Gaming PC for neighbor

[TheStu]

Not sure when he is wanting to pull the trigger on this, he just popped over the other day asking if I could help him out. I think it will be soon, maybe in the next month or so.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
He says it is for gaming, but I don't know if he also wants it to store family photos and do home movie editing

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread.
I told him that $700 w/ OS is a reasonable number for a solid system

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
I personally like intel, nvidia and WD, but am not too attached to them. If an AMD, AMD, Seagate configuration would be better... whatever

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
He told me that he has an existing monitor and of course, keyboard, mouse, speakers.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Oh tons of them, but I am still a little hazy on AMD v Intel with regards to budget

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
It will almost certainly be stock speeds, maybe a light OC that doesn't require voltage adjustments, and if AMD I will unlock cores

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
I will need more info, but lets assume 1080p since he said that he might want to get a new monitor later

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Within a month I think

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.
Ok, I won't

This is what I have put together so far:

$75.99 - CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 3.0GHz
$59.99 - Mobo: AsRock M3A770DE Socket AM3
$49.99 - RAM: GSkill Ripjaws DDR3-1600 2*2GB (double up on this?)
$159.99 - GPU: MSI GTX460 768MB
$69.99 - HDD: Samsung F3 1TB
$15.99 - ODD: LiteOn DVD Burner
$99.99 - OS: Win 7 Home Premium 64
$79.99 - PSU: Corsair 550W

$627.86 shipped.

Should I stick with AMD over intel, I have heard incredible things about Sandy Bridge of course, but is it worth the cost increase? Also, SSDs are pretty awesome, should I put one of those in there and if so, which one?

Edit: I forgot the PSU. I am leaving the case up to him to decide.

 

[mnewsham]

For some light to medium gaming might want to wait for the i3-2120 (~$145?) or i3-2100 (~$130?) they are dual core four thread chips at 3.3 and 3.1Ghz respectively to be released on February 20th. For RAM go with 2x2Gb DDR3 1333Mhz CL 9 for ~$40 maybe step it up to a gtx 4601Gb and nothing more then an m-atx MB such as this one.


This PSU if you arent going to be adding much more then what i have suggested. And this case.

 

[mfenn]

I'd probably knock the RAM down to DDR3 1333 (-$10), bump the CPU up to the X4 640 (+$24) and get the Three Hundred for a case. That should be right at $700. The rest of your parts look fine.

Sandy Bridge would be nice of course, but it isn't happening without either blowing the budget or significantly compromising the GPU performance.

 

[mnewsham]

I'd probably knock the RAM down to DDR3 1333 (-$10), bump the CPU up to the X4 640 (+$24) and get the Three Hundred for a case. That should be right at $700. The rest of your parts look fine.

Sandy Bridge would be nice of course, but it isn't happening without either blowing the budget or significantly compromising the GPU performance.

I would just hate to recommend a build with a socket that is essentially dead.

 

[TheStu]

I'd probably knock the RAM down to DDR3 1333 (-$10), bump the CPU up to the X4 640 (+$24) and get the Three Hundred for a case. That should be right at $700. The rest of your parts look fine.

Sandy Bridge would be nice of course, but it isn't happening without either blowing the budget or significantly compromising the GPU performance.

That sounds good. I will have to change the list for that.

I would just hate to recommend a build with a socket that is essentially dead.

I understand completely, but it is like mfenn said, i can get SB, but then I have to cripple him with a much lesser GPU and he said that the primary purpose is gaming. If I can get him to extend his budget a bit, by about, what $100-125? then maybe SB is an option. Plus, I have noticed that intel stock cooling is quieter than AMD.

 

[MisterDonut]

I would just hate to recommend a build with a socket that is essentially dead.

Dead but not useless. Granted it's not going anywhere, but 1366/1156 didn't have very long lives either. By the time he needs an upgrade from an X4 640, there will probably be another platform or better options than what's offered now.

Like everyone else is suggesting, the 1333 RAM is a better pick over the 1600 as you won't really feel the difference. I'd probably try to squeeze the budget a little for at least the 1GB version, or try and find a slick deal on a 5850, which has dropped as low as ~$165.

 

[mfenn]

If I can get him to extend his budget a bit, by about, what $100-125? then maybe SB is an option. Plus, I have noticed that intel stock cooling is quieter than AMD.

If you wanted to go Sandy Bridge, the mobo would be about $120 ($60 more) and the CPU worth getting would be the i5 2500 for about $210 ($110 more than the 640). So that's about $170 more total.

It'll be quite a bit faster than the Athlon (close to double in some apps, more like 50% in CPU-limited games). The total increase in price would be about 25%, so I'd say that it is a good value for money. The real question is if your neighbor is budget-constrained or not.

 

[mnewsham]

If you wanted to go Sandy Bridge, the mobo would be about $120 ($60 more) and the CPU worth getting would be the i5 2500 for about $210 ($110 more than the 640). So that's about $170 more total.

It'll be quite a bit faster than the Athlon (close to double in some apps, more like 50% in CPU-limited games). The total increase in price would be about 25%, so I'd say that it is a good value for money. The real question is if your neighbor is budget-constrained or not.

My thoughts exactly :thumbsup:

 

[TheStu]

If you wanted to go Sandy Bridge, the mobo would be about $120 ($60 more) and the CPU worth getting would be the i5 2500 for about $210 ($110 more than the 640). So that's about $170 more total.

It'll be quite a bit faster than the Athlon (close to double in some apps, more like 50% in CPU-limited games). The total increase in price would be about 25%, so I'd say that it is a good value for money. The real question is if your neighbor is budget-constrained or not.

Well, when I get a chance to talk to him again (I work nights), I will see what games he plays/wants to play, and also see what his ideal and 'can be done if it is worth it' numbers are.

I saw an AsRock 1155 mATX mobo on the egg for $80, and their larger boards are looking pretty good from what I have read.

I know that SSDs are supposed to be amazing, well... are amazing, but for an average user, is there really much point? Does it help much in games?

 

[mfenn]

Well, when I get a chance to talk to him again (I work nights), I will see what games he plays/wants to play, and also see what his ideal and 'can be done if it is worth it' numbers are.

I saw an AsRock 1155 mATX mobo on the egg for $80, and their larger boards are looking pretty good from what I have read.

I was giving worst case, so you may very well be able to come out cheaper. Underpromise and overdeliver.

I know that SSDs are supposed to be amazing, well... are amazing, but for an average user, is there really much point? Does it help much in games?

No supposed to be about it, they are amazing. They don't help that much in games (outside of MMO's) but the improvements in general responsiveness is great.

 

[TheStu]

I was giving worst case, so you may very well be able to come out cheaper. Underpromise and overdeliver.

Yea, I know what you mean, and there may be some great combos or coupons to use when it happens.

No supposed to be about it, they are amazing. They don't help that much in games (outside of MMO's) but the improvements in general responsiveness is great.

An increase in budget probably means that he can either go Sandy Bridge or SSD, which would give him a better result. Probably Sandy Bridge, I mean regardless it will probably be much faster than his existing system, whatever it might be.

 

[mfenn]

An increase in budget probably means that he can either go Sandy Bridge or SSD, which would give him a better result. Probably Sandy Bridge, I mean regardless it will probably be much faster than his existing system, whatever it might be.

For gaming, the Sandy Bridge would no doubt be the best idea.

 

[BoomerD]

One thing to keep in mind...and I'm surprised that it hasn't been mentioned yet...is that you're setting yourself up to be his full-time tech support for this.

Sometimes, especially when the "friend" isn't particularly "techy,' it's best to just recommend them to Dell or one of the other "pre-built" companies...unless you don't mind being called at all hours and having him expect you to drop everything and come help with "computer problems."

I don't usually mind helping close friends and some family members, but MOST people I tell to buy a name brand for the tech support.

 

[TheStu]

One thing to keep in mind...and I'm surprised that it hasn't been mentioned yet...is that you're setting yourself up to be his full-time tech support for this.

Sometimes, especially when the "friend" isn't particularly "techy,' it's best to just recommend them to Dell or one of the other "pre-built" companies...unless you don't mind being called at all hours and having him expect you to drop everything and come help with "computer problems."

I don't usually mind helping close friends and some family members, but MOST people I tell to buy a name brand for the tech support.

He actually wants to be the one to build it, he just wants my help with picking out the best setup.

However, your point is valid, the best part is though... I am probably moving at the end of the month, so my roommate is on the hook for the support