Building A Computer

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 7:01 pm

Raidmax Altas Gaming Case Black
Motherboard ASUS M4A77T/USB3 -- AMD 770 Chipset
[= Quad Core =] AMD Phenom? II X4 965 Black Edition Quad-Core CPU
Liquid CPU Cooling System [AMD] Standard 120mm Fan
4GB [2GB x 2] DDR3 1600 Memory
Nvidia Geforce GTS 450 - 1GB - EVGA Superclocked
Standard 700W PSU
500 GB HARD DRIVE -- 16M Cache, 7200 RPM, 3.0Gb/s
Basic DVD/CD Drive

$670 is what I'm looking at for all of that. It's from a custom design from iBuyPower.com. I just want to know if that will run some of the games out today (BFBC2, The Witcher, Crysis, etc) and/or if there's a program or website where I can enter in system specs and it can give me an estimated result of what FPS I'd be looking at for certain games. Thanks bunches.

Chunky
User avatar
Claire Vaux
 
Posts: 3485
Joined: Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:56 am

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 11:27 am

You shouldn't need a 700W PSU for a Phenom II X4 and a GTS 450, nor should you need liquid cooling to keep the temps down. I recently build a similar system (With a PII X2 being the largest difference) for the equlivilent for $555 of your dollars, as well.

It's by no means a bad system, though that HDD could be much larger (HDDs are incredibly cheap right now) and you don't need that powerful a PSU, or that strong a cooling system (Though if your cooling system draws power from your PSU you probably /do/ need that big a PSU - you just don't need the cooling)

Anyway, as I've just built a similar system I can give my experiences (Really, the FPS drop from the lesser CPU is minimal). The GTS 450 is a midrange card, so it's not going to push 3D graphics at 2560x1600 at 120fps, but at my native resolution of 1680x1050 there's very little she struggles with. Crysis, at that resolution, runs fine with every option on very high and 2xAA, and Just Cause 2 runs fine with a few of the more expensive options turned off. You probably won't be pushing 1080p at those quality levels, but I couldn't tell you for sure due to not having a monitor at that resolution. I'd reconsider buying it, but only because I feel you're paying a bit too much - not because it won't do what you're asking.
User avatar
James Hate
 
Posts: 3531
Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 5:55 am

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 8:46 pm

Raidmax Altas Gaming Case Black
Motherboard ASUS M4A77T/USB3 -- AMD 770 Chipset
[= Quad Core =] AMD Phenom? II X4 965 Black Edition Quad-Core CPU
Liquid CPU Cooling System [AMD] Standard 120mm Fan You don't need a liquid cooling system on something like this, none of your parts are powerful enough to warant this unless you'll be doing MAJOR overclocking
4GB [2GB x 2] DDR3 1600 Memory
Nvidia Geforce GTS 450 - 1GB - EVGA Superclocked
Standard 700W PSU BIG NO NO. Never go with a "standard" brand, they are usually the cheapest available and can crap out. Get a good brand like Corsair, unless you like frying your computer for fun.
500 GB HARD DRIVE -- 16M Cache, 7200 RPM, 3.0Gb/s
Basic DVD/CD Drive

$670 is what I'm looking at for all of that. It's from a custom design from iBuyPower.com. I just want to know if that will run some of the games out today (BFBC2, The Witcher, Crysis, etc) and/or if there's a program or website where I can enter in system specs and it can give me an estimated result of what FPS I'd be looking at for certain games. Thanks bunches.

Chunky


Other than that, it looks alright.
User avatar
J.P loves
 
Posts: 3487
Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 9:03 am

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 8:58 am

You shouldn't need a 700W PSU for a Phenom II X4 and a GTS 450, nor should you need liquid cooling to keep the temps down. I recently build a similar system (With a PII X2 being the largest difference) for the equlivilent for $555 of your dollars, as well.

It's by no means a bad system, though that HDD could be much larger (HDDs are incredibly cheap right now) and you don't need that powerful a PSU, or that strong a cooling system (Though if your cooling system draws power from your PSU you probably /do/ need that big a PSU - you just don't need the cooling)

Anyway, as I've just built a similar system I can give my experiences (Really, the FPS drop from the lesser CPU is minimal). The GTS 450 is a midrange card, so it's not going to push 3D graphics at 2560x1600 at 120fps, but at my native resolution of 1680x1050 there's very little she struggles with. Crysis, at that resolution, runs fine with every option on very high and 2xAA, and Just Cause 2 runs fine with a few of the more expensive options turned off. You probably won't be pushing 1080p at those quality levels, but I couldn't tell you for sure due to not having a monitor at that resolution. I'd reconsider buying it, but only because I feel you're paying a bit too much - not because it won't do what you're asking.


I thought so.
Okay, So I replaced the X4 with the X2. Switched the Cooling system to a Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink. changed the HDD to 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 64M Cache, 7200 RPM, 6.0Gb/s. And I was going to change the PSU, but the only one cheaper than it on there is a standard 600W thats 7$ cheaper. Now it comes to $656.

EDIT: Okay, im looking at a "650W Casegears ECO-Element / 80+" PSU.

Honestly, if I could find a pre-built that could run most modern games at high-ish settings for $650-$700, I'd be happy.
User avatar
Lizs
 
Posts: 3497
Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:45 pm

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 1:01 pm

I thought so.
Okay, So I replaced the X4 with the X2. Switched the Cooling system to a Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink. changed the HDD to 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 64M Cache, 7200 RPM, 6.0Gb/s. And I was going to change the PSU, but the only one cheaper than it on there is a standard 600W thats 7$ cheaper. Now it comes to $656.

EDIT: Okay, im looking at a "650W Casegears ECO-Element / 80+" PSU.

Honestly, if I could find a pre-built that could run most modern games at high-ish settings for $650-$700, I'd be happy.


Well, mine was my first build, so I feel quite qualified to say: don't bother with prebuilt ones, build your own! It's pretty damn easy and you can put in exactly what you *want* to put in, and get it at a cheaper cost as well!
But yes, Allstar makes a very, very good point - a cheap PSU is the best way to turn your $600 PC into a $0 hunk of useless plastic and metal.
User avatar
Nauty
 
Posts: 3410
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:58 pm

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 11:34 am

CASE * ANTEC Three Hundred Black Mid-Tower Case, ATX,
PSU * ANTEC EarthWatts EA380 Green, 80 PLUS?, 380W, 24-pin ATX12V V2.3 EPS12V
motherboard * ASUS M4A77TD, AM3, AMD? 770, DDR3-1800 (O.C.) 16GB /4, PCIe x16, SATA 3 Gb/s RAID 10 /6, HDA, GbLAN, ATX, Retail
CPU * AMD Phenom? II X4 955 Quad-Core 3.2GHz, AM3, HT 4000MHz, 4x 512KB L2 + 6MB L3 cache, 125W, 45nm, Black Edition, Retail
RAM * CRUCIAL 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz CL9 1.5V SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
Video Card * ASUS EAH6850 DirectCU/2DIS/1GD5, Radeon? HD 6850 790MHz, 1GB GDDR5 4000MHz, PCIe x16 CrossFire, DVI /2, HDMI, DP, Retail
HDD * WESTERN DIGITAL 500GB WD Caviar? Black? (WD5002AALX), SATA 6 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 32MB Cache
* RAID No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
Disc Drive * SONY AD-7261S Black 24x DVD±R/RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ Lightscribe, SATA, OEM
OS * NONE No Operating System (Choose OS or subject to Limited Support)
* WARRANTY Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)

$668
User avatar
Campbell
 
Posts: 3262
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:54 am

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 8:16 am

be careful about handling your parts, static electricity will kill it before you even start. I sugest looking for one of those wrist bands that electronics assemblers use which ground you so that any static electricity that you may have will not fry your parts.
User avatar
Emma
 
Posts: 3287
Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:51 am

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 3:05 pm

CASE * ANTEC Three Hundred Black Mid-Tower Case, ATX,
PSU * ANTEC EarthWatts EA380 Green, 80 PLUS?, 380W, 24-pin ATX12V V2.3 EPS12V
motherboard * ASUS M4A77TD, AM3, AMD? 770, DDR3-1800 (O.C.) 16GB /4, PCIe x16, SATA 3 Gb/s RAID 10 /6, HDA, GbLAN, ATX, Retail
CPU * AMD Phenom? II X4 955 Quad-Core 3.2GHz, AM3, HT 4000MHz, 4x 512KB L2 + 6MB L3 cache, 125W, 45nm, Black Edition, Retail
RAM * CRUCIAL 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz CL9 1.5V SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
Video Card * ASUS EAH6850 DirectCU/2DIS/1GD5, Radeon? HD 6850 790MHz, 1GB GDDR5 4000MHz, PCIe x16 CrossFire, DVI /2, HDMI, DP, Retail
HDD * WESTERN DIGITAL 500GB WD Caviar? Black? (WD5002AALX), SATA 6 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 32MB Cache
* RAID No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
Disc Drive * SONY AD-7261S Black 24x DVD±R/RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ Lightscribe, SATA, OEM
OS * NONE No Operating System (Choose OS or subject to Limited Support)
* WARRANTY Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)

$668


Do you really need the quad core? For gaming, many games don't make use of all 4 cores. Unless you really need it, you can save some cash by using a dual core.
User avatar
Lexy Corpsey
 
Posts: 3448
Joined: Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:39 am

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 7:00 pm

I'd ditch the Phenom and go Sandy Bridge. That x4 965 cost about $165, and an I5 2500 cost about $200, with an I5 2500k about $225, and you would get better overall performance, require less power, and have a viable upgrade path. And if you can wait, you can hold out for the new Intel chipset, or get discount prices on the older equipment. total might be slightly more, but you would end up with a better, more overclockable, box.
User avatar
Cameron Garrod
 
Posts: 3427
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2007 7:46 am

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 3:20 pm

I'd ditch the Phenom and go Sandy Bridge. That x4 965 cost about $165, and an I5 2500 cost about $200, with an I5 2500k about $225, and you would get better overall performance, require less power, and have a viable upgrade path. And if you can wait, you can hold out for the new Intel chipset, or get discount prices on the older equipment. total might be slightly more, but you would end up with a better, more overclockable, box.

For a low budget build, sandybridge shouldn't really be considered. More expensive CPU and motherboard. Until you're spending around $900, it's not worth it.
User avatar
Maya Maya
 
Posts: 3511
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:35 pm

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 7:44 am

I totally want to give you my PC build since it's epic for modern gaming but.
You're price range is to low. :(

Go rob a bank and get $2500 (:
(kidding, don't do that. terrible idea)
User avatar
Darren Chandler
 
Posts: 3361
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:03 am

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 8:10 am

This was my mid range build, been working great for me:

  • COOLER MASTER Storm Scout w/ Cooler Master 700 Watt Modular PSU: $149.99
  • ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard: $99.99
  • Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5: $179.99
  • AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 125W Quad-Core $148.99
  • 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM: $39.99
  • SAMSUNG Spinpoint 500GB 7200 RPM: $49.99
  • LG DVD±RW SuperMulti Drive Black SATA: $15.99


Subtotal: $684.93


I only went with the 700 watt PSU because it was included with the case and was actually cheaper than going with just the case and a 600 watt PSU. I also went with the cheaper X4 955 because I can easily OC it to what the 965 comes as standard.
User avatar
Taylah Haines
 
Posts: 3439
Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 3:10 am

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 8:18 pm

CASE * ANTEC Three Hundred Black Mid-Tower Case, ATX,
PSU * ANTEC EarthWatts EA380 Green, 80 PLUS?, 380W, 24-pin ATX12V V2.3 EPS12V
motherboard * ASUS M4A77TD, AM3, AMD? 770, DDR3-1800 (O.C.) 16GB /4, PCIe x16, SATA 3 Gb/s RAID 10 /6, HDA, GbLAN, ATX, Retail
CPU * AMD Phenom? II X4 955 Quad-Core 3.2GHz, AM3, HT 4000MHz, 4x 512KB L2 + 6MB L3 cache, 125W, 45nm, Black Edition, Retail
RAM * CRUCIAL 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz CL9 1.5V SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
Video Card * ASUS EAH6850 DirectCU/2DIS/1GD5, Radeon? HD 6850 790MHz, 1GB GDDR5 4000MHz, PCIe x16 CrossFire, DVI /2, HDMI, DP, Retail
HDD * WESTERN DIGITAL 500GB WD Caviar? Black? (WD5002AALX), SATA 6 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 32MB Cache
* RAID No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
Disc Drive * SONY AD-7261S Black 24x DVD±R/RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ Lightscribe, SATA, OEM
OS * NONE No Operating System (Choose OS or subject to Limited Support)
* WARRANTY Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)

$668


Antec is a good brand for a PSU, but 380W is a bit small. 500W at least Antec, Corsair, or even Thermaltake.

Quad-core is fine. They're cheap to the point that you should get one these days and we're finally seeing some games utilizing the extra cores...times are changing. If you want to save some money, get the Phenom X2 555 because that dual-core chip can potentially (not guaranteed) be unlocked to be quad as it has two extra cores disabled. Google it up and your motherboard.....many have successfully done this.

And do a price comparison over at CyberPowerPC...they're a better custom PC provider:
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/
User avatar
Trey Johnson
 
Posts: 3295
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:00 pm

Post » Fri May 13, 2011 6:05 am

Wait a few months until AMD releases it's first Bulldozer chip. That's what I'm doing, and I have a large budget for a new computer (roughly $1500, I haven't upgraded in 7 years and won't be upgrading again for a while). I'll either be buying that new chip + mobo or one of the current chips + mobo which will hopefully be cheaper then.

I'm hearing they're due this summer.
User avatar
Kahli St Dennis
 
Posts: 3517
Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:57 am


Return to Othor Games