Planned PC build for 2011

[HiddenVenom]

Hey guys. I have figured out that I *should* have enough money to build a decent PC next. I cant't reLly give to many specs yet, because I'm not entirely sure what the parts will be.

Anyway, this list will be updated as I find the Parts I want:

- Phenom X8 (2011 release) / AMD 'Bulldozer' Series Processor
- AM3+ Motherboard
- 2x Radeon HD 6800 series cards (new versions realeased 2011)
- 16gb RAM (Hopefully fastest I can find... May downgrade to 8gb if I cannot afford)
- 750W 8-900W PSU
- Wireless Card
- 1Tb (possibly x2) Hard Drive
- 100GB SSD (depending on price, possibly higher cap)
- Multiple card reader (already got one *facepalm*)
- USB3 card (extra ports on back)
- Blu-Ray Drive (RW/DL)
- Antec 1200 Case (possibly successor, we'll see in the new year.)
- Heatsink + Fan for Processor
- 2-6 Displayport Monitors (depending on gpu, monitor resolution)
- Gaming keyboard
- Gaming mouse
- Oversize mouse mat (Steelseries)
- Bigger Desk
- Wall Brackets for Monitors
- Booting Windows 7 + Linux (Ubuntu 10, Mint, or Arch, maybe a couple.)

Several Things:

1. I will not be swayed from using AMD cards or processors. DO NOT TELL ME TO USE INTEL OR NVIDIA.
2. No, I don't want, and really don't need a mac. Otherwise, I would buy a mac.
3. Much of this may be downgraded due to lack of funds. At current it stands at almost £2000 ($3700). Base. Hopefully getting a new job soon will aid that.

[budgray19]

can never go wrong with antec 1200
has 6 120mm fans 1 200mm fan is full tower black and has lights in fans.

[jacobia jacob]

linux and amd cards don't play well together. prepare for a struggle.

also, pick up a third monitor for eyefinity

[aZiZ1]

can never go wrong with antec 1200
has 6 120mm fans 1 200mm fan is full tower black and has lights in fans.

From a user that had antec 1200 for a good year, that case is amazingly sweet.

I do suggest that you go with the Corei7 950 though.. they seem to be the best value

[HiddenVenom]

Third monitor is based on the monitor I choose, what price it is, etc... I'd like an equal number of monitors really, so the gpus are running a similar load.

I have enough experience with linux to update the drivers to make it work lol . Ubuntu 10.10 already has the drivers, no idea about mint or arch. In fact the main problem I've had with linux is USB wireless. It just seems to hate it.

I won't be swayed from AMD processors or cards. Core i7 isn't great for value compared to Phenom X6 (saying that, the phenom x67 is much slower.)

[Ennon]

I'm disappointed at your AMD-ness. Good luck with Linux. Whatever, people like you make the demand lower and therefore make the prices go down faster for us :P  (Though I'm interested in AMD's new Fusion stuff. I still don't understand what it is and how it differs than low-end Intels with integrated CPU graphics.)

Besides the point, Razer is just ok. I have a Mamba and it has weird issues. I kinda want to get a warranty exchange from Best Buy and get one of those wireless Nagas instead. I haven't tried their keyboards. Otherwise, Logitech is a good company. I have a Logitech Illuminated Keyboard (and speakers) and they have yet to fail me   (If you're looking for a headset though, Razer for sure. They're excellent with audio.)

For hard drive, Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB. For price/performance, no reason not to get something else.

For USB3, not much supports it right now, but future-proofing isn't bad. Why don't you just get a mobo that supports USB3 instead of getting an extra card?

Antec 1200 or a Lian-Li Case.

You're gonna need a 1000W PSU for the stuff you're sticking into this. 900 will work, but just in case. . .

[FreeK]

Besides the point, Razer is just ok. I have a Mamba and it has weird issues. I kinda want to get a warranty exchange from Best Buy and get one of those wireless Nagas instead. I haven't tried their keyboards. Otherwise, Logitech is a good company. I have a Logitech Illuminated Keyboard (and speakers) and they have yet to fail me   (If you're looking for a headset though, Razer for sure. They're excellent with audio.)

I have a Razer Tarantula keyboard, and although I'm not a huge PC gamer (I bought it off Craigslist for $20, since I needed a new keyboard...good deals are great) and I'm not going to lie..I love this thing, but if your going to go all out, I say go for the Lycosa.

I also agree that Logitec is a great company with good quality products (I only have a basic optical mouse from them) but have had experience with some of their better products.

[jacobia jacob]

i bought a Logitech g7 about a year ago, but it started having signal issues so i called the support line. they sent me a new g700 for free and still haven't asked for my old mouse back :DDD

up to 5700 dpi, wired and wireless modes, more buttons than i'll ever need. my life is complete, buy one.

[HiddenVenom]

I think I'm gonna go with razer naga epic (even though i don't play mmos ), and the razer blackwidow. They look niiiiiiice.

[Rodent]

Sounds great, I see you noted that you wouldnt use INTEL ,

I have 12 computers myself all that were given to me due to there old or what not and they all work from windows 95 to vista, and my main computer that I use all the time which is all Intel based.
Which I knew nothing about 4 years ago when I built it myself.

Looking to build another computer here probably around June or so. And my INTEL based computer works so awsome speed wise. And compatible with everything I throw at it or add to it.

Just looking for advise on AMD

I see alot of people using AMD.My question is why do so many use AMD motherboards and processors? Is it becasue its cheaper or because you can clock the hell out of them?
Or another reason?

[HiddenVenom]

1. Cheaper
2. More Robust / Reliable
3. Wider Buses
4. Easy to overclock and can be overclocked to stupid speeds
5. Less likely to overheat

[RyanF]

Antec has come out with a new case.  Its called the Antec lanboy air.  I have it and it is so good at the cooling.  I've OC'd the heck out of my i7 950 to 4 ghz stable.  I think it was because I had this case and a huge cooler for the CPU.  My next upgrades for my PC will be some more fans(I already have 5, but want to fill up the other 8 mounts), and a 2nd 1 TB HDD.  I love this thing and wouldn't trade it for anything! (except for one of NASA's supercomputers) I am multibooting linux and windows 7 right now, soon to add OSX into the mix as soon as i figure out how to load it onto the partition.

[FreeK]

The Lanboy cases are F'ing sexy until you look at the price tag (unless you can afford it ofcourse)

[RyanF]

Looking to build another computer here probably around June or so. And my INTEL based computer works so awsome speed wise. And compatible with everything I throw at it or add to it.

have you tried a hammer yet? Intels can handle anything! lol

The Lanboy cases are F'ing sexy until you look at the price tag (unless you can afford it ofcourse)

Trust me, its worth the extra money.  Ive got this thing running on black ops at 1080p and I haven't had any problems with overheat yet.  It does its job while still looking good.

[HiddenVenom]

Unfortunately, this project is off due to lack of funds. However, when I get a student loan in 2012, I may be able to do a build

[PspKicks316]

I have enough experience with linux to update the drivers to make it work lol . Ubuntu 10.10 already has the drivers

You don't need skill to press a button that says "Enable restricted drivers." The fact of the matter is the AMD Catalyst software and driver for linux is garbage and doesn't work properly. I've used it on more than one occasion, on more than one Ubuntu release. The most annoying part is the AMD watermark that you can't remove.

[HiddenVenom]

What AMD watermark? And I didn't use the button, I installed manually. It runs fine, and I'm able to play CS:S and Gmod with few issues.

[PspKicks316]

I guess they changed things, then.