PC BUILD: ~$650(capable of supporting BF3)

[aiyerrc]

Hey everyone, first time posting, sorry if I dont do this right.

I am looking to build a PC within the next few weeks that will be able to support BF3 on medium settings. I understand that the final specs have yet to be released, but I am sure some of you have a good idea of what kind of components will be needed to run it effectively. no overclocking, or anything too fancy, just something that will get the basic job done.

Budget: $500-$650

Components I DO NOT need: monitor, keyboard, mouse.

This will be almost entirely a gaming PC. I know this budget may be on the low side for something that will support BF3, but i dont mind updating a component or two 6 months down the road if it will save me some money now. The game i will likely be playing until then is BFBC2 or games with similar specs.

So again, as I have seen many times while surfing these forums, the 'biggest bang for my buck" is what I am looking for. This forum has been very helpful so far, and i figured it was time to get some specific help for my needs! Thanks.

-Ryan

 

[tecmo34]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Tecmo34

 

[aiyerrc]

figured id post it in the wrong section. thanks.

 

[gkay09]

^ You need OS too?
Without OS, this would be a good config,...
CPU + Graphics card
X4 955 + HD 6850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.642012

Mobo - GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-USB3 AM3+ AMD 880G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128490

RAM -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

CASE - A very good one for the price, just add a fan or 2 and it would perform even better
http://www.amazon.com/GAMMA-Classic-Interior-Chassis-Black/dp/accessories/B002UDK9U6

PSU - OCZ Fatality 550W or Silverstone 600W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256071

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

DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233

Total - ~$612 Not including rebates,...

 

[gametstr]

^+1
Good build.

I 'd look to squeeze in a better GPU.
a 6870 or a 6950 2GB if u can afford it would be good GPUs and u wont have to upgrade for a while.
Also I 'd wait and see what Bulldozer has to offer to the market. Its almost june anyway.

 

[nd_hunter]

Here's a dual-core Sandy Bridge based build that will game slightly better than an AMD 955. It also gives you an upgrade path to a SB i5 or i7 or even an Ivy Bridge CPU. Here's a couple links to the i3-2100 vs. Phenom II 955. The AMD does slightly better in productivity and media editing due to its four physical cores, but for gaming, the i3 offers better bang for your buck.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/289?vs=88 <-- AnandTech bench
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859.html <-- Tom's Hardware <$200 CPU roundup

CPU, Motherboard: Intel Core i3-2100 combo w/ Gigabyte GA-H67A-UD3H-B3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.642581
$239.98, $7.87 shipping

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 CL9 1.5v
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
$39.99, free shipping

GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150506
$192.99, free shipping, $20 MIR available

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 SATA II 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
$44.99, free shipping

Optical: LG 22x SATA DVD Burner, OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136238
$19.99, free shipping

PSU: Antec EarthWatts 500D 80+ Bronze
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035
$59.99, free shipping

Case: Rosewill Challenger Gaming Mid-Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153
$54.99, free shipping

Total: $660.79 shipped, $640.79 after MIR

 

[aiyerrc]

thank you for these builds. is there a place that will put a computer together for you? or should i buy all the parts and have someone locally put it together? whats the best option for a computer noob like myself?

 

[aiyerrc]

OS is original system? i am starting completely from scratch if that changes anything

 

[nd_hunter]

OS stands for "Operating System," such as Windows 7, and will add $100 to your build. It's really not that difficult to put a computer together. Here's a couple links to threads you should read over before you build.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/274745-31-step-step-guide-building <-- Guide to building
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-boot-video-problems <-- Troubleshooting

If, after reading those, you still feel unable to assemble your rig, I would go local before ordering a pre-built machine. Shop rates are typically about $65/hour and I'm guessing they would bill two hours for assembly. They might, however charge a flat rate, I just don't know for sure...

 

[gametstr]

Which ever way u go i.e Intel / AMD my suggestion on the 6950 stands.

And as for building the machine I highly recommending doing it urself. Saves a lot of ur money which can be put into valuable hardware.
The above guides should help u.
If ur still not confident enough ask a friend with computer building experience to help u out.
Also there are numerous videos on youtube on how to build a system.
Good Luck

 

[nd_hunter]

A 6950 would be ideal, but adding Win 7 breaks the budget on both the above builds with "semi-budget" GPUs. $850 budget = 6950 wtf. $650 budget = not possible.

 

[aiyerrc]

the OS shouldnt be an issue. will probably have that taken care of as a gift from my uncle as he works for microsoft and has basically kept my whole extended family up to date on that end. im probably capable enough to build it on my own. just want to make sure its done right.

a few more questions. i said i have speakers, keyboard, mouse and monitor, but in all honesty, i would like to have these pieces upgraded as well. any suggestions or good deals for these components? maybe as a package or something like that.

EXCLUDING the parts provided in the build options yall gave, the OS, and the mouse, keyboard, speakers, and monitors, is there absolutely anything else i will need to have this baby up and running?

 

[majin ssj eric]

If you get the hook up on Windows 7 I'd say go with a cheap SB build like the i3 rig above. Definitely spend the most on your GPU as that will be the most important component of a gaming build...

 

[nd_hunter]

I am a fan of Logitech peripherals. I have some cheapo speakers (my dog chewed through all of the cords of my good ones ) by them and they sound good for the price ($30ish). I also have a G110 keyboard and MX518 mouse. Bought the keyboard and mouse separately for about $95 total and it was money well spent. For a monitor, look at the ASUS VE238H. Best one at that price range. For about $180 you get a 23" 1080p LED-backlit display with a 2ms response time. If you can afford $700 for the computer part of this, go with what I suggested and change the 6870 out for a 1GB 6950. MSI and XFX are my suggested brands, though most others are good too (ASUS, G-byte, Sapphire, etc).

 

[nd_hunter]

EXCLUDING the parts provided in the build options yall gave, the OS, and the mouse, keyboard, speakers, and monitors, is there absolutely anything else i will need to have this baby up and running?

No. I would guess that the HD 6870 will give you adequate performance on medium settings at 1080p for BF3, while a 6950 should let you play at high settings.