re: Decent websites to order desktop pc? UPDATED w/ build parts

Okay, time to critique the part list. I'm gonna be nitpicky since you haven't ordered the stuff yet.


First, the motherboard/CPU/cooler combo is fine if you're still wanting to stay within the confines of your $1100-ish budget.

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Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

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$84.99 is a bit much for basic 1600 CL9. There are faster kits for less, like an 2400mhz CL10 G.Skill Ripjaws Z series kit for $63.99 at Newegg. There are also even cheaper kits but they appear to be sold out at the moment.

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Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive

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It's fine, but SSDs are so cheap nowadays that it would be insane not to add one for your OS + programs.

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Asus Radeon R9 280X 3GB DirectCU II Video Card

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Not a bad card, but I bet we can find a 290 for not much more or maybe even cheaper. The extra vram alone is worth it based on the way these recent blockbuster titles are going.

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Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case

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Good

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Antec TruePower Classic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply

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This one's good. If I wanted to be extra nitpicky I would direct you to the better EVGA SuperNOVA 750W Gold that's $69.99 after rebate at NCIX. So I will.

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Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)

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A lot of us pirate Windows around here because it's Sooo easy. Likewise, you can pirate Win 8.1. I like 8.1 just fine. I just installed classic shell and always boot to desktop.

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Asus Xonar DG 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card

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You don't need this, nor do you want it. Motherboards have onboard sound, and it's gotten pretty good over the years. You aren't going to get anything extra/better out of a cheap sound card like this. Removed.

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TP-Link TG-3468 10/100/1000 Mbps PCI-Express x1 Network Adapter

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Likewise, motherboards have onboard network adapters, and this one adds nothing special. Just a waste of money, space, and PCIe bandwidth. Removed.

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Rosewill RNX-N180UBE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter

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Is this simply a "just in case" wifi adapter? It's cheap, so I'll leave it in there, but competitive online gaming is best done with ethernet.

Not much to say on the mouse and keyboard, except that you'll probably want something more robust in due time, depending on what kind of games you play.

Here's your new config:

PCPartPicker part list: LINK
Price breakdown by merchant: LINK

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($93.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($98.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Micro Center)
Monitor: Asus MX279H 27.0" Monitor ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N180UBE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($12.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($7.99 @ NCIX US)
Mouse: Gigabyte GM-M5050 Wired Optical Mouse ($4.39 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1106.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-30 21:29 EST-0500

OK, post wasn't that long.

EDIT: Crap, all of the cheap 290s are sold out. I would recommend checking eBay for used 290s or a 290x.

That's great.

So ssd would just have the os and favorite games I play the most

I'll check around tomorrow to see if I can get some deals. But overall is that a good build?

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But overall is that a good build?

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What, the one I just posted for you? Of course.

Yours, almost, with the most important things being to get rid of the NIC cards and add an SSD.

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The ssd works as another storage but is able to run things faster? I feel like I know it's purpose but not quite how it works

It takes the memory and instead of drawing it and needing longer load times, basically has the memory on standby allowing for instant loads?

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If you're curious, here's a link to another post I made explaining SSDs: LINK

That was a fun thread.

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Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)



A lot of us pirate Windows around here because it's Sooo easy. Likewise, you can pirate Win 8.1. I like 8.1 just fine. I just installed classic shell and always boot to desktop.

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final part coming in today...going to start assembling hopefully tonight

as far as OS goes, do you suggest win 7 or should i find the 8.1 on that site? also, I assume using a VPN is smart when downloading from there?