List for a good gaming computer?

[starcraftwolf]

I was wondering if you guy could recommend a FULL set of parts for a gaming computer. Please make sure they come to less than $1500, and make sure the parts can be used with each other.
If you could, please try to tell me where to get the parts or where to find them.

I would like one that could run Starcraft 2, crysis, or any high detailed game on mid to high graphics.

For the OS i would like Windows 7 Ultimate. For the list, when I say full set of parts, I mean EVERYTHING. I.E. Case, sound card, hard drive, cd drive, ram, graphics card, mother board, chip set, fans, power supply, processor and many of the many things i haven't mentioned.

Please have the RAM atleast a DDR2 (w/e version, [right term?] )


Please and thank you,

SCWolf


BTW if you cannot answer this request, thank you for trying.
If you need any more info, please post and I will Add

 

[hunter315]

Do you have a monitor, mouse and keyboard?

Antec 1200 w/ TP-750 and XFX 5850 combo $480 w/ $25 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.422976

Plextor DVD burner $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249054

Samsung F3 1TB $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Gskill Pi Series DDR3 6GB(3x2GB) 1600MHz CL7 $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

Asus P6X58D-E and i7 930 combo $490
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.428205

Windows 7 Ultimate $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116762&cm_re=windows_7-_-32-116-762-_-Product

Comes out to $1445 before shipping or MIR, that will leave you enough for a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers if you need them. You likely dont need a sound card, onboard audio is quite good, so you probably want to hold off on purchasing one until you find out if onboard is inadequate.

edit: Forgot windows the first time around. Why do you need windows 7 ultimate, you can free up $80 if you go for home, what features in ultimate do you need that home doesnt have?

 

[starcraftwolf]

Yes I have monitor, mouse, keybord and speakers.

I did not know windows 7 ultimate had I dfferent features than home. I just pick out the 1st windows 7 i see =).

Edit:

So in the above list, it contains EVERYTHING a computer needs to run efficiently? (Besides external objects like monitor, mouse, etc.)

 

[hunter315]

Yup and it will be a pretty sweet computer too, but since you already have a monitor i would include an aftermarket cooler in your budget, intel stock coolers with push pins are problematic and dont perform great, the hyper 212+ will do quite a bit better and can be stuck in since you dont need a monitor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=hyper_212%2b-_-35-103-065-_-Product

I would also suggest swapping down to Windows 7 Home Premium, it will save you $75 and i highly doubt you will miss any of the features of ultimate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

 

[starcraftwolf]

I also read online somewhere about chipsets...
What exactly are they? are they included on the motherboard?

Also. if the motherboard has an onboard soundcard, does it come with a cd to install it? On this computer im using right now, Im using a Realtek sound card that I had to install.

I opened up my comp to see what components I have, and besides my graphics card, I found 2 other cards, and I do not know what they are, as they did not have a sticker or label. What cards are normally placed next to a graphics one?

Also, does the motherboard you suggested have PCI-E slots? I check the desciption and I read no mention of pci-e.

 

[hunter315]

The chipset is part of the motherboard, it is one of the defining features of a motherboard. They handle how the other components in the system like hard drives and optical drives interact with the processor.

When you install windows 7 it will install basic sound drivers, the motherboard will come with a cd with more specific drivers that you can install after installing windows.

The two other cards in your system are likely a low end sound card and a network card, the motherboard i suggested has both of these features built in.

The board i suggested has 3 PCI-E 16x slots(two dark blue and one white), 1 PCI-E 1x slot(short dark blue slot), and two PCI slots(light blue). You will have plenty of slots.

 

[starcraftwolf]

The chipset is part of the motherboard, it is one of the defining features of a motherboard. They handle how the other components in the system like hard drives and optical drives interact with the processor.

When you install windows 7 it will install basic sound drivers, the motherboard will come with a cd with more specific drivers that you can install after installing windows.

The two other cards in your system are likely a low end sound card and a network card, the motherboard i suggested has both of these features built in.

The board i suggested has 3 PCI-E 16x slots(two dark blue and one white), 1 PCI-E 1x slot(short dark blue slot), and two PCI slots(light blue). You will have plenty of slots.

Ty for your answers!

I'm sorry for the continuous questions, but is it possible to get a computer somewhat equal performance to the combined parts you mentions for less than $1200?

Since this is my first built computer, by myself, could you layout the steps to building this computer? I am "young", less than 18... or 15... yet I don't want to mess this computer up.

Also, is the NewEgg safe? I have read many other questions like this with an answer saying it is safe, and I just want to make sure.

 

[hunter315]

Dont worry, questions are good!

Here is a nice builders guide by tecmo, he used an AMD CPU rather than an intel but the rest of the steps are the same.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274745-31-step-step-guide-building
Also read through the boot check list, it will give you an idea of common issues.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems

Newegg is safe, most people get their parts from there or tiger direct, i have used newegg for several years and not had an issue so you dont need to worry about that.

I will see what i can put together for under 1200, its definitely doable.

 

[hunter315]

Dropping down to LGA 1156 makes under $1200 doable

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Samsung F3 1TB $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

ASUS DVD burner $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

HAF 922 $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=Haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

XFX 5850 $285
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150494

i7 860 $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214&cm_re=i7_860-_-19-115-214-_-Product

ASUS P7P55D-E and Corsair 750TX $230 - $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.427914

Gskill Eco 4GB DDR3 1600MHz CL7 $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231319&cm_re=gskill_eco-_-20-231-319-_-Product

Total comes to $1198 before shipping or MIRs. From the looks of it though shipping is going to be a whopping $5, so it shouldnt be a big concern. Overall you will have basically the same performance but expandability will be limited a bit down the line. If someone else has the time to throw together an AMD build that would be good.

 

[willisbj]

Here's an AMD build for $1166.90 , it's actually very close to the latest Intel build included above.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

This build features the latest and best AMD 6 core processor, will overclock itself automatically to 3.6ghz (depending on the active cores) and is also very easily overclockable for the average user, plus the included heatsink will do the job on this processor right up to at least 4ghz+ and includes very decent thermal paste for a relatively low price. Information for this can be found here or on google, or email me.

The system is set up for future upgrades, adding a 2nd video card when prices drop will further extend this systems life span, and the included case is big and with great airflow, plus plenty of cable management options (something you'll grow to love).

I've also included a separate HDD for data storage, something I usually consider vital these days. I have not included the Windows copy though, you'll have to decide which one you like.

Both this build and the Intel one above have their strengths and weaknesses, I prefer the AMD and ATI route because they seem to be more green/environmentally friendly these days than Intel and nVidia, using less power and creating less heat (thus lasting longer).

Hope this helps ...

 

[starcraftwolf]

Dude I love you =) (not in that way!)

Is there like a rating system here? I'd like to give you a star , rating or w/e you can do.

BTW what is an MIR? I'd go with the 2nd set, unless you can find another equal to the 2nd with a lower price . If you can't I'd understand. Searching for all of this is hard work. I'd like to have the best and cheapest set you can find out about. Also, is it a good idea to get warranty on the products, even though they boost up the price by alot? I'm just trusting that the parts you give me are compatible .

Thx for your help!

100/0.1 for you

 

[willisbj]

A quick after thought, if you're purely interested in gaming, I would highly recommend a build exactly the same as mine above but with this processor:

AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103702

The savings will allow you to purchase a 2nd ATI 5850 graphics card now or possibly even a 5970 which will vastly improve your high-end gaming performance.

This option also leaves you with a PC ready to add the original processor I suggested at any time later on, and I guarantee you will not notice any real difference for any game currently released.

 

[hunter315]

MIR= Mail In Rebate, just a bit faster to type that way. I will take a look tomorrow morning and see if there is any way to prune the price down a bit while maintaining performance.

The rating system here works by best answers, just select who ever you think answered your question best when you are done and we get some points for it.

 

[starcraftwolf]

A quick after thought, if you're purely interested in gaming, I would highly recommend a build exactly the same as mine above but with this processor:

AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103702

The savings will allow you to purchase a 2nd ATI 5850 graphics card now or possibly even a 5970 which will vastly improve your high-end gaming performance.

This option also leaves you with a PC ready to add the original processor I suggested at any time later on, and I guarantee you will not notice any real difference for any game currently released.

Thx for the option, but I'm dedicated to Intel.
If this is right, I read Intel is better for processors on higher ends, while AMD is only good at cheap ends. Thx for your option, I might try it out if the other build doesn't work.

To hunter: read my last post

 

[willisbj]

"If this is right, I read Intel is better for processors on higher ends, while AMD is only good at cheap ends."

This generalization doesn't really apply that strongly these days. AMD certainly have the best bang-for-your-buck processors whilst Intel holds the fastest lead, but there is more to it than that, with benefits to each option when considering cost, power, heat, ease of overclocking, application, etc. Either way, comparing an Intel chip with an equivalently priced AMD chip all the way up to AMD's flagship model, you will see similar results when averaged out, overclocked etc ...

The most obvious point to make is that within ~95% of games the graphics cards are the bottleneck, and a $100 CPU will give you the same performance in these games as a $1000 CPU. Hence you are best spending less on the CPU and more on the graphics card/s.

If you are photo/video editing, get an Intel no doubt, but otherwise I think AMD works out to be the best investment.

If you are determined to go with Intel, and are only gaming, then definitely get the i5-750 chip. It will overclock the same as the i7-860, or even better and you don't need hyperthreading at all (be sure to invest in a half decent Heatsink/Fan for your CPU, especially if going with Intel as they run hot and because you should definitely overclock whatever system you decide on). The money saved on lower CPU's is money better invested in graphics, and honestly Windows is so fast on any of the CPU's listed above, so if it's gaming, get a cheaper one.

 

[starcraftwolf]

Best answer selected by starcraftwolf.

 

[starcraftwolf]

"If this is right, I read Intel is better for processors on higher ends, while AMD is only good at cheap ends."

This generalization doesn't really apply that strongly these days. AMD certainly have the best bang-for-your-buck processors whilst Intel holds the fastest lead, but there is more to it than that, with benefits to each option when considering cost, power, heat, ease of overclocking, application, etc. Either way, comparing an Intel chip with an equivalently priced AMD chip all the way up to AMD's flagship model, you will see similar results when averaged out, overclocked etc ...

The most obvious point to make is that within ~95% of games the graphics cards are the bottleneck, and a $100 CPU will give you the same performance in these games as a $1000 CPU. Hence you are best spending less on the CPU and more on the graphics card/s.

If you are photo/video editing, get an Intel no doubt, but otherwise I think AMD works out to be the best investment.

If you are determined to go with Intel, and are only gaming, then definitely get the i5-750 chip. It will overclock the same as the i7-860, or even better and you don't need hyperthreading at all (be sure to invest in a half decent Heatsink/Fan for your CPU, especially if going with Intel as they run hot and because you should definitely overclock whatever system you decide on). The money saved on lower CPU's is money better invested in graphics, and honestly Windows is so fast on any of the CPU's listed above, so if it's gaming, get a cheaper one.

Ok, I am sorry, but what the heck is overclocking? I've heard of it, but never knew what it meant.
Btw, what about an i5 - 650. is that almost the same as 750? and this thread is not solved =(.

 

[willisbj]

The i5-650 is a dual-core processor with 4 threads through Hyperthreading.

The i5-750 is a quad-core processor without hyperthreading.

Overclocking is basically running your processor at a faster frequency, so for example, the i5-750 comes running at 2.66ghz which is 133mhz with a multiplier of 20 which = 133 x 20.

When you overclock the processor, you tell the motherboard to run at say 190.5mhz x 20 which equals 3.81ghz a significantly faster processor suddenly.

You sometimes have to give the processor a little more electrical power, but often you can get away with a smaller overclock without adding power.

The process of "telling" the motherboard to run faster is quite simply: a) knowing what you are doing, and b) typing in different numbers in a bios screen.

Overclocking can seem very daunting at first, but it is highly recommended to learn about, very effective and safe when done correctly, and the best way to get the most out of your system. The technical knowledge required isn't that large for beginners, and so long as you follow guidelines and rules very closely, you have nothing to worry about and are pretty much guaranteed to get a noticeable performance boost from your PC.

Furthermore, once you understand what you are doing you can save presets in you motherboard software, so that you can restart your pc and instantly switch between a very fast and highly clocked setting to a much more conservative, energy efficient and cooler setting when just watching movies or web-browsing. You can even overclock within windows (especially easy on the new AMD processors), but I don't recommend this as much, though perhaps purely on principle and being stubborn.

 

[starcraftwolf]

So is hyperthreading on processors good or bad?

Also, with the $1200 build without the processor, as I seem to like the i5 bezause of its price, will the power supply be enough? Does hyperthreading processors require more watts?

Also, is it a good idea to buy everything at once? ($1097.89)

I don't want to lose all that money =(

 

[willisbj]

Hyperthreading basically makes your processor run more efficiently, if it has the potential, though the application is limited and for the most part, for most users, vastly irrelevant.

When an individual core is working, it sometimes isn't running at full capacity and is thus being somewhat "wasted". Hyperthreading effectively gives each core 2 separate streams of information to process at once. The real world effects are only visible in some situations and NEVER give double the processing power as it sounds like should happen.

Hyperthreading does physically require more watts in the processor, as turning it on will make the processor work harder, though it won't affect the build substantially regarding power consumption.

The power supplies listed are all enough for the i5-750, and it sounds like this is the best processor for you. My suggestion is to build around this processor, get a big heatsink and overclock it to 3.2ghz as shown in this article:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2832/18

That 3.2ghz overclock applies to all cores, but when you are running only 1 or 2 cores, you will run @ approx 4ghz, which is what most games will then run at.

You WILL NOT see a difference at all in games between this setup and a $1000 Intel 6core beast processor overclocked to infinity ... lol ... basically get the i5-750 and work out how to overclock it. You'll never look back

Also do look into getting separate hard-drives for your Windows and for data storage. It's handy when you want or need to reinstall windows having everything important sitting on a separate hard-drive. Even better, research RAID setups for hard drives and get yourself some data-redundancy ... more options to think about, and lessons I've learned from previous builds that people often don't realize until after the fact.

The last piece of advice is to make sure you have a big, well ventilated case and spend a bunch of time looking through the pictures of inside peoples PC's on this site: http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?s=b14b38cc8dffda8e60184200fd7793a5&t=427703

so that you notice what makes a clean build, where the wires are tucked away, which direction fans blow etc etc. It's all important and prolongs your pc's lifespan.

 

[willisbj]

It is a great idea to build it all at once if you can; the prices and parts change so frequently you are best to just go with the best you can afford right now, plus all the hardware companies have their newest lines out just recently, so there's no looming big releases for hardware coming up. You are pretty secure buying now and getting something like listed above.

Get the $1200 Intel build above but with an i5-750 instead of the i7-860. Make sure you get a good 120mm fan/heatsink for the build (hyper 212 perhaps).

If possible, squeeze in a 5870, but if not a 5850 will be brilliant, and either card will play Crysis @ 1080p on very high (without AA) perfectly, which means that any other game will also run, likely a whole lot better. As it stands today, there are probably 5 or 6 games out which will REALLY test the PC listed if you max out every possible detail.

If you were to go with an AMD build with a cheaper CPU, and thus 2 video cards with the money saved, there would not be a game out which you couldn't run @ 1080p with everything maxed including AntiAliasing.

(BTW, I'm judging by my standard of running smoothly which aims for 60fps, though dipping into the high 40's occasionally isn't that noticeable)

Either way you will be happy with your purchase based on any of the above systems.

 

[starcraftwolf]

Ok , thank you, I have had enough questions. This thread is solved.