Computer Build Resource Thread - Page 548

It's an okay configuration.

The ASUS DVD Burner is actually $21 since you should be rounding up $20.99. There's also no point in spending extra for an ASUS drive unless you can justify the specs of it which I doubt you can or you just favor ASUS over the other manufacturers. There's LG for $18: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136238 and there's Sony for $19: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039

The memory is also not $40, it's actually $50 which is too high of a price for a 8gb 1333MHz cas9 kit. Mushkins are $43: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226249 There's also a core i5 2400 & 8gb PNY memory bundle for $221 which would mean that the memory comes at $31: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.723828

If you're buying before the 12th than the Corsair CX500 V2 for $50 is an okay deal. If you're not, there are better choices. If you're going with a Radeon HD6850 and you're not purchasing before the 12th or you just want to lower the checkout total further than you can just get the CX430 V2 instead or an Antec Earthwatts 380D or an Antec Neo Eco 400w. All of which are still more than powerful enough to run such a configuration since both the 6850 and core i5 combined won't exceed 200w under a gaming load.

Dual cores are still okay if you're only concerned with Starcraft II, DotA 2, and the older games which all mostly use two cores. If you're looking at lowering the total further than you can get a Pentium G850 which is a dual core: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116397

The core i3 2100 isn't really worth the extra over a Pentium G850 since they're both basically identical with the only major difference being that the core i3 2100 having hyperthreading. Hyperthreading would only be beneficial for games that utilize more than two cores. Okay... the Source engine is multi-core to some extent and so is Starcraft II but having a Pentium G850 instead of a Core i5 2400 won't suddenly make the games unplayable.

You could get a less expensive case and motherboard as mentioned. You could also get a 500GB HDD instead.

I'm pretty sure you also never mentioned what resolution you're going to be playing the games at. If it's not 1080p than you could get away with a weaker card such as a Radeon HD5770.

+ Show Spoiler +

1)A tiny difference in clock speed. The two chips are pretty close to identical, although the 2500 will have the smallest edge in performance. Add a 'K' suffix and the difference is being overclockable.

2)DDR3 is a type of memory. It's faster than DDR2 I suppose. But it doesn't really matter to you. You'll be buying DDR3. Nothing else will work for you. Clock speed and timings are insignificant (much like the difference between the 2400 and 2500. You should probably go with the cheapest 1333mhz ram in the amount you want. Although if you're on a very high budget, many pay the few $ for the very small performance increase to 1600mhz ram.

3)Phases (I think how flexible it is in providing power or modifying the use of various attached components), Connectivity (how much stuff, i.e. hard drives, graphics cards, USB 3.0, can be attached to it), brand name, and the ever amorphous 'build quality' (how much abuse it can take). For not-overclocking, single graphics card, a few hard drive solutions, basically the boards will be near identical. But as far as motherboards go, I'm not an expert. I do, however, highly recommend going with what the regular posters on this fine board recommend for you. It's easy to buy stuff you will never, ever, use when shopping for motherboards, but if these guys recommend one, you can be pretty confident it's going to do everything you need it to.

Lastly, on power supplies, manufacturers lie. If it says it can do something, it often can't. And there's issues with 'ripple' (small variations in actual provided vs requested power which can overtime bother other components. Another reason to go with the power supply recommended by this board. They've done the research to know which brand is full of shit and which isn't. And which is on sale. A near miracle of friendly community help, if you ask me.

Do keep in mind that the case is something that will carry through multiple builds. If it means spending 30$ more to purchase something you like, it might be totally worth it.

1) Same thing just at different frequencies. The 2500 non-k is slightly faster than the 2400. Most people think its not worth the price hike for the boost in performance. If theres a good deal on the 2500 though, go right ahead.

3) Guess you can think of it just like cars. Different features (or lack of) and build quality. A Corolla will get the job done but it is not a Ferrari.

1)A tiny difference in clock speed. The two chips are pretty close to identical, although the 2500 will have the smallest edge in performance. Add a 'K' suffix and the difference is being overclockable.

2)DDR3 is a type of memory. It's faster than DDR2 I suppose. But it doesn't really matter to you. You'll be buying DDR3. Nothing else will work for you. Clock speed and timings are insignificant (much like the difference between the 2400 and 2500. You should probably go with the cheapest 1333mhz ram in the amount you want. Although if you're on a very high budget, many pay the few $ for the very small performance increase to 1600mhz ram.

3)Phases (I think how flexible it is in providing power or modifying the use of various attached components), Connectivity (how much stuff, i.e. hard drives, graphics cards, USB 3.0, can be attached to it), brand name, and the ever amorphous 'build quality' (how much abuse it can take). For not-overclocking, single graphics card, a few hard drive solutions, basically the boards will be near identical. But as far as motherboards go, I'm not an expert. I do, however, highly recommend going with what the regular posters on this fine board recommend for you. It's easy to buy stuff you will never, ever, use when shopping for motherboards, but if these guys recommend one, you can be pretty confident it's going to do everything you need it to.

Lastly, on power supplies, manufacturers lie. If it says it can do something, it often can't. And there's issues with 'ripple' (small variations in actual provided vs requested power which can overtime bother other components. Another reason to go with the power supply recommended by this board. They've done the research to know which brand is full of shit and which isn't. And which is on sale. A near miracle of friendly community help, if you ask me.

Actually, the difference between the 2400 and 2500, which is definitely tiny, is still better than the equivalent in extra money spent on faster RAM in a lot of cases. Spending more on RAM doesn't make sense unless everything else is high end components, since the extra $10-20 can generally benefit you more in CPU or GPU.