Gaming Pc

[KezR33]

Hey guys,

I don't know much about computers, but I'm looking to buy a new PC so I can play the new Starcraft and other modern games avaliable (or soon be released). I want to run them all well, but it need not be a powerhouse that can play everything on full graphics.

I've been looking around a budget gamer PC builds, but I really don't know what exactly I need or when its worth paying more to upgrade.

I came across this one:

https://ipspty.com.au/index.php?comp=i7-pri...ster&tech=1

Which seems okay, its around $1250 without any OS. I was hoping to spend no more than $1500 for the tower alone, I can supply everything else.

Could anyone point me in the right direction towards a good supplier, or even recommend me a pre-made PC like the one I showed? I'd greatly appreciate it.

Cheers.

[KezR33]

What about this one?

https://ipspty.com.au/index.php?comp=amd-pricebuster

It's only $900 or so, but it uses an AMD processor - is that a bad thing?

[R31Nismoid]

So is $1500 your limit?

Also what screen size/resolution you running?

Nothing wrong with AMD processors however you really want to go socket 1366 with Intel at the moment.

The speed of the i7's is just too good to pass up, and you'll easily be able to get 3.5ghz (closer to 4ghz) outta the processor making it a very nice machine.

The 4350 video card though is a joke. It's old design and slow as shit for new gaming. You'll need something more like a 5850 ($300)

[MSTRshenanigans]

Listen to this man ^

[bozodos]

you don't really need an i7 for gaming i5 will do fine, as especially in lower resolutions, the GPU appears to be more of a bottleneck.

Also from what I've read you're much better off spending the extra cash and getting a 5850 vs a 5830

I'd go one of these http://www.scorptec.com.au/system/109 with a 5850, that's $1500 well spent. It can be cheaper to mix and match parts, build it yourself etc, but generally Scorptec have really good service and their machines are well built in regards to cable managment etc.

It also has an i7

oh yeah and that stuff you linked to is pretty much ebay crap. Asrock mobo? 4350? EWW EW EW

Edited July 1, 2010 by bozodos

[R31Nismoid]

The issue with sticking with i5 though and the 1156 socket is there is no upgrade path.

It seems at this stage with Intels next architecure move that 1156 will no longer have a home and 1366 still will.

For me that is the single biggest issue at the moment as i want to upgrade as well but nothing is "100%" firm so im holding off.

If there is a decent successor plan for the 1156 socket i would say i5 is indeed a good choice.

However as it stands currently, it is not. (unless there has been news leaked in the last month, ive not been checking much lately)

Also a 5830 is a shitter card.

The 5870 for 15% gain over a 5850 is more than 25% the price so the 5850 is by far the best value card at the moment.

They are a tad faster than the 4890's of last series.

[bozodos]

depends on when you think you'll need to upgrade again, and given that, whether you'd replace mobo as well (therefore making socket issues a non issue)

mmm I'll get a 5850 when I eventually get a new PC (unless there's a new range out lol)

[R31Nismoid]

ATi wont be releasing new cards for a while

5850 is currently a very good compromise.

Although i did see one for around $230 the other day which is CHEAP... also a 5870 for $320 which means prices everywhere else will start dropping shortly.

Well i wouldn't upgrade mobo if there was a nice upgrade path for the CPU.

You already have decent DDR3 memory options, GPU's and so on. In 18months time you could just upgrade the CPU to the newest stream and it would be fine again for another 18-24 months.

CPU hardware is @ such a point now that for gamers that i cannot see a i920 being "maxed" for 18months, and in the event it does a simple upgrade to the new set will solve any issues.

[bozodos]

yeah well even the i5 is in that sort of category, hence my thinking that by the time you replace a processor, that you're going to want to do the mobo anyway! I've gotten 3 years so far out of my LGA 775

[R31Nismoid]

Yeah but with the 1366 i can see people easily getting 5 years out of it currently as it stands without much of a worry.

maybe just a GPU upgrade

otherwise RAM & mobo's will be fine as long as you get a SATA 3.0 Mobo, you'll be running fine.

[DivHunter]

Yeah but with the 1366 i can see people easily getting 5 years out of it currently as it stands without much of a worry.

maybe just a GPU upgrade

otherwise RAM & mobo's will be fine as long as you get a SATA 3.0 Mobo, you'll be running fine.

even with SSDs in RAID0 sets SATA 2 is rarely saturated. USB 3 maybe.

[KezR33]

Thanks for all the advice guys, think I'm going to go with the package bozodos suggested. Is there any decent things I should be considering upgrading on that package? Also looking at getting that LG w2343t-pf monitor as its pretty obvious there's no point having this great machine without a monitor to keep up with it, and all the reviews I read for it said it was a great screen for its price.

Cheers.

[R31Nismoid]

Are you going to build it yourself or pay them?

Ill check prices when i get home and see if its worthwhile (no time from work)

even with SSDs in RAID0 sets SATA 2 is rarely saturated. USB 3 maybe.

Yeah i know SATA II is flooded, hence i said SATA 3 (III), 6Gbps.

Get a x58 with that and you'll be laughing.

[DivHunter]

Are you going to build it yourself or pay them?

Ill check prices when i get home and see if its worthwhile (no time from work)

Yeah i know SATA II is flooded, hence i said SATA 3 (III), 6Gbps.

Get a x58 with that and you'll be laughing.

I was saying SATA3 is unecessary. A $1500 or less system is not going to accomodate drives that will come close to needing SATA3 or indeed most X58 boards that have SATA3/USB3

[R31Nismoid]

Ah misread...

In 2 yrs SSD's will be nicely affordable, and signifigantly faster potentially. If you prepare now you can freely swap drives out as well.

That's if they don't go the route of PCI-E SSD's like OCZ just released.. fking cheap and fvking fast, i was most impressed.

The x58 IMO is a perfect choice for the moment.

Costs marginally more than the 1156 sockets, but much more flexibility over the next 4-5 years for minor updates to make your dollar go as far as it can.

This is what i mean when i say a bit more long term.

That said im going to build a i3 media box soon, power & heat friendly and still packing a good punch forever

[DivHunter]

Ah misread...

In 2 yrs SSD's will be nicely affordable, and signifigantly faster potentially. If you prepare now you can freely swap drives out as well.

That's if they don't go the route of PCI-E SSD's like OCZ just released.. fking cheap and fvking fast, i was most impressed.

The x58 IMO is a perfect choice for the moment.

Costs marginally more than the 1156 sockets, but much more flexibility over the next 4-5 years for minor updates to make your dollar go as far as it can.

This is what i mean when i say a bit more long term.

That said im going to build a i3 media box soon, power & heat friendly and still packing a good punch forever

You can get an 1156 that will meet his requirements for around $130, even a crappy Asrock X58 is still $200. i5 750 will play all the latest games at $248 while the lowest i7 (still better than the i5) is $350+ i7 jacks up the cost pretty quick and then eats into the money available for a GPU which you'd want to be able to do 1920x1080 with vsync.

The i5 OCs fairly well too.

I like spending other people's money too but 'gaming pc' is a very loose term, just look at dezz' FS thread, lolerskates.

Edited July 2, 2010 by DivHunter

[bozodos]

yeah well there's more than one way to kill the proverbial cat here. Like I said Kez, go the 5850 option and you'll be sweet

I have a Benq monitor at home, good screen for the price. Dell Ultrasharps look better, but cost a lot more haha.

and come on guys it's a 1500 dollar machine, not a 6 grand uberpwnage LAN brag rig lol, I only know of one person who runs an SSD and that's in an Alienware laptop!

[R31Nismoid]

You can get an 1156 that will meet his requirements for around $130, even a crappy Asrock X58 is still $200. i5 750 will play all the latest games at $248 while the lowest i7 (still better than the i5) is $350+ i7 jacks up the cost pretty quick and then eats into the money available for a GPU which you'd want to be able to do 1920x1080 with vsync.

The i5 OCs fairly well too.

I like spending other people's money too but 'gaming pc' is a very loose term, just look at dezz' FS thread, lolerskates.

MSY are selling 920's now for under $300, and UD3's from GB are around $200 (similar price to ASRock ones now)

So whilst cost is more, you are looking at less than $200 in total spending for 1366 which IMO is quite reasonable.

I do agree the i5 is cheaper & also they will run any game market now (and clock hard). Depends on your view of the following really:

There is no such thing as "future proofing" a PC build, but i like the ability to have a cheap & easily flexible upgrade path.

1156 doesnt offer it at this stage, it still could change but is a gamble.

If Kez plans to upgrade in 2-3yrs time, then 1156 is dead spending, better off throwing $200 more @ 1366 and then only having to buy a new CPU

I could argue all day with ya on it lol, but i do see ya point as I'm sure you see mine

haha and yes, that thread has made me chuckle once or twice

[DivHunter]

I was only going by products they are actually listing.

[R31Nismoid]

They have em on static @ $289