Computer Build Resource Thread - Page 1142

Hi TL,

I just graduated from college and got a job so i figure its time to take make the upgrade from my mac book pro and build a real gaming computer. I'm looking for a good gaming computer that is going to be able to play SC with high quality graphics (either high or ultra), as well as being able to be powerful enough other games with high graphics and a high FPS. I'm also an editor, so having a powerful computer that would be able to run avid/final cut would be something that would be awesome, but if that causes a big price increase that its not something necessary by any means. Here are the questions that i answered for the build:

Budget:
$1500

Resolution:
1920x1080 (I can connect with either HDMI or Display Port)

What are you using it for:
This is mainly going to be a gaming computer that i'd like to be able to handle high quality graphics with a strong FPS. However, i'm also an editor so a powerful computer that could render, compress, and edit videos easily would be something i am interested in, but not if its going to cause the build to go over budget. Also, a BLU-Ray drive (to play not write) would be something i want if i don't have to sacrifice performance and it will stay within my budget.

What is your upgrade cycle?
I'd like to have a longer upgrade cycle (2+ years), but if the difference in performance is significant one way or the other, i'd prefer the more powerful computer

When do you plan on building it?
As soon as possible, i plan to start ordering parts once i have locked down a build.

Do you plan on overclocking?
No, i don't plan on overclocking

Do you need an OS?
No, i already have Windows 7

Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?
I'm not familiar with either, so right now i dont plan on using them. However, if it gives a significant performance upgrade and is easy enough to figure out then i would be receptive to the idea.

Where are you buying your parts from?
I planned on ordering the parts from an online retailer (probably newegg). I live in Massachusetts, so if there is a well known parts store in the area that can give a good deal that someone knows about i am also open to that.

Thanks a lot for your help guys!

Hi! I would love to get a list of stuff as well as questions about the computer I'm going to buy. I'm going to use the template in the OP. Please ask questions and question my thoughts. I built my old computer and used to be up-to-date back then. I've been stuck with laptops since then and is clueless when it comes to stationary computers.

Thank you!

What is your budget?

Between 1500 and 2000 dollars, 1200-1600 euros, and for my fellow swedes, 10000-14000 SEK.
I'm aiming for something in the middle of those numbers but to be honest, the cheaper the better. The most value out of the money between those numbers is maybe the best way to put it.

What is your resolution?

Dont know, will update asap!

What are you using it for?

Gaming and obvious stuff like writing papers. I would love to be able to play the newest games on as high graphics as possible, but my main game is DOTA2 which obviously isn't as demanding. Being able to stream Dota2 might also be interesting but is not something I've thought about since my current computer couldn't handle it.

What is your upgrade cycle?

I would love to be one of those guys who continuesly upgrades his computer in a smart way. Maybe I will after the huge research I will put down for this buy. However, so far in my life, I've only bought complete new PCs once every 3 years or so.

When do you plan on building it?

As soon as possible. I would buy the parts tomorrow if I was happy with them.

Do you plan on overclocking?

Maybe, but don't put any extra coolingstuff in it. I might overclock it, but as you can tell, I'm not too much into hardware.

Do you need an Operating System?

Yes.

Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?

Yes, it would be nifty to in the future have an easy upgrade of the computer by just putting in an extra graphic card.

Where are you buying your parts from?

Whereever it's cheapest. Example of swedish sites is "komplett.se", "inet.se", "webhallen.se". But put it together from anywhere and I'll look for whereever I can find that part the cheapest myself!


Thanks alot guys!
<3

Ok, finally ready to get a decent build together as playing sc2 on my xps laptop works, but is not ideal.

So, without further ado, here are my list of requests (thanks in advance for all the help you give to people)

What is your budget?

Around 1000-1500, It is not firm at all though- I have plenty in the bank if needed if it was worth the increase in price- but I think this will likely be the range I am looking at for what I want the build to do. (I do need a monitor and a OS with this build)

What is your resolution?

I need a monitor- but I am assuming it will end up 1980x1020

What are you using it for?

Gaming- SC2 mostly, Photoshop, that will be about the most demanding I will be using it for. I am sure I will pick up some other games as well- but I game a lot less than I used too (still have most of skirm to go through)

What is your upgrade cycle?

Long- I am lazy and do not push things to their limit- and currently play SC2 on lowest settings to not overtax my laptop. I would say 5ish years

When do you plan on building it?

As soon as I have the parts.

Do you plan on overclocking?

Nope- I am not that smart

Do you need an Operating System?

Yes.

Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?

Dont think I will need to

Where are you buying your parts from?

Anywhere I can- unfortunately no fry's around me, so will be using the world wide web for most of it.


As I said I do need a monitor- but I have a power supply (Antec 400w 80 bronze unit- So I hope that will work)

Again, thanks for your time

Matt

Komplett was easier to navigate, so I just looked there.

CPU - this really depends on whether you want the option to overclock in the future or not and if you want to spend money on streaming. An i7 is better for streaming (though an i5 should stream DOTA2 fine unless you want super-duper high quality), but not better for gaming or casual use and probably not worth the money. The options:
i5-3450 (only moderate interest in streaming, no desire to overclock later - 1648 SEK)
i5-3570k (moderate interest in streaming, potential to overclock later - recommended - 1985 SEK)
http%3A%2F%2Fwww.komplett.se%2Fk%2Fk.aspx&act=url
i7-3770 (very high interest in streaming, no desire to overclock later - 2629 SEK)
i7-3770k (very high interest in streaming, potential to overclock later - 2875 SEK)

Motherboard: MSI z77-g43 (948)
http%3A%2F%2Fwww.komplett.se%2Fk%2Fk.aspx&act=url

CPU Cooler: Intel Stock Heatsink that comes with the processor, though I recommend the HR-02 Macho if you decide to overclock later or are super into quiet computing.

GPU: EVGA 670 (3699)
http://www.komplett.se/k/ki.aspx?sku=751465&usg=ALkJrhinru_g7E2IDymQjgzNgubVIQnGbQ
This is the "newest games on as high graphics as possible" part. If your monitor's resolution is under 1920x1080, this will be massive overkill regardless of the game, but will be ready to go for future monitor upgrades.

RAM: 2x4gb 1600mhz (475)
http://www.komplett.se/k/ki.aspx?sku=744179&usg=ALkJrhjWIJ_BEsFTJ5Fc_AMNIC5SyRDv4w

Case: Fractal Design R3 (899)
http://www.komplett.se/k/ki.aspx?sku=648535&usg=ALkJrhgphzC452jFcjHDzM1NE2uxxvKzHg
Case is largely a matter of aesthetic practice. This is pretty good case, and built to be relatively quiet. Comes in a few other colors.

HDD: Caviar Blue 500gb (616)
http://www.komplett.se/k/ki.aspx?sku=620189&usg=ALkJrhic1y4bd9dgbdrp8-qSf7kI-BBcCA
If you want more storage, it's not so expensive. You can get 2TB for about 1000-1100 SEK for instance.

SSD: Crucial m4 128gb (995)
http://www.komplett.se/k/ki.aspx?sku=630675&usg=ALkJrhg82kaxSNHMdxXxcH_hQATusLQy-A
Anything you fit on the SSD will load zoom-zoom fast. There are other good models, like the Samsung 830 for about 100 SEK more, but Crucial is both cheaper and reliable.

DVD-burner (195)
http://www.komplett.se/k/ki.aspx?sku=645800&usg=ALkJrhhj3fpUCRwTCDEG3FPYVGptfxjN_g

PSU: XFX Core 550w (545)
http%3A%2F%2Fwww.komplett.se%2Fk%2Fk.aspx&act=url
The 450w version would be enough, but this is 10 SEK more and comes with 2 graphics card adapters, so you won't have to use an adapter for cards that take 2 power inputs.

OS: Windows Home Premium 64-bit OEM. (885)
http%3A%2F%2Fwww.komplett.se%2Fk%2Fk.aspx&act=url
The 'OEM' part means it's a non-transferrable license should you get a new computer. The non-OEM version just makes it legal to use the same copy for your next computer, though it's only a little under double the price.

Total: ~11242 SEK, not including shipping and I dunno on taxes. As for modifying the build... there's not really any great way to buy better, more expensive, components unless you want to plan on doubling graphics cards latter (not recommended for single-screen gaming), want to get an i7, want a bigger HDD, or want to add the HR-02 Macho for overclocking. Spend any additional monies on peripherals, saving for a kick-ass monitor, or good games, in my opinion.

There are several options for reducing the cost, including dropping the SSD, going with a processor/mobo that isn't the best but still pretty darn good for games (though not streaming) - meaning an i3 cpu/h61 mobo, or getting a lesser graphics card. Something like a 6870 would still max games like DOTA 2 and allow medium-high graphics for other games, and it would be a few thousand SEK less.

But the above is what I'd go with, given what you told me in the questions.