Gaming PC

kylejacobson84 · Nov 27, 2011

I'm looking to build a gaming PC that can handle the likes of Battlefield 3 at maximum settings without trouble. I already have a monitor and am looking to spend no more than $1500 (anything less would be great). The last time I built a PC the motherboard seemed to have problems with some of the components I used, so a friend recommended using this site to assist me (the board burnt out the graphics card... don't understand how/why). I thank all who respond in advance. Hopefully the price I am willing to spend is reasonable considering the computer I want.

Thanks again.

PS. I don't like taking risks, so if a product out there is hit or miss I am always willing to pay a little more for quality (still would like it in my budget range though

striker410 · Nov 27, 2011

Hi there, welcome to the forums.

Well first could you fill this out? http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice It provides information that is pretty important when it comes to building you a PC. Make sure to fill it out completely.

Sorry about your last rig, but that can sometimes happen. When building a computer there's millions of variables and sometimes you just don't get lucky. Usually things go without incident.

Once you fill that form out, I'll get back to ya

Raiddinn · Nov 27, 2011

Pretty much anything you can get that will cost $1500 will do what you want.

I would go with an i5 2500k, 2 x 4gb sticks 1333, maybe an AS Rock extreme3 motherboard, an XFX Pro 650w, and a GTX 570 or 580 video card.

Cooling will be important so look for a bottom mounted PSU with rear and top fans.

kylejacobson84 · Nov 27, 2011

My bad...

Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime in January

Budget Range: 1000-1500 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required: Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor (though I will be upgrading those possibly too, but not worried about that now)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any, though I have used Newegg in the past and have been pleased.

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: Any, though I have heard that Nvidia makes a great graphics card for gaming as well as Intel having a great processor for gaming. If the responder(s) have different opinions I will listen intently as I am by no means an expert in these areas.

Overclocking: Maybe (I don't know if it really makes a huge deal for gaming)

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (I don't know much about either)

Monitor Resolution: 1600x900 http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SyncMaster-B2030-widescreen-1600X900/dp/B004RC29BA

Additional Comments: Would like a power supply that can take it. My brother just told me problems he experienced with his PC due to weak power supply so that's where my mind is I guess.

I have no parts for it thus far. This is going to be built from the ground up.

striker410 · Nov 28, 2011

kylejacobson84 · Nov 28, 2011

Thanks striker410 and raiddinn. I greatly appreciate your time and advice.

striker410 · Nov 28, 2011

No problem. if you have any questions, ASK! It's more important to ask now, since we can work out exactly what you need. No sense buying something if you won't be 100% happy with it.

JackNaylorPE · Nov 28, 2011

striker410 · Nov 28, 2011

Good build jack. However I'm getting $1,577, and he doesn't have an OS. I'm guessing you meant to link the 2500k?

Why a 560 Ti? He can afford a 570 or 6970, and those should max his resolution quite well.

Raiddinn · Nov 28, 2011

Why on earth would he want a $50 card reader? I highly doubt he will want to use a CAC on his home PC.

He could do without the SSD too. $200 is a lot to pay to boot into windows faster. If this were a $2000 budget I wouldn't blink twice but the first $200 to get axed to bring a $2000 downward would probably have to be the SSD most of the time IMHO.

The 2500k is an i5 also afaik. I never heard of an i7 version of it before.

I would also change the case to a HAF X instead of Antec DF 85.

Don't think they have a need for 4x 4GBs, but if we are being gratuitous with spending why not, right?

GFX, 2x is worse than both 1x and 3x due to micro stuttering. Either stick with 1 fat card like a 570 or get a card that has 2 cores on it and immediately 2x it with another card of the same kind either with 1 or 2 cores on it for a 3x or 4x effective in 2 slots.

- Edit - A 6850 x2 + 6850 (not x2) destroys any single card configuration on the market and it "feels" better than most 2x configurations especially 2x AMD cards. NVIDIA has invented SLI drivers that actually degrade performance, but they also even out frame renders reducing micro stuttering so even with worse FPS it "feels" like the game is performing better than with micro stuttering and higher FPS.

striker410 · Nov 28, 2011

Raiddinn :

He's got the budget, and after using a machine that has one, I can't imagine why someone wouldn't want one! With 120GB, you can add a LOT more than the OS. Lemme tell you, Skyrim load times are nearly nonexistent.

Raiddinn :

Micro-Stutter is overratted. Seriously, you're not gonna notice it! Besides, it only really occurs when Crossfiring or SLIing cards below a 6850 or GTX 460. OP, don't worry about it IMO.

Raiddinn :

Eh, this is kinda contradictory to what you were saying before. The downside to getting 2 weak cards is that you have NO room to upgrade except for a total overhaul of your graphics. With a 570 or 6970, the OP could just pop in another one in two years and be back on top. Can't do that with two 6850's.

Not trying to discredit you my friend, I just don't entirely agree. But hey! it's a forum. That's how it's supposed to work

kylejacobson84 · Nov 28, 2011

I really appreciate all the discussion/feedback. I'm actually excited to get an SSD after Striker suggested it. The price on that one is great, and with the additional mail-in-rebate I end up saving quite a bit of cash. I'll probably get an external HDD somewhere down the line for movies and whatnot, but I am looking forward to playing games off an SDD.

I appreciate all the Graphic Card discussion as this is an area I know to be vital for gaming. This is definitely an area of the unit I will take much consideration into.

I purchased

Case: HAF 922 $80 (BUY IT SOON!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119197
PSU: Antec 750w $80 (Again, buy soon!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371051
SSD: OCZ Agility 3 $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227726

I'm glad I did because the SSD is now $200, and the case and power supply went up as well. With additional mail-in-rebates I should end up saving an additional $80 on top of that.

striker410 · Nov 28, 2011

Wow, nice deals! I didn't realize the SSD was on sale. Bummer you didn't get the 2500k, it's up $25 from what it was earlier. But hey, it works out alright.

P.S. If you don't have a standard ATX computer cord laying around (if you own ANY dusty old desktop, you have a cord) You'll need to buy one. They say it's being "green" since most people already have cords, but really it's just a way to spend less.

P.S.S.
Here's a few HDD's that are cheaper than most.
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/875542/Seagate-Barracuda-720012-ST31000524AS-1-TB/?cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Google-_-Data_Storage_and_Media-_-875542-%7Bcopy:IQ_PE%7D&mr:trackingCode=39AD0BA0-5900-E111-BAE2-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA $68+tax and shipping

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11940717&CAWELAID=953403042 $90+tax

kylejacobson84 · Nov 28, 2011

Does anything on this page look like a great deal that I should grab?

http://www.pricewatch.com/gallery/motherboard_combos/i5-2500k

I'm in no rush, but I've never complained about saving money. Everyone's knowledge is helping immensely, and I really appreciate all the advice.

striker410 · Nov 28, 2011

Nope, not seeing any good deals. In fact, the prices seem higher....
What IS a good deal is this deal right here http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Arts-40834ttlefield-32-Battlefield/dp/B005WWZUQ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1322506374&sr=1-1 I'm getting it at this price, for sure. I can overlook Origin for $30 off.

Probably even gonna get Crysis 2! http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Arts-40617Crysis-21-Download/dp/B004S73HS8/ref=sr_1_2?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1322506423&sr=1-2 At $10, it's in the impulse buy zone.
Feel like stressing your system? Try some Metro 2033! http://www.amazon.com/THQ-40470Metro-2033-Metro-Download/dp/B0047T7UE4/ref=pd_sim_vg_3

DEALS EVERYWHERE ZOMG!
Alright, I'll stop

kylejacobson84 · Nov 28, 2011

One of the big things I'm looking forward to is playing Team Fortress 2. My current comp cannot handle it and I love a good ol' fashioned hat simulator.

kylejacobson84 · Dec 5, 2011

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