Manwich's new computer

Ok, so my aspiring computer build is slowly coming to fruition, and in the next 2 months or so I should have it ready to go. All the parts seem to be in order (on Chris's advice, which I trust wholeheartedly) but I've run into a problem. Windows 7, the operating system. Now Chris told me that he has been using a pirated version for a while now, and that it has offered no problems, but after researching a little and reading a few articles I've become a little hesitant to use a cracked version.
Apparently there are some security issues and windows update problems that come along with a cracked version of windows, and would there be any problems with programs like McAfee (a security program) being used with a cracked version?
So now my problem is, pay the extra $250 for a legit Windows 7, or get a cracked version?
Thoughts??

I don't really use any anti-virus programs.. and haven't for at least 3 years.

As long as you're not downloading from any shady sources, you'll be fine.

I literally have not ran into any windows related problems.

There's always a lot of hype about not being able to download Windows updates either?

I've updated every time without hassle.

Well I have no problem at all with not paying a multi-billion dollar corporation $300, so I guess I'll give it a go.

I didn't really want to start a new thread, so this seems like the best place to put this. I'm actually going to get a new graphics card now too, which is going to bump up the overall price to around $850.
Now I was looking at
http://www.megabuy.com.au/gigabyte-nvidia-gtx550ti-oc-pci-e-1gb-192-bit-ddr5-core-1940mhz4200mhz-p255183.html or
http://www.megabuy.com.au/gigabyte-radeon-hd6870-915mhz-1gb-gddr5-pcie21-2xdvi-hdcp-hdmi-dx11-p224552.html
which I think seems like decent cards, but I just wanted to see what cards Chris and/or others would suggest. I'd rather not go over 250 dollars, as well.

The gtx 550 lti is actually a really good card... I would get that if I were you... I also am gradually buying all the components to build my first built pc and I did choose the 550ti first but I was like "what the hell" an switched it up for the gtx 570.

i'd stick with nvidia cards since they have the better directx11 tesselation

Alright, I guess the 550 ti it is. Although I've heard that it isn't an amazing card.

http://www.overclock.net/amd-ati/1074169-ati-radeon-hd-6870-vs-nvidia.html

try pushing it up a bit... stretching that much more to get a 560ti or even a 570 is certainly worth it. I mean you said max of about 250$ and the 550ti is only 150$ im sure you can find maybe even the 570 for around the 250-280 mark... im not sure in dollars but the 570 imma get is £280, so do some searchin might find ya self a nice deal

Manwich wrote:
http://www.overclock.net/amd-ati/1074169-ati-radeon-hd-6870-vs-nvidia.html

0_0

I see what you're saying lboy, and it sounds like a good idea. On that note, seeing as I'm not very graphics card savvy, what does all this jazz here mean?
http://www.megabuy.com.au/msi-n560gtx-ti-twin-frozr-ii-oc-geforce-gtx560-ti-1gb-256bit-gddr5-2x-dvi-mini-hdmi-oc-p257217.html
I understand that it is the Nvidia GTX 560 ti, but what is 'twin frozr II' etc etc?

It's to do with the cards cooling system, and also because the card you have chosen is an overclocked version twin frozer will help it Keep cooler.

http://hothardware.com/m/News/MSI-Details-Its-Twin-Frozr-Cooling-System/Default.aspx


Also just a tip: try looking at evga's 560 ti because they haved used the nvidia referenced design where no hot air is pushed into your case, instead it all goes out the back of the case.

The evga version that looks like this:


Edit: I looked on Mega buy and they have three versions of the card and the cheapest is $278. 0_0

Yeah, you can't actually get it for much less than $278 really, the least I've seen it for is that (in Australia)

Ok I think I've got this all sorted out now...:
Mobo
http://www.megabuy.com.au/msi-z68-4ddr3-1333-gblan-2pcie16-sata3-usb3-matx-hdmi-dvi-p272870.html
Case
http://www.megabuy.com.au/coolermaster-cooler-master-elite-330u-wo-psu-hd-aud-p280648.html
Power Supply
http://www.megabuy.com.au/corsair-750w-corsair-tx-750v2-atx-power-supply-80-plus-bronze-certified-4x-pci-e-8x-sata-8x-p261006.html
RAM
http://www.megabuy.com.au/corsair-vengeance-2x4gb-ddr3-1600mhz-cl9-dimm-kit-ram-p255376.html
Processor
http://www.megabuy.com.au/intel-core-i5-2400-310ghz-6mb-cache-p221076.html
CD/DVD drive
www.megabuy.com.au/lite-on-retailblack18xdvd48xcdromall-mediano-softwaresata-p149360.html
HDD
www.megabuy.com.au/seagate-barracuda-500gb-7200rpm-sataiii-6gbs-35-16mb-p275132.html
Graphics Card
http://www.megabuy.com.au/msi-n560gtx-ti-twin-frozr-ii-oc-geforce-gtx560-ti-1gb-256bit-gddr5-2x-dvi-mini-hdmi-oc-p257217.html

All up, a grand total of $966.89, quite a bit more than I had hoped for, but I doubt I could get it much cheaper here in Australia.
EDIT: Also, is this micro-atx case big enough for all this junk?
EDITEDIT: Changed case to micro-atx/atx case.
EDITEDITEDIT: Changed mobo
EDITEDITEDITEDIT: Had to change HDD, but is basically the same

Everything should fit well just check the length of the graphics card and how much space the case gives . Also make sure you've got good air flow especially with that gpu as you wouldn't want to fry your processor.

ooh errm and on the msi website your mobo isnt compatible with the Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz RAM you've chosen the max you can run is 1333mhz i dunno if this'll be a problem... maybe you've already discussed this with Chris?

i haven't checked that yet, but if I'm reading that listing correctly, that's a micro atx case (m-atx), try to find a case that is just "atx". More room in the case opens up more room for airflow

Ok, I can get an atx case easily, but will the mobo be a problem?
EDIT: Is ATX/Micro ATX good enough?

Atx/micro atx will do perfect... means its got the space of a ATX plus you can put the m-atx mobo in

Rightyo, then this
http://www.megabuy.com.au/coolermaster-cooler-master-elite-330u-wo-psu-hd-aud-p280648.html
should be better.

wooooow what a coincidence.... i'm subbed to these guys as they do regular PC Component reviews etc and they literally just uploaded this, so yea help you understand a bit more about the GPU youre getting and what it comes with etc.

Ooh good one lboy, that is very helpful - thanks

Hmm, I have another question for all you smart people.
Do I need a heatsink for my processor, or is it part of the buy, or do I not need one?
Thanks!