Looking for advice on building my own gaming BEAST!
Discussion in "General Gaming" started by racquelcreces , April 2012
Views: 91
Discussion in "General Gaming" started by racquelcreces , April 2012
Comments: 18
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Alright, so as I am a broke university student, I have made a few decisions and I am moving back home to work full time so I will be able to afford to build a gaming computer! =O
What I am looking for is some basic hardware that would be good to have in a gaming computer but still relatively affordable for me. I would get a laptop, but you can get so much more out of a desktop, so I was going to go the desktop route and just stick with my netbook for being mobile.
I am not sure of a range. I wouldn't go any higher than $1,000 CAD. I hope that's a decent budget! My preferred range would be like $700.00 but I realize how expensive these things can get. Anyway, please give me some suggestions or websites to look at. It'd be greatly appreciated =D I have looked at sites like Newegg and TigerDirect and all of that, but there has to be more out there!
Let me know =D
Ninja Edit: Yes, I WILL be building this myself since I am a nerd... -
https://www.gamingpc.ca/best-desktops/
you're welcome
If you buy me the Beast I will love you forever :p -
Building cheap desktops is an artform...
theres a lot of factors though and you really have to decide what is important to you, where you are willing to trade off on, and what you plan to be doing with it. Here are some other things you might want to consider:
Do you want a nice case? (I like cheap light ones personally)
How much processing power do you need? (gaming doesn't utilize a ton of CPU power, but if you are doing something like video encoding then its going to be a big deal)
What graphics capabilities do you want (this article is a great place to start. In general, Tom's Hardware is like the Consumer Reports of PC Hardware, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html )
Mobo: just read this article honestly, it should give you an idea of what you want in that category ( http://www.howtogeek.com/62588/how-to-pick-the-right-motherboard-for-your-custom-built-pc/ )
RAM: Depending on what your doing, I would figure you are in for about 4 gigs. Whether or not you want DDR3 (maybe) dual channel (almost certainly) and the frequency is up to you though... kinda. If you go low, its pretty easy to tell if you need more, and you can always get more. I honestly currently run on 2 right now without too terrible a time.
Manufacturers of all these parts are wide and diverse, and honestly who I go with often depends on what is on sale when I start looking for parts. If you want to hear though, my loyalties are:
CPU - Intel
Mobo - ASUS or ASrock
GPU - recently switched to Radeon
Memory - Crucial or Gskill
Case - none
and as a general rule, if you are buying from amazon check the product on
http://camelcamelcamel.com/
for newegg
http://camelegg.com/
Let me/us know whats up! -
Awesome. When you do build this, you should make a build thread. I always enjoy those, and seeing what peps come up with. I build between 2 and 3 systems a month, generally for friends of people who I've already built systems for. It's beyond addicting, due to the vast amount of variations you can seriously do. Every build is unique.
I would strongly recommend going with an AMD build, verse Intel. You'll get the best bang for your buck, yet still have top of the line. Either go with a higher end Phenom II X4, or I'd just opt for the eight cores. If you can pull it off, go with a 7000 series gpu, and if it doesn't fit well in the budget, drop down to a higher end 6000 series. RAM, well that is just beyond dirt cheap. Just go for 8GB, it's seriously like $40ish.
As for somewhere to look for parts, I would probably recommend Newegg Canada. I support them, as they have some of the best support around. If you happen to have any problems with hardware with your new build, they are beyond amazing. I have also heard from others about ncix. Tigerdirect is OK, however most of their discounts generally involve a mail in rebate, which is far annoying. I avoid anything that says rebate.. unless it's an instant one.
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I've been building my PC's since I was 16 and I just built my most recent one last night. I'm a big fan of Newegg. As bloodbath said, I also recommend AMD. I've had AMD processors in every one of my builds and they've always performed well (and they're considerably less than Intel's). I bought everything except for a video card in this recent build and I spent $705. I did pay a little extra for a solid state harddrive, so you could probably save some there. I'd say about $800 could get you a pretty solid gaming PC. -
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I don't need that word, I do what I want. shut up. -
Kyle Barber said:I also recommend AMD. I've had AMD processors in every one of my builds..
That's what I like to hear. lol. I used to be with Intel back during duo and I used their very first quad core. However since then, I just stick with AMD. The price is so reasonable it's nothing to upgrade to the next best thing.
Kyle Barber said:....I'd say about $800 could get you a pretty solid gaming PC.
Yup I definitely agree with this. It could even be knocked down lower if need be., but since you have a $700 to 1000 budget - no worries there. Ever need help choosing parts or whatever, I'm like 13 clicks away. -
yea its worth noting I haven't built a complete new computer since my Core 2 duo, and AMD may have taken over the market for cost effectiveness at the lower mid range. That being said though, I can still run pretty solid with an dual core a 3Ghz, and so I am absolutely not a believer in the 8core options unless your doing video encoding or something.
Also a couple months ago I got a 6870 for $70 (amazon) and it does a pretty legit job of things (see other tom's hardware posts for comparisons). Call me a cheapskate, but I honestly don't think its worth spending more than about 700 on a computer unless you plan on upgrading on a regular basis. As a poor college student though... to heck with that man, this dual core was like 110 when I got it, and it still does its job -
You can get a good processor pretty cheaply.
For example, this 3.4Ghz Quad-Core AMD is a pretty good deal for ~$125:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
Another thing to be aware of with Newegg is that you can usually get their processor's OEM (no heatsink/fan included), which takes like $20-$30 off the price. Of course, you still need a heatsink, (I recommend the COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO, which is $35). I don't recommend using the stock heatsink, so why pay for what you won't use?
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Wow, look at all of the advice. This is awesome. Thanks guys =D
I think what would be the most important to me is how smoothly things run. Graphics are up there as well, but it isn't as important as how smoothly things run for me.
My SO actually brought up the fact he has a desktop that he previously had built until he got a new one. I'll give you guys the specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo e6750
8GB of DDR2 800mhz OCZ memory
1 EVGA GeForce 285gtx video card
Motherboard is socket LGA775
His brother also has a Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor Q6600 (8M Cache, 2.40 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB) as well that we can replace the current processor with.
What would you personally upgrade or keep?
What I mainly wanted to do on this was obviously school work, video editing, photo editing and play some PC games (Skyrim, Dark Souls, WoW) on it as well preferably with at least the medium to high settings, not the low ones that I had on my previous laptop, haha.
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I'm not sure how well that would do the things you'd like to do. It's certainly a capable PC, but it's no beast. If you want a PC that will run everything smoothly for years, I would just build new. I think the only part you listed from above that could be reused is the graphic card. Since I think the processors are pretty weak, the rest isn't really compatible with other upgrades. That motherboard is the wrong socket type for anything new. The memory could possibly be re-used, but I would suggest upgrading it to DDR3, especially since memory is so cheap (8GB for ~$40). -
My suggestions:
Motherboard: (~$110) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519
CPU: (~$125) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
Memory: (~$60) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231468
Case: (~$60) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
Then just pick a HDD (around $100), combo CD/DVD drive ($25), then use your current video card (free).
I think I remembered everything...
Pretty solid PC for $500. -
Thanks =)
I would say that's a definite good price for a desktop. I won't complain, haha. -
Racquel Creces said:My SO actually brought up the fact he has a desktop that he previously had built until he got a new one. I'll give you guys the specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo e6750
8GB of DDR2 800mhz OCZ memory
1 EVGA GeForce 285gtx video card
Motherboard is socket LGA775
His brother also has a Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor Q6600 (8M Cache, 2.40 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB) as well that we can replace the current processor with.
What would you personally upgrade or keep?
Honestly, I would not go with the Q6600. It would definitely be better then the duo if you had to choose only between the two. I've owned the Q6600. This was actually the last Intel processor I owned. It was having problems keeping up with newer titles. If I remember correctly, I had to upgrade because Bad Company 2 was not liking it. I don't think it could keep up with Skyrim. I upgraded to the Phenom II X4 3.4Ghz, and that one is still running strong to this day. Now the Q6600 can be overclocked quite far, if you want to juice it, and with a good heatsink.
On that build, I would ditch the CPU and go with a better one, and go with a newer GPU. That one has lower effective memory clock, stream processors, and I don't believe it supports DX11. However like Kyle said, changing the CPU would lead to a mobo change if you went with anything newer, due to the socket. Which I agree the same, mine as well upgrade the RAM. In the end, your building a new rig. -
Here's a build I just worked up. This is something I'd build.
Thermaltake V4 Black Gaming Mid Tower ( $49.99 ) ( LINK )
AMD Phenom II X4 3.4GHz AM3 125W Black Edition ( $119.99 ) ( LINK )
ZALMAN CPU Cooler ( $44.99 ) ( LINK )
GSKILL Ripjaw 8GB 2x 4GB DDR3 1600MHz ( $49.99 ) ( LINK )
MSI 970A-G46 AM3+ Motherboard ( $85.99 ) ( LINK )
RAIDMAX Hybrid 2 730W Modular PSU ( $69.99 ) ( LINK )
Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB 64MB Cache SATA ( $94.99 ) ( LINK )
LG DVD Burner Black SATA ( $16.99 ) ( LINK )
XFX HD Radeon 6850 1GB 256-Bit GDDR5 ( $164.99 ) ( LINK )
Extra 120MM Fans x2 ( $15.00 )TOTAL: $712.91
Optional upgrades to bump the status of this beast to the next level.
AMD FX-8120 3.1GHz AM3+ 125W Eight Cores ( $199.99 ) ( LINK )
MSI 6870 Radeon HD 1GB 256-Bit GDDR5 ( $214.99 ) ( LINK )
Antec Gamer Series 750W PSU ( $109.99 ) ( LINK )
GSKILL Ripjaw Series 16GB 4x 4GB DDR3 1600MHz ( $89.99 ) ( LINK )TOTAL with Upgrades: $922.91
Obviously, with the case for example. You choose something you want. I've used the Thermaltake V4 on multiple builds. It's easy to work with, great cord management, and excellent air flow. I use the Dark Fleet DF-30 and it has amazing air flow as well. So that and the DF-85 are excellent choices for a higher price tag. Also the price of course would be higher due to shipping, and tax up there?
Also instead of going with the upgrades for instance, you could use that money to buy a nice LED monitor unless you already have a good one. -
I tried a SSD HDD in this recent build and I highly recommend getting one to use for the primary OS HDD. I never realized how much of a bottleneck a HDD could be until I got this SSD.
bloodbath: would you rather have more cores, or a higher clockspeed in a CPU? I was torn between the 3.1Ghz Eight Core and the 3.7Ghz Quad-Core and ultimately decided that the higher clockspeed would be better than the number of cores. -
That's one thing I still need to do, is go with a SSD. Been procrastinating.
Normally I would opt for the higher clock, less cores. Such as when I purchased the 3.4GHz Quad, they had just come out with the six cores. When I purchased the Quad the Six-Core was only about $30ish more, however was only 2.8GHz if I remember. So I choose the higher clock. However if I had to choose now, between a high clocked Quad-Core and a Eight-Core at 3.1Ghz, I'd go for the Eight-Core. Such as the 3.7 you mention, it has 14.8GHz of processing power. The 3.1 has 24.8GHz of power. That's a lot of spare CPU to be used.
For gaming today, a high Quad-Core still dominates though, so an Eight-Core is just overkill to a gamer. If someone asks me to build a PC for gaming today, it would be a high clocked CPU like the one you got, unless otherwise asked. However she did mention video editing, etc, which the more cores would help. I do a lot of 3D work in Maya, and other design programs, and the extra cores would be welcomed with open arms. =P
