Upgradeable Gaming Computer

[aymbot]

Hi,

This is my first time building a computer, hope my wordiness won't scare people away from helping. I have been reading articles and going through specifications and my mind is swimming in too much information. I thought I would show what I have so far and just ask for some help. I'll specify what my goals are for this computer later on as well.

This is as far as I got before I decided to ask for help...

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Computer

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ,comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Motherboard: Intel BOXDH55HC LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121396

Processor: Intel Core i3 i3-530 (2.93 GHz) Dual-core Socket H LGA-1156 Processor

http://www.anitec.ca/product/638350/intel-core-i3-i3-530-2-93-ghz-dual-core-socket-h-lga-1156-processor-bx80616i3530/promo/r43w2lj30

Memory: OCZ OCZ3G1333LV4GK 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1333 PC3-10666 CL 9-9-9-20 Dual Channel Memory Kit

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42870&vpn=OCZ3G1333LV4GK&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology

Power Supply: Rosewill Green Series RG630-S12 630W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7,i5" Power Supply

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

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Didn't even bother picking a graphics card before I went for help heh. Anyways, the build seems like it's cheap enough to me but I don't like the fact it doesn't seem upgradeable. Here's what I am looking to do.

1) Build a computer for gaming that'll right now cost under 1000, hopefully in the 500 - 800 dollar range. Plan to play SC2, Dragon Age, BioShock, COD, FFXIV etc. A wide range of games.

2) I would like a motherboard and case that I can easily upgrade with. For example right now I am playing SC2 a lot and will be for the foreseeable future so maybe I could get away with a crummy graphics card and 2GB RAM that are 'throttling' my system but in a few months when I have more money there's nothing stopping me from buying more badass parts and adding them in.

3) Maybe I have this backwards but I'd like my case, motherboard, power supply and fans to be permanent fixtures in this computer. So not top of the line newest thing out, but pretty damn good.

4) I don't have any real reason but I like Intel/nVidia. So even if the current build you suggest uses AMD/ATI I'd like the 'finished' version of this computer in a few months to utilize Intel/nVidia cpu/graphics. So please keep that in mind when suggesting a motherboard.

Thank you in advance for any help I get.

 

[aymbot]

Sorry, just found this as well:


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: In a week or so.

BUDGET RANGE: 500 - 800 before rebates. (This is strictly for the desktop; not monitor, mouse, keyboard etc.)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Watching Movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Need everything, but looking for advice only on the tower. Accessories and peripherals or whatever I can deal with.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, ncix.com, anitec.ca

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel and nVidia

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not entirely sure what this is hah! Multiple video cards? Not at first, perhaps later on.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Will need to buy a new monitor, I am hoping for a 23 - 24 inch. Not sure what resolution I will be aiming for.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Prefer a sleek black case lights would a bonus not required. Quietness also nice but not ultra important.

 

[gkay09]

^ Well if you want a very good upgradeable and yet a good value for money PC, then AMD would be the best option...though for graphics, you can stick with Nvidia, but IMO for the CPU, X3 440 would better suit...
X3 445 + ASUS 880G with SATA 6GB/s and USB3.0
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.456292

RAM - OCZ RAMs nowadays are very flaky, so I would suggest a different one...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145251
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220435
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226101

PSU - Definitely a better one...
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=47698&vpn=EA500D&manufacture=Antec
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=49495&vpn=ST50F-ES&manufacture=Silverstone%20Technology
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=52173&vpn=S12II%20520&manufacture=Seasonic%20Electronics
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

Graphics card -
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=54474&vpn=768-P3-1360-TR&manufacture=eVGA
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=54506&vpn=GV-N460OC-1GI&manufacture=Gigabyte

 

[aymbot]

Thanks so much for the quick reply!

Shows you how much I have my mind set on anything, I'd rather have matching parts heh AMD/ATI, could you recommend a couple ATI video cards?

And what about cases? Could you recommend one or two just so I have something to base my future searches off of.

I might buy this in a day at this rate.

 

[asteldian]

5770 is a good budget card, though it will struggle to handle 1920 x 1080 resolution.
The more expensive and better card would be the 5850.

The only downside to Gkays build is that the motherboard has no Crossfire ability. If you go with a board that can not use 2 cards, then going with Nvidia is not a problem, in which case a 1gb GTX460 would be a good buy.

If you spend more to get a Crossfire board (Asus 790, or 890 boards) then you want to stick with ATI. You could then go with the cheaper GPU of the 5770 and can then add a second one in the future. THat's if you cannot afford the 5850.

Was the 800 budget to include a monitor?

 

[aymbot]

Nope. Think I am going to end up spending another 300 or so on a monitor.

This is all great stuff. I would probably go for the GTX460 for now.

 

[gkay09]

^ Dint refresh before posting, so dint see your 2nd post...
As for the build, like asteldian pointed out, Yes the mobo I had come up with doesnt have Crossfire, but I doubt you would use it if you go with GTX 460 as anyways you cant add 1 more in SLI with AMD mobos in general...
If you want a single powerful card, then even the GTX 470 is a good buy...check this...after the price slash, and also for a single card setup, the power and noise of the 470 wont be an issue...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-460-radeon-hd-5570-gaming,2697-5.html

 

[asteldian]

i5 750 and Asus P7P55D E Pro - $394
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.465994

G Skill 1600mhz 4gb - $107.49
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321&cm_re=g_skill_1600-_-20-231-321-_-Product

GTX 460 1gb - $235
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125333&cm_re=gtx_460-_-14-125-333-_-Product

XFX 650W - $100 ($80 with rebate)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207002&cm_re=xfx_650-_-17-207-002-_-Product

HDD Samsung Spinpoint F3- $56.49
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=samsung_spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product

Case - $60
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_re=antec_300-_-11-129-042-_-Product

Total: $952 ($932 with rebate)

I am aware this is over your budget, however, you have stated 300 or so for monitor.

Asus 21.5 inch monitor, 1920 x 1080 resolution - $170 ($160 with rebate)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236067&cm_re=1920_x_1080_monitor-_-24-236-067-_-Product

Total with monitor: $1122 ($1092 with rebate)

With rebate this would fall within your total budget, without it is just outside. The great things about this build is that it is Intel i5, it has a mobo with USB/SATA III and it supports XFire/SLI so you can put a second GTX460 in future to dominate any game.

The downside to this build - I have not included shipping which likely pushes your cost closer to $1200 which is outside your budget, I have no idea whether your budget is that flexible.

Alternatively:
Phenom II x4 955 + Asus 890 mobo (XFire and USB/SATA III) - $291.90
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.456059

That would bring total to $1019 ($989 with Rebate) without shipping. But you would need a 5850 to play games at HD res instead of the GTX460 (assuming you want to have the option of putting a second card in one day)
XFX 5850 - $299 (instead of the $235 for the GTX460)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150494&cm_re=5850-_-14-150-494-_-Product

So total would be $1084 ($1054 with rebate) without shipping.

If bothe builds are still too much, you could buy a cheaper mobo - losing XFire/SLI capability or USB/SATA III or both. Or, with AMD build just go with an x3 44 RANA and still likely be able to keep the decent mobo

 

[gkay09]

^ Nice build, some suggestions to lower the price...

CPU + GPU
i5 760 + GTX 460
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.460467

Mobo + Patriot 4GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.461589

CASE - IMO that Rosewill looks like a good case, with many good reviews...

PSU - Same...

But if you to have a powerful gaming rig, without going overboard, then X3/ X4 with the GTX 470 is a good choice...By the time you would feel the need of a more powerful graphics card, there would be newer, more powerful cards at ~same price...
Also for a single card setup, you can drop the PSU to any of the ones that I had suggested earlier...

 

[jonpaul37]

CPU/Motherboard/Video Card Combo = 378.79 after mail in rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.445430

RAM = 99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231276

Hard Drive = 74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185

DVD = 19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106289

Case = 99.97 after shipping cost
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119197

PSU = 92.98 after shiping costs & rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

You may or may not want an aftermarket CPU cooler for overclocking and whatnot but total this will leave you plenty room for upgrades and only costs 766.90 shipped after rebates.

 

[aymbot]

Again thanks for the great (and quick) responses. I'll definitely go over the choices you guys laid out and probably get the computer in the next day or two.

 

[aymbot]

Here is what I think I am going with:

Case:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Motherboard/Processor:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.456292

Memory:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220435

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125333&cm_re=GTX_460_Fermi_1gb-_-14-125-333-_-Product

Hard Drive:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=samsung_spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product


And now all I need is a CD/DVD drive yeah? Stupid question, will DVDs/CDs play in a bluray drive?

 

[Mr Pizza]

yes they will ^ no need for blu-ray though, thats what your blu-ray player and your TV is for

 

[aymbot]

Best answer selected by aymbot.