Suitable Gaming Computer

[Antelopeking]

I am looking to buy a new computer as my laptop is not made for gaming at all, honestly. I want a desktop PC that runs Windows. I own a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, speakers, my own WiFi, and a copy of Windows 7 (minus $100 right there). My price range is somewhere around $700 but I have leeway. It would be amazing if I could get a few options. I'm 15 but I'm pretty good with computers (currently learning Java and C++) but never actually took one apart/made one. I don't have any preference to being pre-built or DIY.
What I want the computer to do is run games (ie:Minecraft) with full graphics and recording (ie:Fraps). No lag allowed. I also am going to need at least 8 GB RAM because my 4 GB is "a word I should not use on forums." Anyone can help me out here?

 

[o1die]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL052412&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL052412-_-EMC-052412-Index-_-ProcessorsDesktops-_-19116505-L0H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130648&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL052412&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL052412-_-EMC-052412-Index-_-IntelMotherboards-_-13130648-L014D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL052412&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL052412-_-EMC-052412-Index-_-CDDVDBurners-_-27135204-L014A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_sp=Cat_Computer_Cases-_-Spotlight-_-11-129-042
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125417
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236

If you have large gaming files, then you may want to go with a standard sata II hardrive. I love my sandforce ssd; won't ever go back to a conventional hardrive due to the disk chatter and slow boot times. You should also review some youtube videos on putting a system together. I recommend an esd strap to prevent circuit blow out damage which can't even be detected. You should also do a barebones test before mounting the board in the case. You can search for those details later.

 

[Antelopeking]

Thanks so much o1die. Definitely going to look into this.

 

[Antelopeking]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL052412&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL052412-_-EMC-052412-Index-_-ProcessorsDesktops-_-19116505-L0H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130648&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL052412&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL052412-_-EMC-052412-Index-_-IntelMotherboards-_-13130648-L014D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL052412&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL052412-_-EMC-052412-Index-_-CDDVDBurners-_-27135204-L014A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_sp=Cat_Computer_Cases-_-Spotlight-_-11-129-042
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125417
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236

If you have large gaming files, then you may want to go with a standard sata II hardrive. I love my sandforce ssd; won't ever go back to a conventional hardrive due to the disk chatter and slow boot times. You should also review some youtube videos on putting a system together. I recommend an esd strap to prevent circuit blow out damage which can't even be detected. You should also do a barebones test before mounting the board in the case. You can search for those details later.

Only $677 (plus tax and S&H)! I don't think that I will need 1 TB, honestly. I have a 250 GB external hard drive already. If a company like iBuyPower was selling this, it would probably cost around $1,000. Amazing deal. Thanks for the help.

 

[nekulturny]

Thats a pretty weak video card for a gamer. Yes its sufficient for Mincraft, but I just think you could do so much better for the price range.


CPU-$120- Phenom II 965
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Motherboard- Asrock 970 $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280

Video Card- Radeon 6870 $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

RAM-Gskill 2x4GB $47
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

Case- CoolerMaster HAF 912 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=haf%20912

Power- Corsair CX500 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&Tpk=cx500

HDD- WDC 500Gb -$80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

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

Total- $635

 

[Antelopeking]

Thats a pretty weak video card for a gamer. Yes its sufficient for Mincraft, but I just think you could do so much better for the price range.


CPU-$120- Phenom II 965
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Motherboard- Asrock 970 $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280

Video Card- Radeon 6870 $170
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

RAM-Gskill 2x4GB $47
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

Case- CoolerMaster HAF 912 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=haf%20912

Power- Corsair CX500 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&Tpk=cx500

HDD- WDC 500Gb -$80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

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

Total- $635

Though you did get a better video card you downgraded a few other things. I'd be willing to pay an extra $60 to get a video card two tiers higher on the list here here. I'll just swap out the video card and that's it. It's only just above $700. How much do you think S&H will cost in total?

 

[o1die]

Newegg ships many items for free.

 

[nekulturny]

Though you did get a better video card you downgraded a few other things. I'd be willing to pay an extra $60 to get a video card two tiers higher on the list here here. I'll just swap out the video card and that's it. It's only just above $700. How much do you think S&H will cost in total?

Depends, like o1die said, newegg does a lot of free shipping on items. The 6870 is a very competent video card, I have problem with Tom's "Hierarchy Charts", they aren't very informative.

Take for example the GTX 560 TI, now that article has it a run above the 6870. Okay, yes the 560 TI is a little better than the 6870, but how much better for the extra 60-90 dollars?

Lets take a look here:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/290?vs=330

If one were to ask me based on that chart, not very much at all. But absolutely, its your system so you're the one that has to be happy with it, just keep in mind that a more expensive part doesn't necessarily give you better performance. At that price range however, I would consider a 7850 over say a 560 TI.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125419

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/549?vs=547

 

[Antelopeking]

I agree that it should show more in-depth charts. Maybe it will get updated later on.

 

[nekulturny]

Yea.. Well, really benchmarks have to be taken with a grain of salt anyway. Theres just so many factors that go into system performance, and with gaming, different resolutions, different settings, what programs are being run in the background, some games aren't very graphic intensive, and some are very CPU intensive etc. The benches are good for reference but its not always consistent. All of these factors, theres no way a review site could test them all.

Overall however, at least how I interpret the various benchmarks of the 6870 vs the 560 TI, I feel pretty confident to say the 6870 is the better buy for the money. And at the price point of the 560 TI, the 7850 is a better buy.