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Hey guys! Two days ago, my gaming computer died out of nowhere, right in the middle of my study break and since all of my friends are either working or are on holidays, I'm bored to hell without any decent computer games.
This is why I'd like to put together a new system asap. Unfortunately, I don't have a clue about todays hardware components, which is why I turn to you in search for help.
Being a poor student, my budget is limited (Obama, I feel you man) to USD 650.00. This is what I've come up with. I'd be very grateful if someone could comment on this choice and tell me, whether this is going to work out:
CPU: Intel i5 2300
Mainboard: Gigabyte H67M-D2 B3
Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 13
RAM: Corsair Value Select 4 GB
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 560 OC
Thank you very much in advance!
- d1v
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It will.
But any reason why you're getting that mobo in particular? You could get away with a cheaper one.
I don't know much about that particular cooler, but you should get the Xigmatek Gaia or Cooler Master Hyper 212+ instead since they're similarly priced and have GREAT reviews. You don't particularly *NEED* them as you can't OC a 2300 much, but it'd be nice to have.
Depending on what resolution you're playing at and what games, your 560 may either be too much, too little, or just right.
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On July 22 2011 05:54 jacosajh wrote:
It will.
But any reason why you're getting that mobo in particular? You could get away with a cheaper one.
I don't know much about that particular cooler, but you should get the Xigmatek Gaia or Cooler Master Hyper 212+ instead since they're similarly priced and have GREAT reviews. You don't particularly *NEED* them as you can't OC a 2300 much, but it'd be nice to have.
Depending on what resolution you're playing at and what games, your 560 may either be too much, too little, or just right.
The reason I chose these specific parts is, that being a Swiss resident, the only cheap possibility to get the parts is this website: Coolers. Here's the link for Mainboards: Mainboards. Maybe you could tell me what Cooler/Mainboard to get from that selection.
As for the purpose of this system: I'd like to play BF3/Brink and so on with maybe medium graphics and a reasonable resolution (i.e. 1280 x 1024). Do you think that this system can do it?
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I wouldn't consider 1280x1024 a reasonable resolution, it's a very low resolution. You do not need a GTX 560 to play games at max settings on this resolution. A Radeon HD5770 or similar can easily play current and upcoming games smoothly at max settings at 1280x1024. If you want medium settings, an even less powerful card would be capable.
You don't need an aftermarket hetasink since the provided Intel heatsink is adequate for the processor.
You're also missing a case and power supply.
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Don't get the overclocked GTX 560, just get a regular clocked one for cheaper. It'll save you money, and you can OC it yourself in like 2 minutes with a program you download online that'll do the same thing for you.
Although I've heard that if you're not getting hte Ti version there's better deals to be had, can't be sure. And I'm not sure 1280x1024 constitutes "reasonable resolution" anymore :p. But yes it could easily do it.
If you're not OCing you don't need to buy a separate cooler either, the i5 you bought should come with one.
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On July 22 2011 06:25 skyR wrote:
I wouldn't consider 1280x1024 a reasonable resolution, it's a very low resolution. You do not need a GTX 560 to play games at max settings on this resolution. A Radeon HD5770 or similar can easily play current and upcoming games smoothly at max settings at 1280x1024. If you want medium settings, an even less powerful card would be capable.
You don't need an aftermarket hetasink since the provided Intel heatsink is adequate for the processor.
You're also missing a case and power supply.
Oh, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for pointing it out. However, I want this PC to be up to date for the next 2 or so years. Don't you think I should go for the most powerful card within my budget? I'm kind of unsure on this. Oh btw, I already own a case and a power supply (450 W).
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On July 22 2011 06:27 FabledIntegral wrote:
Don't get the overclocked GTX 560, just get a regular clocked one for cheaper. It'll save you money, and you can OC it yourself in like 2 minutes with a program you download online that'll do the same thing for you.
Although I've heard that if you're not getting hte Ti version there's better deals to be had, can't be sure. And I'm not sure 1280x1024 constitutes "reasonable resolution" anymore :p. But yes it could easily do it.
If you're not OCing you don't need to buy a separate cooler either, the i5 you bought should come with one.
Ok, I'll keep that in mind, in case I'll buy a GTX 560 at all. Do you happen know the name of the OC-program you mentioned?
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On July 22 2011 06:33 d1v wrote:Show nested quote +On July 22 2011 06:27 FabledIntegral wrote:
Don't get the overclocked GTX 560, just get a regular clocked one for cheaper. It'll save you money, and you can OC it yourself in like 2 minutes with a program you download online that'll do the same thing for you.
Although I've heard that if you're not getting hte Ti version there's better deals to be had, can't be sure. And I'm not sure 1280x1024 constitutes "reasonable resolution" anymore :p. But yes it could easily do it.
If you're not OCing you don't need to buy a separate cooler either, the i5 you bought should come with one. Ok, I'll keep that in mind, in case I'll buy a GTX 560 at all. Do you happen know the name of the OC-program you mentioned?
MSI Afterburner.
If you have an AMD card you can use Sapphire Trixx, which I prefer over Afterburner for my 6650M card on my laptop. I use Afterburner for my GTX 460.
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To add to everything else everyone said, make sure your PSU actually has the connectors you need for your GPU. You need a 6-pin PCIe in the very least for a decent GPU (i.e. 5770); two for more powerful ones (i.e. 560)
GPUs usually come with a 2-molex-to-6-pin-PCIe adapter if you have them available. Like all of my 5770's came with them. I'm not sure about the ones requiring two, but if you already have 1 6-pin PCIe and have two molex, you could use that.
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On July 22 2011 06:31 d1v wrote:Show nested quote +On July 22 2011 06:25 skyR wrote:
I wouldn't consider 1280x1024 a reasonable resolution, it's a very low resolution. You do not need a GTX 560 to play games at max settings on this resolution. A Radeon HD5770 or similar can easily play current and upcoming games smoothly at max settings at 1280x1024. If you want medium settings, an even less powerful card would be capable.
You don't need an aftermarket hetasink since the provided Intel heatsink is adequate for the processor.
You're also missing a case and power supply. Oh, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for pointing it out. However, I want this PC to be up to date for the next 2 or so years. Don't you think I should go for the most powerful card within my budget? I'm kind of unsure on this. Oh btw, I already own a case and a power supply (450 W).
If you plan on buying a 1080p monitor sometime in the distant future than sure but if you don't have any intention to do so than it's an utter waste.
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Hey,
I'm not sure if you're going to need a seperate CPU cooler for this build. The i5-2300 doesn't have any overclocking, only the K-series intel CPU's have any meaningful overclocking (turboboost doesn't count). The h6 series motherboards are not capable of overclocking. As well, the 2nd-gen Intel i-series CPU's are extremely efficient and therefore do not generate as much heat and therefore do reasonably well on stock coolers. There are many people who overclocked their i5-2500k to around 4.5ghz stable with a stock cooler. Taking the cooler out of the build would save yourself $50 But if you get decide to purchase the cooler, it wouldn't be a bad decision either because personally myself I like it when things are nice and cool.
As someone else mentioned before, you can just get the gtx560 regular version and overclock it yourself with MSI's afterburner software. That would save you $20 or so. Hope this helps.
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On July 22 2011 06:31 d1v wrote:Show nested quote +On July 22 2011 06:25 skyR wrote:
I wouldn't consider 1280x1024 a reasonable resolution, it's a very low resolution. You do not need a GTX 560 to play games at max settings on this resolution. A Radeon HD5770 or similar can easily play current and upcoming games smoothly at max settings at 1280x1024. If you want medium settings, an even less powerful card would be capable.
You don't need an aftermarket hetasink since the provided Intel heatsink is adequate for the processor.
You're also missing a case and power supply. Oh, I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for pointing it out. However, I want this PC to be up to date for the next 2 or so years. Don't you think I should go for the most powerful card within my budget? I'm kind of unsure on this. Oh btw, I already own a case and a power supply (450 W).
No, you shouldn't buy the most powerful card, although it's not even remotely in your budget. If you buy the most powerful card you might as well get a better processor with it, and now your budget is skyrocketing.
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On July 22 2011 06:49 FabledIntegral wrote:Show nested quote +On July 22 2011 06:33 d1v wrote:On July 22 2011 06:27 FabledIntegral wrote:
Don't get the overclocked GTX 560, just get a regular clocked one for cheaper. It'll save you money, and you can OC it yourself in like 2 minutes with a program you download online that'll do the same thing for you.
Although I've heard that if you're not getting hte Ti version there's better deals to be had, can't be sure. And I'm not sure 1280x1024 constitutes "reasonable resolution" anymore :p. But yes it could easily do it.
If you're not OCing you don't need to buy a separate cooler either, the i5 you bought should come with one. Ok, I'll keep that in mind, in case I'll buy a GTX 560 at all. Do you happen know the name of the OC-program you mentioned? MSI Afterburner. If you have an AMD card you can use Sapphire Trixx, which I prefer over Afterburner for my 6650M card on my laptop. I use Afterburner for my GTX 460.
Thank you, I'll make sure to check it out.
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On July 22 2011 06:54 jacosajh wrote:
To add to everything else everyone said, make sure your PSU actually has the connectors you need for your GPU. You need a 6-pin PCIe in the very least for a decent GPU (i.e. 5770); two for more powerful ones (i.e. 560)
GPUs usually come with a 2-molex-to-6-pin-PCIe adapter if you have them available. Like all of my 5770's came with them. I'm not sure about the ones requiring two, but if you already have 1 6-pin PCIe and have two molex, you could use that.
Ok, I'll check my PSU for said connectors then. Do you think that 450 W are enough to power the system adequately?
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Hmm, it seems the system I thought up is an overkill. If I were to ask you to put together a system that runs BF3/similar games smoothly on medium-high settings with a 1280 x 1024 resolution, what would you choose?
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A quality 450w unit is more than enough to power such a configuration. You got a power supply that was included with your case I pressume? This would be iffy...
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On July 22 2011 07:16 skyR wrote:
A quality 450w unit is more than enough to power such a configuration. You got a power supply that was included with your case I pressume? This would be iffy...
No, I bought one extra. The brand is called "Raptoxx", rather unknown I think.
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On July 22 2011 07:14 d1v wrote:
Hmm, it seems the system I thought up is an overkill. If I were to ask you to put together a system that runs BF3/similar games smoothly on medium-high settings with a 1280 x 1024 resolution, what would you choose?
Why make a build that only runs medium settings if you can get one that'll play high/ultra with that budget^^. Unless you're trying to cut costs. Then you could get something like a GTS 450 and i3 2100, which would cost you about $70 (after rebate) and $90 respectively (i3 2100 is on sale at Frys for $90, it's usually a little bit more, like $100).
What make is your PSU? While whatever you say will mean nothing to me I'm sure someone else will be able to tell you if it's adequate^^.
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On July 22 2011 07:25 FabledIntegral wrote:Show nested quote +On July 22 2011 07:14 d1v wrote:
Hmm, it seems the system I thought up is an overkill. If I were to ask you to put together a system that runs BF3/similar games smoothly on medium-high settings with a 1280 x 1024 resolution, what would you choose? Why make a build that only runs medium settings if you can get one that'll play high/ultra with that budget^^. Unless you're trying to cut costs. Then you could get something like a GTS 450 and i3 2100, which would cost you about $70 (after rebate) and $90 respectively (i3 2100 is on sale at Frys for $90, it's usually a little bit more, like $100). What make is your PSU? While whatever you say will mean nothing to me I'm sure someone else will be able to tell you if it's adequate^^.
That's what I did first, but then I was told that the system proposed by me was in fact way over the top. I can actually afford the system I posted first, it's just that I was told it's unneccessary.
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On July 22 2011 07:29 d1v wrote:Show nested quote +On July 22 2011 07:25 FabledIntegral wrote:On July 22 2011 07:14 d1v wrote:
Hmm, it seems the system I thought up is an overkill. If I were to ask you to put together a system that runs BF3/similar games smoothly on medium-high settings with a 1280 x 1024 resolution, what would you choose? Why make a build that only runs medium settings if you can get one that'll play high/ultra with that budget^^. Unless you're trying to cut costs. Then you could get something like a GTS 450 and i3 2100, which would cost you about $70 (after rebate) and $90 respectively (i3 2100 is on sale at Frys for $90, it's usually a little bit more, like $100). What make is your PSU? While whatever you say will mean nothing to me I'm sure someone else will be able to tell you if it's adequate^^. That's what I did first, but then I was told that the system proposed by me was in fact way over the top. I can actually afford the system I posted first, it's just that I was told it's unneccessary.
Unnecessary... at that resolution.
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Just decide if you want to spend as little money as you can to accomplish said goals or get maximum out of the money you are prepared to put in. I usually prefer the later unless you are absolutely sure you won't have any use of it. If you are planning on having the computer at least a few years it can be hard to know exactly what you will want to use if for in the future. Although if you are planning to upgrade it later on you might go with the first alternative.
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Ok, let's say then, that I'm willing to put in 500 USD, what should I get?
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H61 / H67 motherboard = ~$70
Core i5 2400 = ~$190
Radeon HD6850 = ~$160
8GB = ~$60
This is still overkill for your resolution but this is what $500 would accomplish.
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On July 22 2011 07:41 skyR wrote:
H61 / H67 motherboard = ~$70
Core i5 2400 = ~$190
Radeon HD6850 = ~$160
8GB = ~$60
This is still overkill for your resolution but this is what $500 would accomplish.
Thanks a lot for the suggestion. This is, what I can get my hands on in Switzerland for 500 USD:
ASUS P8H61-M
Corsair DDR3 1333MHz 8GB
Intel i5 2300
Gigabyte HD6850 OC
With your approval, I'll go ahead and buy it tomorrow.
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On July 22 2011 08:00 d1v wrote:Show nested quote +On July 22 2011 07:41 skyR wrote:
H61 / H67 motherboard = ~$70
Core i5 2400 = ~$190
Radeon HD6850 = ~$160
8GB = ~$60
This is still overkill for your resolution but this is what $500 would accomplish. Thanks a lot for the suggestion. This is, what I can get my hands on in Switzerland for 500 USD: ASUS P8H61-M Corsair DDR3 1333MHz 8GB Intel i5 2300 Gigabyte HD6850 OC With your approval, I'll go ahead and buy it tomorrow.
Stop getting OC versions! What site are you using btw for Sweden?
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On July 22 2011 08:04 FabledIntegral wrote:Show nested quote +On July 22 2011 08:00 d1v wrote:On July 22 2011 07:41 skyR wrote:
H61 / H67 motherboard = ~$70
Core i5 2400 = ~$190
Radeon HD6850 = ~$160
8GB = ~$60
This is still overkill for your resolution but this is what $500 would accomplish. Thanks a lot for the suggestion. This is, what I can get my hands on in Switzerland for 500 USD: ASUS P8H61-M Corsair DDR3 1333MHz 8GB Intel i5 2300 Gigabyte HD6850 OC With your approval, I'll go ahead and buy it tomorrow. Stop getting OC versions! What site are you using btw for Sweden?
Haha, they're the same price as the non-OC on the site I plan to order from. Actually, I'm currently residing in Switzerland, thus I am limited to what I can get my hands on here. There's only one major retailer I know of (stegcomputer.ch) and the parts above are available on the page.
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Your computer died out of nowhere? If you're not sure exactly what happened or exactly which power supply you have (i.e. what model it is, and how good that model is), I'd be wary of powering all these expensive new components with an unknown power supply. The power supply could possibly have killed your old components and/or maybe the power supply is dead anyway.
Unless you're sure the power supply is okay, I'd replace that if your budget allows. You may have to anyway.
The power supply selection sucks on that site, so there's nothing particularly compelling that is listed, that's cheaper than the FSP Aurum 500W (80...units of currency). That's way overkill by the way, but it's a pretty decent unit:
http://www.steg-electronics.ch/de/article/fsp-aurum-gold-500w-497021.aspx
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On July 22 2011 08:11 Myrmidon wrote:Your computer died out of nowhere? If you're not sure exactly what happened or exactly which power supply you have (i.e. what model it is, and how good that model is), I'd be wary of powering all these expensive new components with an unknown power supply. The power supply could possibly have killed your old components and/or maybe the power supply is dead anyway. Unless you're sure the power supply is okay, I'd replace that if your budget allows. You may have to anyway. The power supply selection sucks on that site, so there's nothing particularly compelling that is listed, that's cheaper than the FSP Aurum 500W (80...units of currency). That's way overkill by the way, but it's a pretty decent unit: http://www.steg-electronics.ch/de/article/fsp-aurum-gold-500w-497021.aspx
Yeah, you're probably right.
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I'd rather get a P67 board with an i5 2500k and settle with the GTX 460 if you can't afford the 560 after that. You pay a little more but hey, it's so much more worth it to be able to overclock, even if you do it minimally, like up to 4.0ghz (which is already a huge OC and it still has room for more). Considering the i5 2300 is already $180, the 2500k is so much better for around $210. A P67 board runs for more too but it's all worth it imo. Mostly for sc2 you're not going to notice a huge difference in the 460 and 560. In other games possibly 15-20 fps in the 560's favor, but you're resolution is pretty low it's not going to be too significant.
Don't forget the GTX 460 can OC really well too, I'd say it falls short of the 560 only slightly if both cards are running at the same clocks. Of course, the 560 can OC too. =]
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EPT
