[BiP] Jadzia's Jalopy, it begins :D

[AlienIsGOD]

So I am finally able to start buying parts for my daughters (Jadzia, 10 y.o. avid D3 player ) build. The only thing decided so far is the case and I am welcome to suggestions as to which route to go CPU and GFX wise.



Since I am only buying a piece or 2 every month, I shall start with the case. I've decided to go with this: Zalman Z9 mid case http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811235026 . Im buying it at my local store for $69.99. I intend to get a PSU next and my budget is $65-90 before taxes.

The main function of this PC will be for my daughter, Jadzia to do school work on and play some current games at decent settings. Regardless of what is being done WCG / F@H will be run 24/7 so I would like a decent enough GFX card in the $150 range as well as a decent AMD/Intel CPU in the $150-200 range (this is the most important part for my WCG uses, more cores the better so im open to FX series suggestion).

Again this is a build in progress and the suggestions and decisions will probably change up until the day I go to purchase items. Any and all feedback and suggestions are welcomed

 

[brandonwh64]

Maybe if you could swing a used X58 I7-920 combo for 200$ and I have seen some 6950's used for 150$ That would make a great gamer/cruncher mine was putting out over 5K at 4Ghz

 

[AlienIsGOD]

Graphics cards i dont mind buying used, but CPU and mobo i really prefer to buy new for warranty purposes and to try to keep with the latest socket.

 

[NHKS]

would you like to try the Bitfenix Prodigy? going by recent logs by [H]ardstuff & m1dg3t it seems a very good case(79.99 CA$) for compact builds

as for PSU, some recommendations(in the range of 500-650W):
Seasonic M12II 520W
PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 500W
Corsair TX650 V2

 

[brandonwh64]

Graphics cards i dont mind buying used, but CPU and mobo i really prefer to buy new for warranty purposes and to try to keep with the latest socket.

Intel and some motherboard manufacturers go by serial number so if the used parts are somewhat new then they can be RMAed by anyone as long as the serial number is still under warranty. I purchased a Asus motherboard off ebay that was conformed dead and RMAed it under the serial number. Got back a fully working replacement.

 

[m1dg3t]

w00t^^! I got a mention

 

[AlienIsGOD]

So I went with the Zalman Z9 Plus http://www.zalman.com/eng/product/Product_Read.php?Idx=423 I already have 8GB of Patriot Gamer 2 Ram 1333mhz. Next up is the PSU on the 20th or 31st of October.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

I must say the Z9 Plus is a very good case for the price. 1 thing I like is the placement for a SSD:

I also like that it comes with 4 fans pre-installed

 

[Norton]

Corsair CX500's are a solid value psu- have been crunching 100% load with one 24/7 for the last 3 months and it barely gets warm (FX-6200 @4.0Ghz) . They go on-sale all of the time so watch the prices for at least a week when you're ready to buy

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

 

[AlienIsGOD]

I think im looking in the 550-750w range as my HD 6870 is prolly going to be the long term replacement card for this rig (i may get a budget card to have better than Intel integrated performance). Im going to be upgrading MY graphics in Jan/Feb.

Maybe a Corsair CX 750 http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_442&item_id=052847 ? or what about this semi-modular Topower http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_442&item_id=042036 ?

Going to take a few pics of the case at some point

 

[Norton]

If you're going into that range then the TX750 is the standard model "good" psu. Many folks here have that model and they should attest to how good/bad it is.

Modular isn't an issue as much anymore as there is usually plenty of room to stash extra wires in most of the cases available today.

It's only $10 more than the CX you posted
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_441&item_id=036009

*EDIT- sorry- it's the same price! and has a 5yr warranty!! *

 

[AlienIsGOD]

I've also decided FX 6 core or 8 core CPU and prolly this mobo http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_335&item_id=042746

 

[AlienIsGOD]

Pics of Case and Ram:

 

[Phusius]

haha your daughter sounds awesome, you must be very proud xD has she made any actual $ off the in-game auction house stuff? or is that still beyond a 10 year olds comprehension, unsure, been a long time since i was 10 lol

 

[AlienIsGOD]

she doesnt use either AH, i do that stuff for her atm. She understands alot about PCs and gaming, she's been watching me all these years so she grasps the concept of building PCs and decision making in the games she plays

 

[Phusius]

You should get her Trine and Trine 2 next time they go on sale. Very vibrant colors and simple yet complex gameplay I think a 10 year old would enjoy.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

she enjoys alot of my Steam games like Cogs, Crayon Physics Deluexe, etc. I may buy her GW 2 for her first MMO, it has a more mature crowd than WoW so i wont be worried about chat nonsense.

 

[Norton]

I've also decided FX 6 core or 8 core CPU and prolly this mobo http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_335&item_id=042746

I would suggest one of these (better power/vrm design) and worth the few extra $$$

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_335&item_id=051996

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_335&item_id=039798

 

[AlienIsGOD]

Ya, if i DO o/c its only going to be a small bump to 4ghz even, i'll add that to my bookmarks for mobo candidates

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

I think this is the first time I've heard a build named a Jalopy. I like it. Even without the nice rhyme.

 

[cdawall]

Why not wait a little bit on the CPU and grab a new FM2 Piledriver chip? Clock for clock they appear to be beating out the Bulldozer units. The video cards you have mentioned support hybrid xfire to help power usage as well.

 

[Norton]

Why not wait a little bit on the CPU and grab a new FM2 Piledriver chip? Clock for clock they appear to be beating out the Bulldozer units. The video cards you have mentioned support hybrid xfire to help power usage as well.

That's a good idea too. I believe that the release date is 10/2 on those chips so reviews should be available real soon

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

Well it's not a rhyme rather double J's... ah whatever carry on.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

Why not wait a little bit on the CPU and grab a new FM2 Piledriver chip?

After reading Cadaveca's review, im not overly interested in a 4 core with integrated gfx. I would much rather have a 6 or 8 core for WCG usage if I went AMD or a quad if I go Intel.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

So im looking at this board for my daughter http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=970 Extreme3 . Comments?