Gaming Machine...
- Thread starter NeOfito
- Start date
Well what im gonna say, I built my first computer 3 months ago and I still love it so much and it cost 700 dollars, You'll spend a long time researching parts for your computer (I spent about a full 16-18 hours browsing items on 1 site) and about 2 hours of building your computer.
I use the website www.newegg.com as it is very low priced and also they have a great return policy on parts
You gotta set a budget, I went "Well I got 4000$ Lets see what we can get" but you always gotta remember that if something costs more then something else doesent make it better and find things that're compatible with eachother (RAM, Processors) and to have fun.
If you want a public list of what I bought for my dorm room (I have a far more valued computer at home) here is a link
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=6424368
I use the website www.newegg.com as it is very low priced and also they have a great return policy on parts
You gotta set a budget, I went "Well I got 4000$ Lets see what we can get" but you always gotta remember that if something costs more then something else doesent make it better and find things that're compatible with eachother (RAM, Processors) and to have fun.
If you want a public list of what I bought for my dorm room (I have a far more valued computer at home) here is a link
https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=6424368
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2007
- Messages
- 98
Panda gives good advice. The most important thing to do when building a PC is set your budget. I usually figure what I want to spend and then go to sites like alien ware and dell to see when they build for around that, then buy parts based off of that. newegg is good, but you should shop around and dont feel like you have to buy everything from the same place. try pricewatch.com and others, sometimes one will be cheaper on a part, but not on all parts.
After reviewing on the net I think this is a good choice for motherboard. Can I have your opinion? http://pcgamer.pricegrabber.com/search_techspecs_full.php/masterid=51623739
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2007
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I've personally had unfortunate luck with ASUS in the recent past, but ignoring that let me make certain that you intend to go with ATI for your video board(s)? This motherboard is designed for ATI's Crossfire, so it pretty much locks you into ATI if you ever wish to do multiple GPUs. If you intend to go ATI, then there is nothing wrong with the board, however I have found MSI of late to be the better choice.
As others have stated, I highly suggest NewEgg.com even if you plan to purchase elsewhere. They have a high rate of feedback that can be very useful in the decision process. More than once I have found negative reviews in a sea of positive reviews that outlined a specific problem I would have experienced myself (ie. Product X conflicts with Product Y).
As others have stated, I highly suggest NewEgg.com even if you plan to purchase elsewhere. They have a high rate of feedback that can be very useful in the decision process. More than once I have found negative reviews in a sea of positive reviews that outlined a specific problem I would have experienced myself (ie. Product X conflicts with Product Y).
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He's building one himself.
I don't know how much you're looking to spend, but...
Case: [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811112122]LIAN LI PC-A10B Black Aluminum ATX Mid[/link]
Mobo: [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813130080]MSI P6N Diamond LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX[/link]
CPU: [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115003]IntelCore 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775[/link]
CPU Fan: [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835118223]ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink[/link]
GPU: 2 x [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130071]EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16[/link]
RAM: 2 x [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145034]CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800[/link]
Case Fans: 5 x [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835185005]Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E 120mm Case Fan[/link]
PSU: [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817194019] ENERMAX Galaxy EGX1000EWL ATX12V/ EPS12V/ BTX 1000W[/link]
That's the core of the machine I built last. The case is a bit pricey, but worth every penny IMO- well thought out, well designed, I recommend it to everyone. The airflow in it is brilliant. Our apartment is generally mid 70s to 80s and I have yet to have any heat issue. The PSU took some creative engineering to get in there without messing up its fan system, but I've got a lot of peripherals and a third video card for my second monitor- I needed the power. All told it cost me a few hundred less than 3 grand.
Also, you said this is your first machine? Do you at least have some education, formal or otherwise, on the internals of a computer? I'd hate to see ya spend the dough and then accidentally fry something.
I don't know how much you're looking to spend, but...
Case: [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811112122]LIAN LI PC-A10B Black Aluminum ATX Mid[/link]
Mobo: [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813130080]MSI P6N Diamond LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX[/link]
CPU: [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115003]IntelCore 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775[/link]
CPU Fan: [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835118223]ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink[/link]
GPU: 2 x [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130071]EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16[/link]
RAM: 2 x [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145034]CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800[/link]
Case Fans: 5 x [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835185005]Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E 120mm Case Fan[/link]
PSU: [link=http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817194019] ENERMAX Galaxy EGX1000EWL ATX12V/ EPS12V/ BTX 1000W[/link]
That's the core of the machine I built last. The case is a bit pricey, but worth every penny IMO- well thought out, well designed, I recommend it to everyone. The airflow in it is brilliant. Our apartment is generally mid 70s to 80s and I have yet to have any heat issue. The PSU took some creative engineering to get in there without messing up its fan system, but I've got a lot of peripherals and a third video card for my second monitor- I needed the power. All told it cost me a few hundred less than 3 grand.
Also, you said this is your first machine? Do you at least have some education, formal or otherwise, on the internals of a computer? I'd hate to see ya spend the dough and then accidentally fry something.
Thanks for your opinions and tips. This would be my first built PC, I certainly have some experience about handling hardware. I'm doing some research to get the best gaming machine that my budget can afford (1.5 grand). And yes, it will have ATI, it have worked for me pretty fine.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2007
- Messages
- 2,341
Oh, yeah, ignore my computer then.
1.5 will get you a more than decent machine. I'd aim for a single GPU system with a Crossfire capable video card. So when you need to upgrade you can buy that same video card that by then will be a discount item. 2GB of RAM if you're sticking with XP (which I recommend right now) and I highly recommend Corsair. Even if you don't get their top end stuff, their value RAM is still great. Consider getting a soundcard as well, some games just run better with hardware sound than software. I really recommend Zalman CPU fans too. Stock fans have gotten better, but they're still a bit lacking. And with your budget I can't really recommend spending 200-300 on a case, but if you can find the space in your budget I do stand by my statements on that case. Beyond having supurb airflow and being a lovely brushed black, it might be the first computer I've ever built without cutting or scrapping myself even once.
1.5 will get you a more than decent machine. I'd aim for a single GPU system with a Crossfire capable video card. So when you need to upgrade you can buy that same video card that by then will be a discount item. 2GB of RAM if you're sticking with XP (which I recommend right now) and I highly recommend Corsair. Even if you don't get their top end stuff, their value RAM is still great. Consider getting a soundcard as well, some games just run better with hardware sound than software. I really recommend Zalman CPU fans too. Stock fans have gotten better, but they're still a bit lacking. And with your budget I can't really recommend spending 200-300 on a case, but if you can find the space in your budget I do stand by my statements on that case. Beyond having supurb airflow and being a lovely brushed black, it might be the first computer I've ever built without cutting or scrapping myself even once.
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2007
- Messages
- 2,589
[quote1195602969==(eG)= e MpTy]
Don't get Emachines, Dell, HP, Compaq.. and goes without saying for the love of gaming not macs! lol
[/quote1195602969]
Rofl..
How bout' Dell XPS?
Don't get Emachines, Dell, HP, Compaq.. and goes without saying for the love of gaming not macs! lol
[/quote1195602969]
Rofl..
How bout' Dell XPS?
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- Oct 29, 2007
- Messages
- 2,341
Ignoring Dell's deplorable customer service (I've had to deal with them on many many occasions here at work), I really can't speak on their 'gaming' machines. But It's always better, in my opinion, to build a computer from components- I've yet to find a company that gives enough details about components used to suit me.
Here is a list of the hardware I like on my new machine:
1. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129036]Antec Sonata Designer Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply[/link]
2. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219]ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard[/link]
3. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017]Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor[/link]
4. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145173&Tpk=N82E16820145173]CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory[/link]
5. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127305&Tpk=N82E16814127305]MSI RX2600XT Diamond Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR4 PCI Express x16 OC Edition HDMI HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card[/link]
6. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136055]Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive[/link]
What do you think?
1. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129036]Antec Sonata Designer Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply[/link]
2. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219]ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard[/link]
3. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017]Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor[/link]
4. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145173&Tpk=N82E16820145173]CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory[/link]
5. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127305&Tpk=N82E16814127305]MSI RX2600XT Diamond Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR4 PCI Express x16 OC Edition HDMI HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card[/link]
6. [link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136055]Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive[/link]
What do you think?
No plan for a second video card at this moment.
Do you think this drive will do?
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136054]Western Digital Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive[/link]
Do you think this drive will do?
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136054]Western Digital Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive[/link]
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2007
- Messages
- 2,341
That's the drive I use actually.
It's SATA150 instead of SATA 3.0, but that's an acceptable loss for the seek speed IMO.
Heck, if you can afford it- get two. OS on one, Swap file on the other. I do that for my dual boot. Drive A has XP and the Vista Swap, Drive B has Vista and the XP Swap. So no matter which OS I'm booting, the OS and swap both have dedicated drives.
It's SATA150 instead of SATA 3.0, but that's an acceptable loss for the seek speed IMO.
Heck, if you can afford it- get two. OS on one, Swap file on the other. I do that for my dual boot. Drive A has XP and the Vista Swap, Drive B has Vista and the XP Swap. So no matter which OS I'm booting, the OS and swap both have dedicated drives.
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2007
- Messages
- 47
Lafinass - please dont think that i reccommend alienware. But the last time I went to their site it specified brand and model of each component including motherboard - and let you choose different brands. But that was also like 4 years ago.
And you scared me: I was like WHAT? SATA3 ? What did I miss? But then I realised you were specifying speeds. I guess I see SATA150 and my brain only sees "SATA1" so when I saw SATA 3.0....
And you scared me: I was like WHAT? SATA3 ? What did I miss? But then I realised you were specifying speeds. I guess I see SATA150 and my brain only sees "SATA1" so when I saw SATA 3.0....
Well although some people prefer Intel... this is a rig I highly recommend.
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773] AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (Dual 3.0GHz)[/link]
$160
Benefits: Not too expensive, can burn a DVD while playing TF2 with no lag (I've tested). AMD.
Cons: Slightly expensive compared to some of the nicer Intel processors.
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131022]ASUS M2N-E AMD Motherboard[/link]
$94
Benefits: A mid-range motherboard, not cheap low quality dirt but not the really expensive ASUS motherboards. Oh and it is Asus.. an awesome brand.
Cons: RAM has to be 1.8V if you don't want problems. Isn't PCI Express 2.0
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146118]Mushkin 2GB (1GBx2) DDR2 800 RAM[/link]
$50
Benefits: Works well with motherboard, 2GBs runs perfectly with Vista, etc. DDR2 800.
Cons: Only 1.8V
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148215]Seagate Barracuda 320GB 16MB Cache 7200RPM[/link]
$95
Pros: Inexpensive, 5 Year Warranty, lots of space, 16MB Cache and can transfer up to 85MB a second.
Cons: Not a 10,000RPM drive.
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127303]MSI RX2600XT 512MB GDDR4 128-bit PCI Express x16[/link]
$144 after rebate
Pros: 512MB, can run Crysis at Max Settings with 4X AA
Cons: Not PCI Express 2.0 (2.0 doesn't work with mobo), 128-bit, uses 169W of the bat.
Mixed: Huge!! (dunno if that is good or bad)
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156078]RAIDMAX Smilodon Extreme Black Case w/ Window Panel and LEDs[/link]
$80
Pros: Attractive, Nice LEDs, Inexpensive, Windowed Side Panel
Cons: No Power Supply, LEDs might get annoying after awhile (depends on you)
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002]OCZ GameXStream 700W PSU[/link]
$99 after rebate
Pros: Lots of watts, high quality brand, VERY inexpensive after rebate, long cables, aweeesommee.
Cons: Rebate isn't always goin to be there! (so act fast!)
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072]LITE-ON Black 20X DVD Burner w/ Lightscribe[/link]
$37.99
Pros: This brand is something I've never had anything but happiness. Great, cheap.
Cons: Not commercial grade
Not sure I am forgetting something... but this is a cheap, great gaming rig for people who don't feel like spending 3k.
Total Cost: $661 w/o tax or shipping.
It is a lovely PC. This is a suggestion for those who want an under 1k build that rocks and doesn't break the bank (too bad
)
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773] AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (Dual 3.0GHz)[/link]
$160
Benefits: Not too expensive, can burn a DVD while playing TF2 with no lag (I've tested). AMD.
Cons: Slightly expensive compared to some of the nicer Intel processors.
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131022]ASUS M2N-E AMD Motherboard[/link]
$94
Benefits: A mid-range motherboard, not cheap low quality dirt but not the really expensive ASUS motherboards. Oh and it is Asus.. an awesome brand.
Cons: RAM has to be 1.8V if you don't want problems. Isn't PCI Express 2.0
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146118]Mushkin 2GB (1GBx2) DDR2 800 RAM[/link]
$50
Benefits: Works well with motherboard, 2GBs runs perfectly with Vista, etc. DDR2 800.
Cons: Only 1.8V
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148215]Seagate Barracuda 320GB 16MB Cache 7200RPM[/link]
$95
Pros: Inexpensive, 5 Year Warranty, lots of space, 16MB Cache and can transfer up to 85MB a second.
Cons: Not a 10,000RPM drive.
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127303]MSI RX2600XT 512MB GDDR4 128-bit PCI Express x16[/link]
$144 after rebate
Pros: 512MB, can run Crysis at Max Settings with 4X AA
Cons: Not PCI Express 2.0 (2.0 doesn't work with mobo), 128-bit, uses 169W of the bat.
Mixed: Huge!! (dunno if that is good or bad)
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156078]RAIDMAX Smilodon Extreme Black Case w/ Window Panel and LEDs[/link]
$80
Pros: Attractive, Nice LEDs, Inexpensive, Windowed Side Panel
Cons: No Power Supply, LEDs might get annoying after awhile (depends on you)
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002]OCZ GameXStream 700W PSU[/link]
$99 after rebate
Pros: Lots of watts, high quality brand, VERY inexpensive after rebate, long cables, aweeesommee.
Cons: Rebate isn't always goin to be there! (so act fast!)
[link=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072]LITE-ON Black 20X DVD Burner w/ Lightscribe[/link]
$37.99
Pros: This brand is something I've never had anything but happiness. Great, cheap.
Cons: Not commercial grade
Not sure I am forgetting something... but this is a cheap, great gaming rig for people who don't feel like spending 3k.
Total Cost: $661 w/o tax or shipping.
It is a lovely PC. This is a suggestion for those who want an under 1k build that rocks and doesn't break the bank (too bad
)- Joined
- Nov 18, 2007
- Messages
- 21
Now I know I'm gonna be shot down on this one but I know (and this is were I got my computer) were you can get a HIGHLY customizable gaming machine already built. http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/ if your looking for something below $1000 you can acually get something very good, for the money almost as if they don't (but they do) charge you for building it. Get back to me, I know building it is cheaper, but if you screw up you have no replacements, and have to wait for those, pre-built is just simpler, more expensive yes, but simpler
