Building a semi-gaming computer

bobbysoslo · May 5, 2010

Build first, text after:

Easiest way to show it was to put it on my site to preserve details and links:
http://robertrcook.com/cp05042010.htm

The contents are my newegg basket.

So for the intro:

How's it going guys, first post, looking forward to learning much here (I'm a programmer who doesn't know jack about computer components).

My first experiment of course is to try building a desktop, through which I've learned a lot more than I used to know, which includes how little I still know.
I play games but that's not entirely my focus, and this fits my budget but I could go up (or down :] ) a bit. I also could use the large drive.

Thanks guys

Edit: oh and I'm not really big on the LED and glass side cases, but I like the look of this one even though I know I could go cheaper.

Aznlotus161 · May 5, 2010

bobbysoslo said:
Build first, text after:

Easiest way to show it was to put it on my site to preserve details and links:
http://robertrcook.com/cp05042010.htm

The contents are my newegg basket.

So for the intro:

How's it going guys, first post, looking forward to learning much here (I'm a programmer who doesn't know jack about computer components).

My first experiment of course is to try building a desktop, through which I've learned a lot more than I used to know, which includes how little I still know.
I play games but that's not entirely my focus, and this fits my budget but I could go up (or down :] ) a bit. I also could use the large drive.

Thanks guys

Edit: oh and I'm not really big on the LED and glass side cases, but I like the look of this one even though I know I could go cheaper.

Although I'm more of an AMD user, I'm in the same boat as you. The PSU may or may not be sufficient (Have about 10-15% leeway). You will have to estimate with a few calculators such as this one here

The video card can definitely play up-to-date games, there are various sample benchmarks to get an idea of where your card stands
Click here
What other needs besides the aforementioned?
As for the LEDs, if you ever consider them you can always cut the wiring or turn your computer off at night

Actually, I would settle for a cheaper case and invest in better air cooling by
buying a few Scythe fans or heat-sink.
Fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...85005&cm_re=Scythe_fan-_-35-185-005-_-Product (Very efficient and quiet, + durability)
Heatsink: http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm (Pick your poison)

bobbysoslo · May 5, 2010

Although I'm more of an AMD user, I'm in the same boat as you. The PSU may or may not be sufficient (Have about 10-15% leeway). You will have to estimate with a few calculators such as this one here

That's one thing I've been really worried about, I greatly appreciate the linkage and just completed it. However it only said I'd need like 380 W ? Seems a little low

The video card can definitely play up-to-date games, there are various sample benchmarks to get an idea of where your card stands
Click here

Yeah pretty much I've just been using benchmarks and buyer reviews, really no other clue how else to judge some of these parts.

What other needs besides the aforementioned?
As for the LEDs, if you ever consider them you can always cut the wiring or turn your computer off at night
Actually, I would settle for a cheaper case and invest in better air cooling by
buying a few Scythe fans or heat-sink.
Fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...85005&cm_re=Scythe_fan-_-35-185-005-_-Product (Very efficient and quiet, + durability)
Heatsink: http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm (Pick your poison)

I do really need to look into some more cooling, however where else would I put a heat sink besides on the cpu?

Aznlotus161 · May 5, 2010

bobbysoslo said:
That's one thing I've been really worried about, I greatly appreciate the linkage and just completed it. However it only said I'd need like 380 W ? Seems a little low

Yeah pretty much I've just been using benchmarks and buyer reviews, really no other clue how else to judge some of these parts.

I do really need to look into some more cooling, however where else would I put a heat sink besides on the cpu?

Heatsinks generally transfer heat for either the GPU & motherboard.
If you really get into it, even the memory or your HDDs.
I'm not too fond of watercooling, but it certainty is an option.

bobbysoslo · May 5, 2010

Aznlotus161 said:
Heatsinks generally transfer heat for either the GPU & motherboard.
If you really get into it, even the memory or your HDDs.
I'm not too fond of watercooling, but it certainty is an option.

It looks like the tower I was going for doesn't have additional exhaust spots for fans. Does it still help to toss more inside?

Also I've been googling but I don't really understand how you put a heatsink on a gpu?

Aznlotus161 · May 5, 2010

bobbysoslo said:
It looks like the tower I was going for doesn't have additional exhaust spots for fans. Does it still help to toss more inside?

Also I've been googling but I don't really understand how you put a heatsink on a gpu?

Well, you might want to consider another tower for the sake of space within.
You will definitely need room in there for maximium airflow and aftermarket heatsinks (can be quiet large in size)

As for the procedure, I really don't know. However, that is one of the more difficult installations of a PC build so you should ask people with more experience than me. But I did find a couple Youtube videos to serve as future reference if needed:
How to install/reseat new graphics card cooler = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVOyYE003_o
Install Akimbo GPU Fan = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKkDZjVpZrw

I have a 1200 word essay due, it's going to be a long night...

bobbysoslo · May 5, 2010

Aznlotus161 said:
I have a 1200 word essay due, it's going to be a long night...

Damn, well thanks for the resources and good luck with the essay.

joh06937 · May 5, 2010

Aznlotus161 said:
The video card can definitely play up-to-date games

be warned that the settings will probably need to be low or medium. pretty much forget about aa on the newer games.

bobbysoslo said:
That's one thing I've been really worried about, I greatly appreciate the linkage and just completed it. However it only said I'd need like 380 W ? Seems a little low

you almost never end up using as much as you think. 400 w sounds about right for that setup, especially with the hd 5750.

Aznlotus161 said:
Heatsinks generally transfer heat for either the GPU & motherboard.
If you really get into it, even the memory or your HDDs.
I'm not too fond of watercooling, but it certainty is an option.

i seriously doubt you will need watercooling, especially if you don't overclock, or even only do a little bit. just buy a good air heatsink and you will be fine.
you do NOT need cooling for your RAM, motherboard, or gpu. the gpu will not produce very much heat, at least not enough to cause any problems, even with an overclock. no need for a motherboard heatsink of any kind. and unless you REALLY push your RAM, you will be fine.

what is your overall budget?
what else are you doing besides light gaming? if nothing else, then you really don't need a monster cpu like that. you could spend WAY less and still not see any difference.

i would recommend a different case. yeah you get a discount when combining but that is an overpriced case in my opinion. spend about $30 more and get that psu (or something similar) and get something like an antec 900 or 902. great cooling. no need for extra fans. support for watercooling if you decide to crank your cpu down the road and/or decide air is not good enough.

bobbysoslo · May 5, 2010

First off, that's a funny icon joh06937 lol

be warned that the settings will probably need to be low or medium. pretty much forget about aa on the newer games.

So this is where I'm torn. I pretty much don't have time to play many games, but when I do I want them to look pretty... But as you say here:

what else are you doing besides light gaming? if nothing else, then you really don't need a monster cpu like that. you could spend WAY less and still not see any difference.

Maybe I could downgrade the cpu and get a nicer video card? I just went with this cpu because I imagined myself continually adding to this system as time goes and I figured getting a nice cpu would be something I'd keep for a while.

I'll also be using this as a media center (mostly watching movies) but I'm not going to buy an audio card or blu-ray player till a bit down the line and I'm not sure what else would come into play with watching movies.

you almost never end up using as much as you think. 400 w sounds about right for that setup, especially with the hd 5750.

I appreciate that, it's comforting for sure.

i seriously doubt you will need watercooling, especially if you don't overclock, or even only do a little bit. just buy a good air heatsink and you will be fine.

So I'm with you... until the air heatsink? I used to put computers together (not picking the components myself obviously) and I only remember seeing 1 heatsink and that was on the cpu. (Which reminds me I have to buy some of that thermal glue stuff I think)

what is your overall budget?

Well my budget I'd say is up to 1500 monitor included I guess but it'd have to be really damn special since I won't be on this computer for both work and play anymore since I have to work on Macs now.

i would recommend a different case. yeah you get a discount when combining but that is an overpriced case in my opinion. spend about $30 more and get that psu (or something similar) and get something like an antec 900 or 902. great cooling. no need for extra fans. support for watercooling if you decide to crank your cpu down the road and/or decide air is not good enough.

The thing is this computer will be going in my living room and the LEDs and glass sides don't really fit my style. However I obviously want good cooling and airflow but the few that are more to my taste don't seem to have it.

This is another case I was looking at, and it seems like it may be a better choice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025

To save you some clicking the general specs are 3 x 120mm included fans, and spaces for 2 more, water cooling capable, separate section for psu (one of the included fans is here)

Looks like this:

And runs at the pretty pretty cost of 150 + 10 shipping.

Wallet pains aside, any opinions on this case?

joh06937 · May 5, 2010

bobbysoslo said:
First off, that's a funny icon joh06937 lol

ha ha, thanks

bobbysoslo said:
Maybe I could downgrade the cpu and get a nicer video card? I just went with this cpu because I imagined myself continually adding to this system as time goes and I figured getting a nice cpu would be something I'd keep for a while.

yeah it is nice to get things that you know will last at least a little while. but, for the most part, as long as you stay with a quad core, you should be fine for a while. games that really use cpus pretty much have only been coming out for a short period of time and i doubt there will be many games coming out any time soon that need either 6 cores or a super-duper cpu to work.

bobbysoslo said:
I'll also be using this as a media center (mostly watching movies) but I'm not going to buy an audio card or blu-ray player till a bit down the line and I'm not sure what else would come into play with watching movies.

with that motherboard and the onboard audio you shouldn't need a sound card at all.

bobbysoslo said:
So I'm with you... until the air heatsink? I used to put computers together (not picking the components myself obviously) and I only remember seeing 1 heatsink and that was on the cpu. (Which reminds me I have to buy some of that thermal glue stuff I think)

by "air" i just meant a normal cpu heatsink. you shouldn't need anything for the other parts of your computer. there are some good ones out there that are relatively cheap like the zalman 9700 or the coolermaster v8. if you go with a non-stock heatsink, you most likely will need to get thermal paste. but remember, you can always try the stock one first and then decide if you don't like the temperatures.

bobbysoslo said:
The thing is this computer will be going in my living room and the LEDs and glass sides don't really fit my style. However I obviously want good cooling and airflow but the few that are more to my taste don't seem to have it.

This is another case I was looking at, and it seems like it may be a better choice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025

To save you some clicking the general specs are 3 x 120mm included fans, and spaces for 2 more, water cooling capable, separate section for psu (one of the included fans is here)

Looks like this:

And runs at the pretty pretty cost of 150 + 10 shipping.

Wallet pains aside, any opinions on this case?

that looks like a pretty good case. i guess the leds might be annoying in a living room

i would say go for it with that case :good: (unless someone else recommends a cheaper but equal value one).

bobbysoslo · May 5, 2010

joh06937 said:
with that motherboard and the onboard audio you shouldn't need a sound card at all.

You the man, I really appreciate the knowledge you're giving me here.

One last thing... Should I learn more about graphics cards in order to choose a better one, or can I trust benchmarks such as this:
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/video_lookup.php?cpu=Radeon+HD+5750

According to that and this:

http://internetgames.about.com/od/hardware/tp/tpvideocards.htm

I thought I was getting one of the highest notch video cards for a pretty smoking price, but if it can't really go 'Highest quality' on gaming settings then I guess I was wrong?

Aznlotus161 · May 5, 2010

Yeah, I completely agree with Joh.
Unless there's a purpose for constant OCing and gaming w/ crossfire/SLI,
an aftermarket heatsink is great and maybe throw in an extra fan or two.
As for the case, I thought a comparison (from 3 plain cases that I selected) would help: Click
As for case fans, check out this thread for a ton of fan testing (Check out the best fan selections): http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=170224
The Zalman joh mentioned has great reviews.

bobbysoslo said:
I thought I was getting one of the highest notch video cards for a pretty smoking price, but if it can't really go 'Highest quality' on gaming settings then I guess I was wrong?

Although, I have never owned this card.
I believe the 5750 can definitely play modern gaming, I'm pretty sure you'll get ~30-40fps (in1650x1050, maxed settings w/o AA/AF) for heavy games such as Crysis.
Even with 4x AA, it would have no probs running @ a solid 28 fps
I take a look at many benchmark sites as well as people's own testing to get a good idea about the performance of cards before I even consider.

Your welcome, it's nice to help

joh06937 · May 6, 2010

bobbysoslo said:
You the man, I really appreciate the knowledge you're giving me here.

One last thing... Should I learn more about graphics cards in order to choose a better one, or can I trust benchmarks such as this:
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/video_lookup.php?cpu=Radeon+HD+5750

According to that and this:

http://internetgames.about.com/od/hardware/tp/tpvideocards.htm

I thought I was getting one of the highest notch video cards for a pretty smoking price, but if it can't really go 'Highest quality' on gaming settings then I guess I was wrong?

you can definitely rely on sites a long as you look at multiple ones instead of just one. make sure you look until a couple agree on one card over another. but, as you build your own rig and start to play around with your own card, you'll learn a ton about the cards and be able to start deciding for yourself and be able to give advice to others. hell, i only got into the gaming world in late december (and i was a total noob then). once you start learning how things like core clocks and memory clocks affect performance, you'll be able to compare cards pretty easily. give it some time

Aznlotus161 · May 6, 2010

joh06937 said:
you can definitely rely on sites a long as you look at multiple ones instead of just one. make sure you look until a couple agree on one card over another. but, as you build your own rig and start to play around with your own card, you'll learn a ton about the cards and be able to start deciding for yourself and be able to give advice to others. hell, i only got into the gaming world in late december (and i was a total noob then). once you start learning how things like core clocks and memory clocks affect performance, you'll be able to compare cards pretty easily. give it some time

Yeah 100% I enjoy computer forums because it's active and ironically I only got into computer building a month ago because of a friend. There's much patience involved in the strenuous process, but it will be more than worth it upon completion. I feel like I spent whole days researching and learning more about builds and parts. I must wait until summer so I can thoroughly research the parts and etc. GL!

bobbysoslo · May 8, 2010

joh06937 said:
once you start learning how things like core clocks and memory clocks affect performance, you'll be able to compare cards pretty easily. give it some time

All right man... I do believe I am almost ready to order.

I kinda just wanted to hear what you have to say about the increase in price I'm taking on with this new build.

I downgrade the cpu a bit and jacked up the power for the vga (for a net cost increase).

Also picked out that higher end case I wanted with much better circulation it seems. Really appreciate the help, after this I'll be able to check other sites for potential savings and I'll be ready to build it ^_^ super stoked.

Edit: Linking to the new build would be a nice touch I guess haha:
http://robertrcook.com/cp05082010.htm

joh06937 · May 8, 2010

bobbysoslo said:
All right man... I do believe I am almost ready to order.

I kinda just wanted to hear what you have to say about the increase in price I'm taking on with this new build.

I downgrade the cpu a bit and jacked up the power for the vga (for a net cost increase).

Also picked out that higher end case I wanted with much better circulation it seems. Really appreciate the help, after this I'll be able to check other sites for potential savings and I'll be ready to build it ^_^ super stoked.

Edit: Linking to the new build would be a nice touch I guess haha:
http://robertrcook.com/cp05082010.htm

looks pretty good. much better gpu :good: everything looks good to go, although i doubt you really need a tool kit. all i ever have to use is a phillips screwdriver

i never use the anti-static bracelets etc. but that is up to you since you can damage a motherboard if you managed to make a bad spark when touching it (but at this time of year that is pretty unlikely).

bobbysoslo · May 8, 2010

joh06937 said:
looks pretty good. much better gpu :good: everything looks good to go, although i doubt you really need a tool kit. all i ever have to use is a phillips screwdriver i never use the anti-static bracelets etc. but that is up to you since you can damage a motherboard if you managed to make a bad spark when touching it (but at this time of year that is pretty unlikely).

Lol so I know I said I'd be ready to order but I saw something new from newegg...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-EMC-050710-Index-_-DesktopPCs-_-83147177-L0D

It's a prebuilt but its pretty much the same price as the computer I'm building and has quite a few small upgrades including
Blue-ray player
8 gb of ram instead of 4
it has the i7-860 like i originally was going for before downgrading to i5-750
it comes with win7 so I don't have to buy it (although i was getting it for 40 from a friend from microsoft)
The video card is the Radeon hd 5770 which is a slight downgrade but it seems like it'd be enough for me

The 2 things that bother me though are I don't actually know the components inside, and I have no idea how good the case is built for cooling.

Any opinions on this one last thing ^_^?

(Oh and I'm getting a tool kit just because I need some of the other tools anyways, good to know about the anti static strip: when I used to build them I'd get yelled at for not wearing em)

Building a semi-gaming computer

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