Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread - Page 18

I see, was hoping i7-920 was enough but after playing some more Rome i guess it isn't. Takes like a minute for each turn to end when Comp makes it's moves for example.

I can't afford to upgrade everything at once so decided to do it in parts. What would make sense to upgrade first?
Motherobard + cpu from i7920 to i7 4770k (or i5) and Gigabyte GA-Z87X-D3H
or GPU from gtx 295 to gtx 770 (780 for more future proof)?

Also a bigger question is, how much can I reasonably ask for my current system? i7-920 quadcore 2.67ghz, gtx-295, 6gb ram, 1tb hd, dvd-rw, 1000w psu that is 4 years old. Have a friend that needs a comp so if I can sell it to him I can build a full brand new comp, but I really have no idea what would be a fair price

Sorry if I'm being impatient; I just wanted to make sure my request wasn't lost in the shuffle. Would someone be able to suggest a one (gaming) monitor build to me on my budget? Cyro indicated I might want to wait until the end of the month to buy. . . is that a good idea or should I just go ahead and buy now?

Thanks so much!

On September 06 2013 05:20 ZeroJumps wrote:
Hi!

I’ve been in school for the last seven years, and had to make do with a crappy laptop that can barely run SC2 on low settings. I’ve finally gotten fed up with it, and am looking to build a high-end gaming PC. Ideally, I’d like to build a computer that can handle every game currently out, as well as those that will be coming out in at least the next year or so, at ultra settings while maintaining a high frame rate.

I’ll be starting completely from scratch. The only peripheral I currently have is a mouse, but I’ll probably want to replace that too. My technical knowledge of computers and components is fairly low; one of the major reasons I’ve come here for assistance is that I find the sheer variety of options more than a little overwhelming. I'm hopeful that, in building my own computer, I can learn a little more about them.

What is your budget?

Initially, I had considered spending about 2,000 USD. As I started researching things online, and adding in the cost of all the peripherals/the OS I would need, I realized that might not be sufficient. If 2,000 USD isn’t enough to build the type of machine I want, or if there is a good cost/benefit reason for spending more, I can spend up to 3,000 USD.

What is your monitor's native resolution?

I don’t have a monitor. In looking online at gaming-PC articles, I have been awed by the tri-monitor set-ups. If it’s possible within my budget, I’d like to go with a three monitor set up. I have plenty of desk space, so there aren’t any size constraints. At the very least, if three is not possible on my budget, I would like to have a dual-monitor set up to increase my work productivity.

What games do you intend to play on this computer? What settings?

All the games! I’m pretty sure the most recent game I’ve played (other than SC2 at low-low-low settings) was Half-life 2 when it came out. I really want to play today’s most graphically advanced games on the highest settings so I can stare at the screen in awe and amazement at how far graphics have come.

What do you intend to use the computer for besides gaming?

The usual. Internet browsing, word processing, spreadsheeting, streaming, some photo editing.

Do you intend to overclock?

I don’t know enough about overclocking to say. I will if it’s the type of thing I can just follow directions to accomplish without compromising the lifespan of my hardware. I was hoping someone could provide a recommendation on this.

Do you intend to do SLI / Crossfire?

Again, I don’t know enough about the benefits/drawbacks of running two cards vs. one to have an answer for this. As with overclocking, I was hoping someone could provide a recommendation on this.

Do you need an operating system?

Yes. Sadly, as you may have guessed, I’ve been on a Mac for the last several years. Long enough to know I want to go back to Windows. However, I don’t have enough experience with the newer Windows offerings to have a preference. I had an IT friend suggest getting 64 bit Windows 7; but I’m wide open to other suggestions.

Do you need a monitor or any other peripherals and is this part of your budget?

I need everything. I can make do without a fancy chair though Please include any peripherals you would recommend in the cost estimate.

If you have any requirements or brand preferences, please specify.

No requirements. Portability isn’t an issue. Space isn’t an issue.

What country will you be buying your parts in?

The United States.

If you have any retailer preferences, please specify.

Probably have to be online retailers. I live in the middle of nowhere.



Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions you can provide!

What is your budget?
Ive got a budget of about $1000 US

What is your monitor's native resolution?
i actually need a monitor. i have an old one that is 1600x900 but i think id prefer getting one that is 1920x1080

What games do you intend to play on this computer? What settings?
Starcraft 2, skyrim, dayZ, path of exile, amnesia a machine for pigs, minecraft, starcraft broodwar, dota 2, bioshock infiniate ect

What do you intend to use the computer for besides gaming?
I do a lot of programming. I am in college at the moment and am in an OOP class. I have access to a computer lab with everything i need however, so it's not needed

Do you intend to overclock?
unless someone suggests i should, no. I am competent with computers and have built a few myself before so im pretty sure i could figure this out

Do you intend to do SLI / Crossfire?
not unless suggested by someone much better at this than i am

Do you need an operating system?
I have access to a free copy of windows 7 through my school

Do you need a monitor or any other peripherals and is this part of your budget?
ive got a mouse and keyboard and monitor that will suffice. Id like a better monitor however (1920x1080 please)

If you have any requirements or brand preferences, please specify.
Not really. Just not anything alienware

What country will you be buying your parts in?
USA

If you have any retailer preferences, please specify.
I kinda like newegg. But if you find a good deal somewhere else then id prefer that instead

iTzSnypah: Which component are you referring to as having a "gaming" selling point? If you're saying that from my comment about the monitors, I picked them because they are supposed to be 1-2ms and 144Hz. The only other item which I remembered as being "gaming" oriented was the keyboard; I picked it because it was fully mechanical and had the cherry red switches based on reviews which said they were the best for gaming. Would you not recommend the monitors or the keyboard? Or were you referring to something else?

Ropid:
I don't have any way to dispute the findings of that comparison; but in looking at the Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo the heatsink is aluminum. From what I've read online, copper is the way to go for these. Of course, its tough to argue against actual performance tests. What do you think about aluminum vs. copper on these two products?

I chose the pro for the MLC flash chip type; it looks like the Evo's all have the TLC chip type. Is it not worth paying the extra amount for that?

Thanks to both of you for your responses!