My First PC Build
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mucho mangos
August 11, 2011 7:47:16 PM
Hello, I need help configuring my first pc build. It will mainly be for gaming (Battlefield 3, among other games). my budget is capped at about $850, so I need to know if some of these parts can be swapped for better parts for a lower cost. Also, how long should this rig last before i need to upgrade something on the list??
Mobo: ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k
Video Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Case: Antec 300 Blk Steel ATX Mid Tower
PS: Antec High Current Gamer Series 750W
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
Storage: SAMSUNG Spinpoint 1TB 7200 RPM
Mouse: Logitech G500
Mobo: ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k
Video Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Case: Antec 300 Blk Steel ATX Mid Tower
PS: Antec High Current Gamer Series 750W
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
Storage: SAMSUNG Spinpoint 1TB 7200 RPM
Mouse: Logitech G500
More about : build
Have you thought about a CPU cooler? CM Hyper 212+ $30
With a mid-life GPU upgrade (a 2nd HD 6870 or maybe a future next gen GPU) and a future CPU overclock you should be good for four years of solid game play.
Going with 4GB of RAM now will not limit your gaming performance.
Save a bit more with the 500GB HDD model.
What resolution monitor will you be using? Any future upgrading there?
If you go with a single GPU, future upgrade to a single GPU, you can drop the PSU size down to 500W.
With a mid-life GPU upgrade (a 2nd HD 6870 or maybe a future next gen GPU) and a future CPU overclock you should be good for four years of solid game play.
Going with 4GB of RAM now will not limit your gaming performance.
Save a bit more with the 500GB HDD model.
What resolution monitor will you be using? Any future upgrading there?
If you go with a single GPU, future upgrade to a single GPU, you can drop the PSU size down to 500W.
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mucho mangos
August 11, 2011 8:13:54 PM
-WR2
I wasnt sure if i needed a CPU cooler for the i5 considering i wont be overclocking it, but if i makes my pc a bit quieter than the stock cooler then im all for it
I was also unsure about getting 4GB of ram just because of the fact it might not last me long as far as i know, and i dont know much
And my monitor is a 5 year old dell that i got with my current store bought pc, so it might need to be upgraded
I wasnt sure if i needed a CPU cooler for the i5 considering i wont be overclocking it, but if i makes my pc a bit quieter than the stock cooler then im all for it
I was also unsure about getting 4GB of ram just because of the fact it might not last me long as far as i know, and i dont know much
And my monitor is a 5 year old dell that i got with my current store bought pc, so it might need to be upgraded
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mucho mangos said:
but if i makes my pc a bit quieter than the stock cooler then im all for itBut the thing is... a 4GB RAM upgrade will get you just a tiny tiny improvement in performance when in comparison an easy, comfortable overclock would get you a much much larger increase in performance.
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mucho mangos
August 11, 2011 8:52:23 PM
mucho mangos
August 11, 2011 8:53:53 PM
The smaller PSU question s involved with your LCD resolution and if you plan to use 1 GPU or 2 GPUs.
I prefer the 1 GPU/smaller PSU and do upgrading - sell the GPU and buy a next gen GPU.
Even for a 2x 6870 build a good 600W PSU will be fine.
THG article: Best Graphics Cards For The Money: July 2011 besides giving good advice on choosing a GPU it shows how you can match the GPU to your LCD screen resolution.
Best PCIe Card For ~$190: Tie
GeForce GTX 560 Great 1920x1200 performance in most games
Radeon HD 6870 Great 1920x1200 performance, 2560x1600 in most games with lowered detail
I prefer the 1 GPU/smaller PSU and do upgrading - sell the GPU and buy a next gen GPU.
Even for a 2x 6870 build a good 600W PSU will be fine.
THG article: Best Graphics Cards For The Money: July 2011 besides giving good advice on choosing a GPU it shows how you can match the GPU to your LCD screen resolution.
Best PCIe Card For ~$190: Tie
GeForce GTX 560 Great 1920x1200 performance in most games
Radeon HD 6870 Great 1920x1200 performance, 2560x1600 in most games with lowered detail
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mucho mangos
August 11, 2011 9:17:12 PM
mucho mangos said:
I was also recommended to switch out the radeon 6870 for a Geforce GTX 560 because it has increased performance......your thoughts?This can be taken as far as you want, into the world of 3x watercooled 580s for $2100. It all depends how much you want to spend.
That would be a 560 Ti, by the way. There's also a normal 560, which is not better.
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Best solution
Be sure to let us know how things work out.
Here is a Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC
Look over the forum's "System won't boot" checklist to see some of the common build errors and how to avoid them.
-> The usual advice; read the manual / install guide; look at the parts, read the manual again and if everything makes sense and looks right - then go ahead with the install.
While you're waiting for delivery you can download the online version of the motherboard manual and start getting familiar with it. Same for the other parts you want to order if they have install guides or manuals available.
Here is a Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC
Look over the forum's "System won't boot" checklist to see some of the common build errors and how to avoid them.
-> The usual advice; read the manual / install guide; look at the parts, read the manual again and if everything makes sense and looks right - then go ahead with the install.
While you're waiting for delivery you can download the online version of the motherboard manual and start getting familiar with it. Same for the other parts you want to order if they have install guides or manuals available.
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deicidechaos
August 12, 2011 1:03:20 AM
Nice spec for your budget.
Id say reduce your RAM and powersupplly and put the savings towards a higher end gpu, perhaps 69** series. So as the other replies are saying 6 maybe even 4 gig Ram should be efficient, and 750watt power supply a little over for just the one GPU.
Battlefield 3 is going to be quite heavy on the GPU (thanks to its crazynice looking shaders and textures) not so much stress on the CPU and RAM. Meaning - Dice tends to optimise performance by covering phyical objects and physics with eyecandy, pretty much static objects.
Id say reduce your RAM and powersupplly and put the savings towards a higher end gpu, perhaps 69** series. So as the other replies are saying 6 maybe even 4 gig Ram should be efficient, and 750watt power supply a little over for just the one GPU.
Battlefield 3 is going to be quite heavy on the GPU (thanks to its crazynice looking shaders and textures) not so much stress on the CPU and RAM. Meaning - Dice tends to optimise performance by covering phyical objects and physics with eyecandy, pretty much static objects.
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mucho mangos
August 12, 2011 4:54:42 AM
mucho mangos
August 12, 2011 6:38:53 AM
UPDATED SPECS:
Mobo: ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912
PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series 750W <-----------only $70, couldnt find a cheaper 600W psu that is reliable and crossfire ready
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB (2x2GB)
Storage: SAMSUNG Spinpoint 1TB 7200 RPM
Mouse: Logitech G500
Mobo: ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912
PSU: Antec High Current Gamer Series 750W <-----------only $70, couldnt find a cheaper 600W psu that is reliable and crossfire ready
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB (2x2GB)
Storage: SAMSUNG Spinpoint 1TB 7200 RPM
Mouse: Logitech G500
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mucho mangos
August 12, 2011 3:15:48 PM
I like both the CM 912 and Antec 300 and have no personal preference.
If you're finding the budget working out OK it's certainly possible to get the 912 if you like the style better.
Are you commited to a Crossfire build? If you want to think about single card build you can probably stretch into a HD 6950 graphics card and still stay under budget.
If you're finding the budget working out OK it's certainly possible to get the 912 if you like the style better.
Are you commited to a Crossfire build? If you want to think about single card build you can probably stretch into a HD 6950 graphics card and still stay under budget.
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mucho mangos
August 12, 2011 7:50:06 PM
mucho mangos
August 22, 2011 12:23:25 AM
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