Need help deciding on a PC

C

Common_Dreads

New Member
Hey guys, I am a bit of a newb when it comes to computers but I figured the combined knowledge of you guys could help me make a good decision in regards to purchasing my new PC.

I am hoping to spend 800-1200 dollars and I would like it to have reasonable gaming capabilities. I realise I'm not spending enough to get a high end machine but I would like a strong stable mid level computer which will last a few years.

Post your suggestions and I will check 'em out
Thanks guys
 
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FATALiiTYz said:
Coolermaster HAF922 [$120]

MSI 890FXA-GD65 AM3 Motherboard [$145]

G.Skill RipJaws 4gb ddr3 1600mhz Cas7 [$65]

AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 2.8ghz [$180]

Antec TruePower 650w [$80]

Saphire Radeon 6870 1gb [$220]

Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit [$100]

Samsung Spinpoint F3 1tb [$65]

LG DVD Drive [$20]

Total - $1000

This should serve you well for a long time, and pretty much play any game on max no problems. I'm sure some of the more advanced members could run it over and make some suggestions.
Click to expand...

Seems good :) anyone have any objection to any of this stuff? What kind of performance can i expect from this computer?
 
Looks like a good setup to me. A couple thoughts though.

1. The case of a system is highly subject to personal preference. While that $120 case is very nice, you could spend $50-60 on one, and it wouldn't affect your system performance. I would do a little shopping around in this category, so to speak. Try to find one that you like the looks of, has sufficient cooling, features you're fine with, enough room for your components, etc. If you don't really care, that case will do great, but you could also save money to put towards other components. Do you plan on overclocking?

2. The processor. That 1055t Phenom 2 is a great processor, but you could eke just a little more performance for gaming out of a higher-clocked 6-core or a nice Phenom 2 quad-core. You'll be happy no matter what you pick, but just something to consider. You could stay with a 6-core and opt for the 1090T, at 3.2Ghz for $20 more. Or you could go the X4 route, a good example being the 965 Black Edition, 3.4Ghz for only $160. Again, any of these you choose will be great. The main deciding factors should be your budget, whether you want a 6-core processor or if a 4-core is fine with you, and whether you plan to overclock.

3. The memory. It looked like the list only had 4GB of memory. 4GB will do fine for most games, and probably anything else you plan to do with your system, but memory is so cheap that you could easily afford to go with 8GB. Especially considering the fact that you would like this computer to last a good 2-3 years and you plan to game. As it is now, 4GB is essentially the minimum to have if you're building any sort of gaming system. As I understand it (but i'm no expert), there are a few games out now where its good to have more than 4GB.

Edit: I like your choice of AMD for this build. At your budget price point and what you plan on using the system for, I think AMD is the way to go. This way you can get a plenty good enough processor along with a good motherboard, without breaking the bank. This allows you to get a better video card than you would be able to get with a roughly equivalent Intel system, for the same price. I would really look at working the X6 1090T into your budget. You would be going from 2.8Ghz to 3.2Ghz for only $20 more. And there's just something nice about having a 6-core processor, even though a quad-core is all you need now and there's a good chance that you'll want a beefier 6-core (or higher) down the road for your next build. I'm assuming that the current AMD hexacores won't fair any better than their top-end quad-cores when it comes to longevity for gaming. Still, the novelty is cool, the prices are cheap, and you'll be happy with whatever you get.
 
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From everything I have heard 4 gigs of RAM is plenty for any game out there. The only reason to have more is if you do alot of other things like maybe video editing, keeping several programs open at once or have alot of things running in the background while you play your games.
 
Mishkin said:
Looks like a good setup to me. A couple thoughts though.

1. The case of a system is highly subject to personal preference. While that $120 case is very nice, you could spend $50-60 on one, and it wouldn't affect your system performance. I would do a little shopping around in this category, so to speak. Try to find one that you like the looks of, has sufficient cooling, features you're fine with, enough room for your components, etc. If you don't really care, that case will do great, but you could also save money to put towards other components. Do you plan on overclocking?

2. The processor. That 1055t Phenom 2 is a great processor, but you could eke just a little more performance for gaming out of a higher-clocked 6-core or a nice Phenom 2 quad-core. You'll be happy no matter what you pick, but just something to consider. You could stay with a 6-core and opt for the 1090T, at 3.2Ghz for $20 more. Or you could go the X4 route, a good example being the 965 Black Edition, 3.4Ghz for only $160. Again, any of these you choose will be great. The main deciding factors should be your budget, whether you want a 6-core processor or if a 4-core is fine with you, and whether you plan to overclock.

3. The memory. It looked like the list only had 4GB of memory. 4GB will do fine for most games, and probably anything else you plan to do with your system, but memory is so cheap that you could easily afford to go with 8GB. Especially considering the fact that you would like this computer to last a good 2-3 years and you plan to game. As it is now, 4GB is essentially the minimum to have if you're building any sort of gaming system. As I understand it (but i'm no expert), there are a few games out now where its good to have more than 4GB.
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Agreed with the case, I just chose that on as he had a budget of $1200 so I felt there was no need to cut back. It's really personal preference. If you wanted to save a bit of money you could get a HAF922 or an Antec 300. There are lots more out there, so have a look around.

With the processor, I think he'd be fine. He could just buy an aftermarket cooler and go from there. I'd say he'd be able to hit 3.2ghz without having to even increase the voltage, but like I said before, have a look at some tutorials, ask a few of the more advanced members. You do make a good point though.

The Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro Rev. 2 is a pretty good aftermarket cooler and only costs $30

And with the memory, I'd have to agree with breadman. Unless you're doing some pretty heavy multi-tasking or rendering 4gbs should be more than enough.

Jeremy
 
Thanks for all of the responses guys,

Is it worth me buying the extra 4GB of memory? it barely costs anything more and in my eyes just removes a potential bottleneck, at times i may wish to run games as well as things such as skype and Fruity Loops so perhaps this is a good option?

Also i really like the case that has been chosen ^_^ looks beast haha :)

Do you really think i should go for a more up-market processor? I can't imagine the Phenom having any trouble handling what I intend to do. Are you suggesting it purely for longevity/novelty?
 
Also, if anyone knows of any other cases which are reasonably priced and look great and have good airflow/cable management and such feel free to swing a link my way :)
 
This is $1254 after shipping/rebates. I didn't bargain hunt too much, so if buying from NE, you could sign up for eblast promos' and usually get a deal on a good ps and memory. One of them today is 10% off any hdd.

If you need it to be less, check for deals in the next few days, or there are other mb/cpu options. Since the AMD black processors oc easily, the 955 x4 would be the next step down imo from the 1090T. The 955 can easily be adjusted to acheive the same speeds as higher clocked black x4's so no sense in spending more than the cost of the 955, if going that route.

This system crossfires @ x16/x16. All that's needed is that second 6950 when the time comes. x8/x8 is also good. If cost is a concern, some combination of x16/x16 or x8/x8 + 955 or 1090T + x8/x8 will save some dough and will perform very well.
ASUS M4A89TD PRO/USB3 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
　
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX

SAPPHIRE 100312SR Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

A-DATA XPG Gaming v2.0 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1600GC4G9-DG2
　
XFX Black Edition XPS-850W-BES 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC ...
　
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24LS50 LightScribe Support - OEM

Rosewill THOR Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case support XL-ATX, Four Fans-1x Front Red LED 230mm Fan, 1x Top 230mm Fan, ...
　
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
　
Alternative for $1207
955/89GTD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.592336
Dark Knight cooler/paste
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
And another for $1117
Extreme3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157198
Dark Knight cooler/paste
The cpu cooler and paste isn't a have to. If you don't overclock a lot, what comes with the cpu will be fine.
 
Benny Boy said:
This is $1254 after shipping/rebates. I didn't bargain hunt too much, so if buying from NE, you could sign up for eblast promos' and usually get a deal on a good ps and memory. One of them today is 10% off any hdd.

If you need it to be less, check for deals in the next few days, or there are other mb/cpu options. Since the AMD black processors oc easily, the 955 x4 would be the next step down imo from the 1090T. The 955 can easily be adjusted to acheive the same speeds as higher clocked black x4's so no sense in spending more than the cost of the 955, if going that route.

This system crossfires @ x16/x16. All that's needed is that second 6950 when the time comes. x8/x8 is also good. If cost is a concern, some combination of x16/x16 or x8/x8 + 955 or 1090T + x8/x8 will save some dough and will perform very well.
ASUS M4A89TD PRO/USB3 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
　
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX

SAPPHIRE 100312SR Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

A-DATA XPG Gaming v2.0 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1600GC4G9-DG2
　
XFX Black Edition XPS-850W-BES 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC ...
　
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24LS50 LightScribe Support - OEM

Rosewill THOR Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case support XL-ATX, Four Fans-1x Front Red LED 230mm Fan, 1x Top 230mm Fan, ...
　
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
　
Alternative for $1207
955/89GTD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.592336
Dark Knight cooler/paste
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029
And another for $1117
Extreme3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157198
Dark Knight cooler/paste
The cpu cooler and paste isn't a have to. If you don't overclock a lot, what comes with the cpu will be fine.
Click to expand...


Thanks for this, sounds like a fantastic build. I don't know if I will be paying for more power than i really need but nonetheless those combo deals will save me a few dollars for sure.

Does anyone know if Newegg ships to Australia and if so, how much it will cost to get my entire build shipped here and how long it could take?
 
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