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08-01-2010, 09:12 PM
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#1 |
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Member (4 bit)
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I Need help building a budgeted gaming system (amateur)
Hello - I created this thread because I need guidance on building a gaming desktop. I don't have much experience with this - the only thing I know is about what the components actually do.
My goal is to make a great GAMING PC for myself for about 600-800$ - I want to try to not go over 700 but i also want to get the most out of my money. I am using websites such as google, newegg( especially the reviews!). I won't get state of the art technology with that budget, but I still want it to last a good number of years with the latest games. I live in and will be buying from the USA. Keep in mind that since i have never built a computer so I'm not really sure too what I'm doing. I figured that I would order all the parts and then just try to put it together. So far, the parts that I think I need are: Processor Motherboard Video Card RAM Monitor Computer Case Hard Drive CD/DVD Burner I have done a little researched on the processors and I would prefer to have an intel over amd. I have narrow it down to two processors but not sure which one is better and more worth the money. please help. 1. Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115215 ) 2. Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor BX80570E8400 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115037 ) And the following items I chose out of best ratings and mostly positive reviews. Please give me your honest opinion. Motherboard - ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131232 ) Video Card - ASUS EN9500GT/DI/1GD2/V2/A GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121339 ) Ram or Memory - I was not really sure if this was the best one. Any better memory or about the same price I can use? G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231098 ) Monitor- I currently have a Vizio 32', hopefully I can use that as a monitor. If you know any good deals. Please help me out! Greatly appreciated Computer Case (Chassis) - Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129066 ) Hard Drive- Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218 ) CD/DVD Burner - ASUS black 24X DVD ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135204 I probably would not be overclocking (OC) it just simply because I don't know how or even know what that means =/ I'm not too concern about keyboard and mouse but if you know tips, please post. Let me know if I left out anything. I really appreciate the help. Thanks a lot for posting! |
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08-01-2010, 09:50 PM
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#2 |
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The only thing in there I'd agree with is the case.
Motherboard: ASUS P7P55 LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131604 CPU: Intel Core i3-530 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115222 Ram: A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211364 Hard drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320 DVD burner: LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289 Video card: HIS H577FK1GD Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161338 Power supply: Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 Modular Active PFC Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371016 With your case, that's about $680 shipped. Add sales tax in CA, TN, and NJ. |
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08-02-2010, 08:56 AM
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#3 |
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the core i5 is too much for your budget (1/2 of your budget in the cpu? way too much) and wouldnt even be compatable with the board you picked
 make sure you check socket type, if its not the same, it wont fit and therefore wont work. the core2duo would fit, but its just not quite enough for good gaming consitantly.the ram you chose would work with that board...but...g-skill is having problems and should be avoided ATM, suggest corsair,kingston,crucial or a-data that board is just not a good idea. nvidia chipsets are low quality at best (atleast from my experience/research) p55 is the way to go, as the x58 is both out of budget and the biggest can of intelworms todate. the videocard you chose is obnoxiously dated (hence its extreme low price). the video card is the single most important part of ANY gaming system, and you should get the best one you can get that fits your budget. in this case its in the air between what glc listed, and possible for a little more, a gtx 460 1gb. a new monitor is going to break the budget, stick with what you have until you can get a new one, else you are sacraficing alot of performance in the machine to budget one in. you can build a decent tower on that (as glc posted, i think thats about as good as you can get with that budget, except perhaps subbing the graphics card with a gtx460 1gb, but this will push you over the 700 and close to the 800 mark) but getting a monitor in there too will push it over the top. please dont feel as though i am 'bashing you', just trying to help inform you as to why glc said 'The only thing in there I'd agree with is the case.' antec 300 is a good case.
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"Hacking is not just a skill, it's an attitude" The Rig: i7-870 - Asus p7p55d-e PRO - 4gb A-Data G-Series - 1TB WD Caviar Black Sata 6gb/s - 2x Asus GTX 460 in SLI - Corsair 850w Power - Antec 1200 case Last edited by Nikon; 08-02-2010 at 09:09 AM. |
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08-02-2010, 01:48 PM
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#4 |
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Add 100.00 if you need OS
Last edited by jdeb; 08-02-2010 at 05:49 PM. |
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08-03-2010, 12:19 AM
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#5 |
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Member (4 bit)
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I would have the OS windows 7 64 bit provided from a friend so it is out of the budget.
I would go with the i5 instead of i3 because it is a better upgrade for long-terms especially. I heard Asus motherboards are bad, is that true? The only problem I have now is making sure all the parts fit together or would work together properly? If I got the i5. what is a good good good graphic card to use ? (especially for playing starcraft 2 and running simple school apps). How many Watts from the PSU would I need? is there a way to know that? Thanks guy for posting. Its a great help! |
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08-03-2010, 12:32 AM
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#6 |
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With your budget for a GAMING computer, stick with the i3. The video card is a LOT more important than the CPU, and you can always upgrade the CPU later if needed. You don't need a quad core to play games and do schoolwork.
The video card I recommended is the strongest your budget can stand, it's a VERY good card, and the power supply I recommended is about 100 watts more than you really need. Asus is just about the only motherboard I'll use. They are consistently good. Any system I recommend will have all compatible parts. We don't want to hear about getting software from friends, please, we are zero tolerance on piracy here. |
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08-03-2010, 02:10 AM
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#7 |
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If you want to put a little more money into your cpu, here's a good card a smidge less expensive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121376 You'll lose DX 11 support, and I think some speed. But the 4870 has been rated as an excellent bang for buck card. If you want to do a little research, you'll find that Asus boards are generally accepted as quality motherboards. As with any product you can hear or find a bad or good review based on any single persons perspective. For the most part most techs will agree that Asus products in general are a good choice. I wouldn't take just one or two persons say so.
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08-04-2010, 08:11 PM
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#8 |
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Member (4 bit)
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I have a questions with regards to INTEL i5
what is a better chip. i5 LynnField, Clarkdale, or Arrandale for gaming? I was looking at this one I have a questions with regards to INTEL i5 Lynnfield 2.66ghz |
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08-04-2010, 10:43 PM
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#9 |
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The best $115 CPU for gaming is the i3-530. The best $200 CPU for gaming is the i5-750. Everything in between those 2 price points, either AMD wins, or Intel wins with old socket 775 processors. The Clarkdale i5's are not cost-effective.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...n-ii,2675.html |
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08-05-2010, 06:39 AM
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#10 |
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Member (11 bit)
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Clarkdales have video on the processor. If you are using a video card you don't need a Clarkdale. Clarkdales are best when you don't want the noise, cost or watt usage of a video card.
I am wondering if glc thinks an i5-Clarkdale is not cost effective in all settings or just in a gaming machine.
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CH "All you need is love." Last edited by Computer Hobbyist; 08-05-2010 at 06:42 AM. |
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08-05-2010, 10:28 AM
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#11 |
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Please see if this is a good SET-UP.. I'm open for opinion
CPU – $209.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115067 Motherboard –$119.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ords%29&Page=2 Video Card – $109.99 (plus shipping $7 ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121362 Power Supply – $89.99 ($20 mail in rebate - $69.99) Shipping $3.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3463938&SID= RAM (memory)- $ 97.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231277 Harddrive - $74.99 (promo code EMCYWYP32 $20.00 off ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319 CD/DVD Optical Drive – $18.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289 Computer Case (Chassis) – $69.99 (shipping $9.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129066 Monitor – 32” Vizio TV 720p with RGB and HDMI input Total = $812.90 cents -$20 promo code -$20 mail-in-rebate ------------------------- $772.90 cents About wireless, I need Ethernet cable and a router? I cant get like an internal wireless adapter for it to work? Cuz its cheaper that way. |
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08-05-2010, 10:51 AM
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#12 |
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Techphile.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Your $200 CPU is too expensive for a $600-$800 budget gamer. You are building a gamer on a very tight budget! Do not expect a high end gaming machine or specify high end parts with your budget.
Go with glc's recommendations. Doing this will maximize the performance and reliability of your gaming computer for your budget. You are just going to have to trust that he knows what he is talking about. He is one of the two computer guru's in this forum. There are quite a number of very knowledgeable people as well.
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08-05-2010, 10:54 AM
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#13 | |
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Quote:
I personal;ly like the setup glc suggested but to pick yours apart a little... 1. Replace the board to what glc suggested 2. Save some money and go with the power supply glc suggested 3. Use the ram glc suggested, ripjaws have been having issues 4. the video card glc suggested is better. |
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08-05-2010, 11:21 AM
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#14 |
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Techphile.
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double post
Last edited by David M; 08-05-2010 at 11:34 AM. |
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08-05-2010, 11:28 AM
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#15 | |
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Techphile.
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Quote:
I'm not trying to bust your budget, just trying to put things into perspective. Last edited by David M; 08-05-2010 at 11:33 AM. |
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08-05-2010, 12:19 PM
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#16 |
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I have reconsider, I will be going with the AMD Phenom X4 965 or 955 BLACK EDITION... what is a good MOBO, RAM, and Video Card to use.. and i'm thinking about getting a CORAIR cpu cooler to fit in my ANTEC case??? ANY SUGGESTION?? I'm in need of a PC LOL
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08-05-2010, 01:00 PM
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#17 |
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If you want to go with AMD, that's fine. I can't help you with that because I don't do AMD builds and I don't know what works right with each other. However, could you please answer me this - why are you trying so hard to avoid the i3? At your budget point, it's imperative that you allow as much money as possible for the VIDEO CARD if you want to build a good gamer. Also, at your budget point, WHY are you looking to get an aftermarket CPU cooler?
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08-05-2010, 05:27 PM
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#18 | |
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Quote:
The Asus AMD890FX boards are the currently the best of the lot in regards to the latest chipset (M4A89TD Pro and M4A89TD Pro/USB3 mainboards from ASUS). You will soon be out of your price range but there are alternatives. I have had good luck with the ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 to stay in your price range. |
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08-05-2010, 07:54 PM
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#19 |
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The reason I am not considering i3 because the AMD Phenom II x4 955 and 956 is much better. I3 and core 2 duo is about the same thing but core 2 duo is more reliable in terms of how long it has been in the market.
here is the list. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ii,2675-7.html now im not just basing it off from just this review but also 2nd hand experience with people who have i3 and consider them to not be as good as an AMD or i5. You can notice the performance more and I would spend that extra buck for a good processor. I really appreciate that post your opinion and thoughts because everyone's input helps me make my final decision. Yes, I do have the budget of $600-800.. I would like it to stay low but if performance is worth it, I wouldn't mind going over it if it is reasonable. AMD board from all the reviews and forums has a higher rating than INTEL but also runs cooler. Even on Newegg, AMD has a higher rating and more success rate than INTEL. Im not bashing on intel. I always had intel and I have no problem with it. I would like to try AMD and see where it can go from there. The budget I set up for an i5 was a bit over price and i want to see if going with AMD can save me $100 or $200 dollars. If anyone know a good mobo and especially RAM (cuz i'm lost with that) please give me your best advice. Thanks everyone!! |
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08-05-2010, 09:04 PM
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#20 |
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Member (9 bit)
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for your budget, amd really is the way to go. you can build a modest to high end amd machine on that budget, whereas you could only really go middle of the road with intel.
i would say for an AMD build, go for an asus m4a89 board. this board has full support for usb3 and sata6 without sacraficing pci lanes to do it. (hypertransport > FSB in this manner) this one is $129 Newegg.com - ASUS M4A89GTD PRO AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard pick your poison for your cpu, you have the phenomIIx4 and x6 (the 1055 model), but we can go a little cheaper still. a gaming rig doesnt really need all of that power, and most games only utilize 3 cores at most. keeping this i mind, i suggest this cpu: amd phenom II x3, which can potentially be unlocked into the full quad core $99 Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition Heka 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor HDZ720WFK3DGI - Processors - Desktops on the ram note, you will not see any noticable differeances between super expencive fast ram and the 1333mhz ram the board will accept w/o OC. a-data is a good brand, so here is the choice: $89 Newegg.com - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333B2G9-DRH its not sata 6 (there is a sata6 version) but with the budget in mind, for now i would use this HDD Western Digital Caviar Black 500gb $69 Newegg.com - wd caviar black so far were at about $400, if this were intel, you might only have a cpu and mobo at this point. bringing us to: ahh, video. the classic debate, nvidia or ati... well thats really up to you. a gtx460 1gb would be my preferred card, but this is up to you. a 460 will run you about $250. good card at a good price imho. (NOT the 768mb one) now we need a power supply. the 460 recommends at least 450 watt, well go over that by a little, lets go with a corsair cmpsu 550vx @ $79 Newegg.com - wd caviar black figure in $20 for a cd drive, and your at about 750, but you still need a case. im sure you can work this down or so. just trying to give you a rough idea. |
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08-05-2010, 10:31 PM
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#21 | |
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Quote:
Not trying to push Intel, but I DID need to correct a false statement. Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: July 2010 : July Updates at $115, the Core i3-530 deserves a solid recommendation as a gaming processor. It consistently beat the Athlon II X3 445, and came surprisingly close to challenging the Phenom II X4 940 on a number of occasions. The only downside is that this dual-core, Hyper-Threaded processor doesn't handle multitasking as well as a true quad- or even triple-core processor, like the Athlon II X3. Nevertheless, its basic gaming ability can not be refuted. The new Core i5 brings top-of-the-line Nehalem-class performance at a $200 price point. It's so good that we awarded it our Recommended Buy honor after seeing it stand up to more expensive CPUs in games and other demanding apps. For those desiring the best possible performance, the Core i5-750 can be overclocked to great effect, and when pushed, will perform similarly to the $1,000 Core i7-975 Extreme Edition at the more expensive CPU's stock settings. YES, in between those 2 price points, AMD wins. However, what you spend on a processor is going to take away money you have available for a video card. |
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08-05-2010, 11:01 PM
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#22 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2010
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GLC made some good points.
I already decided to go with the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Quad core.. I need help picking the right mobo and ram but also the right graphic card that i can connect to my tv with an HDMI cable with sound included. Whoever is an EXPERT PLEASE HELP!! I want to order the parts asap |
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08-06-2010, 12:18 AM
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#23 |
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Okay, how much money do you have left for a video card? I'll help ya with that, but I can't suggest AMD motherboards other than - Buy an Asus. Ram? I'd say DDR3-1333 from Crucial, Corsair, Kingston, or A-Data.
Sound included is gonna have to be an ATI. 5770, 5830, 5850..........whatever you got enough money for. Asus, Diamond, or HIS. If you don't have enough money for a 5770, cut something else. |
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08-06-2010, 12:33 AM
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#24 |
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Member (4 bit)
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Okay! I am going with the AMD PHENOM II X4 965 Black Edition.
I need a motherboard that will last and is good for playing starcraft 2. If the motherboard has a onboard video card HD 4290.. do I need to get another video card to play Starcraft 2 and use it? Here are the list I came up with. (cannot decide) Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard Newegg.com - ASUS M4A89GTD PRO AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard Newegg.com - ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard Newegg.com - ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard GLC---- Thanks for helping. I'm having a hard time deciding what package to go with the AMD CPU. Not sure what to pick.. here is the list.( I already have a power supply and chassis picked out, in need of mobo ram and video card) Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more! Last edited by jasonboba; 08-06-2010 at 12:39 AM. |
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08-06-2010, 01:36 AM
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#26 |
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We have been trying to tell you - G.skill has been having ISSUES recently.
That's not a very strong video card. Like I said, cut back on something (like the CPU?) and get at LEAST a 5770. You could also cut back on the motherboard. Forget onboard video. |
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08-06-2010, 08:41 PM
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#28 |
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Member (9 bit)
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Location: Conneaut, Ohio
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that combo deal is no longer available, i would suggest the m4a89 board in any of its flavors if you will be using usb3 or sata6, as it has those built in and the chipset fully supports them. other than that there is really no big difference between that and the 790 chipset.
@glc, i know the i3 is a great cpu, we have several laptops running with them and they fly! the keyword in my statement before was 'might' but then again it 'might' apply to amd too (if you go top end stuff), or 'might' be mistaken as something other than a fun poke at intels generally higher prices. =D |
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08-06-2010, 10:14 PM
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#29 |
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I "might" be saying that at this budget point, a $200 CPU "might" be spending too much because a $110 video card "might" not be a very good gamer.
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08-07-2010, 12:51 AM
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#30 |
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Member (9 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Conneaut, Ohio
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lol glc, i give. agreed that a cheapish card like that wouldnt do so well in gaming, atleast newer games. my old fx5500 still plays wow and wc3 on medium settings, so ill live... for now. i play sc2 on my laptop
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