• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Getting started in PC gaming

O

o.0

Junior Member
And in short, I'm lost.

For starters, my family only has Apple computers, so I don't don't have too much experience with PC's.

The PC I plan on building will probably primarily used for gaming and surfing the web. I have no current parts for PC's and I have no preferences for brands (because I'm new to this). I don't need my gaming to be any higher than 720p.

Now to the goods.:awe:
http://bit.ly/14DEv

I suppose that will be my build as of now just because it is all ready compiled and I know all the parts are compatible with each other. I plan on building it throughout the summer.

What I was wondering was if there are any additions or improvements I should know about. I'm willing to spend about $800-900 and I'll probably be buying most of the parts individually.

And should I install Windows 7 or Linux, or something else?
 
Hi o.0, welcome to Anandtech.

That list is outdated (>1.5yrs). Also, I don't recommend buying parts piecemeal - a computer's not really something you build throughout a summer, it's something you build when you have a few hours to spare (it's not hard, even for a first timer). Plus, most parts have a 14 or 30 day return window - sucks when you discover a part's DOA & instead of exchanging it for another new product quickly, you have to RMA it for a refurb.

If you're not familiar already, the most popular online hardware vendors include Newegg & Ewiz. I usually go with Newegg simply because they always take care of me when shit happens (and shit will happen eventually when building PCs, ha).

You'll need to create a (free) account with Newegg, I think, to see this list:
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=14066872
Total is $740.63 shipped, with $40 in rebates.

The CPU is a triple core AMD processor that offers unbeatable performance, especially in games, for the price. The motherboard is well-built and based on DDR3, the newest RAM standard. This cpu/board/RAM combo could very easily be upgraded to a quad or hexacore processor in a few years when you can get those dirt cheap.

The hard drive is one of the fastest 7200rpm drives and should have plenty of storage space. If you don't need that much space, you could shave $30 off the cost by getting a 500gb disk.

The video card is considered a price/performance standout, though if you're not running the latest and greatest, you could probably make do with a 5750, GTS250, or even GT240-based card and save more money.

Corsair makes excellent PSUs, and this unit is more than capable of powering this system. More generally, many people cheap out on the power supply - don't. Garbage PSUs with grossly inflated wattage ratings can be had for not much money, but they generally aren't worth even that little.

The Antec 300 is a well-built, relatively inexpensive case with excellent airflow and easy cable management. Case appearance preferences are subjective though so shop around.

Finally, if you or a friend or a relative happen to be a college student, students can often get software, including OSs, for relatively cheap from school. E.g. I can get Windows 7 Home Premium for $20 and the entire Office 2010 suite for free. So check into that before buying the OS.
 
I can recommend the MSI 890GX board. Its cheap, feature rich (USB 3.0, 6Gbs SATA, 140W CPU capacity), and well built. The gigabyte boards should also be very solid as well, just saying incase you find a deal on a open box MSI.
Also, the Phenom II x3 720 BE or x2 555 BE offer excellent performance per $, and bring with it 6mbs of L3 cache and will with a click of a button OC to at least 3.3-3.5Ghz out of the box +/- a core unlock.

Good luck with the build, and yes it beast to get all the hardware at once and them put it together quickly to avoid issues with returns.
 
I guess I didn't notice the date on the article... Thanks for the help guys, I'm glad I'll soon be diving into the world of PC gaming. I'll be glad to get out of console gaming. (I'm tired of paying 60 bucks for games). Thanks again!
 
Just two comments on giga's build.

This ram is only a 1$ more and a step up in speed.

And for 15-20$ more, you can get any of these 3 mobos, which are basically the one he listed but a revision newer. They have sata/USB3, and the current-gen chipsets. However, the crossfire capable one in that comparison is an open box. I personally am a big fan of the ud3.

Just wondering, what size (and resolution?) monitor do you have/want to have? 720P is a pretty low-end resolution for PCs, so unless you have a monitor/HDTV with that res for cheap I'd recommend against it.

Just a note on PC gaming as a whole, the graphics are better, the experience customizable, and the controls blow console's out of the water.

Another sidenote on the processors: the Athlon X4 635 and Phenom2 X3 720 are both roughly 100$, and offer basically the same price/performance as the Athlon X3.
 
Last edited:
o.0 said:
The PC I plan on building will probably primarily used for gaming and surfing the web. I have no current parts for PC's and I have no preferences for brands (because I'm new to this). I don't need my gaming to be any higher than 720p.
Click to expand...

Oh, you may not think that you need to game at higher than 720P right now, but trust me, you do. I would recommend getting a 23"-24" 1080P monitor with your build. Once you set the resolution to 1080P, you'll wonder how you ever lived with the pixelated nightmare that is 720P gaming.

EDIT: Here's an ASUS 23" 1080P monitor for $160 AR. That is within your budget if you go with Giga's build.
 
Last edited:
Do you live by Fry's? (there are 18 in California, so I'm willing to bet you do) They have some pretty ridiculous combo deals right now. http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2028112

Ones that jump out at me are:

35$ more for a hexacore Phenom 2+MSI 800 series mobo. Twice as many cores, L3 cache, much nicer mobo. Combo # 6284380 200$

105$ less for the same X3 Athlon 2 and the one step down mobo. Similiar specs besides the IGP, a lot cheaper. PLU 6226660 60$

Prices in relation to the CPU+Mobo in Giga's list.

There's also some pretty crazy coupon deals: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1529855 For example, a blu-ray drive for 54$. 10% all LG monitors.

All of the above deals end soon, but you can get some serious price/performance with them.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top