# Custom Gaming Systems (Wow ) **URL:** \ **Category:** Marketplace\ **Created:** [December 9, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598 "2010-12-09T23:58:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/1 "2010-12-09T23:58:32Z")
Custom gaming systems for sale: Thermaltake Case VJ6000 Core i5-760 2.8Ghz Appropriate Asus or Gigabyte motherboard 4GB DDR3 Ram crucial or kingston Western Digital or Seagate 500GB Hard Drive Nvidia GTS450 1GB Video Card DVD-RW drive Media Card reader 750W Modular power supply Any variations or customizations are easily acheived this is just a sample. For you wow players we can preload with World of Warcraft and all updates if desired to save you a couple days of downloading $1,149 + shipping and applicable sales taxes if any Specced out the same system at Falcon NW and came up with $1194 plus minimum $121.36 in shipping. System is built from similar quality parts. My shipping rate will probably be more like $75-80, depending on distance per UPS. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/2 "2010-12-11T04:08:10Z")
Will you ship internationally or is this an US-only thing? šŸ™‚ (My girlfriend and me just bought WoW and are having fun, so we might need a separate gaming computer in a while.) Andy ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/3 "2010-12-11T04:44:23Z")
Hey **drachillix** , you run a computer store correct? Do you assemble motherboard combos (Motherboard, CPU, heatsink, RAM, flash the BIOS)? Do you do any testing on your computers? (i.e. Run Memtest 86 or something to make sure the RAM is good, etc) And last could you get whatever parts I might want? Iā€™m not actually looking for something at this moment, so no rush, but one of my first purchases when I graduate (in 189 days! Woot!) will be a new desktop computer. I actually enjoy putting together my own computer, but Iā€™ve always been hesitant to assemble a motherboard combo. I havenā€™t done one since the Athlon XP days many years ago, and the heatsinks have gotten a lot more complicated to attach then a simple flat head screwdriver. ETA: Oh, and as for shipping, where are you located so I have an idea of shipping costs? Your obviously not in my garage with my router (my 192.168.0.1 šŸ™‚ ) Also, do you offer any sort of warranty or is it just the manufactures warranty? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/4 "2010-12-11T05:17:19Z")
> [@Gukumatz](#): > > Will you ship internationally or is this an US-only thing? šŸ™‚ > > (My girlfriend and me just bought WoW and are having fun, so we might need a separate gaming computer in a while.) > > Andy I dont even want to know what it would cost to ship but I am willing to do so, just give me some time to research if we needed to do so. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/5 "2010-12-11T05:28:59Z")
> [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](#): > > Hey **drachillix** , you run a computer store correct? Do you assemble motherboard combos (Motherboard, CPU, heatsink, RAM, flash the BIOS)? Do you do any testing on your computers? (i.e. Run Memtest 86 or something to make sure the RAM is good, etc) And last could you get whatever parts I might want? > > ETA: Oh, and as for shipping, where are you located so I have an idea of shipping costs? Your obviously not in my garage with my router (my 192.168.0.1 šŸ™‚ ) Also, do you offer any sort of warranty or is it just the manufactures warranty? Depending on final weight (I am in Fresno, CA), UPS charges by how far east or west you go as well as weight. So you are probably in the $80-$100 for insured UPS ground on a full system like I quoted above. All of our systems are run for 24 hours on a stress tester once windows loadout is done. All systems carry a 1 year hardware warranty, if a part goes bad I will do my best to diagnose on the phone/remote with you and we can arrange for parts to be shipped out unless you wanna ship the whole thing back. All of our parts also still have the OEM warranties intact so if you wanted to for example you could ship a bad hard drive back to Western digital or seagate even beyond our 1 year, most of the parts individually have 3 year warranties with the manufacturer. Last, yes I can get just about any part you might want, I do have a preferred hardware vendor so I may not have a specific brand of GTS 450 Video card but most common ones I can or if you like I can offer brand options where available. You will probably be able to piece together systems from various vendors for less but getting a box you know worked when it left the store is nice. ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/6 "2010-12-11T05:55:11Z")
So do you do just motherboard combos even if I might not want a complete system? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/7 "2010-12-11T05:56:21Z")
> [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](#): > > So do you do just motherboard combos even if I might not want a complete system? I can yes. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/8 "2010-12-11T07:50:21Z")
That would be a nice repair job if something went wrong. A trip to Norway to fix a computer šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/9 "2010-12-11T08:33:03Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > That would be a nice repair job if something went wrong. A trip to Norway to fix a computer šŸ™‚ Yeeah I can see the IRS chalking that one up to ā€œgood customer serviceā€ with the 5 day layover in London šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/10 "2010-12-11T08:46:51Z")
then again it wouldnā€™t be my first international incidentā€¦ > **[Drachillix: International IT support provider](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=532036)** > > As many of you knowā€¦I own a PC Shop/onsite service in Central CA. Today I recieved a referral I almost could not believe. Customer has a friend in Thailand who is having problems getting reliable IT people to solve various issues on the windows... ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/11 "2010-12-11T21:45:38Z")
Quick hardware question about processors, if you donā€™t mind **drach** : What makes the i5/7 series of processors more powerful than an Intel dual core processor clocked at more GHz? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/12 "2010-12-11T23:11:11Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > Quick hardware question about processors, if you donā€™t mind **drach** : > > What makes the i5/7 series of processors more powerful than an Intel dual core processor clocked at more GHz? i5 = quadcore i7 = 8 core octocore ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/13 "2010-12-11T23:13:18Z")
I see. That was way more simple than I was expecting. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2011, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/14 "2011-01-06T05:16:23Z")
I would like you to recommend to me a MB CPU combination with this in mind: I run XP- PRO, never have trouble & I hear the W-7 has some bad updates and or I do not like the file set up but this is all hearsay. Convince me that the added $$$ for W-7 is worth it or since I do not do games but do a lot of picture editing and want to do more video, is the way to goā€¦ I want my Win machine in addition to my Ubuntu machine. I have ab AN-SLI Premium that is buggy but works great as my Ubuntu machine. Really slow to boot up. I am runing XP on a MSI P4M900m3. Works fine but will only allow 2 GIG RAM, I want 3 -4 GIG to max XP. ( 2X2 or 4X1 in 4 slots for best longevity?) Which is better? XP likes best? I have & use a lot of hard drives. I prefer 10K RPM but still have a lot of stuff on IDE drives. 6-8 SATA connects. 2 IDE connects. 1 ā€œAā€ drive connector Nice fast FSB. Will save 64 bit for the next oneā€¦ maybeā€¦ Good & fast but mostly bullet proof CPU. ( I am not brand loyal. ) I do not use cases, my parts are on boards on the wall. Cooling is not a problem LOL Is there a MB that will take my intel CPU and 1 GIG sticks (2) and I can add LAN, a nice video card ( You recommend me one ) Expansion slots for other stuff if I decide to. I have medium to slow DSL ( Live out in the woods ) but I like horse power in the house. May one day want to do Flight Simsā€¦ Would be the most ā€˜gameā€™ I would ever do. Mostly message boards & photos. I like small fast drives. I like to clone as back up, do not want a crash to take a lot with itā€¦ PM me your number & I can call you, I have lots of minutes. ( Iā€™m in Arkansas ) Or email [Dragon43@Gmail.com](mailto:Dragon43@Gmail.com) I can send you my disk of XP if you would want that to burn in with??? My machine is up to date, or can you use my ā€œCā€ drive ? I have it cloned regularly ā€¦ I swap back and forth. Lightning donā€™t get it if it is in a drawer. LOL So, recommendations and opinions & tentative pricing ??? Gus Slightly out of date but this is how I do it: [http://picasaweb.google.com/Dragon43/ComputersOnTheWall#](http://picasaweb.google.com/Dragon43/ComputersOnTheWall#) ---
**Author:** ![smoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smoke)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/15 "2011-01-06T16:21:40Z")
That is the craziest and coolest setup Iā€™ve ever seen. And yeah, thatā€™s some badass battery backup. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/16 "2011-01-06T16:31:41Z")
Yeah, everything runs pretty cool this wayā€¦ šŸ˜‰ he he he ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/17 "2011-01-06T22:55:07Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > i5 = quadcore > i7 = 8 core octocore This isnā€™t correct. The i7 and i5 (some models) have hyperthreading which allows each core to execute two threads at once, which can boost performance somewhat for certain types of actions, but it isnā€™t the equivelant of having double the amount of cores. Some models of the i5 have two cores like the core 2 duo, and some models of the i5 and all i7s have 4 cores, like a core 2 quad. Theyā€™re capable of performing more calculations per clock because of general advances in CPU design, a more efficient memory controller system, the aforementioned hyperthreading, and other evolutionary changes. So at the same clock, an i5 or i7 would be faster than its equivelant core 2 duo/quad. If the core 2 chip is clocked significantly faster, it may be better for most applications. But generally the stock speeds of both chips is in the same general window, so this wonā€™t happen unless youā€™re talking about a high end core 2 vs a low end i5/i7. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/18 "2011-01-07T00:37:16Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > This isnā€™t correct. The i7 and i5 (some models) have hyperthreading which allows each core to execute two threads at once, which can boost performance somewhat for certain types of actions, but it isnā€™t the equivelant of having double the amount of cores. Some models of the i5 have two cores like the core 2 duo, and some models of the i5 and all i7s have 4 cores, like a core 2 quad. I understand the difference, the multistreaming actually reads as a separate core on every machine I have built so far. So the i5/i7ā€™s we use look like and display on task manager as 4/8 processors. I know other patterns exist but we have tended to go with the beefier models since we mainly do custom work. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/19 "2011-01-07T00:40:49Z")
It will display that way, but it isnā€™t the primary reason i7 is faster than core 2 nor does it produce anywhere near the equivelant computing power that double the amount of actual physical cores will. It is a useful feature and does provide performance, but itā€™s not accurate to describe those processors as having 4/8 cores. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598/20 "2011-01-07T00:50:56Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > I would like you to recommend to me a MB CPU combination with this in mind: > > I run XP- PRO, never have trouble & I hear the W-7 has some bad updates and or I do not like the file set up but this is all hearsay. Convince me that the added $$$ for W-7 is worth it or since I do not do games but do a lot of picture editing and want to do more video, is the way to goā€¦ I want my Win machine in addition to my Ubuntu machine. As time passes you will see fewer and fewer boards and components with XP drivers, win7 will give you more lifespan that way. If you tend to game, XP does not support DirectX11 which a year or so is going to lock you out of the newer games I am runing XP on a MSI P4M900m3. Works fine but will only allow 2 GIG RAM, I want 3 -4 GIG to max XP. ( 2X2 or 4X1 in 4 slots for best longevity?) Which is better? XP likes best? Multiple smaller sticks is usualy the way to go for speed although large fast sticks can outrun them. > [@](#): > > I have & use a lot of hard drives. I prefer 10K RPM but still have a lot of stuff on IDE drives. > 6-8 SATA connects. > 2 IDE connects. > 1 ā€œAā€ drive connector > Nice fast FSB. The problem here is 2 IDE, very few present day boards have 2 PATA sockets so you are probably going to start needing a controller card to accomodate the extra IDE drives. > [@](#): > > Will save 64 bit for the next oneā€¦ maybeā€¦ if you go win7 its silly to do 32bit unless you have specific application needs for 32 bit. > [@](#): > > Is there a MB that will take my intel CPU and 1 GIG sticks (2) and I can add > LAN, > a nice video card ( You recommend me one ) LAN will be integrated on most boards, what model is your CPU as some boards have problem with the 65nm vs 45nm chips. I assume from the p4m board it is a socket 775. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custom-gaming-systems-wow/563598.md?page=2)