a mom in need of advice for gaming computer

[Amyintx]

Hi,

I want to get a gaming computer for my son. I have someone that will build it for me and this is what he said to get.

Thoughts?

AMD phenom II x4 quad core 3.4ghz processor
--biostar am3 motherboard
-- 8GB ddr3 gaming memory
--Western Digital 750GB 7200rpm sata hard drive
--evga nvidia geforce gts 450 video card with 1GB gddr5 memory
--video card upgradable
--antec gunmetal tower computer case with cooler master 550w power supply
--22x dvd+/-rw burner

I just want to make sure I get a good one for him.
Thanks!

 

[ShreddedWheat]

You have come to a good place for help.

Do you know what kind of games he likes to play.
Also what size monitor and what resolution will he be playing at?

When you said "this is what he said to get" was that from your son or the person building the computer?

What is your budget?

Until you provide some more information here is some advice on the above. The AMD Phenom II is "OLD" by technology terms but is still capable for gaming but there are better options.

The memory amount is good, harddrive is good, case is good, power supply might need to be higher wattage depending on video card.

Video card is ok but there are better options for a bit more money.

Video card upgradeable - not neccessarily true today but I would recommend getting a motherboard that supports SLI or Crossfire which allows 2 video cards to be used in sync with each other which the second card can be added later (upgradeable so to speak).

Robert

 

[krnmastersgt]

This belongs more in the General Hardware subsection. Just make a thread there with answers to the questions in this sticky.

That aside, I wish my mother was more like you

Also that's an OK system but not what I would recommend considering how much it will probably cost. Lots of bling that you're paying for with those parts from just a cursory glance.

 

[Amyintx]

Thanks!
The components are what the guy building told me after I told him what he will be playing. The games he plays are World Of Warcraft, Diablo III, and Skyrim.
He uses his TV which is a 32" flatscreen. It's 7 something not 1080. I asked about the geforce GTX 670 cause I read somewhere that it is really good, but the guy told me that is like $400 just for that..sooo it took me out of my budget of $650. Any advice?

I appreciate it soooo much!

 

[Amyintx]

I tried going to the "sticky" but It didn't work..

 

[krnmastersgt]

The GTX 670 would be complete overkill for your intended resolution of 1280x720, and would indeed wipe out most of your budget.

Since it seems you prefer that I answer your questions here instead of Gen Hardware:
1. I'm going to assume you need a Windows license to go with this so that's $100 right there (unless the guy building him has a multi-system key and sells it to you for less, hopefully he's trustworthy).
2. Do you need a mice/keyboard to go with this?
3. Are you going to order the parts to his shop/place and then he'll build it for you or is he supposed to handle the ordering as well?
4. How old is your son? I ask in regards to the possibility of adding an SSD but he'd have to understand the problems inherent with it for the massive bonuses it provides.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121 Just try that direct link then.

Edit: If you'd like, I could create a thread there on your behalf with whatever answers you've given me and just have you provide the rest there.

 

[Smoblikat]

The phenom 2 isnt that good compared to a nice SB I5 or an i3, which the I3 is MUCh better and cheaper. Get an ASUS, ASrock, MSI, Gigabyte motherboard. Biostar is low end cheapo deluxe. GTS 450 would be a great card, but see if you can get a GTX 460/HD6770. They should be only slightly more than the 450, or even look on craigslist for a used HD6850 which is better than all of those. None of teh cards are more than 150$ so look around and im sure you can find somthing. 8gb RAM is perfect, even 4gb is plenty. The power supply is a little iffy since its coolermaster and they are generally lower mid range units and ive seen a few fail and take everything with them. Ask for an antec unit, the 420w unit or the 380w unit will be fine (even the 350w unit). The case would be fine sine there arent any really hot parts on there and the hard drive is fine as long as it isnt caviar green.