Looking for a gaming pc that will last me 1+ years running games on max/almost max settings. ie I don't want to spend $540 now and have it perform poorly managing to only play it on low settings in 6 months when BF3/COD/Whatever else is coming out is released.
I have done a bit of research and designed three systems. The lowest possible amount spent is ideal. My current favourite is option 2 because the board is eligible for the AM3+ update (http://event.asus.com/2011/mb/AM3_PLUS_Ready/) and supports crossfire. So in 12+ months time I'll just upgrade the CPU to Bulldozer and add an additional 6870.
The PSU I've also done extensive research and is apparantly very capable (can handle any crossfire thrown at it) and has a 5 year warranty! +it was reconmended for use on the Coolermaster PSU calculator so it must be good enough.
I want to be able to play games like Crysis on max settings and for it to keep up for a year or more until I upgrade the RAM, Crossfire and if I go for option 2 upgrade CPU to Bulldozer.
Option 1:
CASE: Antec Three Hundred – $55
PSU: Thermaltake LitePower 500Watt – $ 57
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition – $148
MOBO: Asus M4A87TD-USB3 Motherboard – $99
RAM: Kingston KVR 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333 – $44
HDD: Hitachi 3.5" Deskstar 1TB SATA HDD $59
GPU: Radeon HD6870 1GB – $220
Total = $686
Option 2:
CASE: Antec Three Hundred – $55
PSU: CoolerMaster GX 550W 80+ – $ 90
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition – $148
MOBO: Asus M4A89GTD-USB3 Motherboard – $166
RAM: Kingston KVR 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333 – $44
HDD: Hitachi 3.5" Deskstar 1TB SATA HDD $59
GPU: Radeon HD6870 1GB – $220
Total = $786
Option 3:
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500 $219
Mobo: Asrock P67 Pro3 B3 $169
RAM: Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1333 $44
HDD: Hitachi 3.5" Deskstar 1TB SATA HDD $59
GPU: 1GB AMD Radeon HD6870 $220
Case: Antec Three Hundred – $55
PSU: CoolerMaster GX 550W 80+ – $ 90
Total: $856
(I don't want to spend over 700... but I suppose if the i5 is THAT much better I can deal with the money) also is the 6870 in crossfire comparable to like a 6950?
And finally should I be holding off a few months for something new thats coming out that I'm not aware of or just bite the bullet now..
Thankyou in advance
Want to run it on 2 screens when I get the $$ for a second 22"+ plus monitor (1920x1200)
I have done a bit of research and designed three systems. The lowest possible amount spent is ideal. My current favourite is option 2 because the board is eligible for the AM3+ update (http://event.asus.com/2011/mb/AM3_PLUS_Ready/) and supports crossfire. So in 12+ months time I'll just upgrade the CPU to Bulldozer and add an additional 6870.
The PSU I've also done extensive research and is apparantly very capable (can handle any crossfire thrown at it) and has a 5 year warranty! +it was reconmended for use on the Coolermaster PSU calculator so it must be good enough.
I want to be able to play games like Crysis on max settings and for it to keep up for a year or more until I upgrade the RAM, Crossfire and if I go for option 2 upgrade CPU to Bulldozer.
Option 1:
CASE: Antec Three Hundred – $55
PSU: Thermaltake LitePower 500Watt – $ 57
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition – $148
MOBO: Asus M4A87TD-USB3 Motherboard – $99
RAM: Kingston KVR 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333 – $44
HDD: Hitachi 3.5" Deskstar 1TB SATA HDD $59
GPU: Radeon HD6870 1GB – $220
Total = $686
Option 2:
CASE: Antec Three Hundred – $55
PSU: CoolerMaster GX 550W 80+ – $ 90
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition – $148
MOBO: Asus M4A89GTD-USB3 Motherboard – $166
RAM: Kingston KVR 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333 – $44
HDD: Hitachi 3.5" Deskstar 1TB SATA HDD $59
GPU: Radeon HD6870 1GB – $220
Total = $786
Option 3:
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500 $219
Mobo: Asrock P67 Pro3 B3 $169
RAM: Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1333 $44
HDD: Hitachi 3.5" Deskstar 1TB SATA HDD $59
GPU: 1GB AMD Radeon HD6870 $220
Case: Antec Three Hundred – $55
PSU: CoolerMaster GX 550W 80+ – $ 90
Total: $856
(I don't want to spend over 700... but I suppose if the i5 is THAT much better I can deal with the money) also is the 6870 in crossfire comparable to like a 6950?
And finally should I be holding off a few months for something new thats coming out that I'm not aware of or just bite the bullet now..
Thankyou in advance
Want to run it on 2 screens when I get the $$ for a second 22"+ plus monitor (1920x1200)