$650 gaming pc

[enc643]

This will be my first non pre-made computer. I need a new computer for gaming... and a monitor. preferably 22in+. I'm a 15 year old high school student, I'm good at reading directions and following them, I don't know what overclocking, threading, and such mean.

Approximate Purchase Date: this week

Budget Range: $500-$700

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming,schoolwork,surfing

Parts Not Required: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, speakers, OS)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon.com, I only know these 2 sites. so far, but am open minded. I like free shipping also :lol:

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: Whatever you think would work the best..

Overclocking: Don't know what it is... or how to do it

SLI or Crossfire: Don't know what it is... or how to do it

Monitor Resolution: Don't have a monitor. had something like this in mind: http://www.amazon.com/Viewsonic-VX2...BJ7S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1329692686&sr=8-2


Additional Comments: I would like a quiet PC, for it to be fast, and last at least a few years, and have potential for upgrades. I have read and done a little research from this page:
http://www.hardware-revolution.com/best-budget-gaming-pc-february-2012/

Thanks!

 

[tomhrxbfg]

Overclocking is to make cpu work harder (ie increase speed of processor), and may reduce the life span of cpu if it gets too hot (that's when water cooling comes into play). SLI/ Crossfire is combining performances of multiple graphics card. SLI is a tech term for NVIDIA, Crossfire is for AMD Radeon, basically the same thing.

 

[tomhrxbfg]

CPU $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Mobo $122 (mobo is open to suggestion, I'm not good at selecting mobo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

RAM $37
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424

HDD $79 (It's best if you could use your old one since HDD prices are very high now...)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769&cm_sp=Cat_Hard_Drives-_-Spotlight-_-22-136-769

PSU $70 (maybe you could go with Corsair builder series for less price)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

Graphics $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353

DVD $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

CPU cooler $30 (if you plan to overclock this is a must)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Total $726, but that's not including rebates. After MIR it would be lower than $700
Edit: Ops forgot the case , either Antec 300 or cooler master Haf is fine. Add $60 more...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233


Note: if you live near microcenter, they have promotion on i5 2500k + mobo bundle deal, which cost $250 before tax... So yea it's cheaper if you can go there

 

[striker410]

Hi! Welcome to the forums.

Whew, you're working in a really tight budget. I'll do my best though.
CPU: Intel Dual-Core i3-2100 $125 (Promo Code EMCNHJC32 takes $15 off, only good through the 20th)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
DVD: LG sata burner-OEM $16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240
GPU: Sapphire 6870 1GB
RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 2x4GB 1333MHz
Above in combo $198 (Rebate takes $10 off)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.817329
Case: HAF 912 $60
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Tower-Case-RC-912-KKN1/dp/B003ZM7YTA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329694097&sr=8-1
Mobo: ASRock H61 USB3 Sata3 $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB $75 (promo code EMCNHJD22)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
PSU: Antec 430w PSU $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034&Tpk=antec%20430

Total is $564, accounting for promo codes.
-The CPU is the pick for the best gaming CPU under $100 (well, technically it was the G860. But 100MHz isn't going to make a huge difference) It outperforms all CPU's in it's price range, even competing quads.
-You might be able to squeeze a 6870 GPU in there. If I knew more about what games you play, I might decide to move things around. GPU performance is more important than CPU performance for gaming.
-I decided to recommend 1333MHz RAM, as 1600MHz requires overclocking which you may not be comfortable with. It also voids the warranty on your CPU. There is going to be a VERY small hit on performance, so not like it matters.

That should leave you with a decent amount left over for a monitor. I did my best to budget, tell me what you think!

 

[enc643]

hello striker410, for games, I am not quite sure. I haven't really been on a gaming PC, and am pretty new to steam. For games there would probably be BF3, Skyrim, Portal, and such, and some casual mmo's to play with friends, such as spiral knights. I have heard the intel i processors are good, how much of a step up would it be from the Pentium G850?

Also, what resolution of a monitor would you recommend? the one I had my eyes on was a 1920x1080.
Thanks!

 

[SingingThroughTheStorm]

He should be able to build a i3-2100 plus a 6870 for under $650

 

[shell shocke]

from i3/i5/i7 to a Pentium G850? here's a benchmark of a i3 2100 and a G850. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/289?vs=404

 

[striker410]

Yup, the i3-1200 is $30 more but gives significantly more performance, as can be seen here: http://media.bestofmicro.com/X/F/323907/original/Averages.png

As for monitors, I would definitely get one that's 1920x1080p. Asides from that, look for response time (the lower the better) and LED backlighting is a must for me. The higher the contrast, the better. This Acer is a good bang for buck monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009316 This one is a few bucks more but has speakers, in case you'd like to have that option: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236100

As long as it's got good reviews, is 1080p and has LED backlighting, it's probably a good buy. It's just finding the BEST buy, haha.

 

[enc643]

I'm more of a headphone person, so one without speakers doesn't bother me. If that processor delivers much better performance for not that much higher of a price, I think it would be good to go with it, and as well as the graphics card.

 

[dish_moose]

You guys need to remember he needs a monitor - striker410 seems to be the only one listening to the OP.
-Bruce

 

[Memnarchon]

Hello.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236100

For $10 more you can add 2ms instead of 5ms
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236099

 

[striker410]

Alright, I tailored my above build with this in mind. Now, it might squeeze your budget for your monitor. I'll do what I can to keep costs down.

 

[striker410]

Hello.


For $10 more you can add 2ms instead of 5ms
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236099

Good find! That is certainly a good deal if the OP can swing it. 5ms is fine, but 2ms is better xD

 

[enc643]

So, what parts/ price are we at now?

 

[striker410]

I edited my post above. Here's a copy paste.

CPU: Intel Dual-Core i3-2100 $125 (Promo Code EMCNHJC32 takes $15 off, only good through the 20th)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
DVD: LG sata burner-OEM $16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240
GPU: Sapphire 6870 1GB
RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 2x4GB 1333MHz
Above in combo $198 (Rebate takes $10 off)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.817329
Case: HAF 912 $60
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Tower-Case-RC-912-KKN1/dp/B003ZM7YTA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329694097&sr=8-1
Mobo: ASRock H61 USB3 Sata3 $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB $75 (promo code EMCNHJD22)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
PSU: Antec 430w PSU $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034&Tpk=antec%20430

Total is $564, accounting for promo codes.

 

[samuelspark]

Try this. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/335765-31-2012-price-performance-build

 

[striker410]

Try this. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/335765-31-2012-price-performance-build

Doesn't account for a monitor.

 

[enc643]

Alright, I am very happy with the parts list you have made for me. So will all these parts be compatible, and do they have good warranties? Also for one last thing, do you have any videos to recommend for putting the computer together?

Thanks!

 

[striker410]

They are all 100% compatible. The warranties are decent, although the warranty for the mobo and DVD expire in only one year. This is probably due to low cost. Everything else is at least 2 years. The ram is lifetime!

Yes, I do indeed! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls 43 minutes of HD PC building, courtesy of none other than Newegg. Excellent build, covers a ton of stuff. Part 1 covers part selection, part 3 covers software installation and troubleshooting.

If you have any more questions, be sure to let me know. I'll happily help.

 

[samuelspark]

Oh. didn't notice that xD

 

[enc643]

Will the computer be noisy, or quiet? Does the promo code on the core i3 processor expire at 12 tonight, or is it good through tomorrow? Also, what do you have to do for rebates?
Thanks, you have been most helpful

 

[striker410]

No idea about the promo code. Let's hope it expires tomorrow night!

For a rebate, all you do is mail in the UPC off the box with a form you can print out online (go to the newegg product page and click on the rebate link) send it in, they'll send you a prepaid Visa or something similar. That said, it usually takes a few weeks. They don't like giving away money xD

 

[enc643]

Does that final price include rebates??

 

[striker410]

Nope!

 

[enc643]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=cooler%20master%20haf%20912

The case is also on newegg, for $60.. but there is a $10 rebate available
Amazon has free shipping, and the shipping from newegg is about $6. I could save a whopping $4! xD

But this way, it might be simpler having all the parts coming from newegg, right?