Need help building a gaming computer.

[miriam3]

Hi everyone , I'm new to the computer building game and was hoping i can get some help. My budget is 1000$ and I'm looking for the best possible build for that price. I mostly play game like World of Warcraft , Aion , things in that genre. I would also start looking to play games like MW3 or BF3 on the highest settings i can for a 1000$ computer.
So what should i be looking to buy ? Thanks for the people that help me ^_^

 

[kelthic]

Check out this build:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136236 CD/DVD Burner 17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197 HAF 922
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533 1TB HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102986 HD 7850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422 8GB Ram Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072 i5-2500k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279 ASRock Pro 3 Gen 3 Z68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 Win 7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 Hyper 212 EVO.


EDIT: Total $995.91
That should be able to max everything up to 1080p nps. What resolution are you planning on playing at?

 

[miriam3]

I plan on buying a 1920x1200 res screen.

 

[miriam3]

Like, i said i'm a little new at this :3 , so will this build play my games on the highest settings ? and will it be able to support games like battlefield on high settings ? i like the build , i can cut out win 7 since i still have my discs for it .

 

[g-unit1111]

Here you go:

Case: Fractal Design Arc MIDI - $99.99
PSU: Seasonic M12 II 620W - $89.99
Motherboard: Asrock Z77 Pro 4 - $110.99
CPU: 3.30GHz Intel Core i5-2500K - $219.99
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - $34.99
RAM: 8GB G.Skill Ripjaw X 1600MHz 1.5V - $46.99
HD: 500GB Seagate Caviar Blue 7200 RPM - $79.99
Optical: Lite on Bulk DVD Burner - $17.99
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 - $359.99

Total: $1069.92

A little bit over budget but the Radeon 7870 is a really killer GPU and that system will last you a long time.

 

[kelthic]

Like, i said i'm a little new at this :3 , so will this build play my games on the highest settings ? and will it be able to support games like battlefield on high settings ? i like the build , i can cut out win 7 since i still have my discs for it .

Yes it will. If you do not need windows, swap the graphics card in my build and get this twin frozr card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127662. These have excellent cooling and sound reduction and the 7870 is a superior model.

That would put you at $1015.92

 

[miriam3]

I like the build g-unit1111, a little over my price range but it seems like i can manage it, will the case that kelhic said be able to support the other parts though ? or will i have to do a completely different build for that case ?

 

[torchwood_3]

I like the build g-unit1111, a little over my price range but it seems like i can manage it, will the case that kelhic said be able to support the other parts though ? or will i have to do a completely different build for that case ?

Yep im looking a near identical build atm

 

[kelthic]

The case i suggested should work just dandy. It is a rather nice build, though. The ram could be a bit cheaper and low profile as well, but that's a matter of debate and i really don't want to go into all that at the moment.

 

[g-unit1111]

I like the build g-unit1111, a little over my price range but it seems like i can manage it, will the case that kelhic said be able to support the other parts though ? or will i have to do a completely different build for that case ?

Both cases have about the same dimensions and number of expansion bays and slots. I personally like the simplistic look of the Arc MIDI over the bulky HAF 922 but that's just my preference.

 

[miriam3]

Both cases have about the same dimensions and number of expansion bays and slots. I personally like the simplistic look of the Arc MIDI over the bulky HAF 922 but that's just my preference.

Okay , ill probably go with the HAF 922 then for the 10$ price difference.

 

[miriam3]

Now is there a difference between the two RAM kits you both have posted or is one more pricier because of a name brand ?

 

[loops]

Here you go:

Case: Fractal Design Arc MIDI - $99.99
PSU: Seasonic M12 II 620W - $89.99
Motherboard: Asrock Z77 Pro 4 - $110.99
CPU: 3.30GHz Intel Core i5-2500K - $219.99
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - $34.99
RAM: 8GB G.Skill Ripjaw X 1600MHz 1.5V - $46.99
HD: 500GB Seagate Caviar Blue 7200 RPM - $79.99
Optical: Lite on Bulk DVD Burner - $17.99
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 - $359.99

Total: $1069.92

A little bit over budget but the Radeon 7870 is a really killer GPU and that system will last you a long time.

Overall, I'd say that is a good build. I'd drop the case for a haf 912 like case and also drop the Cooler MAster Hyper 212. That PSU is nice but you can pic one out that is fine for a lil less. With the savings get aim for an SSD for OS.

 

[kelthic]

The Ram G Skill posted has a taller heat sink on it and is more expensive. Some people think that these heatsinks improve the overclocking of RAM or keep them cooler, but to be honest i have ram without heatsinks and even overclocked they do not get hot enough that i can't touch them with my bare hands, so i do not think the heat sinks or fans for ram are very necessary. However, a lot of people like them. Also, he linked 1600MHz ram and i linked 1333Mhz ram, so his were a tiny bit faster.

 

[g-unit1111]

Overall, I'd say that is a good build. I'd drop the case for a haf 912 like case and also drop the Cooler MAster Hyper 212. That PSU is nice but you can pic one out that is fine for a lil less. With the savings get aim for an SSD for OS.

Why would you drop the Hyper 212? If you're going to overclock it's a necessity. I don't recommend SSDs on any sub-$1K build because you trade speed for space and you can really only get between a 60gb - 128GB and that will fill quickly. That's not a good thing. The GPU is where you'll notice the biggest difference on any build - not storage, case or anything of that nature. A good or bad GPU can often make or break the performance of any build. I don't cut corners to get things that I don't feel are necessity to the given budget - if the budget allowed for more room then an SSD would be appropriate. On this build - it isn't. You can always get one later.

The Ram G Skill posted has a taller heat sink on it and is more expensive. Some people think that these heatsinks improve the overclocking of RAM or keep them cooler, but to be honest i have ram without heatsinks and even overclocked they do not get hot enough that i can't touch them with my bare hands, so i do not think the heat sinks or fans for ram are very necessary. However, a lot of people like them. Also, he linked 1600MHz ram and i linked 1333Mhz ram, so his were a tiny bit faster.

Yeah but you're not going to notice the difference between 1333 and 1600 - your motherboard by default runs at the lowest speeds and timings it can handle. Only in the hardest core overclocking circles would you, but even then overclocking your RAM is never a good thing and can actually fry your build if you're not careful. I definitely agree that the tall heat sinks don't do anything but if you want something low profile go with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148543

 

[kelthic]

Yeah but you're not going to notice the difference between 1333 and 1600 - your motherboard by default runs at the lowest speeds and timings it can handle. Only in the hardest core overclocking circles would you, but even then overclocking your RAM is never a good thing and can actually fry your build if you're not careful. I definitely agree that the tall heat sinks don't do anything but if you want something low profile go with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148543

Actually i didn't technically raise the clocks on my ram, just tightened the timings.

 

[loops]

Why would you drop the Hyper 212? If you're going to overclock it's a necessity. I don't recommend SSDs on any sub-$1K build because you trade speed for space and you can really only get between a 60gb - 128GB and that will fill quickly. That's not a good thing. The GPU is where you'll notice the biggest difference on any build - not storage, case or anything of that nature. A good or bad GPU can often make or break the performance of any build. I don't cut corners to get things that I don't feel are necessity to the given budget - if the budget allowed for more room then an SSD would be appropriate. On this build - it isn't. You can always get one later.

The Ram G Skill posted has a taller heat sink on it and is more expensive. Some people think that these heatsinks improve the overclocking of RAM or keep them cooler, but to be honest i have ram without heatsinks and even overclocked they do not get hot enough that i can't touch them with my bare hands, so i do not think the heat sinks or fans for ram are very necessary. However, a lot of people like them. Also, he linked 1600MHz ram and i linked 1333Mhz ram, so his were a tiny bit faster.

Yeah but you're not going to notice the difference between 1333 and 1600 - your motherboard by default runs at the lowest speeds and timings it can handle. Only in the hardest core overclocking circles would you, but even then overclocking your RAM is never a good thing and can actually fry your build if you're not careful. I definitely agree that the tall heat sinks don't do anything but if you want something low profile go with this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148543

An OC of the 2500k is not needed. The stock fan --> 212 is nice but not needed to get off the ground. Your not giving up "speed" that will make a big difference with the card you got picked out if you dont OC the 2500k. I ran one w/ stock fan for over a month and all was fine...TB to 4.2-4.7. I had no heat issues. I got the 212 later once I had the cash for it.

The case you picked is nice. I'd like to own it. But a 912 will do just fine and cost almost half. With that cut your about 60 bucks closer to an SSD. A ssd for OS only is not that far out there. It is nice to have a fast boot up and power down. I have a 64 gig w/ Win ult 7, drivers. Works fine, a really is a nice bonus to have, but not needed. IMO it is not needed nor is that lvl case and cpu cooler.

Again, I like that build. It is more than fine. I'd call it a good build.

 

[g-unit1111]

An OC of the 2500k is not needed. The stock fan --> 212 is nice but not needed to get off the ground. Your not giving up "speed" that will make a big difference with the card you got picked out if you dont OC the 2500k. I ran one w/ stock fan for over a month and all was fine...TB to 4.2-4.7. I had no heat issues. I got the 212 later once I had the cash for it.

The case you picked is nice. I'd like to own it. But a 912 will do just fine and cost almost half. With that cut your about 60 bucks closer to an SSD. A ssd for OS only is not that far out there. It is nice to have a fast boot up and power down. I have a 64 gig w/ Win ult 7, drivers. Works fine, a really is a nice bonus to have, but not needed. IMO it is not needed nor is that lvl case and cpu cooler.

Again, I like that build. It is more than fine. I'd call it a good build.

1. I have heard of people being able to the take the 2500K to 4.5 on stock without issue but they're few and far between. I'm not sure if I would trust it with a first time builder though.

2. Yeah but even you said it's not needed. I'd rather go for a case with the best ventilation you can get to ensure the longevity of your components. Drive expansion is so easy on modern cases anymore that you can always add an SSD later on and get one that's higher capacity - around the 120GB range. Replacing a drive is easy. Replacing a case isn't.

 

[loops]

1. I have heard of people being able to the take the 2500K to 4.5 on stock without issue but they're few and far between. I'm not sure if I would trust it with a first time builder though.

2. Yeah but even you said it's not needed. I'd rather go for a case with the best ventilation you can get to ensure the longevity of your components. Drive expansion is so easy on modern cases anymore that you can always add an SSD later on and get one that's higher capacity - around the 120GB range. Replacing a drive is easy. Replacing a case isn't.

Not all 1st timers will want to OC. An OC is not needed in this set up. It is nice, gives you a nice 3d mark score but not needed. The build you have will give fps way 30-40 and the few extra fps of the OC will not make a noticeable in game difference imo. Down the road, the OC option is nice to have. Turbo B is also available and functions just fine. Given all that, I'd say skip the cooler.

The 912 has fine ventilation for a single GPU set up. You can H2O/Air cool...have up to 6 fans...fit a large CPU cooler. A 1k build needs no more from a case. It is all extra from there...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233223&nm_mc=AFC-C8JUNCTION&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JUNCTION-_-EMC-041712-Latest-_-SSD-_-20233223-L09A&PID=4176827&SID=1w15u3oe7k5l6&AID=10521304

Corsair Force Series 3 CSSD-F60GB3A-BK 2.5" 60GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $64.00 w/ MIR....about te cost of the 912/ no 212.

I simply prefer to have a set where I power up/down as fast as I can. If I get a crash...I am back and running. If I want to do a "fast" internet search, its on and running fast...

 

[g-unit1111]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] D=10521304

Corsair Force Series 3 CSSD-F60GB3A-BK 2.5" 60GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $64.00 w/ MIR....about te cost of the 912/ no 212.

I wouldn't get a Sandforce drive - you want a Marvell (Crucial M4, Samsung 830, Plextor PX-M3, etc) or that new controller that OCZ is using on the Vertex 4 - Sandforce has so many problems that it's hard to recommend it.