SRL Archive - NOTA

I bought my first laptop at least 2 years ago when i knew nothing. Well i have learned more than enough since than to know that I didn't choose right. My laptop's graphics card is an Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator… Yeah. I cant even run Magicka on that POS and my graphics card is integrated so i just said fuck it I am getting a new one (about time anyways). But yeah this is my first time ever so i could really use anyone's help out there because i know there are a lot of people on this forum who know A BUNCH more than I do. Anyways I'm looking to stay under 1000$ and when you suggest a part could you also explain why :P. Also is there any advantages to a desktop computer in this day and age? I feel that i should just get a laptop, but once again what do i know? Lol but anyways thank you for your help.

For $1000 you can make a really solid desktop.
If you want to do gaming, you pretty much need a desktop, most laptops just come with integrated Intel BS.

If you have some time to wait, I would, becasue everyone is going to say HERP DERP AMD Bulldozer processors are coming out soon! (The newest and next version of their processor) So then you can either 1) Pick that newest and best version or 2) Pick another older version, but they would all most likely be decently cheaper since a new one came out.

www.newegg.com is where you should get all/most of your parts if you are in the USA.

You're going to want at least a 4 core 3.0 Ghz processor, 4G of RAM, and a video card with 1G of video graphics. These are just some specs that I think are a good minimum for a gaming PC that can handle most stuff just fine.

AMD Processors and ATI video cards are normally/always cheaper than their Intel and Nvidida counterparts.

Also the different number of builds and combinations and companies and specs to choose from are COUNTLESS once you have decided on something and are quite happy with it and know it's all compatible and good for you just GO WITH IT! Don't bother spending too much time on what ifs etc etc, you will NEVER stop and keep looking at parts online forever! :p

That's just some blabber from me :D. I bet I've misstated some things and people will correct me and give you more information, good luck, building a computer is so fun! And you feel good being on it since you made it all by yourself!

You can get a gaming laptop in your price range, but gaming laptops are silly.

Building a desktop is almost always better for gaming. I suggest building a desktop.

@YoHoJo thanks I'm not sure if i want to spend money on the new AMD processors or just save money on the old ones :|. How much boost to performance do your really get for the money? Also how are the Sandy Bridge eight-core chips supposedly going to be? any good? and yah i kinda figured it would be rewarding to build one yourself :D. lol side note when you said HERP DERP it reminded me of the South Park (if you watch it) where the future people took their jobs. "THEY TOOK OUR JOBS" "DERPA DERRR" lol.
@Capricorn I actually kinda hoped this wasnt the case but i should have known better. I just really enjoy being able to take my computer with me places… Oh well guess that why i have thsi laptop right?

From what I hear SandyBridge is freaking awesome, but like I said since AMD is cheaper, I go AMD. 8 Cores is WAY to much I think even for intense gaming, I myself have a 6 core and it's way more than I need (Unless you are going to do some crazy multitasking). I can run like 6 java bots + play games at the same time with little/no lag… so a 4 core would be just fine! But if you think you are going to multitask with many memory intensive programs get a higher end 4 core/6 core I'd say.

Yeah I really don't think the prices of older models would fall too much, not I'm really not sure. Yeah if you want just go ahead and make one now! :D

I'll probably hold out until the new processors.
but thats just one thing, what about the way of graphics card? i was thinking GTX 550 but i think that would be too much for my cause?

Go AMD it's cheaper! Video Card is usually pretty expensives but I think about it like this: More powerful it is, longer it will last you! If you get a crappyish one maybe after a few years games will look uber sexy and yours won't be powerful enough! You kind of get what you pay for when getting a video card, so if you've got the $ go for a nicer one, it will definitely last you for YEARS and you can even use it in future builds etc.

I got one of these, it's quite new and powerful and handles everything I throw at it on MAX just fine :D.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=6870&x=0&y=0

Keep your eyes peeled for when newegg does special deals! My friend got the same card as me for about $30 cheaper because he snagged a sale!

Go for a Core i3/i5/i7 SandyBridge depending on budget. Then either upgrade to i7 (upgrade cooling and probably PSU at same time) later, or wait for IvyBridge, which will also be LGA1155.

From: xSaintias
I'll probably hold out until the new processors.
but thats just one thing, what about the way of graphics card? i was thinking GTX 550 but i think that would be too much for my cause?

GTX 550 is a fair bit weak given your budget.

Just to clarify, you are living in US right?

$1000 is different if you live in the states vs Canada vs over seas.

From: Capricorn
GTX 550 is a fair bit weak given your budget.

Just to clarify, you are living in US right?

$1000 is different if you live in the states vs Canada vs over seas.

lol sorry finishing school :|
but summers here!
anyways I am living in the U.S.
btw i have a burned out desktop computer so can i use that as a desktop case so i dont have to spend money? also it has 2 gb of ram still in it…

From: Boreas
Go for a Core i3/i5/i7 SandyBridge depending on budget. Then either upgrade to i7 (upgrade cooling and probably PSU at same time) later, or wait for IvyBridge, which will also be LGA1155.

that reminds me… is newegg good for cooling systems and power supplys?
what would you recommend if i got i7 sandybridge (if i even go that high, maybe just i5…)

What games you lookin' to run?

Magicka? What else?

From: xSaintias
lol sorry finishing school :|
but summers here!
anyways I am living in the U.S.
btw i have a burned out desktop computer so can i use that as a desktop case so i dont have to spend money? also it has 2 gb of ram still in it…


that reminds me… is newegg good for cooling systems and power supplys?
what would you recommend if i got i7 sandybridge (if i even go that high, maybe just i5…)

Newegg isn't bad exactly, but on the build I'm working on currently I ordered the cooling stuff from Amazon and Sidewindercomputers, mostly because Newegg didn't have the Silver Arrow. I try to use Newegg as much as possible due the navigation, service, shipping, and pricing, but if they don't carry the specific part you want, it's all moot.

See here (TLDR: gaming=i5 videoediting=i7) http://www.hardware-revolution.com/best-cpu-spring-2011/

From: Capricorn
What games you lookin' to run?

Magicka? What else?

um batman arkham asylum full graphics settings,(cant even do minimum well right now) Fable 3, Maybe GTA lV, Shogun Total War 2, etc…

From: Boreas
Newegg isn't bad exactly, but on the build I'm working on currently I ordered the cooling stuff from Amazon and Sidewindercomputers, mostly because Newegg didn't have the Silver Arrow. I try to use Newegg as much as possible due the navigation, service, shipping, and pricing, but if they don't carry the specific part you want, it's all moot.

See here (TLDR: gaming=i5 videoediting=i7) http://www.hardware-revolution.com/best-cpu-spring-2011/

i looked at the website, since i am only gaming i should probably just get the
Intel Core i5-2500 Quad-Core 3.3-3.7GHz (Turbo) 95W LGA1155? What power supply should I probably get if i choose that?
btw thanks for the website.

also i'm not sure what killed my old computer, would it still be safe to use it's motherboard and RAM?

http://www.hardware-revolution.com/high-end-gaming-pc-q2-2011/
http://www.hardware-revolution.com/warning-6-surefire-ways-of-blowing-up-your-computer-due-to-an-inadequate-power-supply/

There's a link in there to a calculator to add up the requirements of your parts. Choose the PSU last.

I just almost entirely based build off of that first link less than a week before it was updated the other day. Kinda pissed now.

First off is your old MB and RAM compatible? Second I've never seen RAM damage other parts, so it should be safe to test the old RAM on a known good MB/CPU/PSU with Memtest86+. A bad MB can damage other parts (very rare), so even testing it with known good parts could be bad. Up to you, but I would just go new.

From: Boreas
http://www.hardware-revolution.com/high-end-gaming-pc-q2-2011/
http://www.hardware-revolution.com/warning-6-surefire-ways-of-blowing-up-your-computer-due-to-an-inadequate-power-supply/

There's a link in there to a calculator to add up the requirements of your parts. Choose the PSU last.

I just almost entirely based build off of that first link less than a week before it was updated the other day. Kinda pissed now.

First off is your old MB and RAM compatible? Second I've never seen RAM damage other parts, so it should be safe to test the old RAM on a known good MB/CPU/PSU with Memtest86+. A bad MB can damage other parts (very rare), so even testing it with known good parts could be bad. Up to you, but I would just go new.

Okay I'm just gonna get new everything… why not?
also the link you gave me wants me to use the i7 and im not sure it will really be worth it to me :| but thats a great link thanks :D I will probably use a lot of parts that it recommends. Also for the tiers, can tier 8 run every game? do i even need something as high as tier 8?

From: xSaintias
Okay I'm just gonna get new everything… why not?
also the link you gave me wants me to use the i7 and im not sure it will really be worth it to me :| but thats a great link thanks :D I will probably use a lot of parts that it recommends. Also for the tiers, can tier 8 run every game? do i even need something as high as tier 8?

I swear last week it was i5 (and only i7 if you really want, or video editing).

If you mean every new game at max settings, then you probably want tier 10. I went with 9 (well I based it on what it said for 9 last week), mostly for noise reduction, it looks pretty good. You really need to look at the specific games you want to play. See here: www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/ Also, for online pvp, being a little bit faster than your opponent kind of approaches a plateau due to internet connection and human reaction time. I'm not much of a hardcore gamer though (no crysis, no water cooling, etc), so don't take my word for it.

From: Boreas
I swear last week it was i5 (and only i7 if you really want, or video editing).

If you mean every new game at max settings, then you probably want tier 10. I went with 9 (well I based it on what it said for 9 last week), mostly for noise reduction, it looks pretty good. You really need to look at the specific games you want to play. See here: www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/ Also, for online pvp, being a little bit faster than your opponent kind of approaches a plateau due to internet connection and human reaction time. I'm not much of a hardcore gamer though (no crysis, no water cooling, etc), so don't take my word for it.

Have you finished yours? How much did you end up spinning? can you run something like Fable 3?
also the Two MSI Radeon HD 6950 2GB in Crossfire is so F***ing expensive, do i really need that good of a video card? my budget is only like $1000 dollars :|
EDIT: hmm i found the video card on newegg and it is nowhere near that much… did a new video card come out recently that pushed that down?
EDIT 2: Also has anyone tried SSD as opposed to HDD? I've never tried it and was wondering if anyone would really recommend it.

http://i.imgur.com/R5FbK.jpg

Something I quickly threw together, subtotal of $850 without a case.

You can drop the 6950 down to a 6870 and buy a SSD maybe. Or go down to a i3, you probably wouldn't notice the drop in performance from the CPU.

From: xSaintias
Have you finished yours? How much did you end up spinning? can you run something like Fable 3?
also the Two MSI Radeon HD 6950 2GB in Crossfire is so F***ing expensive, do i really need that good of a video card? my budget is only like $1000 dollars :|
EDIT: hmm i found the video card on newegg and it is nowhere near that much… did a new video card come out recently that pushed that down?
EDIT 2: Also has anyone tried SSD as opposed to HDD? I've never tried it and was wondering if anyone would really recommend it.

I ended up around $2200, for a client, and parts aren't all here yet. I went overboard on dual video cards (200 each), partly because the client wants 3 monitors, and wants the option available for gaming.

You can definitely build something nice for $1000, and have room to upgrade in the future. Invest in the motherboard, PSU, and to a certain degree, the case. With whatever is left in the budget, get whatever other parts you can afford now, and upgrade them in future.

Don't bother with the SSD, unless you also go with 1 or more HDDs to store backup images and data files.

I looked at your build, it was nice and i took a little from it.
heres what i have…
I made it up to 1200$ :|
is there anything that you guys would recommend to bring me back down to like 1000$?
EDIT: btw what the diff between i5 2500 and i5 2500K

K means you can overclock. Which you probably don't need to do right now.

I'd cut back on the graphics. And PSU, but not too much. And sound, unless you can really hear the difference (I can't).

From: Boreas
K means you can overclock. Which you probably don't need to do right now.

I'd cut back on the graphics. And PSU, but not too much. And sound, unless you can really hear the difference (I can't).

Yah i plan on overclocking. But does everything else look fine?
I think this will actually give me a pretty beast system…

You can drop down to a 1GB version of the 6950, you won't see any difference unless your gaming with a resolution higher than 1080p.

You don't need 750w, a good seasonic PSU around 550w should do fine. I don't know if you know this or not but most mobo's have integrated sound, I am personally not a fan of Creative. I would get something else if you really wanted a sound card.

From: Capricorn
You can drop down to a 1GB version of the 6950, you won't see any difference unless your gaming with a resolution higher than 1080p.

You don't need 750w, a good seasonic PSU around 550w should do fine. I don't know if you know this or not but most mobo's have integrated sound, I am personally not a fan of Creative. I would get something else if you really wanted a sound card.

well i put everything and it clocked me around 500 and i want to overclock so i was scaredto get around 550 so i went with 750. And i knew MOBO came with sound but i wasnt sure how good so i just wen with the creative… thats actually something i wanted to get rid of… is the MOBO sound good enough that i wouldn't notice? I mean i dont really notice nice sound so i'm sure i probably dont need it :| hm…

From: xSaintias
well i put everything and it clocked me around 500 and i want to overclock so i was scaredto get around 550 so i went with 750. And i knew MOBO came with sound but i wasnt sure how good so i just wen with the creative… thats actually something i wanted to get rid of… is the MOBO sound good enough that i wouldn't notice? I mean i dont really notice nice sound so i'm sure i probably dont need it :| hm…

It's very simple.

Do you consider yourself a Audiophile? If so get a sound card, if not forget about it.

You'll be fine with 550w. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU11/233

From: Capricorn
It's very simple.

Do you consider yourself a Audiophile? If so get a sound card, if not forget about it.

You'll be fine with 550w. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU11/233

lol not at all… in fact a lot of times I turn off music for games :|
and okay thanks. So does everything else look good?