Wanting To Build A Gaming Desktop

trewyn15

trewyn15

New Member
Hey guys, as the title states, I'm wanting to build a gaming PC, I have quite a bit with software and the actual build of a computer, I'm just not sure how to go about building an actual computer.

I have access to Windows 7 Professional along with all other Windows programs, so I would like it to run on Windows 7. It's going to be strictly gaming for the most part, some internet browsing and maybe torrenting but not much more, I use my laptop for the rest.

Really I'm wanting to build one because my laptop just isn't doing it, I have an HP Elitebook 8540W and it won't stay on for more than 5 minutes if I'm playing a game, even with a cooling fan, so I'm going to blow out the head sink and see where that gets me, but I'd still really like to have a gaming desktop.

Here's all I know that I would like for sure:

4GB RAM - Minimum, what's best for modern day games like Call of Duty, Battlefield or Skyrim?
1TB HDD - Enough space for anything I need, I don't like to keep movies on my computers, that's what Portable drives are for.
HD Gaming Card - Something that will deliver the best graphics possible at an affordable price.

I'm not looking to spend a ton on a gaming computer but would like something that runs well and plays games well.

I do have a Dell Dimension, something old, I'm assuming the processor in that thing won't be good enough to handle a modern graphics card. I was also thinking of picking up a new Dell XPS or something that currently runs W7, that's got an I5 or I7, would this be a cheaper idea than starting from scratch?

From there I would upgrade the RAM, HDD and Graphics Card.

Any help would be great! Thanks in advance!
 
Building would be cheaper/better. We need to know an exact budget of what you want/willing to spend on this machine. Since you have windows out of the way, and you have a decent budget, you should be able to build a beast of a machine.

And it's assumed you're from the US, so correct me if that is incorrect.
 
trewyn15 said:
It's going to be strictly gaming for the most part, some internet browsing and maybe torrenting but not much more, I use my laptop for the rest.

Here's all I know that I would like for sure:

4GB RAM - Minimum, what's best for modern day games like Call of Duty, Battlefield or Skyrim?
1TB HDD - Enough space for anything I need, I don't like to keep movies on my computers, that's what Portable drives are for.
HD Gaming Card - Something that will deliver the best graphics possible at an affordable price.
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If your computer is capable of running the games you specify, it'll browse the internet and download torrents no problem.
Also, you might as well go for 8GB of RAM, since it's really really cheap nowadays.
If you don't like to keep movies and such on your computer, you might as well go for an SSD. Since the flooding in Thailand, HDDs have sky rocketed in prices while SSDs are still the same.
You can get a card that can play those games at a very reasonable price, look at the 6800 series.
If you specify a budget, it's much easier to give examples of PCs you could build.
 
I've heard of people building for as cheap as $200 with parts off of other computers, I'm probably not looking to spend a whole lot more than $400 or so. The cheaper the better since I won't be going too hardcore on the gaming, but still would like it to play games fine.

I am from the US, I'll have to update my info here soon.

I was looking at the classifieds here, I'm thinking it would be a good idea to look into some like-new, used parts, save myself some money there. I'm in college so money is tight, but not a huge deal, plus I'm saving up for an engagement ring, so I wouldn't like to spend too much.
 
Okay, trying to get some more info here.

I'm looking to find a case with a motherboard already in it with i7 on it. Quad core would be best. I'm not sure if you can buy them like this. But I would like to build from there, preferably with a graphics card that can handle 2 monitors at 1080p.

Hoping the rest will sort of fall in place from there as I get more and more money.

Does anyone have any links or anything that can help me out here?
 
azeem40 said:
i7 won't make a difference in gaming. Save the $100 and get an i5.
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1+, not worth for gaming.

If you have a HDD, A good case and a good PSU then please say so, but I added a PSU anyway, but not a case.

You can get an i3 2100: 125 dollars http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
H61 Mobo: 60 dollars http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130603
GPU: ATI Radeon 6850: 150 and free shipping and 125 with rebate (if your lucky) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131374
PSU: OCZ ModXStream 500W Modular 49 bucks incuding rebates and shipping http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016
 
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am I wrong that if I'm spending the money i7 would be worth it if I plan to keep the computer for some time? And I will also be doing a lot of video and image editing.

SMG, thanks for the links, looks like I'd still need the housing and some RAM sticks maybe a couple other parts.

As far as the tower casing, is it pretty straight forward mounting a mother board in there?

Also, I'm not sure how to go about adding a processor to the motherboard or if I were to upgrade it in the future. I thought you had to solder?
 
Sorry trewin I forgot the RAM, late night :), and with the case I just assumed you have one.

Do you have any parts you can keep?

It's very easy to mount the motherboard to the case, just line up the screw holes and screw the screws in.

Adding a processor is dead easy, just linke up the little notch's with the processor slot and place it in. Some laptop CPU's used to be soldered on.
 
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SMGOwnage said:
Sorry trewin I forgot the RAM, late night :), and with the case I just assumed you have one.

Do you have any parts you can keep?

It's very easy to mount the motherboard to the case, just line up the screw holes and screw the screws in.

Adding a processor is dead easy, just linke up the little notch's with the processor slot and place it in. Some laptop CPU's used to be soldered on.
Click to expand...

sounds like this may end up being a little easier than i thought lol, another thing i've been wondering, are the motherboards and cases generally made to fit together in general as far as mounting and where the video ports are and all that good stuff?

I have an old dell housing that I could probably use but something bigger and a little nicer looking would probably be better
 
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