New Gaming PC

[Josh_Sasman]

I am currently trying to find the right components for a cheaper gaming PC. So far I have the following:

ASRock Z75 Pro3 LGA 1155 Intel Z75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

EVGA 015-P3-1480-KR GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500

CORSAIR 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMV8GX3M2A1333C9

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

I just kinda of wanted to get a second opinion, and whether or not I could possibly downgrade to an i3 processor to save some money.

 

[scottiemedic]

Depends on what games you're playing. The 480 might not have enough umph to power the newest on max settings, so it won't hurt to have an i3. If you're going for the newer games at max, I'd relook at GPUs... (and get a K series i5 if you get an i5 in case you need more out of it down the road, it's not much more to have that pretty unlocked multiplier).

 

[Josh_Sasman]

Well I am looking for something that can run newer games on relatively high settings. I play Skyrim and Diablo III and stuff like that. So the 480 wont have enough to run the newer games on high?

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey

 

[aznshinobi]

It'll be able to run games decently but as stated, don't be afraid to downgrade your CPU for a better GPU. What is your budget? You didn't say, please fill this out:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[Josh_Sasman]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next two weeks

Budget Range: 800-900

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Parts Not Required: Mouse, Monitor, Keyboard, Speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country: USA

Overclocking: No/Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1600x1200


As far as CPU vs GPU, I have no idea how to look for that. I am more than willing to downgrade my CPU for a better GPU.

(Update: I just switched my graphic card from the first post in this thread from the GTX 480 to a Radeon 7850 2GB)

 

[guerrero]

Do you know if you live near a Microcenter?

 

[Josh_Sasman]

I live about 3 hours away from a Microcenter

 

[aznshinobi]

Ok if you drive a fuel efficient car, I would go to microcenter to get the deal.

Check out my $850 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
After the Microcenter CPU and MB discount it should be well within $800. You'll get a better CPU (In that you'll have the ability to OC if you want), Motherboard, GPU and PSU.

 

[Josh_Sasman]

Well I tweaked my build a bit.

This is the current build I have: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fDkM

Some of the items are slightly lower than the build that you linked, but since I have to buy Windows 7 as well, I chose a cheaper Graphics card, motherboard, and power supply.

I am not sure how much money I can save at Microcenter on the build, but it seems like this will be a cheaper option while still giving me a PC that will run current games on higher settings. Am I correct to say that?

 

[aznshinobi]

Microcenter pricing: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577

Also my $850 build is cheaper with the microcenter pricing, OS here:
http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-oem-branded.html
The windows retailer is BBB approved with an A+ rating so you'll be good to go.

Honestly, I would go with my build since you get a motherboard that will allow for future Crossfire/SLI at 8x/8x and the GPU will perform much better at higher settings. The 7850 is good, but for higher settings it's not quite the best unless you push the limits of its overclock. I'm aware not everyone wants to.

 

[Josh_Sasman]

Ya the discount at Microcenter and your build works out great. I get a better system that I actually had picked out for about the same price as what I had before. Thank you very much for your help. Can't wait to put it all together.

 

[Why_Me]

I am currently trying to find the right components for a cheaper gaming PC. So far I have the following:

ASRock Z75 Pro3 LGA 1155 Intel Z75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

EVGA 015-P3-1480-KR GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500

CORSAIR 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMV8GX3M2A1333C9

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

I just kinda of wanted to get a second opinion, and whether or not I could possibly downgrade to an i3 processor to save some money.

Dump the gtx 480. It's a heat producing power hog that's past it's time. Over clocking with these Ivy Bridge cpu's don't gain you much in regards to gaming. With that said go for a B75 board and a 3470 or 3450 cpu. Take any money saved and put it into your gpu. 7850, 7870 or gtx 660 ti.