View Full Version : Recommended Parts for Building a New Computer
I am no longer keeping this current. If you want help with a computer upgrade or new build please go to this thread (http://www.planetside-universe.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37183).
Sentrosi
2011-07-22, 12:23 PM
Great list here.
I know hexa-core will be real overkill with this game, but if you were to devote two cores to running FRAPS, I wonder what the performance would be compared to running FRAPS on a quad-core with no dedication.
I ask this because I'm looking at a setup that would include a hexa-core processor.
To be honest Sentrosi I do not have any experience recording with FRAPS. If I had to guess it likely wouldn't be that major of a increase. Most games (barring BC2) don't take major advantage of a quad core just yet, so that should be plenty for using FRAPS. Regrading the use of six core CPUs though, the AMD Phenom II X6 is in no mans land at the moment. The 2500K out does it for gaming and many CPU intensive tasks, so that is hard to recommend. With the Intel Gulf Town six core CPU is worth getting depending on what you're doing. The 2600K has stronger cores then a 990X, but not enough to out do it in highly multithreaded tasks. The 990X is still the king of the road on Intel's platform.
Thanks for the list, wish I was buying new for PS2 ^_^. Just going to be getting a new mobo, CPU, and RAM myself, when the specs are announced. Hopefully my $40 MSI rebate will come back before then.
Lol, I hope you get that MIR prior to the specs being released. I got mine about a 1 1/2 months after buying a MSI video card.
Espion
2011-07-22, 05:32 PM
Getting anything other than a 2500K for a CPU atm is just wrong. For a $200 quad that you can bump up to 4GHz and pretty much be guaranteed that it will be stable is too much to pass up.
Would also recommend not going lower than ~120GB for SSDs since the speed of SSDs is dependent on their size. It will be more expensive, but it's worth it. (Intel 510 is the best balance between speed/reliability)
There's also a few antec case/PSU combos you should look at. There's a line of antec PSUs that run cooler and more efficiently than other PSUs, but only fit in a select few of their cases.
I don't think 120GB is crucial at the moment. For a boot drive the only important part is the read as supposed to the write that suffers at lower GB amount. You can tweak the build or above the budget for 120GB, but I think people are better off waiting awhile for prices to come down on the higher GB SSDs. At this point with the speeds we are reaching it won't be as noticeable to users, so I am hoping manufactures start focusing on more GB per $ instead of speed.
Only thing about cases are one case can look ugly to one person and another is the best thing ever. Thats why I think people are better off choosing their own. Antec makes nice PSUs and cases, but they aren't the best in the business.
Espion
2011-07-23, 08:16 PM
I'd assume most people here would want to use their SSD for OS and games, so you need a bit of room for Steam since it doesn't let you install games to custom directories. With W7, Opera, Mumble, Steam, Global Agenda, BC2, planetside, and a 4th game installed on my SSD I'm using 56GB. That would be a real pain in the ass to manage with only a 64GB drive unless you didn't use it for gaming.
Espion you can actually put steam on an SSD and then put the rest on your storage drive using Steam Tool (http://www.stefanjones.ca/steam/). Have you optimized your SSD for storage? You can cut out features you do not need to gain quite bit back, see this here (http://thessdreview.com/ssd-guides/optimization-guides/the-ssd-optimization-guide-2/). You do not have to put every game you own on an SSD as not every game takes advantage of the load times. Even if you load quicker in a FPS for example you still have to wait for the round to start depending on the game. I have about 35 GB of games and Office installed on my 64GB SSD and have no problems using it. Just have to be smart about the games/apps you put on them.
EDIT: I made a $1250 build version including a 128 GB SSD for those who wanted something above a 64 GB one. Though the build will be slightly more expensive depending on the case and any shipping+taxes.
Please don't merge the post of mine below this as I maxed out the char list in the OP and I moved the case list to another post.
Cases:
$70 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112238) - Lian Li Lancool PC-K58W ATX Case
$90 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112235) - Lian Li Lancool PC-K56 ATX Case
$90 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216) - Cooler Master CM690 II Advance ATX Case
$90 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112154) - Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case
$100 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112099) - Lian Li PC-7B Plus II ATX Case
$100 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197) - Cooler Master HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$110 (http://www.amazon.com/Whisper-Black-Power-Aluminum-Computer/dp/B001H9ALF2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1295436362&sr=8-1) - NZXT Whisper WHI - 001BK ATX Full Tower Case
$110 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112251) - Lian Li PC-60FN ATX Case
$110 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112249) - Lian Li PC-7FN ATX Case
$120 (http://www.amazon.com/Velocity-GX2-W-Silver-Classic-Aluminum/dp/B00292BQRI/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1273830564&sr=1-13) - Velocity Micro GX2-W Silver Classic Aluminum Case with Side Window
$127 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352002) - Fractal Design Define R3 Black ATX Case
$140 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146067) - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Full Tower ATX Case
$140 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068) - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Full Tower ATX Case
$140 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112304) - Lian Li PC-9F ATX Case
$143 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146073) - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Orange Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$150 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139003) - Corsair Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
Hamma
2011-08-03, 12:29 PM
Anyone know what the current timeline on Intel's next CPU line is? I'm going to need to build new systems but I don't know if I should wait a while or do it now.
The upcoming Intel CPUs are Sandy Bridge - E and Ivy Bridge. SB-E is the extreme high end targeting processors costing above $450 with quad and six cores coming this winter. Ivy Bridge is the 22nm shrink of Sandy Bridge (Intel's current mainstream) coming out in March of 2012 along with having higher clocks and lower power usage. I don't know your budget, but I would probably just build now if you really want a new PC. The quad core SB line are very good CPUs. There isn't going to be a massive difference between SB and IB.
Hamma
2011-08-03, 12:51 PM
Sounds good especially if it's that long term. :lol:
I would assume i5 vs i7 is not worth the price/performance difference which is why most are suggesting i5's for gaming at this point.
It's hard to keep up on whats going on with hardware, I typically brush up when I build one then totally forget within 6 months. :lol:
Yes i7 is not worth it if you are only gaming. The cream of the crop CPU currently is the 2500K if you are overclocking, these can get to 4.8GHz. If you have no interest in overclocking the 2400 is the best way to go.
Hamma
2011-08-04, 12:26 PM
What are the pros/cons between the different Chipsets?
The H6x series does not allow you to overclock, but lets you use the GPU on the CPU. The P67 allows you to overclock, but not use the GPU on the CPU. Z68 allows to overclock and use the GPU on the CPU. Really what it comes down to is whether or not you are interested in overclocking. You can only overclock the 2500K and 2600K currently on the 1155 socket. If you want to overclock get the P67 if not one of the H6x boards. The Z68 often has a premium over the P67 if you are looking to overclock and as a gamer you will never use the GPU on the CPU, so really isn't worth it.
Hamma
2011-08-04, 01:56 PM
Yea GPU on the CPU seems kind of pointless when you have a beefy vid card. Sounds good - thanks for the pointers :D
Sentrosi
2011-08-04, 03:02 PM
Ok, recommendations on monitors.
I currently game at 1620x1080 on my Westinghouse 22" monitor I purchased at Best Buy three years ago. Been a great monitor, but I see an opportunity to upgrade now.
I've been thinking of getting a 27" monitor, but want HDMI and widescreen 16:9. I see Acer have a few nice ones over on Newegg. But what would you recommend?
I have heard nothing, but good stuff about this Planar 27 inch LCD (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A5251161&dgc=SS&cid=39715&lid=1003769) for $230 at Dell and it has the HDMI input too. That monitor goes for $30 to $70 more depending on the store. I am considering getting their 23 inch 120Hz monitor sometime later this year depending on my bank account.
Review Index:
AMD Radeon HD Graphics:
6750 - ProClockers (http://pro-clockers.com/videocards/1944-sapphire-radeon-hd-6750-video-card.html)
6870 - Hard|OCP (http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/10/21/amd_radeon_hd_6870_6850_video_card_review/1)
6950 1GB - Hard|OCP (http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/02/24/amd_radeon_hd_6950_1gb_performance_review/)
6950 2GB - Hard|OCP (http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/12/14/amd_radeon_hd_6970_6950_video_card_review)
6970 - Hard|OCP
(http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/12/14/amd_radeon_hd_6970_6950_video_card_review)
Nvida GTX Graphics:
460 - Hardware Heaven (http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/998/pg1/nvidia-geforce-gtx-460-graphics-card-launch-review-introduction.html) - See the 6870 review for more comparison
560 Ti - Hard|OCP (http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/01/25/galaxy_geforce_gtx_560_ti_gc_video_card_review/1)
570 - Hard|OCP (http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/02/14/asus_engtx570_video_card_review/1)
Intel Processors:
Pentium G620 - Xbit Labs (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/pentium-g850-g840-g620.html)
Core i3 2100 - AnandTech (http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/1)
Core i5 2500K - AnandTech (http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/1)
I have heard nothing, but good stuff about this Planar 27 inch LCD (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A5251161&dgc=SS&cid=39715&lid=1003769) for $230 at Dell and it has the HDMI input too. That monitor goes for $30 to $70 more depending on the store. I am considering getting their 23 inch 120Hz monitor sometime later this year depending on my bank account.
$230? That's almost $500!
$230? That's almost $500!
That was $230 by default 2 weeks ago. Use coupon PFGNXK95JS4L39 to get it back to that price now.
Found a $13 (after MIR) cheaper MSI 460 GTX that comes clocked slightly faster, has better ratings (71% 5 Eggs vs 68% 5 Eggs and 7% 1 Egg vs 11% 1 Egg), and comes with a free hat(lol): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127518
$175 + $0S/H - $40 MIR = $135
vs
$160 + $8S/H - $20 MIR = $148
EVGA has a lifetime warranty vs MSI's 3 year. In my opinion it worth the extra $10 to have that on top of their top notch CS and step up program.
EVGA has a lifetime warranty vs MSI's 3 year. In my opinion it worth the extra $10 to have that on top of their top notch CS and step up program.
If they have life time warranty then why can I add one year to the warranty for $17?
Newegg:
"Add 1-year extended warranty for only $16.99. (more options)read warranty details"
And why does the step-up site say their products have 3 year warranties?
http://www.evga.com/support/stepup/
If your product has a 3 year warranty purchased on or after 1/1/11 you must also purchase an...
The step-up program is only for 90 days so I don't really see the point of it for the average consumer.
You got me there it was a TR and I did not notice that. I switch these builds up 1 to 2 times a week, so its bound that there maybe a mistake somewhere. AR type video cards are lifetime, so I switched it to that. EVGA was all life time just a year ago roughly, but added in stuff like TR and KR warranties that maybe 2 to 5 years. You have to pay a bit of a premium for the lifetime. See here (http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/) for the codes.
Step up can be valuable to anyone. A new graphics card may come out for the same price and has more performance, so you get a free boost. If that person wants more performance with in those 90 days its easy to step up to a higher end card.
You got me there it was a TR and I did not notice that. I switch these builds up 1 to 2 times a week, so its bound that there maybe a mistake somewhere. AR type video cards are lifetime, so I switched it to that. EVGA was all life time just a year ago roughly, but added in stuff like TR and KR warranties that maybe 2 to 5 years. You have to pay a bit of a premium for the lifetime. See here (http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/) for the codes.
Step up can be valuable to anyone. A new graphics card may come out for the same price and has more performance, so you get a free boost. If that person wants more performance with in those 90 days its easy to step up to a higher end card.
Oh, I wasn't saying it wasn't valuable, just on average I don't see that many people using it.
Look at it this way. If Nvidia brings out a new card series in December and anyone 90 days prior to that can step up to any of those cards. The lines for getting a step up card when that happens is HUGE (http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?&m=673504&mpage=1). You never know what maybe coming around the corner, so its a bit of a insurance plan.
Look at it this way. If Nvidia brings out a new card series in December and anyone 90 days prior to that can step up to any of those cards. The lines for getting a step up card when that happens is HUGE. You never know what maybe coming around the corner, so its a bit of a insurance plan.
I guess. At least I managed to ensure anyone who follows your guide will get life time warranty.
I guess. At least I managed to ensure anyone who follows your guide will get life time warranty.
Hmm to be honest I do not think anyone has gotten anything off this yet anyway, so I think I am safe ;). Worse case I would of noticed it shortly when I would be redoing the builds.
Hamma
2011-08-16, 11:22 PM
Someone has although it wasn't the video card as far as I can tell :lol:
That $1.06? Can you tell what was ordered?
Hamma
2011-08-16, 11:43 PM
All I can tell is it was 50 some dollars.
Hmm to be honest I do not think anyone has gotten anything off this yet anyway, so I think I am safe ;). Worse case I would of noticed it shortly when I would be redoing the builds.
I was shopping around for a new hard drive and ended up buying the one you had listed, if that counts.
That Samsung F3 1TB? If so thats a great HDD. One of the fastest HDD on the market at the moment while being cheap. What I meant was a total build from the $500 to $1250.
Yeah, I was going to get something with only 500GB then I saw that on newegg was 2x the size for $8 more. Came back here and realized that's the one you recommended.
Ran some unigine heaven benchmark, this HDD increased by score by 24. Yay.
Hey Goku, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231417&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL082511&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL082511-_-EMC-082511-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20231417-L01A is available for $38.99 with "EMCKBHE24" promo code.
It's the exact same as the ram you linked.
Unsticking/closing this thread and making a new questionnaire sticky for people to answer questions to customize a build for their own needs.
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