looking to buy pc, suggestions/advice needed

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ovifan

New Member
Hi all, I am a complete noob when it comes to computers. I am looking to purchase a new gaming pc for myself for xmas but I dont want to buy the wrong machine. I have been looking on ebay and found a couple I may like. I am planning to use this computer for playing the latest games and I want all games to be able to run smooth on the highest settings. I am just looking for advice and suggestions before making a purchase. I hope to hear from you guys on which is the better pc for me. Below are the specs of the pc's.

First PC:

CPU AM3: AMD Phenom II X4 Processor 965 (3.4GHz) AM3
Motherboard AM3: Asus M4A79T DELUXE Socket AM3/ AMD 790FX/ Quad CrossFireX/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard
Memory: DDR3: 8GB STT DDR3-1333 2GB/128x8 CL9 Memory
Hard Drive(s): 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32MB Hard Drive
Optical Drive(s): LG Electronics WH10LS30 10X Internal SATA Blu-ray Disc Rewriter
Video Card(s): nVidia GeForce GTX460 1GB DDR5 VGA/2DVI/HDMI PCI-Express Video Card
Case: BLACK CASE-51W WINDOW CASE
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower W0104 650W w/14cm Fan Power Supply (Black)
Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 24-bit PCI Sound Card
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Premium 64-bit w/ SP1, OEM
3.5" Drive: 3.5" All-in-1 USB2.0 Internal Card Reader
Wireless Network: Linksys WMP300N Wireless-N PCI Card

2ND PC:

1 x ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
1 x Xigmatek ASGARD II B/B CPC-T45UC-U01 Black / Black 0.8 mm SECC / Aluminum and Aluminum Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
1 x AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
1 x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD322GJ/U 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
1 x ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
1 x Crucial Ballistix 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664BN1337
1 x RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular LED Power Supply
1 x XFX HD-577X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
1 x Corsair H50 water cooling system
1 x Seagate 2TB 7200RPM 64mb cache HD
1 x 22in ASUS LED flat panel display
Windows 7 Pro

Sorry for the long post
 
Your probably not an extreme gamer, so the following specs will probably meet all your needs. 4GB of ram, Quad core processor, 500GB or more hard disk space. and at least a geforce 200 series or above. If it were me I would build one from scratch, it would save lots of money, but it might be hard to do. I think both the computers will meet your needs and beyond. these are some pretty powerful systems. just don't get a computer with vista.
 
Yeah i dont have the know how to build one myself, i've thought about it and looked into it a little but its not for me. yeah i wouldnt get vista ever, i use to have it on an older pc and I wasn't a fan. of the two machines I posted, which would you choose
 
For that amount of doe you could get much, much, and I stress MUCH better. Not knocking your choices, so I won't get into specifics. It's just that there's alot to be desired with either of those builds. So if you want to get the most you can for that $1500, and blow the doors of either of those, think about it.
I'm not recommending these, but take a look at what around 1500 will do without even trying.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.558471
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.563968
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.568961

ovifan said:
gaming pc, I want all games to be able to run smooth on the highest settings.
Click to expand...
I think I can safely say that neither if those will do ^.
I know for a fact the second one won't.
 
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Build Build Build...

I've only built once but I had no troubles even though my only help was coming from online (mostly this site). Not only can you build a 'Silly' computer for $1,500 today, but building allows you to continue to develop your rig over time. I'd do a build list, but for your budget it'd probably make sense to wait the 17 days until SandyBridge Intel Processors come out.

Building is not difficult, once you get the parts in front of you you'll start to see how things piece together. You won't even need any tools beyond a simple screwdriver. It's more fun than work.

A $1,300 rig with a 5770? ...Build, seriously.
 
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As previously stated you should just build your own computer. It is fun, you learn a lot, and you get a lot more muscle for your dollar. Simply put, if you have never done it before check out lists of computer builds, buy the parts off newegg.com and put it together yourself. The website listed below is a pretty good resource on how to build your own custom gaming computer, it has the parts lists and a step by step guide with pictures on how to put it together.

http://elitepcbuilding.com/modules.php?name=How-to-Build-A-Computer&file=Parts-Selection

I highly recommend nothing less than an Intel i7 processor, SSD, GeForce 460 or better video cards and at least 6GB of 1066mhz + ram for a great gaming computer.....and it will cost you about or less than $1500.

Build your own computer, it's completely worth it! :)
 
wow u guys are absolutely right. i did not look around near enough. If I were to build my own, how many hours would it take for a beginner like me to put it together and get everything installed and running. Is this sandybridge processor the route to go for the latest and greatest. If so, would anyone like to spec a parts list for for the most powerful machine with a 1500 budget(no monitor)? and maybe ill order the parts and wait 3 weeks for the sandybridge. Thanks
 
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Maybe 2-3 hrs to up and running if you haven't done it b4, or less. You'll probly want Intel.
Suggestion: You may want to wait a bit till your closer to ordering the cpu because so much revolves around that. And, the rebates/combos/sales on all the parts will be current then. In the meantime, how bout browsing this Desktop Computers section for some builds in your price range and you may have ?'s for better understanding or your build?
 
mansontome said:
Hi, I am Hotson hot. I am a user of RDPBD. I serve here for 9 months in the office. I have no pc in my house. Now I want to buy a pc. The details of the pc is given below.
Ram-1GB
CPU-duel core
LCD monitor, etc.
Click to expand...
Please start your own thread with your requests.
 
ovifan said:
just a quick noob question. What does a solid slate drive do exactly
Click to expand...

It's like the fasted drive(as in hdd) you can get. It's the single best upgrade. They're pricey for the gb's, but worth it imo. As a result of the price, most ppl that get them het one that's around 60gb for the os and startup/frequntly used programs, and put the rest on a hdd. As a result of the os being on the ssd, the computer environment is faster.

Its has flash cells instead of /// a spinning disc with a head that seeks the data. SSD seek time is pretty much instantanious.
 
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So I went on the Canada Computer website and made myself a list of components to buy. I don't know if all these parts work with eachother so let me know what all needs to be changed. Remember these prices are canadian dollars.

-Asus ENGTX570/2DI/1280MD5 nVidia GeForce GTX 570 Chipset (742Mhz) 1028MB (38700Mhz) GDDR5 Dual Dual-Link DVI-I/Mini HDMI Display PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card $379.99

- Intel core i7 875k - unlock multiplier(no cpu fan) 2.93Ghz - 2.5GT/s FSB, 8mb LGA1156 329.99

- G.Skill Phoenix SATA II 2.5" 100GB Solid State Disk (FM-25S2S-100GBP1)
Part no: FM-25S2S-100GBP1 $109.88

- Corsair DDR3, 1600MHz 8GB (2x4GB) DIMM, Unbuffered, 9-9-9-27, XMS3 with Classic Heat Spreader - Core i7, Core i5 and Core 2 / AMD Phenom II - Dual Channel (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) $119.99

- Asus P7P55 WS Supercomputer Socket 1156 Intel P55 Chipset SLI/CrossfireX Dual-Channel DDR3 2133(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066Mhz Dual GigaLAN 8-Ch HD Audio 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slots 6x SATA 3Gb/s IEEE1394 14x USB 2.0 ATX $224.99

-Western Digital Caviar Black (WD1002FAEX) 1000GB (1TB) SATA3 7200RPM 64MB Cache (OEM) $79.99

-Corsair (CAFA50) Air Series A50 CPU Cooler for Intel Socket 1366/1156/775 & AMD AM2/AM3 $39.88

-LG CH10LS20 Black 10x Blu-ray Read 16x DVD+/-R/RW Write Combo Drive LightScribe SATA Retail Box $89.99

-Thermaltake TR2 RX 650W Modular Power Supply TRX-650M $84.99

-Cooler Master Elite 330 Mid Tower Case (RC-330-KKN1-GP) $39.99

Not sure if I'm missing something here, anyways let me know what u think and give me suggestions and advice. Thanks
 
Links are better than a list.
As for the MB/CPU I cant say. But i think you'll be able to get the same computing power for less in a couple weeks.
RAM - Corsair and c9 is ok,,,try to get c8 or better yet c7.
No to the Thermaltake, there's better for the same $.
(see psu guide in psu dept @ this forum)
That case won't cool good. The case is important so leave room in the budget for better quality.
I think everythng else looks good.

EDIT:
Here's an example of a good ps and it's $74.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207007
C8 is $161.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231400
Some things to look for in a case: Adequate cooling, prefferably with all the fans needed.
Good cable management features. HDD bays that are perpedicular to the front to aid in that cable management. A bottom mount psu to help keep the heat - down and out. perhaps a painted interior. A window if you want.
2 examples:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119215
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112239
Unles you have a lot of large programs that you need @ startup, you could probly save $100 with 6ogb ssd. I have 7 and several programs on mine and I have 43 gb still. The infrequent, and prerhaps smaller prog's that start quickly anyways, don't have to be on it. All your folders and other storage will also be on the hdd.
 
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thanks for the links benny boy. Yeah those cases look real nice. I'd like to go with the mid tower cause i find those large cases are far too big for my desk space. You know, i think i may as well wait till those new processors do get released if it'll save me some money. Would components like the video card, memory, and motherboard be able to work with the the processors. The reason i am asking is because next week is boxing week and there's usually some pretty good deals on, so if i can, i'd like to take advantage of those deals.
 
Your Welcome!
Sandy Bridge will have a new MB cpu socket. So perhaps wait on the cpu/mb/cooler.
Everything else would be fine.
 
BTW, where do you live? Being close to a Microcenter might potentially save you some money either through a good deal or through money saved on shipping.

Nice that you decided to build, you'll enjoy it.

I wouldn't build before SandyBridge came out, but if I were going to buy parts tonight with your budget it might look something like this:

i7-950 $215 with tax

Asus P6X58D-E with Win 7 $280

Asus 570 $358 shipped

Corsair 750 TX $110

F3 Spinpoint 1TB $70

Sony Optiarc DVD $20

6GB 1600 DDR3 CL9 $85

Lian Li PC-8N case $90 shipped

Crucial C300 SSD 64GB $130

Total with Taxes and SHipping: $1358

The list above is setup to run at stock, so the RAM timings aren't as fast as others, and an aftermarket heatsink isn't included. At $1358 though, faster RAM and a cooler would still be in the budget. I'd wait until Sandybridge comes out in 16 days before building, but the above is a point of reference. I have heard that Sandybridge will be about $450 for a CPU and MoBo that are competitive with their 1366 counterparts. That list is $17 less than what I paid for my Sig 4 months ago, and is better than my sig in pretty much every way. Damnit.
 
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