Looking to build first gaming PC.

[Avishek]

I'm a senior in highschool and have been thinking about getting a computer of my own for a while now. But now that I'll be going off to college I think it is definitely time to get one.
I'm looking to build a gaming computer for 800 -maybe a little more -dollars.

My plan is to build this PC, buy a 2-300 dollar netbook to take to classes for notes or for browsing the internet on the couch/in bed/wherever, and then have both set up on some kind of home network so that I can easily transfer documents or various other files from one computer to the other. It seems like a good idea to me. Rather than buying a gaming laptop for God knows how much.

Anyways, I don't really know where to start with building. I figure there a lists of other people's already built machines or something. So constructive feedback would be much appreciated.

List of games I currently plan on playing on this machine: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Diablo 3, Portal 2, and Minecraft. And I'm sure a vast array of others.

 

[dma0991]

Hi, welcome to AnandTech Forums.

Yes I do suggest that you go ahead with getting a desktop for $800 + $300 for a netbook. I have carried a gaming notebook before and it weighs a ton if you intend to bring it to classes. The battery life of a gaming notebook is also bad if you intend to use it for the whole day.

You can start off with a Core i5 2400 or better if budget permits and a H67 motherboard. Around 4-8GB of RAM from GSkill should be more than enough for the regular user and a mid range GPU like the HD6950 1GB/GTX 560 Ti. A 500-600W PSU from Corsair, Seasonic, Silverstone or Antec will be good. Others would be a casing, DVD drive and HDD of your choice.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3-3.7GHz Turbo Unlocked Multiplier
MSI P67A-C43 B3 P67 SATA6Gb/s USB3.0 ATX
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333MHz
EVGA 01G-P3-1366-TR GeForce GTX 460 SE (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-591-_-Product
Samsung F3 1TB SATA II 3.0Gb/s
ASUS SATA 24X DVD Burner
Antec Three Hundred Illusion 3x120mm+1x140mm
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus

there you go

 

[aphelion02]

Do you need windows / monitor / mouse / speakers? Good place to start would be to fill out the questions in the sticky on top.

Edit:Another thing to consider, do you have room in your dorm for a mid-tower ATX? You might wish to consider a m-ATX case.

 

[Texashiker]

EVGA 01G-P3-1366-TR GeForce GTX 460 SE (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Or, for around the same price range of the 460, you can get a Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 with 1 GB of memory.

The 6850 has:
1 x HDMI
1 x DisplayPort
2 x DVI

The 460 has:
1 x mini HDMI
2 x DVI

If you want to use the new Displayport, then go with the 6850.

 

[yottabit]

I would recommend against the GTX460 SE... it's a crippled version of the normal GTX460. A GTX 460 768 meg or GTX 460 1 GB would be faster, and I'd definitely recommend the 1 GB as a minimum for your budget.

 

[aphelion02]

I went for an m-ATX mobo and case because I feel that works best in a dorm setting. You can change it to the HAF 912 and an ATX mobo for a little more if you feel the need.

Also:, if you don't overclock, you can cut the 2500k down to something like the 2400, remove the HSF, and get an H61 mobo: could save up to $100. However since this rig probably should last you 4 years I recommend going with the OC.

LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS70 - OEM $21

XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V REV.W with ACK-I5361 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler I7 i5 775 1155 ... $50 - $20 MIR

NZXT M59 - 001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case +
CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 CMPSU-430CX 430W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply $85 - $10 MIR

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K +
MSI R6870 Twin Frozr II Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with ... $430- $15 MIR

ASUS P8P67-M (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard +
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBSR $190

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $65

Promo codes: EMCKFJE34 (10% for PSU)+ EMCKFJE35(10% for case) + EMCKFJE36 (10% for HSF) = -$15.50

Total: $740.87 + $21.52 (shipping) -$15.50 (promos) = $ 846.89 with $45 MIR = $801.89 after MIR

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

forgot the psu there OP
SeaSonic M12II 620W 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID=


change the gtx 460 with this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-333-_-Product

 

[aphelion02]

Liukang, how much does that come out to? That PSU seems overkill.

 

[Avishek]

I went for an m-ATX mobo and case because I feel that works best in a dorm setting. You can change it to the HAF 912 and an ATX mobo for a little more if you feel the need.

Thanks for all of the help! This has all been a little bit overwhelming. I haven't been able to reply. Anyways...

On the subject of rooming. I'll either be staying in an apartment or living in a house with a friend. So I'll most likely end up having at least a little bit more space than in a dorm.

I checked the Sticky posts. They were very helpful.I've been looking through the lists of 2011 builds. I'm seeing some things that I think would be good. But I will check out other things people have posted.

I'd like more feedback on the Desktop/Netbook home network setup if anyone has anything to say. I personally think it would be a good setup. I could definitely see it being convenient in many areas.

Right now the two things I have picked out (not necessarily indefinitely) are these:

Processor:
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7 Turbo Boost)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UB3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128476

And that's it so far. Let me know if I'm going on the right track.

 

[aphelion02]

Avishek, don't pick things out piece by piece, otherwise you can miss taking advantage of combo deals. The parts you listed individually are good, they also come in a combo for $20 less. The netbook / budget gaming PC set up is solid, I wish I did that when I first went to college.

Also, please answer the questions in the sticky here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

 

[Avishek]

Avishek, don't pick things out piece by piece, otherwise you can miss taking advantage of combo deals. The parts you listed individually are good, they also come in a combo for $20 less. The netbook / budget gaming PC set up is solid, I wish I did that when I first went to college.

Also, please answer the questions in the sticky here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
-My PC will be used for gaming.
Edit: It will also be used for school related things such as writing papers.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
-Up to 900 dollars.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
-Assuming Newegg ships from the US... The 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.
-No preference. Whatever compares best to others of the same quality is fine.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
-The only things I would probably end up using are things like moniter, mouse, keyboard.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
-I have not.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
-I'm not to learned in the ways of overclocking. But I hope to learn about it and will eventually use it.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
-I don't know much about resolution. Especially when it comes to gaming.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
-ASAP

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

Edit: Here you are. And thanks again for the input.

 

[VirtualLarry]

change the gtx 460 with this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-333-_-Product

Those are a little pricy, but they are very nice. I own two of them. Very quiet, even when overclocked and running F@H to keep the temps up around 77C, forgot what the fan percentage is. I think 40-50% fan. Overclocked to 840 without changing the voltage. Factory OC is 715Mhz.

 

[mnewsham]

First off, are we including Windows 7 in this build or are you acquiring it by some "other" means?

 

[Avishek]

First off, are we including Windows 7 in this build or are you acquiring it by some "other" means?

"Other means" would be nice. But I'm not sure if purchasing it would be better. Suggestions?

 

[mnewsham]

Here are two builds, one with windows 7 and one without.

With windows 7:

CD/DVD
Case
HDD
GPU
PSU
RAM
Windows 7
HSF
MB/CPU combo


Total: $898.90 - $35 MIR = $863.90

Without Windows 7:

CD/DVD
Case
HDD
GPU
RAM
PSU/MB combo
HSF/CPU combo


Total: $925.91 - $40 in MIR = $885.91

Alternate GPU

Total with alternate GPU: $915.91 - $40 in MIR = $875.91

GPU comparison

For anyone who has not heard of Thortech here is a review of their 1200w PSU by jonnyGURU


my $0.02


I recommend acquiring windows 7 in the way that best suites your needs, i trust however whatever you do it will be completely legal.

 

[aphelion02]

Some changes to use an ATX mobo + case. Edit: Changed to get EVGA GTX 560ti OC.

LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS70 - OEM $21

XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V REV.W with ACK-I5361 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler I7 i5 775 1155 ... $50 - $20 MIR

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $60 - $10 MIR

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 CMPSU-430CX 430W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply $45 - $10 MIR

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard +
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBSR $185

EVGA 01G-P3-1563-A1 GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) Maximum Graphics Edition Crysis 2 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP +
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K $504-$30MIR

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $65

Windows 7 Professional with student discount :
http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/windows/buynow/default.aspx
$30

Promo codes: EMCKFJE34 (10% for PSU)+ EMCKFJE36 (10% for HSF) = -$15.50

Total: $959.86 + $3.99 (shipping) -$9.50 (promos) = $954.35 with $70 MIR = $884.35 after MIR, with free Crysis 2

 

[Avishek]

Some changes to use an ATX mobo + case. You still have some leeway to make changes, maybe better keyboard / mouse, better case, or a better graphics card?

LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS70 - OEM $21

XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V REV.W with ACK-I5361 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler I7 i5 775 1155 ... $50 - $20 MIR

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $60 - $10 MIR

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 CMPSU-430CX 430W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply $45 - $10 MIR

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard +
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBSR $185

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K +
MSI R6870 Twin Frozr II Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with ... $430- $15 MIR

ASUS P8P67-M (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard +
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBSR $190

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $65

Windows 7 Professional with student discount :
http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/windows/buynow/default.aspx
$30

Promo codes: EMCKFJE34 (10% for PSU)+ EMCKFJE36 (10% for HSF) = -$15.50

Total: $$855.87 + $8.71 (shipping) -$9.50 (promos) = $ 855.08 with $55 MIR = $800.08 after MIR

This seems like a really nice deal. Especially with the Windos 7 student discount. Will the graphics card that comes with the processor stand up to high end 3D graphics such as D3 and Skryim? And the cooling unit says Intel i7 compatible? Will having the i5 cause a problem of some kind?

 

[mnewsham]

This seems like a really nice deal. Especially with the Windos 7 student discount. Will the graphics card that comes with the processor stand up to high end 3D graphics such as D3 and Skryim? And the cooling unit says Intel i7 compatible? Will having the i5 cause a problem of some kind?

It is a nice build, i would spend some more money on a better GPU the 6870 is good but it isn't the best.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/290

If you get a small GPU now (6870/6850) then you can put money aside for a GPU upgrade around Christmas time (when the higher end 28nm GPU's are expected to release) not to mention Skyrim wont even be out til November xD

Also the i7 compatible thing is just a marketing thing as long as it fits the socket (which it does) then you wont have problems.

 

[aphelion02]

I changed it to a GTX 560ti OC . That should definitely take care of most gaming needs.

 

[Avishek]

It is a nice build, i would spend some more money on a better GPU the 6870 is good but it isn't the best.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/290

If you get a small GPU now (6870/6850) then you can put money aside for a GPU upgrade around Christmas time (when the higher end 28nm GPU's are expected to release) not to mention Skyrim wont even be out til November xD

Also the i7 compatible thing is just a marketing thing as long as it fits the socket (which it does) then you wont have problems.

So you're saying I should go with the GPU with the processor deal? And upgrade later?

not to mention Skyrim wont even be out til November xD

And I know. D3 and that are just the main things I'm looking forward to right now. Haha

 

[aphelion02]

Avishek, look at my revised build, I think if you are worried about gaming performance that should satisfy your problems. Its only $50 more for a OCed version from a top end manufacturer and comes with a copy of Crysis 2 (not to mention shirt and poster XD).

The original HD6870 is an upper midend card, it should play the games you listed on high (assuming a resolution of 1920x080), but possibily not max and maybe not full AA in all games.

Also, in the build you quoted, I forgot to add the cost of the OS . That's fixed in my revised post.

 

[Avishek]

I changed it to a GTX 560ti OC . That should definitely take care of most gaming needs.

You are basically my hero. Thank you. Haha. I think I will definitely go with this build.

Another question for everybody: For the networking idea, do I have to have the same bit version for Windows 7 on the netbook as on the desktop? What would happen would be that I would have professional on the laptop, and starter on the netbook. Also, do they have to be the same bit system?

Thanks for everything!

 

[aphelion02]

Mmm, I'm wondering now that we've switched to the 560ti OC, if that PSU would be enough. I think it is, but I'd like a sanity check form everyone here.

 

[aphelion02]

Get this PSU if 430W is too slim:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-016-_-Product

It should turn out to be $15 more.