My Computer Build for less than $1000

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pmhabo

New Member
I need a new computer that is capable of playing Starcraft II, because my current system can't handle it. It is a 6 year old dell... (good computer, just needs to be better)

I want to make the best computer I can for less than $1000.

I've never build a computer before, but I know all the basic parts. I have also reinstalled windows on my computer before a couple times, installed a DVD burner/new graphics card before... So I think I can handle building a computer. I'm just going to need some help.

Any suggestions on what components to use?
 
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Id advice if you have £1000 or £999 to spend invest in a macbook pro, it will last 6 years and cause you less problems than a pc.
 
BillOhio said:
I'm guessing you already have peripherals but will need an OS...

AMD Deneb Black & Asus MoBo $235

CM 690 II & CM 750 PSU $170

Samsung Spinpoint 7200 1 TB $75

4GB GSkill 1600 RAM $102

Saphire 5850 $300

Sony Optiarc CD/DVD $25 shipped

Windows 7 OS $100

You can probably do better, this is just something to look at. Good Luck.

$1007
Click to expand...

That gets me started in the right direction. How does that system compare to this system at dell for $1300?

Processors:
Overclocked Intel® Core™ i7 930 Quad Core Processor (3.36GHz, 8MB Cache) DI7930O 1 [317-4086] 2

Alienware Aurora:
Alienware Aurora Desktop AD875H 1 [224-6493] 1

Operating Systems:
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English AW7HP6E 1 [317-2818][330-4769][420-6436][420-9691][421-2064] 11

Cooling Option:
Alienware™ High-Performance Liquid Cooling LC 1 [317-1904] 823

Video Cards:
Dual 1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ HD 5670 CrossfireX™ Enabled AT5670D 1 [320-8971] 6

Memory:
3GB Triple Channel 1333MHz DDR3 3G1333D 1 [317-2662] 3

Hard Drives:
500GB - SATA-II, 3Gb/s, 7,200RPM, 16MB Cache HDD 500S 1 [341-0467] 8

Optical Drives:
Single Drive: 24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability PDVDRW 1 [313-8339][421-0975] 16

Sound Card:
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio INT 1 [313-9776] 17
 
For $1300 you can build a better rig than what you've mentioned there. If you're adding $300 to your budget, and if it were me, I'd either look at building around an i7-930 or taking the first build and changing the 5850 to a 5870 and adding a Heatsink which together would add maybe $150 to that components list. I'd also make sure to get the best PSU that you can afford. The one in that list has very good reviews at Newegg, but others here, especially Bomberboy, will have a more informed opinion.

I'm very new to building computers and am only suggesting components that I've seen get good comments. Other people here are Much more knowledgeable and I'd expect you'll get some good info here.

Good Luck with the build.
 
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Yeah, I think I do want to build around a i7 930.
... So I got one part down.
And, I'm really not trying to add to my budget if possible.
 
pmhabo said:
Yeah, I think I do want to build around a i7 930.
... So I got one part down.
And, I'm really not trying to add to my budget if possible.
Click to expand...

The i7-930 is a solid choice, you'll need a third party HSF if you want to do any OC'ing, that dell system (below) is unbalanced:



pmhabo said:
That gets me started in the right direction. How does that system compare to this system at dell for $1300?

Processors:
Overclocked Intel® Core™ i7 930 Quad Core Processor (3.36GHz, 8MB Cache) DI7930O 1 [317-4086] 2

Alienware Aurora:
Alienware Aurora Desktop AD875H 1 [224-6493] 1

Operating Systems:
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English AW7HP6E 1 [317-2818][330-4769][420-6436][420-9691][421-2064] 11

Cooling Option:
Alienware™ High-Performance Liquid Cooling LC 1 [317-1904] 823

Video Cards:
Dual 1GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon™ HD 5670 CrossfireX™ Enabled AT5670D 1 [320-8971] 6

Memory:
3GB Triple Channel 1333MHz DDR3 3G1333D 1 [317-2662] 3

Hard Drives:
500GB - SATA-II, 3Gb/s, 7,200RPM, 16MB Cache HDD 500S 1 [341-0467] 8

Optical Drives:
Single Drive: 24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability PDVDRW 1 [313-8339][421-0975] 16

Sound Card:
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio INT 1 [313-9776] 17
Click to expand...
CPU: 9/10
Liquid cooling? Unnecessary for that system.
GPU: Those are budget cards, but they have DX11 support, slightly better than GT240, but they're in crossfire, performance about the same a a single HD 5770. (nearest nVidia equivalent (performance-wise) - GTS250) 6/10
RAM: 6/10 (Only 3GB? It would be more balanced if this system went cheaper with the CPU (i5-750), then had a better GPU (GTX460) and 4GB of dual-channel DDR3 RAM.
Mobo - Unknown - could be a (relatively) cheap nasty thing, with little or no free expansion slots. Although that's unlikely in an LGA1366 Board.

For your budget (1000):
CPU/Mobo - BillOhio's combo was powerful and saved $30, so that would be my choice, Plus, AMD's new architecture (bulldozer) will probably have backwards compatiblility with AM3, so you probably won't need to upgrade your mobo in the future.
RAM: 4GB of DDR3 1600 with low latency if you can find it cheap, but if not, any timings/latency will do, it will still run SCII fine :)
GPU: GTX460 1GB/HD 5850 - the latter is slightly more expensive and slightly faster.

Picking the other components should be a fairly easy matter, and some down to personal choice. Stick to the reputable brands of PSU.

EDIT
Do you need an OS/Monitor/Peripherals?
 
pmhabo said:
Yeah, I think I do want to build around a i7 930.
... So I got one part down.
And, I'm really not trying to add to my budget if possible.
Click to expand...

An i7-930 build for under $1000 would be pretty tight. You'd probably skimp on components to the point you wouldn't be making the most of the CPU anyway.

You mention $1300. That would be doable. Is $1300 your budget? If so, be aware that MicroCenter sells the i7-930 for $215 (with Tax) if you have access to to one. They won't ship, they need to be bought at the brick & mortar location.

We're assuming you need an OS, but have peripherals... is this accurate?
 
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Yes, I have keyboard/mouse/monitor, etc...
I do need a OS

1000 is my budget, but I maybe able to squeeze a little more because I want to use an i7 930
 
maroon1 said:
I would strongly recommend GTX 460 over HD5850 because Starcraft 2 favors nvidia video cards.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/starcraft-ii-wings-of-liberty-gpu-graphics-performance/8
Click to expand...

Hrmm... GTX 460 does look like it performs better than a HD5850
and, the GTX is around $200, HD5850 is around $280.

Anyone else have any suggestions on a graphics card? I think i'm leaning toward a GTX 460 now.

This is interesting too: GTX 460 SLI VS RADEON HD5850

SYSTEM SO FAR:
Intel i7 930
 
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joh06937 said:
go with the 955. basically the same cpu for less money.

and note you can't sli on that board.
Click to expand...

I don't plan on doing SLI (should I want a Mobo that does?). A single GTX will still work on it though, right?

...and yeah I might just use the AMD 955 cpu
 
yep a single card should still work. it really just depends on what you plan to do down the road. sli obviously isn't the only option when you decide the 460 just doesn't cut it anymore. you could sell it and get another, etc.

but if you decide you are set on sli (and not crossfire, ati's equivalent), i would maybe rethink the cpu choice since you can't sli on amd chipset boards and evidently the nvidia chipset boards with amd cpu compatibility are pretty horrible. but all/most of intel boards will support sli and will be great boards as well.

but if you don't care about sli, then the board you have selected now should be great :good:
 
joh06937 said:
yep a single card should still work. it really just depends on what you plan to do down the road. sli obviously isn't the only option when you decide the 460 just doesn't cut it anymore. you could sell it and get another, etc.
Click to expand...

I probably will just build/buy a whole new system down the road vs. upgrading this one.

My dell still works great after 6 years, just need to upgrade for SCII.
Do you think my plan so far is going to last at least 6 years too?

System Plan
CPU: 955 x4 AMD
Mobo: M4A87TD/USB3 Socket AM3 870
Graphics: GTX 460 1 GB


-----
Another question - Are graphics cards manufactured by different companies? Will it matter what manufacturer I buy a GTX 460 1 GB from?
 
On to RAM....

(Mobo: M4A87TD/USB3 Socket AM3 870)
Memory
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 <--Can someone explain what these numbers mean to me. Thanks
Maximum Memory Supported 16GB
Channel Supported Dual Channel

Someone recommeded 4GB

Should I get more than that?
 
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