Custom gaming/editing computer

C

Computernewbie

New Member
Hi guys,

I'm new on this forum and so far, I've really enjoyed it. As my name suggests, I'm not a computer expert, far from it.

Aside from not being a computer expert, I'm also not a very rich person. :D However, I need a gaming/editing computer, which can be sometimes expensive. So, I thought about buying an OK computer (refurbished or not) and add a good graphic card to it.

Here is the computer I wish to buy:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7281729&CatId=2628

Knowing that my budget is not very high, I would like to know what good video card you think I could buy and install myself in order to play some recent games in moderate to high resolution, as well as do some video/sound editing.

Also, this question is going to seem stupid, probably, but do I just have to buy a computer + a video card and VOILÀ!, or do I need to buy something else? (I know I have to buy the screen, but I'm talking about components here, lol)

Thanks in advance,

Computernewbie

Edit: And this is the monitor screen I want to buy:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=113888&CatId=170
 
Last edited:
might want to look into a custom build, the system is relying on the integrated HD graphics on the intel cpu as far as i can tell, so graphics performance will be a little limited, what is your budget?
 
Thanks for replying. :D Hum... let's say that my budget can't go higher than 800$, including the screen. I know, it's not a lot. It's just that this computer had wireless internet connection, which is a plus for me. I mean, I want to play quite recent video games on my computer, but not like those crazy big new games that look better than ps3 or xbox, lol. I'll mainly use it for office work, video and sound editing, internet and gaming. So it's not like I need a beastly computer either.

At first, I wanted to buy an Imac, but when I saw that the one I wanted would cost me 1300$ before taxes, I changed my mind, lol...

About the custom build, I really don't know anything about it. I've always bought my computers in stores, so for me it's a big change to actually want to customize a pc.

Thanks again,

Computernewbie

P.S. I'm not sure I understand the video card thing. If I just add a good video card, shouldn't the graphic performance of the computer get better? :S
 
yes. but you have to think, with that machine the power supply is probably junk, you would have to replace it too. better to just start fresh.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=11606749

-went over by a little, i settled on a weaker processor, tried to fit a i5 2500K in it but just wouldnt fit the budget, i think the i3 will work ok enough, even with the stock hsf, the mobo is the biggest thing i chose to not skimp on, the z chipset is a godsend. (beginning to see its hitting nearly 900 bucks, but i feel its worth it, monitor is much nicer, cpu is too, you got 16 gig of ram, maxxing the board out just incase, as i often hit 7-8 gigs multitasking at times, as well as a radeon 6870 gpu so its like...leaps and bounds over that gateway)

and building isnt very difficult, there actually is a guide on how to assemble a machine yourself on the board here, just have to find it, will post a link after i get a reply :)
 
Last edited:
Wow, thanks a lot, for sure I'd like to have the link on how to build a pc! :D Since I live in Canada, I'll try to find comparable stuff here, so the shipping doesn't cost me 10 000$! :)
 
don't forget at the home page there is a link i'll put bellow for the current email'd special, and there are also temporary several hour long deals running 24/7 which i'll link too if you haven't seen them.

the temporary deals: http://www.newegg.ca/Special/ShellShocker.aspx?cm_sp=ShellShocker-_-12-120-401-_-07292011_2

specials: http://promotions.newegg.ca/nepro/1...-IGNEFL072911CA-_-EMC-072911-Index-_-E0-_-All

but link each part you choose as there are several things that you have to know to be able to pick things right, but i'll look for you too and post my list.
 
 
only real improvement i think you could do with my case is add a antec 300 or 902 to it...but i tried to skimp because most of it is staying at stock speed, and if hes going to be editing...he wants some ram, not a little ram...lots of it, cpu i skimped on because the 2100 is good enough, and the z68 board has SRT tech, incase he wants SSD performance later, just run the SRT configuration utility later after plugging in a SSD and boom its set. its a solid build
 
Computernewbie said:
Hi guys,

Thank you for helping me. It just took some time for my public wishlists to get public, I guess...

Here is the first one:

http://secure.newegg.ca/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=18323566

Here is the second one:

http://secure.newegg.ca/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=18323906

I am a newbie indeed, so I don't really know what has to fit together when you take all the pieces of the computer... I hope I didn't screw up, lol.

Thanks again,

Computernewbie
Click to expand...

Neither of those support the processor, you need LGA1155 socket to support SB. Also, SB will be better than the prebuilt version you linked to.
 
stick with my build list...honestly, you wont be complaining, tho just up the HDD maybe a little in my list to a 1TB version or something, the money i spent was to keep the PSU from going boom, neither of those builds have a high quality psu as far as i can tell...HEC is junk
 
Hi guys,

Here is what I think I'll do. It's taking forever for my wishlists to become public, so I can't really share them right now. Here is, however, a list of components I'll buy from Newegg.ca:

1) ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM (19.99$)
2) G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT (47.49$ for both)
3) GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel Motherboard (114.99$)
4) Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32100 (119.99$)
5) COOLMAX CXI-600B 600W ATX12V ATX 12V v2.2 SLI Certified / CrossFire Ready and Compatible with Core i3/i5/i7 Power Supply (75.99$)
6) Seagate Barracuda ST3500413AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive (39.99)
7) SAPPHIRE 100316L Radeon HD 6790 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card (149.99$)

Partial total --> about 600$

So, in other words, I'll buy my DVD BURNER, my DDR3 MEMORY, my MOTHERBOARD, my PROCESSOR, my POWER SUPPLY, my HARD DRIVE and my VIDEOCARD at newegg.ca

For the OS, I'll buy it on bestdirect.ca, since I need one in french. :)

8) Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64BIT French DVD OEM (112$)

I'll also buy my computer case and my monitor there:

9) Apex VORTEX3620 Mid Tower ATX Case Black 3X5.25 2X3.5 5X3.5INT Front USB X4 Front Audio X4 No PSU (32.91$)
10) LG W2044T-PF 20IN Widescreen LCD Monitor 1600X900 5ms 30K:1 300CD/M2 DVI VGA (97.90$)
11) Works KB-315U USB Keyboard Wire USB Mouse and USB Desktop Multimedia Speakers Combo - Black (10.44$)

Partial total 2 --> around 300 with taxes and shipping.

GRAND TOTAL: 900$ Including taxes and shipping.

So, I'm gonna have to break the bank, it seems. Tell me what you think, please! And thank you for the time you took for me, it really helped me A LOT!

Computernewbie
 
get a 5/550 watt psu, 600 is overkill and can save about 15 and some got rebates, idk what else, but was going to say get a second of the same hdd for raid 0 and it's faster than regular since its splitting the info between then and treating it like 1 hdd so it can send more info at the same time. and the prices on that ram sounds off, check for the weekend deals too.
 
he also wants to game, so i think between the fact the i3 is pretty quick along the lines it makes the phenom look pretty terrible... and the z series will leave him with some upgrade path, the i3 is a good choice to start with, but i would definately go with a 6850 vs the 67xx cards or a 6870 as you can get one of those for around 150, which i would think would be a much stronger card for the same money.

and at johnny, look up the z series chipset, as that thing offers something to me, is superior to a raid 0 as far as im concerned, SRT tech makes a typical raid look pretty poor due to caching on the ssd. it also requires no reinstallation of the OS to make it work, you simply drop in a SSD and your good to go.
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys for your comments, they are highly educative for me right now. :)

I thought about it and checked things online, and I don't see why I couldn't build an AMD powered editing/gaming computer. I mean, the i5 intel seems pretty sweet, but it's WAAAAAAY over my budget. So, here is a wish list I made with all your advice and AMD components instead of intel. Note that I didn't include the OS or the monitor, since I'll be buying them elsewhere:

1) Linkworld 313-06-C2228 Black/ Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

2) ASRock A75 PRO4 FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

3) SAPPHIRE 100289VGAL Radeon HD 5670 1GB DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

4) CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

5) AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX640WFGMBOX

6) G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model F3-8500CL7D-8GBRL

7) Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

8) ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

With the shipping and the taxes, and if we substract the mail-in rebates I'll receive, it will cost me about 565$ If I add about 235$ for the monitor and OS in french (including taxes and shipping), I have a pretty neat computer for pretty much 800$!

Could you tell me what you think about it? Keep in mind that I want to do some video editing, but nothing extreme, since I don't work in the video industry. Also keep in mind that I want to be able to play some games, but not like Crysis 2 or Dragon Age, just some recent games at medium-high details.

Also, could you tell me if it's risky to buy an operating system OEM? (Like if it bugs, am I stuck with it and I have to buy another one?)

Thank you again, you have helped me a lot!

Computernewbie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top