Basic gaming PC configuration

[quzle]

Hi everyone!
I'm building a computer (almost) from scratch, and I would like your opinions on it. I would use it as a casual gaming PC.

Here is my config (the prices are the best I could find here in Italy):

Mobo: Asus M4A87TD 80€
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 565 BE 100€
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 5750 90€
RAM: 2x2GB DDR3 Corsair 1333Mhz 50€
Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5 II 65€
PS: OCZ StealthXstream 500W 55€

+64GB SSD 100€

Total: 540€

It's a bit over my price range, also because I'm planning on buying a 24-25" Full-HD Display, but I can probably get some contribution from my parents if I'm a good boy

 

[WR2]

Hello quzle;
Already have a DVD burner and hard disk drive for your system?

 

[WR2]

What would the price look like if you changed 24" 1920x1080 display to 20" 1600x900
changed CPU to Athlon X3 450
changed GPU to HD 5770
left out 100€ SSD or change to DVD burner and 500GB HDD?

 

[quzle]

Hello WR2,
Thanks for your reply!
I already have a DVD burner, and about the display, I'm not even gonna get it right now so it's not the main problem.
You say to choose the Athlon X3 CPU. But I had chosen the BE Phenom II so I can overclock it, and unlock the 2 disabled cores (I should be able to do that with that mobo, am I right?).
About the GPU, I had considered the HD 5770, but I don't think it's worth the 20€ difference. I may be wrong, so what do you think?
I also already have 500GB of HD storage, so I wanted to get the SSD for the OS only.

 

[WR2]

Ok, it's look better for the SSD since you already have the storage HDD and DVD burner.

If you're able to unlock the extra two cores and they run stable for you you're in really good shape. But you'll have to get lucky twice.
You need to be prepared to live with just the two cores if the CPU you get is one of the many that won't unlock even 1 more core and run stable.

For 1920x1080 resolution you'll want every bit of extra power you can afford and then overclock some too.

HD 5750 would probably be fine for what you have now. What is your current resolution?

 

[quzle]

My current resolution is crap (1280x1024 I think), but as I said it's only temporary
The CPU I'm considering is the AMD Phenom II X2 565 Black Edition, and I believe the cores are both unlockable.

 

[WR2]

HD 5750 will run great on 1280x1024.

Phenom II X2 565BE has the extra cores but not everyone is successful getting them unlocked and stable.
Some get all four stable. Some get an extra core stable. Some get no extra cores stable. Let us know how you make out.


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[quzle]

Is there no way to tell if all cores will be stable? What does it depend on?

 

[WR2]

Luck....and only luck. There is no way to tell if you getting a 'golden' CPU or just an average one.

Some think that, due to marketing demand for dual and triple core CPUs, some perfectly good 4 core CPUs might be switched to run as dual/triple core. That would be a 'golden' CPU.

Most are probably CPUs that tested with a weaker core or two and has those locked out.

 

[quzle]

OK, fingers crossed
And how can I tell if the motherboard and PS fit in the Case? I expect they're probably all compatible, but I'm asking just to be 100% sure

EDIT: Do you think a 32GB SSD would be enough for the OS and some apps only?

 

[WR2]

M4A87TD EVO is a full size ATX motherboard and the Cooler Master Centurion 5 II is a mid-tower full size ATX case. A perfect match

I think a 40GB is about as low as you want to go on a SSD. What make and models are you looking at?
Or what models do you have available in your price range?

 

[quzle]

Why shouldn't I go under 40GB? I don't think there is anything between 32 and 64GB...

 

[WR2]

Some 40GB & 50GB SSDs
When you format any HDD/SDD you'll end up with less than the full amount of space available to Windows for the installation. Maybe around 28GB left on a 32GB SSD. And the Windows install for a 64bit version takes about 16~20GB.

 

[quzle]

Oh right, I see.
Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[quzle]

Best answer selected by quzle.