Ok, im in the process of getting some funds together (have around 1k between birthday/stocked money and awaiting payment from my other job). And lets just say my computer isn't top notch, it can run WoW good, aion decent. It is an older alienware laptop that i bought of my friend for a good price and it has served me well for a few years but now im ready to drop some cash for an upgrade. Checked out some different places (dell/alienware/hp/gateway) and obviously there either bad, or way too expensive. A more recent site that i am checking out is velocitymicro.com, has some good reviews and they do custom work and i configured a box for a solid machine (will outperform my laptop by quite a bit). The question is, should i pick one up from a site like that, or should i build my own? I really dont have much experience with building my own computers so it would be a bit hairy. My friend said he would help me....when he got the time so who knows when that would happen. Planning on dropping anywhere from 1200-1700$ total when its all done, i already have my own monitor so i only have to buy the computer. Anyone know of any "guides" on how to build computers or is it an aquired knowledge from someone? If its relatively easy, i can get the part list i want and go to a place i know that sells computer parts relatively cheap. Any advice/help is greatly appreciated, im one of the people that is very good with the things i use/play with (paintball/computers/ect) but don't do my own maintenance unless its minor.
Basically if you can put together a lego set you can put together a computer it's pretty easy. just make sure you don't do it on a floor with carpet the static could fry pieces. Don't sweat it, take it slow, and you'll be fine.
Tom's Hardware is EXCELLENT for beginner computer-put-together-er's. Also, don't get a laptop /facepalm I've built my last 3 cases so if you need any suggestions just PM me or we can talk in vent sometime when you get somewhat of a list together.
Building a computer with buying parts from factory outlet websites in my opinion is the most efficient way to do it. For around $1700 you could easily get a computer that can run all current MMOs at highest settings without any frame rate and performance issues (in theory). I know of some Canadian sites which offer great prices but I don't know if those would be of any benefit to you. I also agree that Tom's Hardware is a great site for trouble shooting and building/modding guides for computers.
I have a micro center over by my house, they sell everything. Gonna head over there in the near future (mabye tommorow) with my dad thats a computer guy and price out some stuff. http://www.microcenter.com/index.html <-- the site that im checking out prices on. I think its the closest place with the cheapest prices around me. If need be im gonna pick up parts as i get money (work weekends so ill head over there on sunday to make sure i dont spend my money on something else). Thanks for the info guys!
It doesn't really take that much money to build something that can run all the current games. I usually spent less than 600 dollars whenever I build a new system every few years. CPU and graphics card can be big money sinks so stay away from intel's new Bullshitireon and the likes and you should be fine.
1600-1700 without a monitor. You can spend about 1000 and alittle less to run all current MMO's at high settings. a 1600-1700 computer should last you years and in all honesty is a waste in money since the prices will drop anyways. Also the new Chips coming out are over priced like normal. If you get a quad core, there are not a game out there that will use it yet. You can also SLi or cross fire but a 250 would be perfectly fine. I just don't find a reason to spend so much on equipment that will be cheaper later on. I do build over time computers. I replace this one year and another next year. Only thing i recommend though is waiting for the i7 or i5 since they will be using different pin set, which means a different mother board. Again though, no game yet is useing a quad core and is perfect. IMO
AMD is falling behind currently and if you click the link i sent you and goto Intel quad it would meet any need that you might need.
Either AMD or intel, all I'm saying is not to go for the brand new latest model they have since they cost too much and you won't even notice any difference from something you spend 1000 dollars on compared to something that's like 200-400 dollars.
Ok here's the list that im thinking of right now. Critiques and such are appreciated. Proccessor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 Cooling - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118046 Video Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130467 RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188033 Sound card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102024 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006 Power supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009 One thing im curious about is the sound cards, there both the same price, rabbits site said the titanium one would be a better choice, curious about the prices being the same and PCI seems to be the same as well. Any thoughts on the list i have set up at the current time is appreciated, especially if you see any size problems/port problems (mainly with the graphics cards and such) but i think i made sure that they all worked based on ports. I didn't add in the case/hard-drive because i feel that they dont make a huge impact and i can figure out which one i need to get based mainly on the price and size. Chose a larger hard-drive (750gig), with everything except the case its priced out around 930$. If i feel the need i can easily shave off ~200$ with the alternate items i have on my list.
I don't like either of your processors. I am a big fan of http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115057 It is the same price but a quad core and also can be OC really well. People are clocking it at 3.35, i would look more at it getting it to 3.1 or so. It will also be around for longer. (theres a chart out there comparing each chip to each other in speed and what not, ill see if i can find it) The Graphics card I would at this point get a 250 oc one you have up. It will run the game as you want, but not empty your pockets. Also though if you wanted you could do dual video cards of a lesser quality, maybe just two 250's. Havn't tested one out but the theory it should be good.
What's the point of quad cores when the other 2 cores sit idle 95% of the time? Especially with games.
Games should be coming out real soon that will utilize them, Just saying the price is the same so why not? You only gain what .6 ghz from the core. When games start requiring quad core you'll just be spending more money. Although, in non gaming situations you will see the difference. My computer was Pent-D and was screwed when games went into dual core. My laptop that runs on dual core can't even run the new games out.
Thanks for the input, confused what you meant about the video cards though. Explanation please! = P "The Graphics card I would at this point get a 250 oc one you have up. It will run the game as you want, but not empty your pockets." Confused me...sorryz! I will hop on vent tommorow sometime to talk, then im gonna head out to microcenter and price stuff out there (not sure if it will be cheaper or more expensive due to shipping and all that). Thanks all for the info this far!! very appreciated!
I would just get the GTX260. It's a little bit more but if you have the money I'd suggest getting it. It's what I'm going to upgrade to I'm using a 9800GT 512MB, and I was getting 130FPS running around. I think lowest I was getting was maybe 40FPS. The 260 has 100+ stream processors. It's up to you though, you can always do the... 90 day step up program. =] That's what i'm doing so a new GPU is only 90bucks =D
If you decide to buy instead of build and happen to find a Dell you like, I can send you an employee purchase coupon that will save you 17%. I only get 1 per quarter but haven used one yet this quarter. Just let me know