power Supply:

    Seasonic Full Modular 80 Plus Gold 560W

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151098

    I chose this because someone said 600W would be more than enough while someone suggesting around 520/560W. This is also fully modular helping with cable management. What do you guys think?

  18. #18
    Some general things I'd say,
    1. i5 2500k and 3570k are ideal for gaming, and honestly most non-professional work in general. Most applications tend to fail in utilizing the threads efficiently, so more than quad cores is unnecessary for anything but specific applications you may need.

    2. Ivy Bridge provides a better out of the box experience compared to Sandy Bridge, but on the flipside the latter is in general a better overclocker. The improvements of the new generation processor was simply insufficient in taking any kind of definite lead over the predecessor, aside presumably from certain applications that specifically benefit from the changes.

    3. On the nVidia side of things, one of the better card manufacturers is EVGA. They don't usually have an all too fancy or awesome cooler, but they apparently offer a nearly unprecedented customer support. I'd suggest the EVGA GTX 670 here, as I've gotten a good impression of it from what I've seen of it. Additionally, it uses the reference design PCB, which is pretty much a must if you want to later down the line replace the cooler, ie for watercooling.

    4. Is there anything in particular that drives you to pick the motherboard you chose? The P8Z77 Deluxe doesn't have any huge amounts of features off the top of my that you can't get from one of the slightly 'lesser' boards.

  19. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by Drunkenvalley View Post
    Some general things I'd say,
    1. i5 2500k and 3570k are ideal for gaming, and honestly most non-professional work in general. Most applications tend to fail in utilizing the threads efficiently, so more than quad cores is unnecessary for anything but specific applications you may need.

    2. Ivy Bridge provides a better out of the box experience compared to Sandy Bridge, but on the flipside the latter is in general a better overclocker. The improvements of the new generation processor was simply insufficient in taking any kind of definite lead over the predecessor, aside presumably from certain applications that specifically benefit from the changes.

    3. On the nVidia side of things, one of the better card manufacturers is EVGA. They don't usually have an all too fancy or awesome cooler, but they apparently offer a nearly unprecedented customer support. I'd suggest the EVGA GTX 670 here, as I've gotten a good impression of it from what I've seen of it. Additionally, it uses the reference design PCB, which is pretty much a must if you want to later down the line replace the cooler, ie for watercooling.

    4. Is there anything in particular that drives you to pick the motherboard you chose? The P8Z77 Deluxe doesn't have any huge amounts of features off the top of my that you can't get from one of the slightly 'lesser' boards.
    Sorry it took so long to reply. I've been busy all day today.

    I won't be overclocking much. It will be a very, very mild OC to around 4.0 on the IB. I figure the IB could handle that. :P

    The video card was chosen because it has the aftermarket cooling on it, as someone in the thread mentioned it is better. My room gets pretty hot, so I figured it was an added bonus to have that on the video card. I also like ASUS products too, and have been wanting that particular card for awhile anyway :P

    The motherboard, since I shaved off a few dollars here and and there I was thinking about upgrading the MB. I chose that one has it was an ASUS motherboard, *again I like ASUS* but it had the newer chipset in it. The z77. *shrug* I just like ASUS products, always had really good luck with them and haven't seen a reason to get anything else.

  20. #20
    Well, with the GTX 670 and 680, aftermarket solutions have been a hugely mixed bag from my impression of watching TTL; the stock solution is also quite excellent.

    Anyway, what I meant about the motherboard was why the Deluxe version? There's like a bajillion different variants of the P8Z77.

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