Question Currently any good deals on a gaming system?

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SaltyUser199

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Jun 8, 2019
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My existing gaming PC is on the fritz, and I need an upgrade anyways. So while I'm going to try and fix it, I want to get a new one as well. Its many years old. I5-6600K with a 1070 graphics card. Not a heavy gamer, but do play games, so want something that can handle first person shooters even though i don't play them often, that sort of thing. I'd also like it to have an ability to upgrade the CPU down the line. Intel or AMD I don't care too much about, whatever is the best deal going. AMD Radeon or NVIDIA I don't care too much about either, although I prefer NVIDIA slightly based on what little I know.

I do not want to build one so am looking for a pre-built system. There is a Best Buy near me so if they have one that fits the bill that would be perfect, but my experience is that they typically do not. I have a MicroCenter not too too far from me, where I got my current PC (PowerSpec).

Anyone have any suggestions, either good deals currently going on (online or brick and morter) or stay away from this and you want this instead type of thing?

Thanks so much for any help!!!
 
Wow, I'm looking at all the motherboards that will go with the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor on the Microcenter build site, and all the ones that are AM5, X670 chipset seem to support the max 5200 memory, not a single one 5600 or faster. Is it supposed to be like that? Seems weird.

Thanks!
With your resolution and budget the emphasis should be put on the gpu. These cpu's will be hitting the shelves any day now including Microcenter and they will be cheaper than their 7XXX brethren. Pair up the 7600 with a B650 board and a set of reasonably priced RAM.

https://www.techpowerup.com/303026/...n-7000-zen-4-processor-family-with-65w-models
 
I follow you Why Me, GPU is obviously way more important for gaming than the CPU. But why the B650 when that is apparently the older chipset and less future proof? Just because its cheaper?

Thanks!
 
Thanks Why Me. Sounds like it's more future proof. Although it costs more. And it's weird to me that the fastest memory support, official at least, I could find on those boards on the microcenter build site was 5200, whereas plenty of the B650 ones officially supported 5600 and more.

Gonna try and make a run to best buy and maybe even microcenter here in a bit. Will follow up with more I'm sure.

Thanks!
 
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About to head out. But I watched a lot of youtube videos on the AM5 chipsets just now, so now I have a little bit of a clue. It doesn't sound like the B650, B650E, X670 or X670E are really any different performance wise, its mainly just features. And some board with a lower specced chipset might even put features of the more expensive chipsets, that sort of thing. So now I have to study the motherboards themselves to make sure it has what I think I might need.

Is the most important thing about one over the other getting a PCIE 5.0 slot or whatever? Or other features I need to be concerned with?

Thanks!
 
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Didn't make it to Microcenter, significant other threw a fit about not wanting to drive that far.

But went to Best Buy, they had three "gaming computers". Literally junk. I think one was a Ryzen 3. So horrible.

Back to the drawing board for me. Maybe I'll make it to MicroCenter tomorrow.

Bleh.
 
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Didn't make it to Microcenter, significant other threw a fit about not wanting to drive that far.

But went to Best Buy, they had three "gaming computers". Literally junk. I think one was a Ryzen 3. So horrible.

Back to the drawing board for me. Maybe I'll make it to MicroCenter tomorrow.

Bleh.
This cpu just landed on Newegg two days ago which means Microcenter will be receiving it any day now. It would be a good match with a B760 / B660 board not to mention it will come with a bundle deal with those motherboards making it even cheaper.

https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i5-13400f-core-i5-13th-gen/p/N82E16819118431
Intel Core i5-13400F $209.99
 
Thanks Why Me. I really appreciate you sticking around to help me!

Appreciate you linking me that new chip. I'll keep my eye out on it if I don't already get something in the next day or two. But now I'm really liking the AMD AM5/who knows what chipset. A few more questions if you have a chance to reply!

On the PowerSpec custom build thing, its listing the ASROCK:

X670E
PG Lightning


as supporting only DDR5 4800 memory. Which it lists for basically all the X670/X670E chipsets.

I thought that sounded like BS, given that it lists many B650 ones as supporting much faster memory. And the 670/670E are supposed to be more premium.

So I go to the ASROCK site for that MB and see this:

https://pg.asrock.com/mb/AMD/X670E PG Lightning/index.asp

It says that board supports "up to 6600+(OC)"

So is that OC referring to the memory? I.E., there is probably no memory that can currently handle 6600, but if you can OC your memory to that speed, this MB can handle it? Or is that instead telling you that to run a 6600 memory module you'd have to OC the motherboard memory controller (or whatever), and it SHOULD work OK, but it might not? I have to believe its the former.

Then on the processors.

I believe both you guys mentioned (or at least did not disapprove of):

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor

So that is not the almost brand new latest gen, and costs $259 on the PowerSpec build site.

But if I'm not going to get the latest gen, why even spend that much at this point? The CPU in my current computer is a I5-6600K. Also on the PowerSpec built site is:


AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Matisse 3.6GHz 8-Core AM4 Boxed Processor - Wraith Prism Cooler Included

For $160

and an:

AMD Ryzen 5 4500 Renoir 3.6GHz 6-Core AM4 Boxed Processor - Wraith Stealth Cooler Included

For only $85.

Won't either of those pretty much blow the doors off, or at least handily beat, my I5-6600K? And its never felt slow to me at all. Why not just save the money and get one of those and then I can always upgrade the CPUs even 2 or 3 years down the road with minimal effort? That would free up a little money!

More questions to come, I'm sure. This is soooo time consuming getting caught up again with the current state of PC builds and what not after so many years not focusing on it, but so interesting as well!

Thanks so much!!!
 
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Thanks Why Me. I really appreciate you sticking around to help me!

Appreciate you linking me that new chip. I'll keep my eye out on it if I don't already get something in the next day or two. But now I'm really liking the AMD AM5/who knows what chipset. A few more questions if you have a chance to reply!

On the PowerSpec custom build thing, its listing the ASROCK:

X670E
PG Lightning


as supporting only DDR5 4800 memory. Which it lists for basically all the X670/X670E chipsets.

I thought that sounded like BS, given that it lists many B650 ones as supporting much faster memory. And the 670/670E are supposed to be more premium.

So I go to the ASROCK site for that MB and see this:

https://pg.asrock.com/mb/AMD/X670E PG Lightning/index.asp

It says that board supports "up to 6600+(OC)"

So is that OC referring to the memory? I.E., there is probably no memory that can currently handle 6600, but if you can OC your memory to that speed, this MB can handle it? Or is that instead telling you that to run a 6600 memory module you'd have to OC the motherboard memory controller (or whatever), and it SHOULD work OK, but it might not? I have to believe its the former.

Then on the processors.

I believe both you guys mentioned (or at least did not disapprove of):

AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7 GHz 6-Core Processor

So that is not the almost brand new latest gen, and costs $259 on the PowerSpec build site.

But if I'm not going to get the latest gen, why even spend that much at this point? The CPU in my current computer is a I5-6600K. Also on the PowerSpec built site is:


AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Matisse 3.6GHz 8-Core AM4 Boxed Processor - Wraith Prism Cooler Included

For $160

and an:

AMD Ryzen 5 4500 Renoir 3.6GHz 6-Core AM4 Boxed Processor - Wraith Stealth Cooler Included

For only $85.

Won't either of those pretty much blow the doors off, or at least handily beat, my I5-6600K? And its never felt slow to me at all. Why not just save the money and get one of those and then I can always upgrade the CPUs even 2 or 3 years down the road with minimal effort? That would free up a little money!

More questions to come, I'm sure. This is soooo time consuming getting caught up again with the current state of PC builds and what not after so many years not focusing on it, but so interesting as well!

Thanks so much!!!
The 7600X is solid but you don't want to build a new system using old technology RE 3700X and that other AMD cpu you linked which both suck for gaming.
 
Understood Why Me!

On that Intel processor you linked:

https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i5-13400f-core-i5-13th-gen/p/N82E16819118431
Intel Core i5-13400F $209.99

That looks like a SOLID processor at a great price. You previously linked me Intel MBs I believe that have DDR5 memory support. Any reason to think those MBs will not support CPU upgrades going forward as much as the AM5 socketed AMD mobos will? I think Ximo said AMD guaranteed support until like 2025, or maybe I read (or watched/listened to) that somewhere. Is the current socket that have the DDR5 support anticipated to be supported strongly for awhile to come, or is it on its last leg or anything like that?

Thanks!!!
 
Understood Why Me!

On that Intel processor you linked:

https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i5-13400f-core-i5-13th-gen/p/N82E16819118431
Intel Core i5-13400F $209.99

That looks like a SOLID processor at a great price. You previously linked me Intel MBs I believe that have DDR5 memory support. Any reason to think those MBs will not support CPU upgrades going forward as much as the AM5 socketed AMD mobos will? I think Ximo said AMD guaranteed support until like 2025, or maybe I read (or watched/listened to) that somewhere. Is the current socket that have the DDR5 support anticipated to be supported strongly for awhile to come, or is it on its last leg or anything like that?

Thanks!!!
The upgrade path for the 13400F would be the i7 13700 / 13700F. tbh after five years i do a complete new build in order to keep up with technology.
 
I just got through a build on MicroCenter. See what you guys think (if you can follow it). Lots of these were from, or at least based on, your picks Why Me. Others from Eximo I think. More than I wanted to spend, but should be relatively future-proof. Let me know what you guys think!


Build Total:
$1,555.89+ tax
Estimated Wattage*: 590/750
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https://www.microcenter.com/site/co...spx?load=c320aba5-26e4-4953-a5da-5699dda0b181

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CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X Raphael AM5 4.7GHz 6-Core Boxed Processor - Heatsink Not Included
AMD - Ryzen 5 7600X Raphael AM5 4.7GHz 6-Core Boxed Processor - Heatsink Not Included
SKU: 436519
25+ IN STOCK
$238.98
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Motherboard
ASUS in search of incredible
ASRock X670E PG Lightning AMD AM5 ATX Motherboard
ASRock - X670E PG Lightning AMD AM5 ATX Motherboard
SKU: 438895
15 IN STOCK
$259.99
RAM
TeamGroup T-FORCE Vulcan 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5-5600 PC5-44800 CL32 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit FLBD532G5600HC - Black
TeamGroup - T-FORCE Vulcan 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5-5600 PC5-44800 CL32 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit FLBD532G5600HC - Black
SKU: 517011
6 IN STOCK
$144.99
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Case
NZXT Build the Extraordinary
Lian Li Lancool 216 Tempered Glass ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case - Black
Lian Li - Lancool 216 Tempered Glass ATX Mid-Tower Computer Case - Black
SKU: 512277
11 IN STOCK
$99.99
Power Supply
NZXT Build the Extraordinary
Corsair RMx Series RM750x 750 Watt 80 Plus Gold ATX Fully Modular Power Supply
Corsair - RMx Series RM750x 750 Watt 80 Plus Gold ATX Fully Modular Power Supply
SKU: 225201
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$119.99
Video Card
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ASUS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Dual Overclocked Dual 8GB GDDR6 PCIe 4.0 Graphics Card
ASUS - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Dual Overclocked Dual 8GB GDDR6 PCIe 4.0 Graphics Card
SKU: 527531
14 IN STOCK
$359.99
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2.5" SSD
Samsung SSD
M.2 / NVMe SSD
Samsung SSD
Intel 670p Series 2TB SSD 3D QLC NAND Flash M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 Internal Solid State Drive
Intel - 670p Series 2TB SSD 3D QLC NAND Flash M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 Internal Solid State Drive
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$149.99
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Hard Drive
Seagate Versatile Fast Dependable
Optical Drive
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CPU Cooling
Heatsink
Please confirm the heatsink selected supports the socket type of the motherboard
be quiet PURE ROCK 2 CPU Cooler
be quiet - PURE ROCK 2 CPU Cooler
SKU: 338020
18 IN STOCK
$49.99
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Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Grease - 1g
Thermal Grizzly - Kryonaut Thermal Grease - 1g
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Microsoft Windows 11 Home 64-bit DSP OEI DVD
Microsoft - Windows 11 Home 64-bit DSP OEI DVD
SKU: 352138
3 IN STOCK
$119.99
 
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Made that change and place the order Why Me, thanks so much!

Now the question is - it says it will be ready before close if ordered more than 4 hours before close, which I did of course. But it says 4 hour after "in store check in" or something like that. Seems funny I would have to drive over there twice in one day, expecially when I've already paid for it. I can't find a number for them. Anyone know whether I really have to drive over to "check in", then drive back again several hours later to pick it up?

Thanks!!!
 
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Made that change and place the order Why Me, thanks so much!

Now the question is - it says it will be ready before close if ordered more than 4 hours before close, which I did of course. But it says 4 hour after "in store check in" or something like that. Seems funny I would have to drive over there twice in one day, expecially when I've already paid for it. I can't find a number for them. Anyone know whether I really have to drive over to "check in", then drive back again several hours later to pick it up?

Thanks!!!
Just call them beforehand.
 
Could not find their number online LOL. I drove over there. Like the other few times I've been there, it is a madhouse in there. At first the guy was like no it won't be ready for a few days, but I protested, and another guy said if it said same day on website they have to put it before everything else. So supposedly it should be ready today, but apparently not until right before closing, and I have dinner plans so it looks like its a tomorrow thing. Now when I go my order page it says I picked it up on 1/7/2023 LOL. Then also some guy in line was bringing one back they had built for him the second times for screwed up things.

I had forgotten how much I hate that place! I miss Fry's. 🙁

But anyways, I'll let you know when I get it Why Me, thanks a bunch for holding my hand through everything!
 
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Could not find their number online LOL. I drove over there. Like the other few times I've been there, it is a madhouse in there. At first the guy was like no it won't be ready for a few days, but I protested, and another guy said if it said same day on website they have to put it before everything else. So supposedly it should be ready today, but apparently not until right before closing, and I have dinner plans so it looks like its a tomorrow thing. Now when I go my order page it says I picked it up on 1/7/2023 LOL. Then also some guy in line was bringing one back they had built for him the second times for screwed up things.

I had forgotten how much I hate that place! I miss Fry's. 🙁

But anyways, I'll let you know when I get it Why Me, thanks a bunch for holding my hand through everything!
Goodluck and have fun! ^^
 

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