Need these specs or better with 800-1000$ budget.

Noctis_Angelus

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To give you guys an idea of what im after, these are the specs I was currently looking at in a gaming laptop that was gonna cost me 1600$. However, now my my budget is lower at 800-1000$, and I've heard its possibile to build your own tower much cheaper. Can i get a computer as powerful or better than these specs for that money?

Any feedback is apreciated, and I'd also like the option to add more SSD down the road. Thanks :)

•Intel i7-3630QM
•nVidia GeForce GTX 670M 3,072MB PCI-Express GDDR5
•16GB DDR3 1600MHz
•750GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)
•6X Blu-Ray Reader + 8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
 

marshallbradley

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Yeah I'd say so. You've got to remember that the M versions of cards are much weaker than their desktop equivalents though. The 670M is nowhere near the GTX 670 (desktop version) in terms of power. It's more like a GTX 650 (the worst card in nVidia's current line up).

Again the i7 is about 1Ghz slower than it's desktop equivalent (I'd recommend going with an i5, much better gaming cost ratio).

So yes, I'm sure you could build something that could demolish the laptop in gaming performance, even with an SSD included. There are plenty of build suggestions around the forums (you could also look at the system builder marathon) so just have a browse. I could also recommend something if you so desire.

M
 

SHORYUKEN

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.49 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($297.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $968.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-14 20:08 EDT-0400)
 

bodeen2012

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i didnt go with a blu ray cause the software you need to play movies with it is another $100
the is a non overclocking build
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JK83
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JK83/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JK83/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($207.27 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: OCZ Agility 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $954.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-14 20:17 EDT-0400)
 

marshallbradley

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Of the two builds above, I think the first one is overall better. I think the 430w power supply is a bit on the low side for a 7950 though, I would go for the 500w unit linked in the second build (it's only $4 more!). I don't see the point at all in paying $55 more for the 3570 over the 3470, when the only difference really is 0.2 Ghz clock speed (nothing really). You won't notice the gaming difference at all. And as mentioned before, the Gigabyte 7950 is miles ahead of the XFX one in my opinion.

M
 

mikerockett

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Jan 16, 2012
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Something akin to the below would be good for you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.69 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($348.48 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1014.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-15 12:54 EDT-0400)
 

Noctis_Angelus

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Mar 14, 2013
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I want some integrated cooling so that I can get the longest lifespan possibile out of my tower. And just to be clear (Im new to this computer thing obvously) without overclocking, am i gonna be able to play 95% of games on max settings without overclocking?
 

Noctis_Angelus

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If im reading this correctly my only memory option is the 256 SSD, id really like a terrabyte hardrive ON TOP of the SSD. This would improve my startup and reboot imes, along my installation times correct?
 

marshallbradley

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Yes the SSD is the only storage in that build.

If you want to have both an SSD and the hard drive, perhaps change the 670 for a 7950 (there really isn't much difference in performance at all, I had a 7950 before my current card) and spend the money saved on the terabyte hard drive. The Samsung 830 series is also outdated hardware, personally I'd stick to something a bit newer (perhaps the 840 Series/840 Pro). The majority of people can easily get by on a 120gb SSD as well instead of a 256gb one, assuming they have other storage. It's only the OS and a couple of programs really that need to go on the SSD.

EDIT: And yes a 7950 or the 670 will have no trouble with any modern titles on max settings (perhaps if you turn the anti-aliasing up to crazy amounts).

M
 

Noctis_Angelus

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Yo guys have been such a huge help I cant even describe it. You've saved me 600$ and got my a very powerful machine in the process so let me just say you guys rock. Im gonna et these parts ordered shortly, and hopefully be on my way to becoming a PC oriented gamer.

Thanks so much,

marshallbradley, mikerockett, and shoryuken FTW!!!! :D
 

mikerockett

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Thats right yea. My reasoning behind it was- If you have more data than 256gb, you already have a HDD you could bring to this build. If you dont have that much data, you arent likely to use the 256gb that quickly, so you have a few months to add a 1tb HDD down the road when you have more cash. Much easier to add HDD's than to replace the boot drive.
 

mikerockett

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You may be interested to know that the 830 although older is a much better choice than the 840. The 840 pro is the direct replacement for the 830 but costs more. They both use MLC NAND as opposed to the regular 840's TLC NAND. MLC offers faster read write speeds and better longevity.
 

Noctis_Angelus

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So i think my only concern now lies with the motherboard. A co-worker of mine told me to make sure to get a high-grade motherboard so that down the road it will be able able to handle newer tech that i throw at it. Is this accurate, and are the motherboards you guys suggested take this into account?
 

mikerockett

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The ivybridge motherboard suggested is the last of its generation. The next cpus, haswell, will use a different socket and as such, a different mobo. That being said, tour rig will be good enough to last a good few years.
 

Noctis_Angelus

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So am i to go with the tour rig? Is it great quality and will it support my i5 processor?
Lemme ask this too simplify; What componets ABSOLUTELY must be compatibale with the motherboard you purchase? I have heard it is the processor and Video card.
 

mikerockett

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Everything i have selected is compatible yes. The processor must be, the gpu not so much, it needs to have a pci express lane which pretty much every motherboard does. Only gets to compatibility issues if you want something such as xfire or sli.