How do you choose each component when making a build with SO many choices out their?

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radicaljbr

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Dec 1, 2013
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I am trying to make a gaming computer for my son and I am stuck with all the choices. I have had a couple people send me their build recommendations, but each is very different. How can one chose from over 1,000,000 different video cards, power supplies, hard drives, CPUs and so on?

I found a site called www.passmark.com where there is a tab for benchmarks and you can look up all the different components where they are ranked. Is this a good source?

How to I pick each component with so many choices? Are there name brands to stick with? Each component manufacturer has tons of different model numbers that mean nothing to me.

Frustrated

John
 
Solution
skit75
Start with a motherboard + CPU combo(gaming = you want a 3.0+ GHz clock and 4-cores)
Next find a GPU (I recommend not spending more than $250.00)
Next find a PSU to feed the above(don't buy generic).
Round it off with a Case+HDD+DVD/Rom+Monitor.

If you are ordering online, research, research, research. The more you see about certain parts working together, the better. Patience is key.
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skit75

skit75

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Oct 7, 2008
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Start with a motherboard + CPU combo(gaming = you want a 3.0+ GHz clock and 4-cores)
Next find a GPU (I recommend not spending more than $250.00)
Next find a PSU to feed the above(don't buy generic).
Round it off with a Case+HDD+DVD/Rom+Monitor.

If you are ordering online, research, research, research. The more you see about certain parts working together, the better. Patience is key.
 
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Solution
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radicaljbr

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Dec 1, 2013
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Approximate Purchase Date: NOW

Budget Range: would lie to spend $500, but would go up to $1500 if absolutely necessary.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: GAMING, Need it to play Star Citizen eventually

Parts Not Required: ???


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Cheapest and safest place to buy from

Country: USA

Parts Preferences:????

Overclocking: What is this??

SLI or Crossfire: What is this???


Monitor Resolution: None right now. Have 1080P right now and will need to buy second monitor eventually for dual monitors.

Additional Comments: Have 1 year old Del XPS LAPTOP with 750 GB hard drive that son filled up in less than one year with nothing but games. It has Geforce gt555m video card which son says is not good (how do I know)? He has 8GB ram with i5 processor. My point is that he thinks he needs a better computer (don't we all). Some of his games like Battlefield 4 and Batman Arkham Origins he just got and they do not work as they freeze before the game starts. Son (14 years old) says it is the video card.

I am lost

:)

John

 
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radicaljbr

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Thanks Skit, that is helpful!!
 
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skit75

skit75

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BF4 is probably not very playable on any laptop and yes, the GPU on the laptop is inadequate for that type of game. You could run BF4 with a GTX 670 or 680 video card very nicely without Crossfire/SLI
 
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radicaljbr

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Thanks, so my next question is lets say I pick a GeForce GTX770. When I go to TigerDirect or Newegg and plug that in I see 66 different ones. it just seems like the choices never go away. Why are there 66 different GTX 770's? :)
 
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skit75

skit75

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There are lots of manufacturers. If you are gaming on 1 Monitor, don't buy a video card with more than 2GB of VRAM.

In your example GTX 770...

700 series = latest generation gaming card
The tens place represents the power of the card(740-750 = budget cards &... 760+ represent true horsepower/enthusiast cards)

You need an AMD guy to tell you about their GPU's =)
 
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radicaljbr

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He will be gaming on 2 monitors, 1 for game and 1 for Skype. WHY NOT MORE THAN 2 GB??? THX
 
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radicaljbr

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Dec 1, 2013
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skit75

skit75

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That two monitor setup is still gaming on only 1 monitor and you can do that on a video card with 1GB of VRAM. The extra VRAM is needed to feed the GPU when gaming on 2 or more monitors. A video card with 2GB of VRAM would be perfect for his type of setup. On a 3GB+ VRAM card, you may never actually saturate or efficiently use the rest of the VRAM you're paying for unless you upgrade to a (3) monitor gaming system, later. Then you might want a 3GB+ VRAM GPU.
 
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radicaljbr

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Thanks guys for your help!!!! Here is what I decided on and have started purchaing:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2h1GI
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2h1GI/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2h1GI/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($118.30 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 4GB Video Card ($349.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Stryker (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1266.18
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-08 10:34 EST-0500)
 
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