![[H]ard|Forum](/styles/hardforum/xenforo/logo_dark.png){kind=logo}
Hey [H] build gurus... please work your magic!
I'm building a computer for a friend. I've done some reading up to prepare, now time to get specifics. On to the questions...
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Mainly general use and gaming. They have a couple laptops, so this is meant for gaming. While Starcraft 2 is driving the upgrade, we want it to have enough juice for modern FPS's as well (and for it to last a long time). He's currently running on an old Dell (I guess P4 era)
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$1000 - $1200ish with tax and shipping included. Could maybe push a little.
3) Where do you live?
Louisiana (no B&M Microcenter or Fry's nearby)
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Case, Motherboard, CPU, RAM, GPU, Power Supply, SSD, Storage Drive, Optical Drive
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
He already has monitor, mouse, keyboard, and I think speakers
6) Will you be overclocking?
The answer is pretty much no. He wouldn't ever get into that, and as his support, I don't want to. Therefore no aftermarket cooling should be necessary.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
22" LCD that is 16x10
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Ordering parts this week
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
He's not [H] so no need for any SLI/Crossfire or RAID. Hopefully that allows a cheaper midrange board. I am looking for USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s. Consider this a one-shot build to last a while.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
No, need a copy of Windows 7 x64 home
Also...
CASE
His wife insists he gets a computer that 'lays flat' for aesthetic reasons. Why it can't just be a tower hidden under the desk is beyond me... you know how women are. Anyway, we need room for a legitimate gaming GPU, so that leads me to an ATX case in a horizontal HTPC form. However, no actual HTPC functionality is needed. Any advice in this arena from an accessibility or buildability standpoint? These are some I dug up a while back, but I'd welcome other suggestions:
OTHER NOTES
Thanks guys. Very much appreciate the help - I'll try to quickly stay on top of replies.
I'm building a computer for a friend. I've done some reading up to prepare, now time to get specifics. On to the questions...
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Mainly general use and gaming. They have a couple laptops, so this is meant for gaming. While Starcraft 2 is driving the upgrade, we want it to have enough juice for modern FPS's as well (and for it to last a long time). He's currently running on an old Dell (I guess P4 era)
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$1000 - $1200ish with tax and shipping included. Could maybe push a little.
3) Where do you live?
Louisiana (no B&M Microcenter or Fry's nearby)
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Case, Motherboard, CPU, RAM, GPU, Power Supply, SSD, Storage Drive, Optical Drive
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
He already has monitor, mouse, keyboard, and I think speakers
6) Will you be overclocking?
The answer is pretty much no. He wouldn't ever get into that, and as his support, I don't want to. Therefore no aftermarket cooling should be necessary.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
22" LCD that is 16x10
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Ordering parts this week
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
He's not [H] so no need for any SLI/Crossfire or RAID. Hopefully that allows a cheaper midrange board. I am looking for USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s. Consider this a one-shot build to last a while.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
No, need a copy of Windows 7 x64 home
Also...
CASE
His wife insists he gets a computer that 'lays flat' for aesthetic reasons. Why it can't just be a tower hidden under the desk is beyond me... you know how women are. Anyway, we need room for a legitimate gaming GPU, so that leads me to an ATX case in a horizontal HTPC form. However, no actual HTPC functionality is needed. Any advice in this arena from an accessibility or buildability standpoint? These are some I dug up a while back, but I'd welcome other suggestions:
- Lian Li PC-33B
- Silverstone GD-05B
- Silverstone GD-01
- Silverstone LC-10
- Silverstone LC-13
- Silverstone LC-17
- Silverstone LC-20
- Zalman HD501
OTHER NOTES
- MOBO/CPU - I would lean towards Intel, just because I'm familiar with it. Same goes for Gigabyte and Asus for the board. Like mentioned above, no OC or SLI/CF capability necessary. Something in the i7 range with 6GB of RAM would be nice, but I understand maybe going i5 to make room for other stuff.
- Power Supply - Prefer a modular PSU for obvious reasons, Corsair perhaps?
- Video Card - I'm thinking something on the level of a 5850 or GTX 460. He's generally not going to ever do any upgrades himself down the line.
- Hard Drive - I want to bring him into the SSD world. If budget allows, a speedy 80GB would be good. Otherwise a 60GB at minimum. A 1TB storage drive would be plenty.
- Will likely be ordering everything online, Amazon/Newegg etc. While I'm all about deals, in this case I want to avoid Mail-In-Rebates, unless a killer deal. I imagine the most price wiggle room comes in the case, CPU, and SSD. Hopefully this can be done.
Thanks guys. Very much appreciate the help - I'll try to quickly stay on top of replies.
