Building a computer

hugo124321

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Mar 18, 2011
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Hello,
My budget is currently around 600$ and i'm looking to build a decent gaming computer, one of the main games i play is starcraft 2 and i would like ot be able to play it with decent graphics, any suggestions?
 

jerreddredd

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Mar 22, 2010
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friends don't let friends by junk pre-built systems from dell, hp, gateway etc... that HP system's video is pretty weak you wont' be happy.

I can work with $800 are you near a Microcenter or Fry's? and what city/state (shipping). give me a few hours and I will apply myself.

how tech savvy are you? do you know your way around the inside of a pc are you a little technically/mechanically inclined or all thumbs?

 

jerreddredd

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Mar 22, 2010
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this is just using newegg as a source.

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204
$17.99

Rosewill R101-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811147112
$29.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136795
$59.99

Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers
Item #: N82E16824236100
-$30.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$189.99
$159.99

MSI N460GTX Twin Frozr II SOC GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video ...
Item #: N82E16814127519
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$149.99

Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified ...
Item #: N82E16817371015
-$30.00 Instant
$99.99
$69.99

LITE-ON SK-1688U/B Black USB Wired Standard Keyboard
Item #: N82E16823107128
$7.49

Logitech B100 Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Mouse - OEM
Item #: N82E16826104370
$11.99

Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ...
Item #: N82E16820146748
$39.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
$99.99

MB/CPU Combo
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103808
BIOSTAR A880GU3 AM3 AMD 880G USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813138300
-$15.00 Combo
$219.98
$204.9
------------
$852.38 before shipping there is also $30 in mail-in rebates



going for slightly less performance saves you $30.

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100283VX-2L Radeon HD 5770
$130
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM
$50

I'm hoping you tell me you are near a MicroCenter, because you can save about $50 on the MB/CPU combo. they are usually in-store only deals

I will shop a few other sources later to see if there is a better deal.
 

hugo124321

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Mar 18, 2011
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I really have no knowledge of building computers or anything of that sort. I live in Frederick, Maryland and i'm pretty sure there is a micro center near me after a little search.
Filling out the form linked
Approximate Purchase Date: Within 2-3 weeks

Budget Range: 800-900 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming and internet surfing
Parts Not Required: Need every part
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or any store i could be near
Country of Origin: I live in Frederick, Maryland

Parts Preferences: by brand or type None

Overclocking: Don't really have knowledge on this so maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: Anything is fine
Additional Comments: Would just like a decent pc for handling games that have higher graphics since my computer right now can't

I also have a question about graphics cards, to play a game like say Starcraft 2 at near max settings what type of card should i get? ANd also how much cost would have to be added on?
About wireless internet too, will i have to buy an adapter to have it wireless?
 

jerreddredd

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Mar 22, 2010
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Tom's test sub $200 CPU (your budget range) with a GTX480 (a step (or2) up from the one I put in my build for you) and test with all the bells and whistles turn on in SC2 at 1920x1080 (most common LCD resolution currently) and the CPU's didn't do well at all with everything turned on.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859-8.html

Basically you are looking at a GTX 560Ti or HD 6950
MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce or SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6950 1GB 100312-1GSR
$250

and a more beefier CPU i5 2500k ($225) or maybe I7 2600K ($329) with mobo ($150 mATX) and better memory ($70)
all the other components should be good in the build I already did.

now that being said, the build I did will still play SC2 @1920x1080, just not with every thing turned on.



 

need4speeds

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http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Factory-Refurbished+Essentio+Desktop+/+AMD+Athlon%26%23153%3B+II+X2+Processor+/+4GB+Memory+/+750GB+Hard+Drive/2070096.p?id=1218307911236&skuId=2070096

Asus - Factory-Refurbished Essentio Desktop / AMD Athlon™ II X2 220 / 4GB Memory / 750GB $359.99
The athlonII 220 is a propus core and not a regor, so they are known to often unlock to a tri or quad core with a core unlocker board. It should be a really easy cpu to sell as a used cpu/cooler combo.
The oem board will lack fsb overclocking and core unlocking of course.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338
Its a 5770 that is $99.99 after rebate. It is also a card that blows the air out of the case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103921
AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz 95W $109.99 with free shipping.
Its the highest clocked amd cpu that is 95 watts.
You could look and see if the board takes 125 watt cpus or the BE and x6,
but most oem's dont.
The cpu is not really a phenomII but rather a propus athlonII x4.

Add fans to any open fan grill spots on the case too.

The cost of buying windows7 makes the package system cheaper.

The oem p/s might work with the lower power quad and 5770.
 

need4speeds

Distinguished
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817101044
ePOWER EP-450CD 450W ATX12V / EPS12V Modular Juice Box- Dedicated Graphic Card and CPU power Supply $19.99
Its a power booster for the video card.

With the power booster and maybe if the board takes the BE cpus you could go with a BE cpu and a faster card than the 5770. Still at $99.99 its hard to beat.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dynex%26%23153%3B+-+24%22+Class+/+1080p+/+60Hz+/+LED-LCD+HDTV/1000917.p?id=1218207307591&skuId=1000917
Dynex™ - 24" Class / 1080p / 60Hz / LED-LCD HDTV $229.99

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=LuKyOQkkOBGfC1Di
The computer. AMD 760G AMD SB710 chipset, they are saying it supports phenomII, so maybe the BE is ok, maybe being a asus it can even unlock the athlonII 220?
 

jerreddredd

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Mar 22, 2010
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Rubbish! stay away from power boosters? and cheap PSU's!
The 5770 is a fine card for $99, i just dont think its up to the task of SC2 @1920x1080.
aslo the AMD Phenom II x4 8xx series CPU just aren't beefy enough, the 955 and up is much better. SC2 is some what processor intensive as you can see in the recent Tom's article on Sub $200 CPU's.
 

jerreddredd

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Mar 22, 2010
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NEWEGG:
NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811146061
-$10.00 Instant
$49.99
$39.99

Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers
Item #: N82E16824236100
-$30.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$189.99
$159.99

MSI N460GTX Twin Frozr II SOC GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video ...
Item #: N82E16814127519
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$149.99

Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ...
Item #: N82E16820146748
$39.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
$99.99
---------
$489.95 Subtotal
$9.99 Shipping
-----------------------
$499.94 (+ you have a $30 Mail in Rebate on Monitor/GPU)



MicroCenter Rockville, MD
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7,200 RPM SATA ...
SKU: 249177
$39.99

OCZ Technology StealthXStream 2 600 Watt ATX Power...
SKU: 658690
$69.99
$44.99 after $25 Rebate

Lite-ON 24X SATA DVD Burner - OEM
SKU: 446559
$17.99 $17.99

Inland USB Basic Keyboard Black
SKU: 668442
$4.99

LifeWorks FastTrack Laser Mouse Red
SKU: 096313
$14.99 $14.99

Gigabyte GA-880GA-UD3H Socket AM3 880G ATX AMD Mot...
SKU: 664300
$109.99
$99.99 after $10 Rebate

AMD Phenom II X4 Quad-Core Processor 955 Black Edi...
SKU: 520064
$129.99
---------
$387.93
$ 23.28 Tax
---------
$411.21 Total Plus you have $35 mail-in Rebates

$499.94 Newegg Shipped
$411.21 Microcenter incl Tax
--------
$911.15 Total payable
$ 65.00 Mail-in Rebates
--------
$846.15 final price

I wouldn't go any lesser on the CPU or GPU if you still want to play SC2 @1920x1080 with most things turned on. you can save about $30 and go with an ATI HD 5770 GPU, but I think it would struggle with SC2, not for sure though. Or save $30 with a lesser AMD CPU (Phen II X4 840), but with same issue.
All the other Hardware is solid. the ASUS monitor I picked out is the Bomb for gaming, and it is LED backlit, can't beat the price for the quality of the monitor. This was a hard build, because you need everything monitor, OS, which is a 1/3 of the budget right there. But its all good in the end. Hope this helps. I will look for a good "turn key" system also, maybe there is something of quality out there that you won't have to build. Building one is not hard though.
 

jerreddredd

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Mar 22, 2010
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Here is your turn key system from CyberPowerPC.com :
I usually don't like pre-built systems, but I have a friend that has a CP system and its well built and a decent value for not having to build it yourself.

The comperable AMD system was way over budget even though the entry price was $150 less. the i5 2400 Sandy Bridge CPU is just too powerful and priced aggressively for AMD to compete.

$765 w/o monitor

Free upgrade from Sceptre X226W]24" Widescreen 1920x1080 Sceptre X246W-1080P LCD (Viewable 23.6")(Black Color) w/ Built-in Speaker, DVI & Input (ok Monitor) $159

$924 with Monitor I think shipping is included for the whole system

or

ADD the ASUS Monitor from Newegg 159+10 shipping for $934 -$10 mail in rebate (better monitor)

P67 configuration:

CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2400 3.10 GHz 6M Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 [-26]
HDD: 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [-14] (Single Hard Drive)
MEMORY: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module [-64] (Corsair or Major Brand)
MOTHERBOARD: * [CrossFireX] GigaByte GA-P67A-UD3-B3 Intel P67 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID, 2 Gen2 PCIe, 3 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI [B3 Stepping]
SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
VIDEO: ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 16X PCIe Video Card [+70] (Major Brand Powered by ATI)

They say this configuration has been tested and these are the results @ 1920x1200:
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (normal) 73
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (high) 73
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (extra) 71
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (medium) 84
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (high) 83
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (ultra) 63
FurMark Benchmark 59

I have my doubts but that the HD 5770 can do it. if you can spare +$50 get the GTX 460 to be sure.

the build
Case: Thermaltake V3 Black Mid-Tower Case [-13]
Internal USB Extension Module: None
Neon Light Upgrade: None
Extra Case Fan Upgrade: Default case fans
Noise Reduction Technology: None
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2400 3.10 GHz 6M Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 [-26]
Freebies: None
Venom Boost Fast And Efficient Factory Overclocking: No Overclocking
Cooling Fan: XtremeGear Ultra Triple Heatpipes Cool Copper Heatsink CPU Cooling Fan (Extreme Silent at 20dBA & Overclock Proof) [-11]
Motherboard: * [CrossFireX] GigaByte GA-P67A-UD3-B3 Intel P67 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID, 2 Gen2 PCIe, 3 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI [B3 Stepping]
Motherboard Expansion Card: None
Memory: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module [-64] (Corsair or Major Brand)
Freebies: None
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 16X PCIe Video Card [+70] (Major Brand Powered by ATI)
Video Card 2: None
Video Card 3: None
Dedicated PHYSX Card: None
Multiple Video Card Settings: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
Power Supply Upgrade: 600 Watts - XtremeGear Power Supply - SLI/CrossFireX Ready [+4]
Hard Drive: 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [-14] (Single Hard Drive)
Data Hard Drive: None
Hard Drive Cooling Fan: None
External Hard Drive (USB3.0/2.0/eSATA): None
USB Flash Drive: None
Optical Drive: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
Optical Drive 2: None
Sound: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
3D Vision Glasses: None
LCD Monitor: None
2nd Monitor: None
3rd Monitor: None
Speakers: None
Network: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
Network Switch: None
Keyboard: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
Mouse: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
Mouse Pad: None
Gaming Gear: None
Extra Thermal Display: None
Wireless 802.11B/G Network Card: None
External Wireless Network Card: None
Wireless 802.11 B/G/N Access Point: None
Bluetooth: None
Flash Media Reader/Writer: None
Video Camera: None
Headset: None
Printer: None
Cable: None
Power Protection: None
Surge Protector: None
IEEE1394 Card: None
USB Port: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium [+104] (64-bit Edition)
Media Center Remote Control & TV Tuner: None
Office Suite: None
Games: None
Ultra Care Option: None
Service: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Rush Service: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS


 

jerreddredd

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Mar 22, 2010
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After thinking it over and doing a lot of research, I decided I really didn't like the AMD build I posted. I re-did it using the i5 2400 Sandy Bridge since Microcenter has them on sale and in-stock. Below is the best build for $900 after rebates. This build should net you 80FPS max (min around 35FPS) on SC2 at 1920x1080 on ultra settings.

I know, information overload.

NEWEGG:

NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811146061
-$10.00 Instant
$49.99
$39.99

Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers
Item #: N82E16824236100
-$30.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$189.99
$159.99

MSI N460GTX Twin Frozr II SOC GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video ...
Item #: N82E16814127519
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$149.99

Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ...
Item #: N82E16820146748
$39.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
$99.99
---------
$489.95 Subtotal
$9.99 Shipping
-----------------------
$499.94 (+ you have a $30 Mail in Rebate on Monitor/GPU)



MicroCenter Rockville,MD

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7,200 RPM SATA ...
SKU: 249177
$39.99

OCZ Technology StealthXStream 2 600 Watt ATX Power...
SKU: 658690
$69.99
$44.99 after $25 Rebate

Lite-ON 24X SATA DVD Burner - OEM
SKU: 446559
$17.99 $17.99

Inland USB Basic Keyboard Black
SKU: 668442
$4.99

LifeWorks FastTrack Laser Mouse Red
SKU: 096313
$14.99 $14.99

Intel Core i5 2400 LGA 1155 Boxed Processor
SKU: 200170
$149.99

Biostar TP67B+ LGA 1155 P67 ATX Intel Motherboard
SKU: 246934
$129.99
---------
$427.93
$ 25.68 Tax
---------
$453.61 Total Plus you have $25 mail-in Rebates

$499.94 Newegg Shipped to Frederick, MD
$453.61 Microcenter incl Tax
--------
$953.55 Total payable
$ 55.00 Mail-in Rebates
--------
$898.55 final price