A good gaming PC for under ~$1,500.

Matthew T

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Well, this is my first post here, I hope you guys can help me.

I'm looking into getting a new computer, and I can't decide between a laptop or a desktop. I've been using a god-awful laptop for the last six years. I like to game on it, but I want to be able to run newer games, faster, and on higher settings(Skyrim, Bioshock Infinite, etc.). I've found a desktop here that I like, but would like other opinions on it.

I can't decide between a laptop or a desktop. I would like the portability of a laptop, but I don't really think that I'll be moving it around anytime (except maybe to hook it up to the big screen TV in the living room, when my friends come over. But even then, rarely).

I'd like it to have a decent sized SSD, as everyone says that that's one of the best things you can do for your system. I think I've decided on an i7, unless anyone can tell me that the difference between an i5 & i7, preformance wise, would be minimal.

I think I might prefer a premade system, as I'm afraid that I'd end up messing something up, or breaking it (I have huge hands, and I'm afraid that I'd put too much pressure on a part, or I wouldn't be able to reach into small spaces if necessary). I've look at the Alienware computers, and if I get a laptop, I'll probably get the 14inch here(Alienware laptops seem to be pretty good. Plus, I kinda like the AlienFX software included. I know that that's not a good reason to buy a new computer for, but still, I like it).

I budget now is a bit lower than $1,500 at the moment, but in a few months I'll have enough, but $1,500 should be considered about the max.


Edit: Sorry, guys. I hit the 'best solution' button by accident.
 
for purely gaming purposes, a desktop is your best bet. especially if you want it to last.

honestly, I'd spend about $1000-1200 on a quality gaming desktop, and then get a cheap chromebook or something for light mobile computing needs

other than that, a 128GB SSD is more than sufficient for you to reap the benefits of having one. having a bigger SSD is just luxury and not advised for people on a strict budget

Also, there is virtually no difference between an i5 and i7 when it comes to gaming. save yourself $100 and get an i5
 

IRONBATMAN

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+1 , Agreed

You could watch Newegg's Video for help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

Some of your local stores may offer to help you assemble the PC if you buy from them.
 

Scremin34Egl

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The ssd is an overkill. 128gb is more than enough for your operating system and programs

8gb of ram is more than enough for gaming. No need for 16gb, unless you do heavy multi tasking or video editing

An i5 4670k or 3570k (depending on the socket) is perfect, and can be overclocked. No need for the more expensive i7

With all that money saved up, you should be able to get yourself a better gpu
 

Matthew T

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Well, I have a 140GB partition on my hard drive for my OS and programs, and I've found that I can't have many games installed at once, and they boot fairly slow. And I struggle to keep all of my files on my it, and I have to move things to my external fairly often.

Also, I'm amazed at the response time to my question.
 

Matthew T

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Well, I'd prefer something prebuilt, as I am kind of nervous about building my own, and messing something up. If you can point me towards a prebuilt system within my budget, that can play modern games on high settings, with a decent FPS, that would be great. I would prefer that it be upgrade able too.

Also, I accidentally hit the 'best solution' button. Sorry.
 
here's a good base configuration from cyberbuypower (their price premium is fairly low)

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_Z87_i5_Configurator/

select for 8gb of memory, 128gb (or 120gb) SSD plus a bigger mechanical HDD, and ugprade the GPu to something like a R9 280X or GTX 770 and you'll be all set for high-end gaming
 

Matthew T

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There's a liquid cooling system in that build. I know nothing about them, so what would I have to do differently compared to having an air cooling system? Like, how often do I have to change the coolant, how much is it, should I treat the system any differently?

 
it's a fully customizable system based on their list of parts. don't worry about the liquid cooling, it is 'closed loop', which basically means it won't affect any of your other components and is self-contained.

in addition, you get to enjoy the benefit of buying a pre-built computer from a computer building company. if there are any problems at all, they'll take care of it for you, and they'll tell you how to take care of your system (if any at all) should maintenance be needed. :D
 

Matthew T

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Wouldn't I still need to buy coolant or anything? Or could I just more or less forget that it's even there?
 

Matthew T

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I took what you gave me, and built onto it, putting every I'd need, like a monitor and keyboard. The price is still a little higher than I'd like so, is their anything I can change out to make it a bit cheaper, while not sacrificing too much performance?

Gaming Chasis: * Apevia X-Cruiser 3 w/ USB 3.0, Temperature & Fan Control, Side Panel Window (Black Color with Green LED)
Internal USB Expansion Module: None
Neon Light Upgrade: None
Extra Case Fans: Default case fans
Noise Reduction Technology: None
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-4670K 3.40 GHz 6MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1150 (All Venom OC Certified)
Freebies: Intel GRID 2 Gaming Coupon
Performance Tuning Protection Plan by Intel: Intel® Core™ i5-4670K Performance Tuning Protection Plan by Intel
Venom Boost Fast And Efficient Factory Overclocking: No Overclocking
CPU / Processor Cooling Fan: Intel Certified CPU Fan & Heatsink
Coolant for Cyberpower Xtreme Hydro Water Cooling Kits: Standard Coolant
Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z87-HD3 ATX w/ Ultra Durable 4 Plus, GbLAN, 2 PCIe x16 (1 Gen3, 1 Gen2), 2 PCIe x1, 2 PCI
Freebies: None
Intel Smart Response Technology: None
RAM / System Memory: 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 2GB GDDR5 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
Freebies: Batman Arkham Origins + Assassin's Creed Black Flag + Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist Game Coupon
Video Card 2: None
Freebies: None
Video Card 3: None
Power Supply: 600 Watts - Corsair CX600 600W 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Hard Drive: 2TB (2TBx1) SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Drive)
Secondary Hard Drive: None
Hard Drive Cooling Fan: None
External Storage: None
USB Flash Drive: None
Optical Drive: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
Optical Drive 2: None
External Optical Drive: None
Sound: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
LCD Monitor: 24" Widescreen 1920x1080 LG 24EN33VW-B 5ms LED Backlight, DVI, HDMI Input
2nd Monitor: None
3rd Monitor: None
Speakers: 120 Watt Stereo Speakers (Black Color)
Internal Network Card: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
Keyboard: AZZA Multimedia USB Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: AZZA Optical 1600dpi Gaming Mouse with Weight Adjustable Cartridge
Mouse Pad: None
Headset: None
Gaming Gear: None
Fan Controller/Temperature Display: None
Internal Wireless Network Card: PCI Wireless 802.11n 150Mbps Network Interface Card
External Wireless Network Card: None
Wireless Routers/Hubs: None
Bluetooth: None
Flash Media Reader/Writer: None
Video Camera: None
Tablet: None
Cable: None
Power & Surge Protection: None
USB Hub & Port: Internal USB 3.0 4-Port Hub
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit Edition)
Media Center Remote Control & TV Tuner: None
Office Suite: McAfee AntiVirus Plus 2014
Games: None
Ultra Care Option: None
Service: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Rush Service: Standard processing time: Cannot Guarantee Christmas Delivery

The keyboard, mouse, and McAfee were free. I do need a monitor, and I'd like a 1080p one.
 
actually, that is exactly the build I was thinking, I simply did not expect you to be buying a monitor and speakers along with the desktop box.

oh, you don't need an internal USB hub if that's what you added

what is your current total? $1300 or so?
 

Matthew T

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$1473. I'd be a while before I could get that much together, so if I can bring down the price without bringing down performance too much, that'd be great.
 

Matthew T

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Well, the GPU is $80 off right now. What would be a cheaper GPU option that wouldn't sacrifice too much performance?
 
well, you can always take one step down to the gtx 760...

honestly I generally ignore the idea of catching a 'sale' in tech... most prices drop to the sale level by the time the sale ends anyway, it's rare that hardware go up in price (such as AMD GPUs recently due to the bitcoin mining craze)

 

IRONBATMAN

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The HD 7970 , R9 280 , and R9 280x have similar performance to the GTX 770. Their performance varies in different games.

The R9 280 which is supposedly cheaper , can be overclocked to match the performance of the R9 280x , so I'm not comparing the R9 280

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lol, sure makes for a long thread

I am well aware that the AMD cards you mentioned are just as good as the gtx 770 for supposedly cheaper. however, people mining cryptocurrencies have practically bought all of them out atm (look around, almost none in stock at the original price). if you're willing to wait for them to come back into stock, an R9 280x would be the best choice imo (it is supposed to be only $300 or so)
 

Matthew T

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From CyberPower, the HD 7970 is $105 more,and the R9 280X is $9 more.

Also, what's up with the whole Bitcoin mining craze? Is their a specific reason AMD cards are selling out compared to Nvidia cards?
 
let's clear up a few things: the 7970 and the R9 280X have the exact same architecture except for a few tweaks. the R9 280X is basically a re-branded 7970 in terms of performance. you want to get the R9 280x if you want to go AMD.

as for bitcoins and cryptocurrency in general, it has to do with the pure compute potential of the GPU, and not just 3D texture rendering ability. in this respect, AMD cards are SIGNIFICANTLY better than the Nvidia equivalents, to the point where Nvidia cards are not worth considering for this purpose.

and it looks like you have a really good build there... time to beg friends and relatives for Visa gift cards for xmas :p (cmon, $20-50 per person isn't too much to ask now hehe)