Need help on 1000-1500$ PC

[juanjesus5150]

I am a a new college student looking to get a degree in game programming. I have average computer parts knowledge and I need help. Not sure what hardware specs would be good for my needs so i would appreciate some advice.



APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within the next couple of weeks

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: porn lol jk. video game programming,graphics, gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, speakers, moniter,

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Tigerdirect or newegg.com
country of origin: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Not sure whats good
OVERCLOCKING: maybe once i learn more about overclocking

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1024x768

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I can get a 4% student cashback at tigerdirect and a 1% on newegg not much but still nice.

 

[lunyone]

Well the cheapest route is an AMD build. Intel is king in the upper half or so of the market, but you'll pay for that performance, so with that said, here ya go!

AMD build:
CPU - $165
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674&cm_re=x4_955-_-19-103-674-_-Product

Mobo - $88 - $10 MIRc = $78!!
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Intel build:
CPU - $200 shipped!
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product

Mobo - $143 shipped! It does support USB 3.0 and SATA 3!!
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412

Other parts used with wichever build you go with:

HD - $90 shipped!! Plenty of storage and is one of the faster HD's at this size!
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Case - $90 shipped! One of the better cases out there for the $!
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

PSU - $90 - $10 MIRc = $80!! One of the better PSU's to get for the $! It has plenty of power for any single GPU out on the market and should last for quite some time!
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&cm_re=corsair_power-_-17-139-005-_-Product

RAM - $94 shipped! Plenty of speed and also runs at stock voltage (1.5v)!
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

GPU - $290 shipped!! One of the better GPU's to have for the $! 6 yr warranty too!
POWERCOLOR AX5850 1GBD5-MDHG Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131184&cm_re=5850-_-14-131-184-_-Product

DVD Burner - $30 shipped! Comes w/software to read/burn DVD's!!
LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 24X DVD-R SATA Black 24X DVD Writer - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

OS - $105 shipped!!
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Total
AMD build: ~$1,042!!

Intel build: ~$1,1,32!!

Obviously you can change any part for more/less costs, but this should be a good place to start!

Edit: I forgot to mention that the 5850 is way overkill for the 1024 x 768 monitor resolution, so I'd suggest upgrading the monitor to at least a 22-24" monitor (1920 x 1080), like the one listed below!

Acer P235Hbmid Black 23" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 50000:1(ACM) Built-in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009179

 

[juanjesus5150]

Thanks for the response and starting point. i just recently learned that since i am a student i can buy windows 7 pro for 65$ so thats another $40 saved =]

haha and yea thanks for the moniter tip. i still got those old fat moniters that have bigger buts than bigger screens hahaha. I didnt consider it an essential but its easily affordable with either of your builds

 

[salvilla]

I agree with lunyone recommendation of the CM 690 case. I have one and I love it. Not flashy, but utilitarian. However, I recommend the CM 690 2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216&cm_re=cooler_master-_-11-119-216-_-Product. It is only $20 more but it is packed with more features and glitz.

 

[cory1234]

I would upgrade your monitor to at least a 20in wide screen. Using that resolution would be like playing a PS3 on a 19in tube. It will also save you a ton of desk space which is essential if your living in a dorm or apartment. 20inchers are going for ~$120.

If you want to reach the upper limits of your budget I would recommend a SSD as your boot drive. Best upgrade money can buy right now imo.

I second that 690 II.

 

[juanjesus5150]

thanks for the help everyone and yea i wanna upgrade that monitor, its too old and too fat. I been reading about those ssd drives and heard alot of good things like it being quieter and faster.

 

[juanjesus5150]

Best answer selected by juanjesus5150.