New Build Help

[geniusnot]

RickyTick: I am at about the same learning curve as Simplepinoi177. I have read your posts to him and have decided that you know what is best to get in our similar situations. If you will post exactually what you think someone like us should get, that is what I am going to do. It seems that Simplepinoi177 is not overly worried about cost and that is the way I feel. I hate waste but I don't mind paying for quality, convenience, fun, or being able to show-off a little to my nerdy friends who would never think I could put a super computer together at age 73. I know I can with your help if I put my feble mind to it. I hope it is ok to horn in on your conversation with Simplepinoi177 and I hope he doesn't mind. Thanks very much: geniusnot

[RickyTick]

Hello geniusnot. Welcome to the forums. I moved your post into it's own thread, so everyone can look at it independently of the others.

I'd be more than happy to help you with this build. I'll be back a little later with some suggestions.

[RickyTick]

OK, this wasn't as easy as most of them. I went on the assumption that you're probably not a hard-core gamer. So, I didn't list the latest and most powerful video card. In fact, you may not need a video card at all. However, the case is called a "gamers" case, but it's still rather basic and not overly flashy. I built my Dad a computer using this case and we both liked it a lot. If you don't like the case, it's easy to make substitutions.

Case $62 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
PSU $82 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
Mobo $198 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128463
CPU $300 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115071
GPU $154 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130591
RAM $163 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231431
HDD $65 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
OD $25 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
OS $140 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758

This is just short of $1200 and I included shipping charges and deducted for mail in rebates.

What do you think so far?

[geniusnot]

Ricky: You did a lot of work on this. Thank you very much. It would be a great machine. Look at my input and see if you think a few tweeks would be warranted.

I don't mind spending a few more hundred dollars to get it a little more flashy and to increase the bragability (ha). The case is what everyone notices first. I would like a nice looking one-- Maybe one that is unique in some way if you know of anything like that. I have a lot of room and smallness is not an issue.

I wouldn't mind going up a notch or two on the power supply if that would give me more flexibility in the future. Maybe 750 or 850 W.

I am not a gamer at all but I am a wannabe. I want to knock the socks off my grandkids when they come over. Maybe we should go up a notch or two on the video card also.

What about a sound card? Do I need one?

I would like a lot of ports for different periferals. My monitor is an HP w2408h. It has an HDMI connection as well as the other normal connectors.

The rest looks great but some may need bumping up with the suggested changes and to provide compatability.

I am so ignorant of this that I know I sound very foolish. I am in the twilight of my life and I just want to enjoy it to the fullest.

I am sorry to take so much of your time. I really appreciate your help. I will try to make it right with you.

Let me know if you think any of the changes would be warranted. I am going to push the order button on what you put in your reply. It is time for me to move into the next phase.

Thanks again: geniusnot (Is that the stupidest handle you have ever heard or what?)

[RickyTick]

Ricky: You did a lot of work on this. Thank you very much. It would be a great machine. Look at my input and see if you think a few tweeks would be warranted.
I don't mind spending a few more hundred dollars to get it a little more flashy and to increase the bragability (ha). The case is what everyone notices first. I would like a nice looking one-- Maybe one that is unique in some way if you know of anything like that. I have a lot of room and smallness is not an issue.
Here are my current favorite cases. Very cool, very functional, and very high quality.
Full Tower http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225
Mid Tower http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194



I wouldn't mind going up a notch or two on the power supply if that would give me more flexibility in the future. Maybe 750 or 850 W.
The 650 watt is plenty, but I totally understand wanting to bump it up a little just to make sure. It'll probably add less than $20 to the build. Not a big deal.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006



I am not a gamer at all but I am a wannabe. I want to knock the socks off my grandkids when they come over. Maybe we should go up a notch or two on the video card also.
This is a brand new offering from Nvidia. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125363
If you're serious about getting into gaming, let me know. I retired my golf clubs about 12 years ago, and stuck my bowling ball in the closet. My only hobby is pc gaming, and I really enjoy it.



What about a sound card? Do I need one?
Nah, the motherboard's onboard sound is excellent. Personally, I don't even have speakers on my pc, I use a set of headphones. That way I don't disturb my wife or kids while I'm gaming or watching a movie.



I would like a lot of ports for different periferals. My monitor is an HP w2408h. It has an HDMI connection as well as the other normal connectors.
No problem. There are plenty of USB ports on this motherboard, as well as firewire and HDMI.



The rest looks great but some may need bumping up with the suggested changes and to provide compatability.
I am so ignorant of this that I know I sound very foolish. I am in the twilight of my life and I just want to enjoy it to the fullest.
Then go for it. I don't think you'll be disappointed, and I think your friends and family will be jealous of your new awesome computer.



I am sorry to take so much of your time. I really appreciate your help. I will try to make it right with you.
Let me know if you think any of the changes would be warranted. I am going to push the order button on what you put in your reply. It is time for me to move into the next phase.
You're not taking up my time. This is what I do for enjoyment. Plus Rob pays me well for doing this everyday. (Let's see if anyone is paying attention.)



Thanks again: geniusnot (Is that the stupidest handle you have ever heard or what?)
I love it. I think it's a brilliant username.

[geniusnot]

RickyTick: That looks fantastic. Just what I need. Now I just need to push the order button. I think I will let it soak a day or two in case you or I get any more wild hairs.

I sure want to give the build a try. If I turn it into a basket case and get overwhelmed, do you ever finish putting one together for anyone for $$$? I hope I don't have to resort to something like that.

Thanks again for your help. You are a very nice person. geniusnot

[RickyTick]

If you need help with the build, someone is always online to help you. I'd be happy to lend you a hand, but I live in North Carolina. That might be a problem. Don't worry, we'll all help you with it. You'll be surprised exactly how easy to really is.

Also, do you need a keyboard, mouse, and/or monitor?

[geniusnot]

Rick: Thanks for the encouragement and kind words. I am going to give it a try.

My monitor is an HP w2408h 24" LCD. It is about 1.5 years old and is working just fine. I would think it should be OK. Let me know if you think I should upgrade. We may need something better to go with this showbaot computer.

I think it would be best if I purchased a new, modern mouse and keyboard. Mine has all the paint worn off. Any neat suggestions??

Thanks again. geniusnot

[RickyTick]

The Microsoft Sidewinder X4 is a very popular keyboard, and so is the Logitech K800 and G110.

For a mouse, I really like the Logitech MX518, but the G500 is widely recommended.

Your monitor will be just fine.

[geniusnot]

RickiTick: I was all set for a i7 2600k build when they took it off the market. It is now my understanding it will be April before the problem is solved. I think I will go ahead with my build in a different direction--similar to my last post above.

I have already ordered and received:

Case--$179.99--Coolermaster HAF X Full Tower Case
Hard drive--$79.99--Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" internal hard drive-bare bone
Power supply--$129.99--Corsair HX 750W ATX12v 2.3/EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 Plus Silver Certified
Optical Drive--$17.99--ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM


Please look at the rest of my proposed build and make sure everything is compatable as well as the best choice.

Video Card--$269.99--GIGABYTE Super Overclock Series GV-N560SO-1GI GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

CPU--$319.99--Intel Core i7-960 Bloomfield 3.2GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601960

Mobo--$209.99--GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Mem-- $149.99--Crucial 12GB kit (4GBx3), 240-pin DIMM, DDR3 PC3-10600 memory module

SSD--$263.99--Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAA128MAG-1G1 1.8" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

I was going to get i7 950 until Intel recently lowered the price on the i7 960 by 48%. Intel now has the i7 960 at the same price as the 950 and 2600 although that has not yet been fully reflected on NewEgg. Did I make the right move here?

I have seen on other posts where you have suggested my proposed Mobo for use with the i7 950. Is it the best recommendation for the i7 960?

I have seen on other posts where you have suggested my proposed Video Card for use with the i7 950. Is it the best recommendation for the i7 960?

Choosing the memory and SSD baffle me. I just went with Crucial as you and Rob seem to favor. Any different suggestions? Will these match up OK?

I am really starting to enjoy this. It's like learning a new language that changes almost daily. I have spent so much time studying and milling over this build that I could have bought the top of the line, off the shelf, computer and been way ahead. It is no longer a money thing or any of the other reasons I originally used for wanting to build my own computer. I really don't know what motivates my present drive but, by darn, I am going to do it. On another note, I may be shopping for a new wife if I don't ease off a little on the build addiction.

I appreciate your opinions and suggestions. Please don't be shy if you see even the slightest problem.

Thanks again for your help.

geniusnot

[RickyTick]

Wow. Your going all out with this thing. :)

The i7-960 is a perfect choice as well as the mobo and ram. Personally, I'm rather fond of G.Skill ram, but I've never had a problem with Crucial either.
Make sure the ram is on the motherboard's support list. Check here http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3449#ov

[geniusnot]

RickiTick: I got everything put together and it fired up just like the book said. Started installing Windows 7 Pro 64 bit OEM for system builders and everything was OK until they asked for the product code. It won't except the code on the box. Did I get the wrong windows operating system or is there something else wrong. I got Windows 7 from Newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758&Tpk=Windows%207%20Pfofessional%2064-bit%201-pack . I have not seen where anyone else has had this problem. Your help would be appreciated. geniusnot.

[RickyTick]

First, look through here and make sure you're using the right number.
http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/content.aspx?pg=coa&displaylang=en

[geniusnot]

I am using the product key, 25 digit number on the case the instillation DVD came in. It looks like the one on the website you sent me to look at. When I put in numbers, the computer says "The produc key is not valid. Please retype the product key". I have done this several times with the same results. Could I have a bad number? If so, who should I contact? This is really frustrating. I expected problems but not this kind. Thanks for your help. geniusnot.

[geniusnot]

Can anyone help with the above question? Has Microsoft changed their policy on homebuilders using the OEM package? Or do I have some other problem. I don't want to shut my new computer build down because I have already loaded the Windows 7 software and am just trying to to get the computer to except my product code. Any help from anyone would be appreciated. geniusnot

[RickyTick]

Start here.
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=14019&st=1

Also, you should have the option to "Skip" activation and continue to load Windows. You'll have 30 days to activate from there.

[RickyTick]

Well...where are with this one?

[geniusnot]

The product key code was the problem. When I finally (2 hours) got through to the right person at Microsoft he said my key code had to be wrong. In the last 5 digits, all appeared to be numbers except one. In one digit where I was using a 0 (zero), he said that couldn't possibly be right. The last 5 digits in the key code are in a different font than the rest of the 20 numbers. What appears to be a 0 (zero) is actually a D. I have showed the numbers to approximately a dozen other people and all thought the D was a 0. There are two more D's in the first 20 digits that look like perfectly normal D's. The people I showed this to, knew there is an error but they could not find it. It really caused me a lot of trouble and worry. Other than this, the build has gone perfectly (to my surprise). I had the fire department's number on speed dial when I hit the power button before the first two boots. The boots went perfectly. I have now updated all the drivers and the machine is smokin fast. Thanks for your help and concern. geniusnot.

[RickyTick]

Hey, that's great that you got it all worked out. You would think they would omit number 0 and letter O to avoid confusion.