Help for a n00b?

[AbstractSpaces]

Hello most esteemed forum, I come to you as a humble n00b seeking your wise advice on what to put in my new rig. I'm upgrading from an entry level netbook so anything will be an improvement at this stage, and I'm only after some reasonably modest specs. I'll be playing some games on it but nothing too taxing (online games like Eve Online and League of Legends, and indie games from Steam mostly) as I already own an Xbox.

I have a vague understanding of what parts I should be aiming for but vague is the operative word. I'll be looking to spend a grand at most but preferably a little less. I should probably also mention that I live in Australia in case that affects the price of parts.

So, venerable posters, can you offer me your knowledge and advice? Thanks in advance for any help given

Edit: I should add that I'll be paying to have it built as I have zero experience or confidence building computers and I really don't have the time or interest to learn.

Edit: Pretty retarded of me, but I forgot to mention I'll be buying a full set up: OS, monitor, disk drive, the lot. I've already got speakers, a mouse, and a keyboard.

 

[TimeLass]

How much is your budget?are you planning on overclocking or SLI/CFX in the future?

 

[gussrtk]

you will be happy with this set up. overclockable ~ crossfire/sli ready, will play most current games on ultra.

some notes; PSU is a non modular simple good. if you wish to spend a few more bucks (40-60$) you can get a modular psu.
there is only an SSD main. you can add a 1tb WD caviar blue hard drive for storage, or donate from your old rig.

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/FScU
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/FScU/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/FScU/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.90 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($50.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($249.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($61.72 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $878.36
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-25 06:44 EST-0500)

 

[TimeLass]

i don't think he will need to spend so much money on this build since he is only going to play some online and indie games on this system...something like this will do fine

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSrK
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSrK/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSrK/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: ASRock B75 PRO3-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.00 @ Foxcomp)
Storage: Seagate Momentus XT 750GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($219.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Thermaltake VN900A1W2N (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Total: $786.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-25 23:43 EST+1100)

or this

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSt4
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSt4/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSt4/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: ASRock B75 PRO3-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.00 @ Foxcomp)
Storage: Seagate Momentus XT 750GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($125.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Thermaltake VN900A1W2N (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Total: $692.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-25 23:45 EST+1100)

go and buy the parts from local store which will cost lesser(maybe)... buy a 2x4GB 1600MHz value ram will be enough and will save you some money...

 

[AbstractSpaces]

Thanks for the advice so far. Would I really need a quad core CPU? I don't know the practical differences it would make for my uses.

 

[mikerockett]

Without a budget or any other information it's hard to gauge.

Please take a look at the link below, fill out the template and post back, with that information we can provide something to suit your needs.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/353572-13-build-upgrade-advice

 

[TimeLass]

Thanks for the advice so far. Would I really need a quad core CPU? I don't know the practical differences it would make for my uses.

If you're only into online games like LoL then no you don't really need a quad core CPU... if you're into some MMOs games then it is ideal to go for quad core...

 

[AbstractSpaces]

Additionally may I ask if even the cheapest build listed above is a little overkill? It seems I only need a 1gb video card and 2gb of RAM to run Eve and I think that's the most demanding game I have.

Just wondering what the thinking behind the above builds is and if my example is realistic or not?

 

[AbstractSpaces]

Without a budget or any other information it's hard to gauge.

Please take a look at the link below, fill out the template and post back, with that information we can provide something to suit your needs.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/353572-13-build-upgrade-advice

I did include the budget and a decent description in the first post... just saying.

 

[mikerockett]

I did include the budget and a decent description in the first post... just saying.

After you edited the message yes.... just sayin'


Id go with something like this

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.00 @ Foxcomp)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($109.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.00 @ Scorptec)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer
Total: $685.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-26 01:02 EST+1100)

 

[TimeLass]

Additionally may I ask if even the cheapest build listed above is a little overkill? It seems I only need a 1gb video card and 2gb of RAM to run Eve and I think that's the most demanding game I have.

Just wondering what the thinking behind the above builds is and if my example is realistic or not?

in case you want to play some games like AC3 or COD on this system you will be able to do so... if you're really going to use this system to play only some some online and indie games then go this

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSXl
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSXl/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSXl/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: ASRock 970DE3/U3S3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($67.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.00 @ Foxcomp)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7750 1GB Video Card ($118.00 @ Foxcomp)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Essential 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Total: $513.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-26 01:05 EST+1100)

even cheaper

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSZV
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSZV/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FSZV/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: Asus F2A55-M LK PLUS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($69.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.00 @ Foxcomp)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($68.00 @ Foxcomp)
Total: $406.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-26 01:09 EST+1100)

you can add in another HD 6670 for Hybrid CFX if you want more performance gain... the APU of that CPU alone is enough for games that you mentioned...and also in games like Diablo 3/Black ops 2/BF3...

 

[AbstractSpaces]

in case you want to play some games like AC3 or COD on this system you will be able to do so...

Any major titles I'll get for Xbox (don't judge me, it's very good value for money ), and there aren't many PC exclusives that catch my attention. So yeah, it'd mostly be MMO's and the like.

Your builds sound much more like what I was expecting however.

 

[TimeLass]

Any major titles I'll get for Xbox (don't judge me, it's very good value for money ), and there aren't many PC exclusives that catch my attention. So yeah, it'd mostly be MMO's and the like.

Your builds sound much more like what I was expecting however.

if that's the case then you really don't have to spend so much money on this build...
(i play games on consoles too because i have only a old laptop with me...

 

[AbstractSpaces]

I only set a thousand bucks as a maximum because I wasn't sure what to expect, I was hoping for much less in reality.

 

[TimeLass]

I only set a thousand bucks as a maximum because I wasn't sure what to expect, I was hoping for much less in reality.

hmm... so how lesser are you hoping for?less than 400? it is possible to do so TBH... is there any local stores that sells computer hardwares? if you buy your parts from local stores i believe it will cost you even lesser...

 

[AbstractSpaces]

hmm... so how lesser are you hoping for?less than 400? it is possible to do so TBH... is there any local stores that sells computer hardwares? if you buy your parts from local stores i believe it will cost you even lesser...

There's a few local shops, these two packages are from shops in my city:

http://www.ple.com.au/ViewKit.aspx?KitId=602199

http://www.netplus.com.au/package-systems#sys-slp

They seem along the lines of what I want, what do you think? I'm just using them as guidelines right now but I might buy them pretty much as is just minus the keyboard mouse and speakers.

Also I just edited my post because I forgot to mention I'm buying the OS and monitor and pretty much everything else under my budget.

 

[TimeLass]

There's a few local shops, these two packages are from shops in my city:

http://www.ple.com.au/ViewKit.aspx?KitId=602199

http://www.netplus.com.au/package-systems#sys-slp

They seem along the lines of what I want, what do you think? I'm just using them as guidelines right now but I might buy them pretty much as is just minus the keyboard mouse and speakers.

Also I just edited my post because I forgot to mention I'm buying the OS and monitor and pretty much everything else under my budget.

both of the pre-built PC above are definitely not worth it...if you're not sure on how to assemble a PC you can always follow the video guides in youtube... or you can ask your friends who have experience in building a PC to help you assemble it for you...

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FTJB
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FTJB/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/FTJB/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($129.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Motherboard: Asus F2A55-M LK PLUS Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($69.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.00 @ Foxcomp)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($68.00 @ Foxcomp)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($22.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Monitor: Dell S2340L 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($219.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Total: $786.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-26 02:51 EST+1100)

get a Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit from local stores...