A humble requestorial (PC build)

[r0bman]

Okay, return is about what I was hoping for, so it's time to build a new PC. Unfortunately, this whole "real life" thing has left me supremely out of the loop when it comes to processors, cards, etc. Hell, my main computer still has a P4 and an AGP card.

I just went through 4 or 5 of the latest "critique my build" threads, so I've got a general idea, but they're all really pushing my hope-for budget.

So, I humbly request those of you in the know to aid me. I really, really want to keep it under $1000 if at all humanly possible. I don't need an uber-rig, but something that can play newer games at decent settings is perfect. Storm of War is the biggy, but it's still a ways away, so I'll probably be looking to upgrade video cards around then. Anyway,

Please copy / paste this convenient form, and fill it out:

• Mobo:
• Processor:
• Video Card:
• Power Supply:
• Case:

... and are sound cards even worth it any more? Just about everything I've brushed on has on-board...

The rest I can more than handle on my own. Thanks peoples!

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[Davemeister]

Just go to Fry's and buy whatever the pimply-faced kid recommends.

[QuadCoreDueller]

Do you have a preference on AMD/Intel - ATi/Nvidia?

[super-ru]

Originally Posted by r0bman

... and are sound cards even worth it any more? Just about everything I've brushed on has on-board...

Onboard sound is fine as long as you are hearing impared or use cardboard speakers. I tried it out on my last build, and the em interference was unbearable. Anything over a whisper and the hissing ticking buzzing of every component in my machine drove me ****ing nuts. I ended up going with an external sound blaster x-fi.

[r0bman]

Originally Posted by QuadCoreDueller

Do you have a preference on AMD/Intel - ATi/Nvidia?

Not really. I'm thinking I want to change it up a bit and go Nvidia, though. I'm sick of dicking around with ATi drivers in Linux.

Originally Posted by super-ru

Onboard sound is fine as long as you are hearing impared or use cardboard speakers. I tried it out on my last build, and the em interference was unbearable. Anything over a whisper and the hissing ticking buzzing of every component in my machine drove me ****ing nuts. I ended up going with an external sound blaster x-fi.

Oh, good. I have cardboard speakers and don't give a damn.

[QuadCoreDueller]

Originally Posted by r0bman

Not really. I'm thinking I want to change it up a bit and go Nvidia, though. I'm sick of dicking around with ATi drivers in Linux.

Oh, good. I have cardboard speakers and don't give a damn.

Ok. I usually stick with AMD and Nvidia myself, and I use onboard sound, with 5.1s. No EMI found. Give me a couple minutes to whip something up.

What are you doing for drives and memory?

[vanskater]

processor - amd 965 phenom II x4 3.6 GHz = $189
mobo - GIGABYTE GA-790XTA-UD4 AM3 AMD 790X - $139
Ram - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 x2 = $219
power supply - Corsair Memory CMPSU-850TX = $139
Video card - XFX HD-585A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 = $299


grand total of $996 with no case, but add in a cheap one for $20 - $40 and your good


the newer ati cards are better then the nvidia cards right now.

[cnw]

i found this. should help.

http://www.chickennwaffles.edu/comp/cheapgamingrig

[r0bman]

Originally Posted by QuadCoreDueller

What are you doing for drives and memory?

Good on drives, I've got two SATAs I'm going to format and throw in. Memory, I was thinking 4GBs of the fastest, cheapest crap compatible with whichever mobo I end up with.

Originally Posted by chicken n waffles

i found this. should help.

http://www.chickennwaffles.edu/comp/cheapgamingrig

Thanks, smartass. I want to build it up. Sort of like I built up your girlfriend's orgasm last night.

[r0bman]

Originally Posted by vanskater

processor - amd 965 phenom II x4 3.6 GHz = $189
mobo - GIGABYTE GA-790XTA-UD4 AM3 AMD 790X - $139
Ram - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 x2 = $219
power supply - Corsair Memory CMPSU-850TX = $139
Video card - XFX HD-585A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 = $299


grand total of $996 with no case, but add in a cheap one for $20 - $40 and your good


the newer ati cards are better then the nvidia cards right now.

Thanks... taken into consideration.

I'm not wholly set on an nVidia, My last 3-4 cards were all ATi and I loved 'em. Compiling drivers gets ****ing old, though. Ah well.

[cnw]

Originally Posted by r0bman

Thanks, smartass. I want to build it up. Sort of like I built up your girlfriend's orgasm last night.

unparalleled allegory, associate!


http://www.hardware-revolution.com/h...d-version-2-0/

[r0bman]

Originally Posted by chicken n waffles

http://www.hardware-revolution.com/h...d-version-2-0/

Oh, good ****ing raid. Thanks, man. I googled a bit but didn't come up with anything written within the last month or so.

[cnw]

[QuadCoreDueller]

Mobo:
MSI K9N2 SLI Platinum Nforce 750a

Processor:
AMD Phenom 2 x4 940

Video Card:
2x PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
^Those suck down 36a on the 12v rails, which is why this PSU will work fine:

Power Supply:
XCLIO GREATPOWER X14S8P4 850W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

Case:
Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail


Memory:
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066

Reason I went AM2+ and DDR2 1066: You can get almost the same performance processor wise and memory wise for lots cheaper.

Grand total: 990.90 (you have to buy the MSI K9N2 somewhere other than Newegg, as it doesn't look like it is sold there anymore.

If you really are interested in the above setup, you should PM me, as I just upgraded to 3waySLi, and I have a fully functioning 9 month old k9n2 I could hook you up with for dirt cheap.

[r0bman]

See, this is why I asked. I had no idea AMD had the edge right now. I wasn't even considering them because I thought Intel's new i-whatever was sittin' pretty.

Guess I'm not supporting the local economy this time around!

[affinity1]

ibi7isthegreatest

[QuadCoreDueller]

Originally Posted by r0bman

See, this is why I asked. I had no idea AMD had the edge right now. I wasn't even considering them because I thought Intel's new i-whatever was sittin' pretty.

Guess I'm not supporting the local economy this time around!

Yeah, AMD is on top of their game. I have never fallen into the Intel club, and hopefully never will.

Overpriced and overhyped. That's about it.

You want my motherboard? I am talking like you pay for shipping and I mail you a fully functioning board. I just have no need for it now. That would save you between 80-160 depending on your choice of boards.

[r0bman]

Originally Posted by QuadCoreDueller

You want my motherboard? I am talking like you pay for shipping and I mail you a fully functioning board. I just have no need for it now. That would save you between 80-160 depending on your choice of boards.

Yeah, maybe. I'll be in touch if I want to go that route. I'm literally just starting to look into this now, so I'm still... erm, looking into it.

[07Wagon]

I currently have a C2D E8500, and I've been thinking about upgrading my processor and video card, and maybe adding 4gb of ram. Not sure if I should stick with Intel or not.

[teiva-boy]

zdnet.com just did a gaming build for <$600, and I think anandtech did one too. Both though in the last two weeks.

[QuadCoreDueller]

So, r0bman, in your quest to look into this stuff, may I suggest the following search terms?

am2+ vs am3
ddr2 vs ddr3
phenom2 vs i7

With high speed low latency ddr2 1066, you will be on the same playing field as ddr3 runners up to about 1800 speed? Something like that. Its the 2000 and 2100 that start to really take off (read upwards of $200 for a set).

The performance margin of Intel vs AMD - $200 for a proc that performs as well as, if not better than an Intel proc almost 3 times it's price.

Also, are you interested in overclocking?

[r0bman]

Originally Posted by QuadCoreDueller

With high speed low latency ddr2 1066, you will be on the same playing field as ddr3 runners up to about 1800 speed? Something like that. Its the 2000 and 2100 that start to really take off (read upwards of $200 for a set).

Yeah, I'm not blowing that much on memory. My initial thought of going ape**** in that department is officially squashed. I think ddr2 will be plenty.

The performance margin of Intel vs AMD - $200 for a proc that performs as well as, if not better than an Intel proc almost 3 times it's price.

Definitely seeing that. A little surprising, but totally cool. I've been quite disappointed with this P4 I've got now since I first started screwing around with it.

Also, are you interested in overclocking?

Meh. As always, I look at that as a solution down the road. Off the bat, hell no. I'd rather build something that's good to go without having to screw with stuff.

Now this is intriguing: http://www.hardware-revolution.com/600-gaming-pc/

That's a nice, puny number that makes me very, very happy.

[Whitford]

Thanks for making this thread; I've been thinking similar thoughts as of late.

[QuadCoreDueller]

I will just um, leave this right here:


You don't get the waterblock mount, you get the stock am2/+ fan mount.

[r0bman]

Done.



Commence the "you shoulda bought this instead of that..."s