Building a new desktop and realized I know nothing! Please help me choose the right parts.

[Yomamashouse]

So the BIOS on my old motherboard died a horrible, sudden death, and I am now forced to build a new comp because all my RAM and processor are too old to be compatible with newer motherboards (according to the tech guy at my local Tiger Direct).

I am looking both at pre-made comps and custom built ones to see what is most price effective, but I have realized my knowledge of computer tech is very out of date. I have monitors, a DVD drive, nVidia 8800 GTS card, and two hard-drives, all of which work fine - so I will have to get a new processor, RAM, and motherboard

I think the best place to start is with the processor. The processor determines which motherboard I can buy.

My first question is - as a gamer should I care about the difference between AMD and Intel? I noticed that on NewEgg.com the AMD processors have larger L3 and L2 caches. Also, AMD processors have AM3+ type sockets, meaning I need to buy an AMD motherboard.

What does TWC recommend? I can choose my RAM because I just need the DDR3 type, but the motherboard and processor are critical.

Any help is appreciated!

ALSO - There are so many types of RAM with all these numbers! Any advice would be great. I am aiming for 2 2GB sticks, as I think that should produce less heat than 4 1GB sticks.

[Crazyeyesreaper]

first up, whats your budget,
two, do you have a monitor and keyboard
three, ram density and module count isnt a big deal 2 or 4 sticks makes little practical difference now, but 2x4gb = 8 and allows for up to 16 where was 4x2 = 8 your tapped out, other than expandability its not a big deal unless pushing for extreme ram

with a budget i can just do a parts list. and be done with.

[Bolkonsky]

Here, fill this out:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...0#post11844540

[Yomamashouse]

UPDATE - Here is what I have chosen with the help of someone from Tomshardware.com

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V LX Intel 7 Series
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer


I don't want to spend more than $500

The one thing I haven't asked about was the RAM Mhz, I was recommended to get the 1333mhz, but I see that there are values much higher, so I am wondering how important that value is to me as a gamer. As well, I have a GeForce 8800GTS 512mb card, it is getting quite old, so I was wondering if anyone knew whether or not it would hold me back. I am hesitant to spend more than what I already will be, but if there is a video card out there that is a great deal I might suck it up and spend some more money.

Here is the full build I was told to get, I changed a few things or omitted things based on what I already had.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.05 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($78.99 @ Computer Valley)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: Corsair 500W ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ DirectCanada)

[Crazyeyesreaper]

change out the memory no reason to stick to 1333 when Ivy does 1866 and the price difference between 18 GB/s memory bandwidth and 24GB/s is a $15 difference just keep it at 1.5v and make sure the heatspreaders are small that means

G.Skill Ares
Mushkin Frostbyte
Corsair Vengence Low profile
etc etc

get rid of the Antec case its utter garbage and running a 670 + overclocking id look into a better PSU

PSU: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=628...r&promoid=1088
The above PSU is closer to what your system should be using its also modular for better cable management, simply put dont skimp on the PSU its the most important part of the system

CASE: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=660...r&promoid=1088
Corsair 300R much better case for the money offers cable routing options etc overall huge upgrade compared to the Ancient Antec 300 design

[Yomamashouse]

PSU: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=628...r&promoid=1088
The above PSU is closer to what your system should be using its also modular for better cable management, simply put dont skimp on the PSU its the most important part of the system

CASE: http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=660...r&promoid=1088
Corsair 300R much better case for the money offers cable routing options etc overall huge upgrade compared to the Ancient Antec 300 design

Thanks, I have a case with lights and cords everywhere and a PSU with cords EVERYWHERE, getting a more cord-free environment will make life so much easier.