$800+/- (USD) gaming computer for my boyfriend

thinkpink87 · Mar 19, 2012

I am trying to be an awesome girlfriend and
either buy or build my boyfriend a good gaming
computer. Just to put it out there he is not a
computer savvy person so he doesn't have a list
of requirements. After some research there are
a few things I think would be better but I am
new to this as well!

I've never contemplated building a computer
before, but after doing some research I'm
willing to accept the challenge if it will make a
big difference in the computers performance.

The computer I was looking at buying was
customizing your own hp from costco.

It's the HP Pavilion p7xt PC with these
upgrades:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500 quad-core processor
[3.3GHz, 6MB cache]

8GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [2 DIMMs]

1TB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive

2GB AMD Radeon HD 7570

(Or)

2GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce GT 530

Total: $893

Would this make a good gaming computer? (I
was unsure about the graphics card) and also,
how's the price?

Or would building one be the right solution?

Approximate Purchase Date: In the next couple weeks

Budget Range:$700 - $900

System Usage from Most to Least Important:
Gaming (Diablo III type stuff), regular internet
browsing usage. Music & videos

Parts Not Required: Windows 7 premium 64bit

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, or best
deal

Parts Preferences: Intel processor. Nice graphics
card

Overclocking: Don't think so

SLI or Crossfire: No idea

Monitor Resolution:1920 x 1080 (more than
likely )

I hope the post isn't too long! I'm just trying to
find the best option and biggest bang for my
buck!

Thanks

g-unit1111 · Mar 19, 2012

I've never contemplated building a computer
before, but after doing some research I'm
willing to accept the challenge if it will make a
big difference in the computers performance.

Oh it absolutely will - most of the big box manufacturers (Dell, Gateway, HP) make junk computers for the most part. They use a lot of proprietary and watered down hardware that makes upgrading incredibly difficult or near impossible as they don't use standard form factors. Then they limit access to the BIOS which will not enable full functionality of the PC and drivers and overload the HD (splitting it into two partitions to include the "recovery" part of the OS since they've been too cheap to include backup discs since 2008) and OS with junk that you don't need. Then they sell you their outrageously expensive "at home" technical service and it's not worth it for things you can do yourself (replacing drivers, GPUs, etc). Building your own eliminates a lot of that frustration.

Or would building one be the right solution?

Building your own is the way to go as it's a far better solution for way less money. You can certainly get a way better computer and it's not that hard to assemble. Once you get the case connectors attached to your motherboard and the motherboard screwed into place everything else hooks in easily. The only downside to building your own system is that you're on your own for servicing and supporting your PC. If that intimidates you then yeah you're probably better off going with a big box, but chances are good that you know someone who is a PC person and they can definitely help you should something go wrong.

That said here's my typcial <= $900 build:

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 - $59.99
PSU: Seasonic M12 II 620W - $89.99
Motherboard: Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3 - $121.99
CPU: 3.30GHz Intel Core i5-2400 - $189.99
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 1600MHz 1.5V - $44.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB - $84.99
Optical: Lite On DVD Burner - $17.99
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 - $259.99

Total: $871.92

I generally don't include peripherals or monitors on builds - peripherals are all personal preference, and monitors mostly are too.

sosofm · Mar 19, 2012

Chainzsaw · Mar 19, 2012

Either of the reccomendations by sosofm and gunit are excellent.

We here at Tom's could probably even walk you through putting all these parts together, if you would like. That would be a pretty sweet gift for your boyfriend if you built the whole computer yourself (piece by piece).

Dealer009 · Mar 19, 2012

I would recommend trying to build. But if intimidated it's still best to buy the individual components you want from a retailer, and have them assemble it for anywhere $45-100.

Having someone build it would be easier this time, but it gets easier every time.

Guest · Mar 19, 2012

This video might be able to help you out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls

jessterman21 · Mar 19, 2012

Chainzsaw :

+1

That would be the coolest girlfriend-gift ever.

g-unit1111 · Mar 19, 2012

Chainzsaw :

The only thing is I really hate using micro ATX on a full ATX system - I will veto that every single time. Otherwise that's a good build.

jessterman21 · Mar 19, 2012

g-unit1111 :

But then you can use a nice Micro ATX case. And not some monstrous 2-cubic-foot beast.

Anyway, thinkpink - we'd love to help.

g-unit1111 · Mar 19, 2012

jessterman21 :

Well you could always go to the Fractal Design Arc MINI: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352008

But then you still limit your expansion options down the road.

And yes - that's what we're here for.

sinthoras · Mar 20, 2012

both of the reccomendations by sosofm and gunit are good but I'll give +1 to g-unit1111 due to following reasons :

hd 7850 is a BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG win , its newer and more awesome.

I love cooler master haf series above everything,

and micro atx sounds just .. wrong ( to ME)

These are my personal opinions born from my past experiences

thinkpink87 · Mar 20, 2012

Thanks for all the input guys

So I have a couple of questions now..

1- Would this HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB - $84.99 be a big enough hd and last a good amount of time, or would more space be needed in the near future?

And while this setup clearly adds the SSD:

HDD : Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 500GB 7200 RPM
SSD : Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR60GB 2.5" 60GB SATA III

Is that an easy feat on a first time build?

2- What's the main difference with cases? Are there certain cases to stick with or ones to avoid that will piss me off? lol

Thanks!

g-unit1111 · Mar 20, 2012

sinthoras :

Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates mATX.

Yes - the 7850 is a huge win, I'm getting a Sapphire 7870 once I get my tax refund.

Thanks for all the input guys

So I have a couple of questions now..

1- Would this HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB - $84.99 be a big enough hd and last a good amount of time, or would more space be needed in the near future?

Yes - it should be plenty for the most part - the nice thing about the HAF 912 is that they give you plenty of HD rails and adding or removing drives is a complete breeze compared to a lot of cases I've worked with in the same price range.

And while this setup clearly adds the SSD:

HDD : Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 500GB 7200 RPM
SSD : Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR60GB 2.5" 60GB SATA III

Is that an easy feat on a first time build?

The SSD takes all the pain out of the initial format and installation of your system - the 60GB SSD is good, and the Mushkin Chronos is a good choice. However I'd put that money into getting a 2500K or upgrading your GPU to the 7870. That's always where I recommend spending the money - you can always add / remove drives and if you want to cut costs skip the SSD for now, add one later.

2- What's the main difference with cases? Are there certain cases to stick with or ones to avoid that will piss me off? lol

Yes - as with all PC hardware there's a tier for everything. The best makers are Cooler Master, Corsair, Fractal Design, Azza, Antec, NZXT, and some Rosewill models.

Lian Li makes great cases but they're overpriced for what you get, while Thermaltake has some good models and some that are flat-out crap.

Ones to avoid are Apevia, Xion, Xclio, Raidmax (makes absolute garbage - do not buy under any circumstances), Compucase/HEC, Sentey, Ultra (another absolute garbage brand), and so on.

thinkpink87 · Mar 20, 2012

So there isn't a huge jump in price to get the 2500 over the 2400. Would it be worth it?
Also there's not a big difference to go from the HDD 500gb to 1TB. Is that worth the money up front? Or like g-unit1111 said, is it easy enough to just add and remove drives after to just wait on spending the money?

As for the GPU, is there a large difference in performance between the 7850 and 7870?

And the reviews for the HAF 912 are great, thanks for the suggestion!!

g-unit1111 · Mar 20, 2012

So there isn't a huge jump in price to get the 2500 over the 2400. Would it be worth it?

If you can squeeze it in your budget absolutely. The biggest difference between the 2400 and the 2500K is that the 2500K has an unlocked multiplier which allows you to overclock your CPU and with the right fan you can achieve speeds of +-4.5GHz or better.

Also there's not a big difference to go from the HDD 500gb to 1TB. Is that worth the money up front? Or like g-unit1111 said, is it easy enough to just add and remove drives after to just wait on spending the money?

The only reason we're recommending lower HD capacities right now is that the floods in Thailand shut down the factories that WD and Seagate use for at least the next year - once they get the factories back online the prices will return to normal. Should be about a year.

As for the GPU, is there a large difference in performance between the 7850 and 7870?

Somewhat - the 7870 is reaching numbers equivalent to a single GTX 580 while the 7850 surpasses the 560TI, check out these benchmarks: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148.html

And the reviews for the HAF 912 are great, thanks for the suggestion!!

No problem - I have an HAF 912 and for the price it has features that are unparalleled in it's price range - CM really did a good job with this case.

thinkpink87 · Mar 20, 2012

Ok..

Case
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Motherboard
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

CPU
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

PSU
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

HD
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

RAM
Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544

Video Card
SAPPHIRE 11200-01-20G Radeon HD 7850 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102984

Optical
ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

So, do the tweaks work? Would this be a solid system that a novice could attempt? And is it a good system for $905.00

**Couldn't get the links to work

Pezcore27 · Mar 20, 2012

Very nice build. I may need you to talk to my wife... lol.

If you are grabbing a 2500k then I'd recommend grabbing an aftermarket cooling fan for it. If your bf does choose to overclock the processor than the stock fan will not keep it cool enough. Purchase the Coolermaster 212 evolution for another 29.99

thinkpink87 · Mar 20, 2012

I get that overclocking the processor is having it run higher (or faster or more.. don't know the correct terminology ) GHz, correct?

Why is it done and is it necessary?

thinkpink87 · Mar 20, 2012

I get that overclocking the processor is having it run higher (or faster or more.. don't know the correct terminology ) GHz, correct?

Why is it done and is it necessary?

thinkpink87 · Mar 20, 2012

I get that overclocking the processor is having it run higher (or faster or more.. don't know the correct terminology ) GHz, correct?

Why is it done and is it necessary?

Pezcore27 · Mar 20, 2012

People overclock to try and squeeze as much performance out of their CPU as possible. It is by no means necessary and even at stock performance the 2500K has amazing performance. But if you are not considering overclocking than honestly get the 2400. It offers very similar performance to the 2500k for less and it has a locked multiplier so it cannot be overclocked.

thinkpink87 · Mar 20, 2012

Go phone! lol

All I meant to add was, I'll talk to your wife anytime! Haha

thinkpink87 · Mar 20, 2012

I don't know if he would be or not, is it worth the $30 or so to get the 2500k just in case?

bloodstorm69 · Mar 20, 2012

Something else everyone seems to forget to add is an operating system. If you comfortable with it you can download Windows 7 with an activator patch from the pirate bay, or expect to pay aprox $100 for an OEM windows disc w/ license.

Pezcore27 · Mar 20, 2012

You can if you want too. Even the most non tech savvy person can overclock a 2500K, its that easy. But he probably will not notice a difference in performance if you didn't and dropped down to a 2400 if both processors would be ran at stock settings.

$800+/- (USD) gaming computer for my boyfriend

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