Gaming PC build advice? Help?!

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NomarFachix

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Feb 7, 2011
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Hey, I posted this topic in the PC Gaming forum, and I was told that was the incorrect place for it... If an admin/mod could erase it for me over there, I'd appreciate it :)

--Hey all! I've had a few PCs in my life, but never one of any competence... I'm looking to build a gaming PC in a few weeks. It will be my first PC build!

I'm not going to lie, and I'm not sure how the game is received on this forum... but I'll likely do most of my gaming on WoW. My old PC ran the game at 4 FPS, which made it literally unplayable. Other games, like TF2 wouldn't even boot. I'd like to dabble in new releases, FPS's, etc. as well.

I have anywhere up to $1,000 (maybe even a bit more) to spend, obviously would like to spend as little as possible while still optimizing effectiveness of the machine. I do have a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and speakers... Though they could all use an upgrade. A new monitor over the rest.

Can anyone throw me some guidance? I live in the US and any reliable internet shop would be just fine. I'm really excited about the build, but I'm nervous about picking out parts. I have literally no experience, and don't want to go wrong. Can anyone help me out? I've heard of and trust this community will be able to give me good suggestions!

Thanks in advance, fellas (and ladies).
 
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NomarFachix

Member
Feb 7, 2011
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I don't need a new monitor, but could certainly use an upgrade if it fits after the PC parts. Definitely need Windows 7.
 
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mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
Mnewsham's build looks pretty good, though my opinion is that 21.5" is a little too small for 1080P (YMMV). I would probably spend a few extra bucks to get a monitor in the 23-24" range like this ASUS VH242H.
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
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mfenn said:
Mnewsham's build looks pretty good, though my opinion is that 21.5" is a little too small for 1080P (YMMV). I would probably spend a few extra bucks to get a monitor in the 23-24" range like this ASUS VH242H.
Click to expand...

21.5 is okay, but yes if you can fit a 23 inch in there that would be better :p
 
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NomarFachix

Member
Feb 7, 2011
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Thanks for the build, and I'm glad to see people agreeing with it already :)

A friend of mine looked it over and suggested this video card instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-565-_-Product

That puts me over what I was looking to spend, but if it will make a noticeable difference in performance, I'd strongly consider it (and the monitor upgrade, too). What do you think?
 
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NomarFachix

Member
Feb 7, 2011
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Thanks for the build advice, it's nice to see it getting positive reviews already :)

My last post isn't showing up for some reason... Maybe because I posted a link and I'm new... But a buddy told me to upgrade the 460 gc to a 560, would that make a noticeable difference? It puts me over my budget, but I'd consider it if it makes a large difference (as with the monitor, as well).
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
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it would be a 10-15% difference? for 20 some odd percent more (price wise)
 
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NomarFachix

Member
Feb 7, 2011
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So you think the 460 is just fine? I'm super new at this, haha. Sorry to be a pain. If this machine was for you personally, what would you choose to do? Go up to $1,050ish for the 560 or stay around $980 for the 460?
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
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I would go with the 460 now for $50 less and start saving up for the new 28nm GPU's in early 2012/late 2011
 
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NomarFachix

Member
Feb 7, 2011
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Thanks :)

It'll be a little bit before my check rolls in, maybe two weeks or so, give or take a few days. I'll check back in with you before making purchases to ensure all the pieces are the same, and I very much appreciate the trouble you've gone through to help me!

Just to make sure, this is EVERYTHING I'd need to run the PC, assuming I already have a keyboard, mouse, and speakers?
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
That is everything, if you wanted to wait a few months you could get a newer processor but seeing as you are new to the computer crowed last generation should suit you fine for a good gaming budget build, check back when you are ready to order and i might be able to find you some good combo's on the egg and cut the cost and maybe get you something a little better ;)
 
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NomarFachix

Member
Feb 7, 2011
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Getting closer to the check, shouldn't be more than another week or so. As I get closer to it... I'm getting worried. Am I going to be able to pull off a build on my own, having no experience building? I'm sure there will be some detailed information I can find on the web for a step by step, but I'm still pretty anxious/nervous/worried about this.

Any feedback?
 
fffblackmage

fffblackmage

Platinum Member
Dec 28, 2007
2,548
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^ Google for instructions/how-to's/guides or simply read the manuals that come with the parts you'll be ordering. The manual for the mobo, in particular, should cover most of the building, like installing the cpu and ram, and connecting cables and whatnot.

If you get stuck during the build, feel free to ask for help.
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
136
Nothing too hard about it, just follow directions and if you are unclear about anything then ask ;)
 
f4phantom2500

f4phantom2500

Platinum Member
Dec 3, 2006
2,284
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NomarFachix said:
So... here's what I'm currently running with, if you want some insight into how badly I've been suffering with this computer :\

http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=1670285

I showed a buddy, and he laughed for a good while that I had a Sempron... haha. Not that I have any insight, but I'm assuming that Sempron's are bad.
Click to expand...

oh dude this computer is gonna be a huuuge upgrade for you, and regarding 460 vs 560 either one will be a TREMENDOUSLY TREMENDOUS upgrade from a radeon 9250. for an idea:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews...e-gtx-560-ti-gaming-graphics-card,2857-7.html

that chart roughly categorizes video cards into performance tiers. the radeon 9250 a low-end introductory card from the radeon 9000 series, which is...at least 6 generations old. for the record, from my experience, modern day integrated graphics are about on par with the high-end radeon 9000 series. the gtx 460 1gb is 22 tiers above your 9250, while the 560 ti is 1 tier above the gtx 460...so...yeah...not saying it isn't a worthwhile upgrade from the 460 to 560, just saying you will be immensely pleased either way. to me, if it came down to getting the 460 and a monitor or the 560 and using your old monitor, i'd say get the 460 and a monitor.

if noise is a concern for you, though, that 460 listed is supposedly rather loud...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127519

there's one with a good cooler (same as that 560, in fact), and it is rather a cheaper 460, but it is the 768mb version. while this is a bit of a step back, it'll still be a monstrous upgrade and would be much quieter. alternatively here's the 1gb version

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127518

although it is a tad more than the gigabyte 460 1gb, if having a quiet(er) computer is important to you then it's something worth considering.

that sempron is basically a neutered athlon 64 (less cache). the athlon 64 line is the single core variant of the athlon 64 x2 line, which predates the amd phenom i line, which predates the amd phenom ii line, which is more or less on par with the intel core 2 line, which is inferior to the architecture behind the core i5 760 that you selected there. so, each individual core of the i5 is notably faster than a chip that's notably faster than a chip that's notably faster than the chip that your sempron is a neutered down version of...not to mention the fact that there's 4 cores and a much higher clock speed (also the core i5 will overclock quite well, if that's something you're interested in getting into...but even at stock it'll blow you away).
 
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BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,279
14,699
146
What f4phantom2500 said.

Like you, I hadn't upgraded my PC in many years. I went from a socket 478 P4 Northwood with ATi X850XT PE (AGP) that was originally built in 2003 (with board and video card replaced in 2005) to an i5-760 and EVGA GTX460 rig this past December.

What a difference!! It's like I've entered the world of modern computing all over again!!
I haven't bought any new games since 2006 because my old computer just wouldn't play them...or not well anyway...BF2 would chug along at 25-30 FPS if I had the eye candy turned up...now, I play it at over 10 FPS, not only with the full eye candy from the game, but with extra enhancements from the nVidia software. Games LOOK better, play better, and while I'm still bored with them after playing them for so many years, they're more fun and visually appealing than they've ever been.

(I'm starting to look for a few new games...) :p
 
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