was just browsing slickdeals and saw this. very good motherboard, i've built two computers for friends and used this exact model both times. i believe it was almost $200 not too long ago.
I saw that motherboard and it looks good. A friend is going to give me a 64GB SSD for $20 so I'm set there. I'm glad I'm asking around on this stuff because I've had three people tell me they have parts laying around like the SSD, the case and a SATA that I can have for cheap. I'm a little hesitant to put used hard drives in the computer, but they aren't going to have important stuff on them, just games I can re-download from Steam and the OS. All important stuff is backed up on other external drives.
The Phenom showed up on Slickdeals today for $79 but has already expired. I just can't pull the trigger on any of this stuff until next week when I get paid. It's like the internet knows I want these parts and is mocking me. The only thing that I'm set on is that processor, unless I can find an i7 super cheap which probably isn't going to happen. The rest of it I'm flexible with as long as it's just as good for less. The Radeon 7700 just seemed the best for the price, if something better comes along when I have the cash, I'll jump on that.
jfg wrote:I saw that motherboard and it looks good. A friend is going to give me a 64GB SSD for $20 so I'm set there. I'm glad I'm asking around on this stuff because I've had three people tell me they have parts laying around like the SSD, the case and a SATA that I can have for cheap. I'm a little hesitant to put used hard drives in the computer, but they aren't going to have important stuff on them, just games I can re-download from Steam and the OS. All important stuff is backed up on other external drives.
The Phenom showed up on Slickdeals today for $79 but has already expired. I just can't pull the trigger on any of this stuff until next week when I get paid. It's like the internet knows I want these parts and is mocking me. The only thing that I'm set on is that processor, unless I can find an i7 super cheap which probably isn't going to happen. The rest of it I'm flexible with as long as it's just as good for less. The Radeon 7700 just seemed the best for the price, if something better comes along when I have the cash, I'll jump on that.
ya i saw the phenom go up earlier today, super lame that it expired already. i wouldn't worry about used hard drives. just do a clean install (remember you're going to have to buy an OS version of windows unless you want to use the windows 8 beta) and you'll be fine.
When building the computer I need a monitor don't I? The graphics card won't have drivers yet to plug it into the plasma I suppose? I have a CRT but I'm moving and I don't really want to bring it with, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to...correct?
jfg wrote:When building the computer I need a monitor don't I? The graphics card won't have drivers yet to plug it into the plasma I suppose? I have a CRT but I'm moving and I don't really want to bring it with, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to...correct?
You can use either a monitor or a TV. I have mine hooked up to my 26" HD LCD. Most video cards should have a basic driver that will allow a picture to be seen on any monitor/TV. However, the resolution probably won't be the best until the latest driver is installed.
was just browsing slickdeals and saw this. very good motherboard, i've built two computers for friends and used this exact model both times. i believe it was almost $200 not too long ago.
was just browsing slickdeals and saw this. very good motherboard, i've built two computers for friends and used this exact model both times. i believe it was almost $200 not too long ago.
also, the 120 GB SSD here is about as cheap as you'll get right now for a SSD if you decide to go that route.
$60 for a 120 GB SSD?
I paid $300 for Crucial C300 128GB when it came out a couple years ago. I knew prices would drop pretty fast but I'd just got a new laptop and couldn't bare to wait it out. Well worth it. At these prices, it's almost a must to have an SSD. By far the most noticeable upgrade you can make, forget about RAM and CPU.
jfg wrote:When building the computer I need a monitor don't I? The graphics card won't have drivers yet to plug it into the plasma I suppose? I have a CRT but I'm moving and I don't really want to bring it with, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to...correct?
You can use either a monitor or a TV. I have mine hooked up to my 26" HD LCD. Most video cards should have a basic driver that will allow a picture to be seen on any monitor/TV. However, the resolution probably won't be the best until the latest driver is installed.
My TV doesn't have a VGA port though, do you think HDMI will work? The motherboard I'm getting also has an HDMI port, so I'm thinking yes?
I decided to get an Intel i3 2120 instead of the Phenom. I heard things about Radeon cards overscanning which would be a big deal for home theater so I'm getting the Nvidia gtx 550 ti and an Intel motherboard along with the i3 2120 I already purchased. Hoping to have all the parts together in the next couple of weeks to finally build this thing.
Has anybody ever ordered parts from Amazon Warehouse Deals? I'm guessing it's just open box, but I want to make sure because it will save me around 50-60 bucks. Got the Crucial ram on front page of Slickdeals tonight.
jfg wrote:When building the computer I need a monitor don't I? The graphics card won't have drivers yet to plug it into the plasma I suppose? I have a CRT but I'm moving and I don't really want to bring it with, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to...correct?
You can use either a monitor or a TV. I have mine hooked up to my 26" HD LCD. Most video cards should have a basic driver that will allow a picture to be seen on any monitor/TV. However, the resolution probably won't be the best until the latest driver is installed.
My TV doesn't have a VGA port though, do you think HDMI will work? The motherboard I'm getting also has an HDMI port, so I'm thinking yes?
I decided to get an Intel i3 2120 instead of the Phenom. I heard things about Radeon cards overscanning which would be a big deal for home theater so I'm getting the Nvidia gtx 550 ti and an Intel motherboard along with the i3 2120 I already purchased. Hoping to have all the parts together in the next couple of weeks to finally build this thing.
I use the HDMI port on my video card and I don't remember having a problem. If the HDMI port is on the motherboard itself, then I would imagine it would be smooth sailing.
Cafe Home
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Basketball
Fantasy Hockey
by 
