UPDATE: Building a Computer! (New Laptop)

[mark]

@Solar thanks so much! I need your opinion on something, should i stick to windows 7 or upgrade to 8? I like winows 7 interface more but windows 8 is the most updated, what do u think?[DOUBLEPOST=1406428992][/DOUBLEPOST]Also! Fortunately, @savvy.max was very generous to offer me a Multiple Activation Volume License Key for Windows 7 Professional!! Thank you again @savvy.max just one question, can I build it myself at home or does it need to be activated in a certain store?

 

[Mike]

@Solar thanks so much! I need your opinion on something, should i stick to windows 7 or upgrade to 8? I like winows 7 interface more but windows 8 is the most updated, what do u think?[DOUBLEPOST=1406428992][/DOUBLEPOST]Also! Fortunately, @savvy.max was very generous to offer me a Multiple Activation Volume License Key for Windows 7 Professional!! Thank you again @savvy.max just one question, can I build it myself at home or does it need to be activated in a certain store?

Well in Windows 8 you don't have to use the metro interface (new interface) if you don't want to. You can have the computer boot to the desktop so it is similar to Windows 7. One annoying issue might be is that there is no start menu. So if you would still like the start menu and no metro, then I would recommend a copy of Windows 7. The answer for the Windows activation is that you just need an install disc when installing the copy of Windows and you input your activation key when you are installing it on your computer. It does not need to be activated in a store.

 

[savvy.max]

Activation is through Windows it just needs a certain ISO image I'll link you via PM

 

[mark]

UPDATE: Since I will be using (thank you again savvy.max) his key for Windows 8 I saved myself a good amount of money ! Can you please look at this and see if anything is too much or too little, I need to lower the price x_x

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/iamMark/saved/#savedbuild_1310120
or
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/iamMark/saved/GTLwrH

tagging peoplez bc i rly need help, is there something I'm missing besides the Operating System?
@Mike (annoying you a tad bit LOL)
@savvy.max (same with u x_x)
@Solar (hehe)
@Bird (my gut thinks u know a lot about this stuff) ;-;

 

[Mike]

UPDATE: Since I will be using (thank you again savvy.max) his key for Windows 8 I saved myself a good amount of money ! Can you please look at this and see if anything is too much or too little, I need to lower the price x_x

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/iamMark/saved/#savedbuild_1310120
or
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/iamMark/saved/GTLwrH

The only thing that I see that you may want to downgrade is the processor. I don't think you're going to play games like Crysis and Far Cry so you're most likely not going to need that. If you still want a quad core processor for a cheap price, I would recommend changing it to the AMD FX-4200 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor. It's $71.94 (including shipping) instead of $101.98 for the AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor. I would keep the graphics card because it's a good deal for the price.

 

[mark]

The only thing that I see that you may want to downgrade is the processor. I don't think you're going to play games like Crysis and Far Cry so you're most likely not going to need that. If you still want a quad core processor for a cheap price, I would recommend changing it to the AMD FX-4200 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor. It's $71.94 (including shipping) instead of $101.98 for the AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor. I would keep the graphics card because it's a good deal for the price.

tank u

 

[savvy.max]

Overall I think the only other thing that should be changed is instead of the 320gb hard drive you should instead opt for an inexpensive 120gb SSD drive. A physical hard drive is the slowest thing in a computer and the SSD really will increase your performance.

As far as security is concerned Windows 7 and Windows 8 are identical and since someone is supplying Windows 7 I would suggest you go that route.

 

[Smee]

Overall I think the only other thing that should be changed is instead of the 320gb hard drive you should instead opt for an inexpensive 120gb SSD drive. A physical hard drive is the slowest thing in a computer and the SSD really will increase your performance.

Or be smart and get a SSD to run Windows and other important things on and have an HDD for your games or whatever. I have a 1TB hard drive and a 120gb SSD and performance is great on an overclocked i5

 

[savvy.max]

@Smee absolutely agree! He can get the 2TB or 3TB drive sometime later.

 

[mark]

hello i do not know what is an ssd but i still am indecisive
i changed my part list a bit too much and yeah should i change anything can someone tell me where the ssd is and recommend me one? http://pcpartpicker.com/user/iamMark/saved/PQkgXL

hopefully the price doesnt go over 500 o:

 

[Solar]

hello i do not know what is an ssd but i still am indecisive
i changed my part list a bit too much and yeah should i change anything can someone tell me where the ssd is and recommend me one? http://pcpartpicker.com/user/iamMark/saved/PQkgXL

hopefully the price doesnt go over 500 o:

It would go over 500... SSDs (Solid State Drive) are generally pretty expensive. If you have the money they can be crucial for your build, though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0AJ13H4356 This is the one I use currently.

 

[Smee]

@Smee absolutely agree! He can get the 2TB or 3TB drive sometime later.

Talk about so much storage haha. If I ever run out of my 1TB I'd probably just buy external hard drives or decide to take advantage of my motherboard and add a 3TB..time will tell. I love custom built computers.

SSDs are just better because they have higher read and write speeds. Meaning if you have windows on a ssd it loads in like 7 seconds.. Breathtaking. If it's out of your budget you can always find one later as they have them for sale.

 

[savvy.max]

Well the cost difference between a 1TB and a 2/3TB drive is like 20$. I am a data junkie with 12.3TB sooo maybe I am a bit obsessed.

As Smee said it will be crazy awesome. The lack of moving parts in a SSD helps loads.

 

[Smee]

Well the cost difference between a 1TB and a 2/3TB drive is like 20$. I am a data junkie with 12.3TB sooo maybe I am a bit obsessed.

Western Digitals are quite cheap.. not sure I'm the type of guy that downloads games and if I get bored quickly uninstall. However SSD to HDD is a huge price difference haha..

 

[MrTike]

Crucial M500 ssds are the way to go. OCZ/Samsung/ are overpriced for the minimal write speed increase. The M500 will actually beat OCZ in read speeds for nearly half the price...
120gb M500 - $72.00
240gb M500 - $109.00 (this is what I run, never had a single issue)
Personally, I would make the switch to Intel with that set up, or upgrade your GPU on the current AMD build. You'll be happier when you can get higher fps. Save up a little more and get the performance you truly want and not be disappointed in the end.

 

[mark]

Can i ask where do i find the ssd . Is it the cpu memory motherboard?! d:

 

[MrTike]

On pcpartpicker it'll be under storage (Solid State Drive instead of Hard Disk Drive). I bought mine off Amazon, but I believe pcpartpicker uses amazon, newegg, tiger direct, and others for its search so it should show up on their site.

 

[mark]

On pcpartpicker it'll be under storage (Solid State Drive instead of Hard Disk Drive). I bought mine off Amazon, but I believe pcpartpicker uses amazon, newegg, tiger direct, and others for its search so it should show up on their site.

Okay thank you! So im sorry guys but i still dont understand, im only going to have the certain amount of gb the ssd gives me. For example,

120gb SSD blah blah words for $140

Im going to get only 120gb if i dont buy an extra storage piece?

 

[savvy.max]

yes the storage space on a SSD is less but it's MUCH faster. I would suggest you find a 120GB for around 80$

 

[Mike]

In addition to the SSD, I would see if you could possibly get a HDD to store other files since 120GB is not much. You'll want the SSD because it's a lot faster than a HDD (said previously) and it'll be good for playing games.