PC or Laptop

[-=Punisher=-]

Sorry for making another post but this time its for sure.. Christmas will be good to me this year. Ill be getting the funds in the next week to buy a PC or another Laptop. My current laptop is getting hot, has distorted graphics and has been BSOD "Operating System Not Found" the last week so Ill be breaking it down probably.

From the laptop I will retain my Windows 7 cd key for a PC if I choose one.

If I get a desktop I will need everything EXCEPT storage drive, DVD-ROM assuming theres an IDE and possibly a case. I have an OLD Antec 300 case but unsure if a new graphics card would fit in it. Price should INCLUDE a monitor minimum of 20" and some leeway for a gaming mouse. I have been looking at the G500.

I would not be entirely against another laptop assuming it can perform well, last long, and meet my budget.

Budget is set at $1000 but I would like to keep it as cheap as possible. Also I prefer Intel over AMD and the GeForce GTX series has good remarks esp. 550 and up.

I have 1 setup now thats $821 w/ shipping, all from NewEgg.

 

[Muffs]

Why not just get a cooler for your laptop?

 

[-=Punisher=-]

I could, but the video chip is weak Radeon HD 5470. It can play GW2 but lags horribly in WvW. And since its been overheating SpeedFan has been reporting that my GPU has been reaching 90c while just browsing the net. So Im assuming that its beyond repair. I can still use it but Ill be looking at getting a new HDD, and then Ill be limited to the games I play still.

It was one of those laptops that seemed like a good buy 2 years ago for gaming but in the last 6 months or so it has shown its age when tested to new games.

 

[-=Punisher=-]

Here's what Im thinking of.. I had to make some changes since the mobo didn't have an IDE slot. How does this look?

CPU Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core $214.99
Motherboard ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 $89.99
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $49.98
Storage OCZ Agility 3 120GB 2.5" SSD $94.99
Video Card EVGA GeForce GTX 650 2GB $129.99
Case Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower $49.49
Power Supply OCZ 600W ATX12V / EPS12V $49.99
Optical Drive Lite-On iHAS424-98 DVD/CD Writer $24.49
Monitor Acer G205HVbd 20.0" $89.99
Mouse Logitech G500 Wired Laser $39.99
Total $833.89

 

[Muffs]

I'd get a better graphics card like the 660ti so it lasts longer, and maybe a different power supply.

 

[xosniper]

1 question: Do you need to be portable?


If not, PC baby!!

If so, then obviously


Either way, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

 

[-=Punisher=-]

Ill look around for a different psu but the 660ti is a little expensive for a gpu. What about a 650ti? Benchmark is much higher than the previous card. And what's a good reputable PSU maker? Or what's good number for my build as far as wattage, 550?

 

[-=Punisher=-]

Also mobility is kind of a want, not a need. I like sitting in my recliner playing game and watching tv on my time off. Not sitting at another bench or desk lol.. But if I could find a good laptop for that price I would probably get it instead.

 

[Muffs]

You could always not get an SSD for extra money for the 660ti or something in the 7000 series

 

[-=Punisher=-]

The reason I added the ssd was because I play GW2 and WoW. Will getting it not help in load times? Least that was my main reason for it.

 

[Cloakedsphere]

If you want mobility then dont even bother considering a PC.

 

[-=Punisher=-]

I actually thought about it tonight, and that build should last me a good few years at least. I'd rather not have to buy another laptop in 2 years because it can't handle something new. And upgrading a laptop is impossible...

 

[Muffs]

Getting an SSD gives you faster boot times and all around everything file transfers etc... but you could always get a smaller SSD if you're only putting those two games on it... but I'd personally just put my OS on it, a 7200 rpm hard drive will load stuff decently fast as far as games

 

[I'm your huckleberry]

I would definitely change the power supply to something like the corsair cx500, a seasonic, or an xfx. Definitely do not want some cheap quality psu powering your components.

GTX 650 is extremely weak. At the very least, bump up to a 650 Ti which is about 35% faster.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130839

The 660 would be the better recommendation if you can extend your budget some more given the additional VRAM and it being over twice as fast as the 650

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500270

This gives an idea of performance in numerous games of the different cards at various resolutions:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_650_Ti_Power_Edition/28.html


Any 2x4gb 1600 1.5 V ram kit should do. Definitely should be able to get it for $40 or less though.

A better ssd can be had at that price. Just wait for a deal to pop up. Look at the crucial m4, vertex 4, or the samsung 830 128gb drives. All have had sales at that price or lower.

Lastly, I think a 20" monitor is small. I would go for a 23" at least if you can fit it. Definitely makes the experience more enjoyable imo.

 

[Zeriu]

If you don't mind AMD video cards. The XFX 6870 or even the 6950 are really good cards for the price. Also an Intel i5-2500k is perfect for games. You don't need to go up to the 3570 the difference is very minor and the 2500 is cheaper. If you don't plan to ever overclock you can save 10 dollars by purchasing the locked version. That's the one without the "K" at the end.

 

[I'm your huckleberry]

Depending where you look, prices are very close. At newegg, currently the 2500k is more expensive. Given them at the same price or the 3570k only $5 more, I would get the newer tech for its lower power consumption and additional features such as native usb 3.0 support and pcie 3.0.

And 6870 and 6950 are good cards, but they have been phased out, so if you can find them, they are probably priced similarly to the 7xxx equivalent which will have lower power consumption and likely more overclock headroom. Either way, no real reason to get the old series unless a substantial deal can be had.

As for the unlocked cpus, it is a worthy price to pay given the free performance that can be gained by even the most inexperienced user given the ease of overclocking the 2500k/3570k to mild levels.

 

[-=Punisher=-]

Well I ended up getting a 20" after all but only because of the price lol.. I went to best buy and some kid marked [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005NJQ7CI"]Acer 20IN LED 1600X900 S200HL ABD MNTR VGA DVI 5MS LCD Flat Panel:Amazon:Computers & Accessories@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31EZQAZpTrL.@@AMEPARAM@@31EZQAZpTrL[/ame] to $90 and I bought it. I also picked up a Logitech G700 on sale. I've got to check but I'm going to order some parts tonight. Not all but the best bargained ones.

 

[-=Punisher=-]

CPU, Ram, and PSU ordered.
I5-3570k
Corsair Vengenance 1600Mhz 8GB (2x4gb)
Raidmax 530W modular PSU

 

[I'm your huckleberry]

Looks good except for the psu. I would not trust that to power my system.

 

[-=Punisher=-]

Well the only reason I chose it, is because it has 500+ reviews with 4 stars on NewEgg. It also has 37W max over the +12v rails. Which should be enough for say a GTX 660 Ti right? Im not sure on the Ti but Ill be getting that one or the regular.