First PC Desktop Build.

Hyper_Kagome said:
They are .com pricing. I know it's over $800, but my friend stated he could shuffle things and get better results if I decide on a build. I'll likely be cross-checking the build with my girlfriend as well to get her opinions.

Wouldn't a better CPU be best for the long run over a lower one?

Reasoning on the case?
Click to expand...

Theoretically, yes, but the choice is between a really good CPU or a really good graphics card.

The difference between the i5 and i7 is hyperthreading. What that enables is the CPU to have 4 cores and 8 threads. Games today are not coded to use above 4 threads, let alone 8 threads. It would be better to spend the money on a good graphics card. An i5 + 6950 will give way better framerates compared to an i7 + 6790.

And once games start utilizing more cores and more threads, (Will probably be quite a while.) you can always upgrade since the new Intel CPUs coming out soon will be compatible with your motherboard. But it would be a smart choice to go for the more powerful video card rather than CPU for a gaming machine.

(Source: First-hand compared an i7 with an i5 using the same video card. No measurable performance gain.)
 
Would probably drop the 2600 for a 2500K. Change the Cooler Master 700W for a Seasonic/Corsair/XFX or Silverstone in the 650W range, really any of the others will have more wattage/amps on the 12V rail then the Coolermaster does. Then with the extra money upgrade the 6790 for a 6870.
 
Couple things to note:

She's playing on a 40" 1080P screen
She will most likely only trickle upgrade parts into this computer

These being said, the case you selected is trash:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119248

Reasons being: no front or side fan included. Even if you dropped a fan in the front, it's hitting a wall of metal since the harddrives are mounted off axis. Defeating it's purpose.

The case I chose has nothing but 120mm fans, and it has forward facing harddrive allowing a front fan to do it's job:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166055



The reason for the SB i7 over the SB i5 is simple. She will not, probably ever, swap out her processor. It's MUCH easier to swap a videocard. If she's going to spend $300 a year upgrading, the computer will last much longer if she's running an i7 and buying a generation or two behind videocard, as these are taxed much more than processors, however who's to say someone won't write a game in 2 years that can utilize 16 cores? Then not only does she have to upgrade her videocard, but more than likely her processor to keep up.

to put things in perspective, I'm running the following:
i7-2630
8GB DDR3-1333
1GB HD6770 Mobile
and a 1920x1080 screen

This is on my laptop and I can run just about everything at medium-high settings. She'll be getting a videocard more powerful, a processor more powerful, and an overall more powerful computer (more RAM throughput, etc)

She'll be running the same resolution, same games (just about). If she got the computer I configured out, she'll not only be satisfied, but more set for the long term of owning the computer as she'll have two extra RAM slots, a solid processor, decent motherboard, and lots of HDD space (she's getting into HD recording and editing IIRC).




TL;DR, She can upgrade the videocard later. Also, the powersupply will probably be changed in the shuffle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top