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Computer Build Resource Thread - Page 188

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When using this resource, please read FragKrag's opening post. The Tech Support forum regulars have helped create countless of desktop systems without any compensation. The least you can do is provide all of the information required for them to help you properly.
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
March 23 2011 00:08 GMT
#3741
@sykur

You want a core i5 2300, 2400, or 2500 since they are the same price as the core i5 760 and are better in every aspect, here is one of many reviews showing the enormous performance difference: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/20

Getting one of the above processors would also require you get an H67 motherboard (P67 if you want to overclock).

There are many variants of the GTX 460 (768mb, SE, 1GB) so which one are you considering? You may want to look into getting a Radeon 6850 as these have similar performance as the GTX 460 1GB variant and re generally less expensive. Don't get the SE (second edition / shit edition).

20" screens only have a 1680x1050 resolution so if SC2 is your primary concern, a GTX 460 768mb or 6850 would be fine.

You didn't list a power supply, you want a ~500W power supply.
sykur
Profile Joined June 2010
Iceland21 Posts
March 23 2011 00:31 GMT
#3742
+ Show Spoiler +
On March 23 2011 09:08 skyR wrote:
@sykur

You want a core i5 2300, 2400, or 2500 since they are the same price as the core i5 760 and are better in every aspect, here is one of many reviews showing the enormous performance difference: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/20

Getting one of the above processors would also require you get an H67 motherboard (P67 if you want to overclock).

There are many variants of the GTX 460 (768mb, SE, 1GB) so which one are you considering? You may want to look into getting a Radeon 6850 as these have similar performance as the GTX 460 1GB variant and re generally less expensive. Don't get the SE (second edition / shit edition).

20" screens only have a 1680x1050 resolution so if SC2 is your primary concern, a GTX 460 768mb or 6850 would be fine.

You didn't list a power supply, you want a ~500W power supply.



Thanks for a quick response. I fixed the missing information in my previous post.

I want a GTX 460 1GB. I think I won't replace that because the store that is selling me that is giving me a huge discount. So it probably will be cheaper.

Power supply is 450W and is in the case.

About the Intel core i5 2500 does that mean I have to replace the motherboard and memory?
ha?
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
March 23 2011 00:36 GMT
#3743
The core i5 2500 requires an H67 or P67 motherboard. It uses DDR3 memory so you don't have to change the memory at all, just the motherboard.

Power supplies that come with cases are generally never good so you may want to look into getting the case and power supply separately.
kingJY
Profile Joined January 2011
United States39 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-23 00:51:13
March 23 2011 00:50 GMT
#3744
On March 22 2011 05:42 Myrmidon wrote:
Those cases are missing fans, by the way. On that budget, I'd consider going caseless if that is possible. You can just lay everything out, and it will work.

Is there a cheaper Athlon II X2 or Athlon II X3 with a motherboard? That Phenom II X4 840 is really just an Athlon II X4 (no L3 cache), so it wouldn't be better than the other Athlon IIs unless you need the extra cores.

8400 GS is pretty low-end as well as old. It's borderline for playing SC2 smoothly on low (I think), just so you know. If you get the rebate, there's not really much else at $20 though. Something like a HD 4650 is much more powerful and preferred for a low-budget build.

Azza is the same company as Xion I think, and both use mostly (all?) SuperFlower units? SuperFlower makes some top-end PSUs and some decent budget units too, but I have no idea how good their bottom-end stuff is. With the kind of low load the build would take, I think you would be more than fine though.

More RAM is definitely not on the list of things worth upgrading, at least for gaming.


i can do caseless, my desk area is quite big with shelves behind where the monitor would be.

As for the processor. I did some looking around with MC, the deals they have with the combos are very nice, but they're only with a select few processors, Phenom II X2 560 BE and the phenom x4 840 are the exact same price with the same deal everything else is $50+ more. I don't know which one to go with though. The x2 has a bit more speed and L3 cache.

The video card, I did searching for the HD 4650... I found a lot of results. Was this what you were referring to?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150393&cm_re=radeon_HD_4650-_-14-150-393-_-Product

On March 22 2011 06:49 mav451 wrote:
Yeah MC's $99 AMD chip deal is great. It's too bad that you have to also squeeze a monitor into that budget though. If you want to play native resolution, 16x9, you will definitely need something better than the 8400GS. For your budget, I think you would be better served finding a used GPU.
E.g. here's a used GTS250 for $60:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1594746&highlight=gts 250


I haven't thought about buying them used before. Is this a good site for buying used parts?

On March 22 2011 06:53 JingleHell wrote:
Or the 9800 I just found for the kid in the budget PC guide thread.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0355188

Solid enough card for your budget.


Now there's 3 good cards to choose from! O.O
I guess I'll face that choice over the next few days

edit: Thanks so far, I appreciate the help
sykur
Profile Joined June 2010
Iceland21 Posts
March 23 2011 00:58 GMT
#3745
On March 23 2011 09:36 skyR wrote:
The core i5 2500 requires an H67 or P67 motherboard. It uses DDR3 memory so you don't have to change the memory at all, just the motherboard.

Power supplies that come with cases are generally never good so you may want to look into getting the case and power supply separately.


Any specific motherboard you recommend?

And I will look into finding another case.
ha?
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
March 23 2011 01:03 GMT
#3746
@kingJY

[H] is very reputable but at the end of the day, you're still dealing with individuals and not the website itself... So if you don't feel comfortable trusting random people online than I'd just buy from a retailer.

@sykur

I don't have a specific recommendation. Any H67 board from a brand you prefer/trust with the necessary connectors you want (USB, SATA, Firewire, etc) will be fine.
prototype.
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
Canada4215 Posts
March 23 2011 02:40 GMT
#3747
I never knew this thread existed until now.

You should probably mention that the hd 6950 2gb can be flashed into an hd 6970.
( ・´ー・`)
.kv
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States2332 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-23 02:57:51
March 23 2011 02:56 GMT
#3748
What is your budget?

$800-$1000...if I need to squeeze a couple hundred bucks more, then I'm willing to do that as well

What is your resolution?

1920x1080 or if cheaper...1280x720 is fine

What are you using it for?

Playing and Streaming SC2

What is your upgrade cycle?

2-3 years

When do you plan on building it?

ASAP

Do you plan on overclocking?

No

Do you need an Operating System?

No

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

IDK what this is honestly...but if it will help me in a long run then sure

Where are you buying your parts from?

The internet so like newegg, etc. I do have a Fry's electronics store nearby so I can head over there and do price matches as well. I don't mind shopping from multiple sites.
Myrmidon
Profile Blog Joined December 2004
United States9452 Posts
March 23 2011 03:19 GMT
#3749
Here is a system that should meet those requirements easily, under budget too:

Core i5-2400 and Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 - $390 ($370)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.620215

AsRock H61M motherboard - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

+ Show Spoiler [alternate motherboard] +
If you want something with more expansion card slots and RAM slots, try this instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130571


G.Skill 2 x 2GB DDR3 RAM - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Samsung CD/DVD burner - $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

XFX Core Edition 450W - $55 ($45)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207012

Antec One Hundred - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129098


Did the price include the monitor? You could get an SSD to use as an OS/application drive and be in budget too.
.kv
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States2332 Posts
March 23 2011 05:20 GMT
#3750
On March 23 2011 12:19 Myrmidon wrote:
Here is a system that should meet those requirements easily, under budget too:

Core i5-2400 and Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 - $390 ($370)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.620215

AsRock H61M motherboard - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

+ Show Spoiler [alternate motherboard] +
If you want something with more expansion card slots and RAM slots, try this instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130571


G.Skill 2 x 2GB DDR3 RAM - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Samsung CD/DVD burner - $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

XFX Core Edition 450W - $55 ($45)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207012

Antec One Hundred - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129098


Did the price include the monitor? You could get an SSD to use as an OS/application drive and be in budget too.


yes I also need a monitor as well...SSD would be nice as well but not completely necessary

and thanks
Stirbend
Profile Joined October 2010
United States45 Posts
March 23 2011 07:05 GMT
#3751
OK, so ive been looking at this card here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

and it has no specs on power consumption or a power pin connector. Does it not use one? Because pretty much every decent card i have looked at so far takes a 6-pin power connector and reqs. atleast a 450 watt power supply. Does it not use one or am i ignorant of something?
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
March 23 2011 07:08 GMT
#3752
@Stirbend

The GTX 460 uses two 6-pin connectors and any quality 450w power supply will be able to handle it.
Myrmidon
Profile Blog Joined December 2004
United States9452 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-23 07:22:15
March 23 2011 07:21 GMT
#3753
On March 23 2011 16:05 Stirbend wrote:
OK, so ive been looking at this card here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

and it has no specs on power consumption or a power pin connector. Does it not use one? Because pretty much every decent card i have looked at so far takes a 6-pin power connector and reqs. atleast a 450 watt power supply. Does it not use one or am i ignorant of something?

edit: came back from elsewhere before responding, so I got ninja'd...by 13 minutes!

Look at the pictures. Like other GTX 460, it takes two 6-pin PCI-E power connectors. It comes with a two-molex to PCI-E power connector adapter, so it can be readily used with many PSUs with only one PCI-E power connector. The minimum power supply recommendation is kind of a bogus recommendation anyway, since they have no idea of knowing what the rest of your setup is, how much power that draws, and if your PSU can do its rated wattage mostly on +12V and continuously at reasonable temperatures (many can't). The card itself should take something about 160W at full load by itself at the factory setting.

Are you worried about adding this card to an existing system with an existing PSU? What's the brand and model?


On March 23 2011 14:20 .kv wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 23 2011 12:19 Myrmidon wrote:
Here is a system that should meet those requirements easily, under budget too:

Core i5-2400 and Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 - $390 ($370)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.620215

AsRock H61M motherboard - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

+ Show Spoiler [alternate motherboard] +
If you want something with more expansion card slots and RAM slots, try this instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130571


G.Skill 2 x 2GB DDR3 RAM - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Samsung CD/DVD burner - $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

XFX Core Edition 450W - $55 ($45)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207012

Antec One Hundred - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129098


Did the price include the monitor? You could get an SSD to use as an OS/application drive and be in budget too.


yes I also need a monitor as well...SSD would be nice as well but not completely necessary

and thanks


It's maybe $100 more expensive than many TN panel alternatives, but the Dell UltraSharp U2311H should be a good all-around monitor. It's among the better non-TN panels for gaming. You may just want one of those TN panel alternatives though:

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/content/dell_u2311h.htm
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?&sku=320-9270 - $280

As for an SSD, how much capacity do you need? Around 60GB, the original SandForce controller (SF-1200) drives tend to be the best value.
TheAppetizer
Profile Joined February 2011
United States146 Posts
March 23 2011 20:46 GMT
#3754
On March 23 2011 12:19 Myrmidon wrote:
Here is a system that should meet those requirements easily, under budget too:

Core i5-2400 and Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 - $390 ($370)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.620215

AsRock H61M motherboard - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

+ Show Spoiler [alternate motherboard] +
If you want something with more expansion card slots and RAM slots, try this instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130571


G.Skill 2 x 2GB DDR3 RAM - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Samsung CD/DVD burner - $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

XFX Core Edition 450W - $55 ($45)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207012

Antec One Hundred - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129098


Did the price include the monitor? You could get an SSD to use as an OS/application drive and be in budget too.


Would this PSU be able to power 2 Radeon HD 6850's on crossfire? If not, what will?
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
March 23 2011 20:52 GMT
#3755
@TheAppetizer

You would want to look into a higher wattage power supply for CrossfireX.

Something such as the Antec Truepower new 650W for $80 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371021 ) or Antec Earthwatts 650W for $65 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044 ).
TheAppetizer
Profile Joined February 2011
United States146 Posts
March 23 2011 22:32 GMT
#3756
Thanks skyR. I've read very positive reviews for the antec truepower regarding stability and durability, so I'll probably go with that one.

I also found it for $65 on amazon:
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001RTPMLK/ref=aw_ls__1?coliid=I19KF1CVHDRYVT&colid=1MOFOPNLJZ5G4
EEhantiming
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada519 Posts
March 24 2011 01:53 GMT
#3757
thinking of getting 1 of these 2 cards but don't know why the 550 is cheaper than the 460

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=54624&promoid=1280

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=59490
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
March 24 2011 02:00 GMT
#3758
550 is cheaper than the 460 because it performs worse than it.
EEhantiming
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada519 Posts
March 24 2011 02:03 GMT
#3759
i just researched the benchmark vs the 460 and your right
thanks
Unveiledface
Profile Joined March 2011
2 Posts
March 24 2011 03:26 GMT
#3760
Hey all, looking to run SC2. Let me know what you think. Are prices on processors due to dip soon due to the new line coming out?

Budget: < 2000 USD

Resolution: 1080P @ 120hz, would like an average FPS of 120 on medium settings

Use: SC2, occasional FPS

Upgrade Cycle: 4 Years

When: Next 5 months

Overclock?: I'd prefer not

need os?: No

SLI/Crossfire?: Optional

Where?: Newegg or other, not ebay.
Prev 1 186 187 188 189 190 1626 Next
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