$1500 for a gaming rig but I don't wanna build it

[nikko]

The last time I built a system it took me a month to get it up and running, so I'd rather avoid the hassle. I don't need a monitor or keyboard/mouse. Just the box itself. In that vein, I have two main questions:

1. What should I be looking to get in terms of a processor, video card, and RAM? I have been out of the loop basically for three years and have no idea what the best bang for buck choices are.

2. Where should I buy the system? I'm leaning toward something from Dell, either one of their XPS systems or an Alienware. Good idea/bad idea?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

What will you be doing with the system

 

[nikko]

What will you be doing with the system

Playing Bad Company 3 on max settings. That's what I hope, anyway

 

[DaveSimmons]

You can put together a nice system for less than that at cyberpower: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

Note that I build my own, I've only window-shopped there.

Good basic system:
- intel i5-2500K CPU
- Z68 chipset motherboard
- 8 GB DDR 1333 RAM (faster RAM does NOT improve gaming performance)
- 1 TB hard drive
- nvidia Geforce 560 ti or AMD 6950
- Windows 7 64-bit

Don't pay extra for factory overclocking or fancy heatsinks. Don't get the i7-2600K for gaming, it's a waste of money.

The next steps up would be
- an intel 510 120GB SSD for the boot drive with a 1 TB data drive (+$300)
- nvidia 570 or AMD 6970

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

At what resolution? And do you mean by max settings smooth fps, also?

 

[nikko]

At what resolution? And do you mean by max settings smooth fps, also?

Resolution is 1920 x 1080. As far as max settings go, I just mean I want to turn on all the bells and whistles (anti-aliasting, etc) as high as they can go while still getting 40 FPS or better.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Well, might as well wait for benches with the BF3 engine, it might take more CPU power than GPU... ???

 

[mfenn]

Well, might as well wait for benches with the BF3 engine, it might take more CPU power than GPU... ???

:thumbsup::thumbsup: Definitely good advice.

As for where to buy, Cyberpower is pretty decent IMHO. Dell XPS can also be good if you get one on sale.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

 

[greenhawk]

Well, might as well wait for benches with the BF3 engine, it might take more CPU power than GPU... ???

generally a good idea, but when looking at say the i5-2500K and a GTX570, their is nothing worth mentioning cost wise any further up the CPU tree for extra performance.

The next fastest processor (ivy bridge) is expected to be March next year, about 6 months after the game is released. Even the next video card release is sometime next year, so 3+months at a guess.

Only GPU increase I can see would be to go SLI, but that can be taken into account but getting a SLI/Crossfire motherboard and a power supply to suit, just in case.

Of course, if you can wait, then no reason to rush in and buy now.

 

[mnewsham]

Even the next video card release is sometime next year, so 3+months at a guess.

Only GPU increase I can see would be to go SLI, but that can be taken into account but getting a SLI/Crossfire motherboard and a power supply to suit, just in case.

Of course, if you can wait, then no reason to rush in and buy now.

The ATI 7000 series has already taped out and is expected for a November release at the moment.

 

[nikko]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'd rather buy now than later on account of my current computer took a dive and I don't want to put any time or money into replacing parts.

 

[wuliheron]

Another option is to get a local repair shop to assemble and overclock a PC for you.

Basically you want an i5 2500k. If an overclocked version of this chip won't do the trick you're pretty much screwed. You buy more expensive ones, but in all likelihood they won't make any real difference.

8gb of ram to go with it. If that's not enough you can always add more later very easily.

Radeon 6950 or gtx 570. They're as good as you can get without reaching seriously diminishing returns for your money. Again, if one isn't good enough you can always add a second one easily later.

 

[nikko]

Another option is to get a local repair shop to assemble and overclock a PC for you.

Basically you want an i5 2500k. If an overclocked version of this chip won't do the trick you're pretty much screwed. You buy more expensive ones, but in all likelihood they won't make any real difference.

8gb of ram to go with it. If that's not enough you can always add more later very easily.

Radeon 6950 or gtx 570. They're as good as you can get without reaching seriously diminishing returns for your money. Again, if one isn't good enough you can always add a second one easily later.

Thanks for the tip. I said that I want to play BF3 on max settings, but I was being semi tongue in cheek. I just want the best overall gaming rig I can get for that pricepoint. if there's not a ton of difference between spending say, $1200 and $1500, I'd rather pocket the money.

 

[DaveSimmons]

The 2500K already does a form of auto-overclocking with Turbo Boost .

I'd suggest sticking with just that (= stock speed) until you have a good reason, that is you find the CPU is really what's holding you back in some game.

Unless you overclock as a hobby or for bragging rights, it's better not to do it without having a real reason. It increases heat, noise, power draw, may shorten the life of the chip and may cause crashes or corrupted game files.

 

[mfenn]

Another option is to get a local repair shop to assemble and overclock a PC for you.

Basically you want an i5 2500k. If an overclocked version of this chip won't do the trick you're pretty much screwed. You buy more expensive ones, but in all likelihood they won't make any real difference.

8gb of ram to go with it. If that's not enough you can always add more later very easily.

Radeon 6950 or gtx 570. They're as good as you can get without reaching seriously diminishing returns for your money. Again, if one isn't good enough you can always add a second one easily later.

:thumbsup: Good general outline. Cyberpower will sell you one of their "Mega Special III" PCs with that spec and Windows 7 for about $1200. Granted, you could save a lot of money by building it yourself, but that isn't worth it to everybody.