Looking to get into pc gaming

[guidedbyechoes]

I've been a console gamer for most of my life besides a few rts here and there. I'm finally ready to take the plunge, and build my own rig. The thing is, I would like for it to be able to handle the next gen of games and basic video editing. SO I would love some input about would a quad core be enough, or do I need to go higher? How much, and what kind of ram do I need? Graphics card suggestions? I'll probably go with an amd chipset, as unless I'm missing something, most of intel's stuff is only slightly better for the money. If not set me straight; I just started learning. Most of what I know is from a youtube channel that I won't name, because it might be against the rules.

I'm into things like first and 3rd person shooters( like the uncharted series), mobas, rpgs and some puzzle games.

My other issue is using a keyboard is sort of foreign for gaming and I hear that using a controller really limits you. Is there some medium? I'm used to having my thumbs on the movement controls and my digits free to activate buttons.

Thank you to all that can give me a hand. And Sorry if this is in the wrong forum.



Moved from PC Gaming

Anandtech Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[JujuFish]

Post a thread here and make sure to include your answers to the questions here.

 

[Sleepingforest]

You catch on quickly to keyboard--it's really pretty easy, since most games allow you to rebind keys to what you're used to. If the lack of easily reachable buttons worries you, there are gaming mice with bindable buttons to help. Even normal mice are a joy to have. The precision of a mouse makes controller users look like turtles wearing blindfolds.

Intel was pretty much always better for gaming--until Crysis 3 showed the world what a game well-optimized for 8 cores/threads can do. Games optimized like Crysis 3 will become more common as developers get used to coding for the 8-cored consoles we will see in the next generation. On the other hand, a good AMD processor costs basically the same as a good Intel one ($200).

 

[Fallen Kell]

I know there is a specific forum for this, but I would like to say that Intel is currently the way to go. This is a review of sub $200 CPU's:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-processor-frame-rate-performance,3427-9.html

For your dollar, the Core i5 has no competition above $160. At $130, the Core i3-3220 is tough to beat. It no longer humiliates the FX line-up in games thanks to AMD's most recent architectural update, but it's still cheaper, faster, and more power-friendly than most of the Vishera-based models.

Then you also have the fact that AMD doesn't even have a dog in the race once you pass the $200 mark:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-4.html

The only things that would possibly entice me on the AMD line would be the FX-8320 Eight-Core, but that thing just sucks down the power and spits out the heat, so much so that I can't recommend it.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6396/the-vishera-review-amd-fx8350-fx8320-fx6300-and-fx4300-tested/6

 

[BladeVenom]

I like AMD, but for gaming an i5 is probably the best buy. You can get an AMD graphics card, a 7850 or better.

If you game on a PC, you're going to want to use a mouse and keyboard, and not a controller.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

Thanks all. I'll head over to the right forum and use the correct format.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

I like AMD, but for gaming an i5 is probably the best buy. You can get an AMD graphics card, a 7850 or better.

If you game on a PC, you're going to want to use a mouse and keyboard, and not a controller.

Good thing I joined this forum I was under the impression if you got an amd board you needed the cpu, and gpu to also be from the same company.

 

[Tweak155]

I just picked up an I5 3570k & mobo and love it. Would recommend for a budget build.

 

[BladeVenom]

Good thing I joined this forum I was under the impression if you got an amd board you needed the cpu, and gpu to also be from the same company.

If you go with an Intel i5 processor, you'll need a motherboard with an Intel chipset, Socket LGA 1155.

You can go either AMD or Nvidia for the graphics card.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

If you go with an Intel i5 processor, you'll need a motherboard with an Intel chipset, Socket LGA 1155.

You can go either AMD or Nvidia for the graphics card.

Well according to the other thread I won't be able to build the kind of pc I want for under a grand. Which I wanted to build a pc slightly better than a ps4, looks like that isnt going to happen right now.

 

[BladeVenom]

Well according to the other thread I won't be able to build the kind of pc I want for under a grand. Which I wanted to build a pc slightly better than a ps4, looks like that isnt going to happen right now.

I think you can beat a PS4 for under a grand.

I'm fairly certain that an Ivy Bridge i5 is going to be better for games than what's in the PS4.

The GPU in the PS4 looks to be similar to a Radeon HD 7850. Get a 7870 and you have it beat. A lot of motherboards come with more than one video card slot now, so you can add a second card later.

8GB of RAM isn't expensive.

Here's the latest $600 build from Tom's. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pc-gaming-overclock-build-a-pc,3443.html The memory is a little less, and no blu-ray, but everything else looks like it would be equal to or better than the PS4.

I'd go with 8GB of memory, bigger hard drive, and a 500 watt Antec Earthwatts. So even with those changes it would still be less than $700. You could spend more on a more powerful graphics card now, or add a second one later. If you want faster load times you can go with a SSD. Then you need an operating system if you don't already have a copy.

 

[HydroSqueegee]

I think you can beat a PS4 for under a grand.

I'm fairly certain that an Ivy Bridge i5 is going to be better for games than what's in the PS4.

The GPU in the PS4 looks to be similar to a Radeon HD 7850. Get a 7870 and you have it beat. A lot of motherboards come with more than one video card slot now, so you can add a second card later.

8GB of RAM isn't expensive.

Here's the latest $600 build from Tom's. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pc-gaming-overclock-build-a-pc,3443.html The memory is a little less, and no blu-ray, but everything else looks like it would be equal to or better than the PS4.

I'd go with 8GB of memory, bigger hard drive, and a 500 watt Antec Earthwatts. So even with those changes it would still be less than $700. You could spend more on a more powerful graphics card now, or add a second one later. If you want faster load times you can go with a SSD. Then you need an operating system if you don't already have a copy.

is it just me, or does that build not include monitor? and it doesnt list keyboard, mouse, OS, or speakers/headphones. so add $200-$300 for that right there on top of the 600$.

 

[PrincessFrosty]

For reasonable future proof usage you'll want a quad core CPU, 8Gb of RAM and a mid-range video card, the specifics for the speed of the video card and CPU will depend on some factors such as what games you intend to play and on what sized monitor etc.

The issue of control...the simple fact is that there's many thousands of different controllers you can use for a PC, even console ones (Xbox is natively supported by a lot of games and PS3 controllers can emulate Xbox ones with software)

Ultimately a large part of the benefit of PCs is the increased control you have over games. Mouse and keyboard is staple for gamers and the harsh truth you'll have to face the choice of sticking comfortably with what you know and remaining crippled control wise, or make the sacrifice and switch to mouse/keyboard, it will take some time to learn and even longer to perfect but once you'll do you'll look at controllers with the same disgust that the rest of PC gamers do.

My advice, learn mouse and keyboard from the ground up, accept that you're not going to be great with them straight away, there's no really good middle ground control wise but the switch is 100% worth it, every PC gamer will agree I think.

 

[Remobz]

For reasonable future proof usage you'll want a quad core CPU, 8Gb of RAM and a mid-range video card, the specifics for the speed of the video card and CPU will depend on some factors such as what games you intend to play and on what sized monitor etc.

The issue of control...the simple fact is that there's many thousands of different controllers you can use for a PC, even console ones (Xbox is natively supported by a lot of games and PS3 controllers can emulate Xbox ones with software)

Ultimately a large part of the benefit of PCs is the increased control you have over games. Mouse and keyboard is staple for gamers and the harsh truth you'll have to face the choice of sticking comfortably with what you know and remaining crippled control wise, or make the sacrifice and switch to mouse/keyboard, it will take some time to learn and even longer to perfect but once you'll do you'll look at controllers with the same disgust that the rest of PC gamers do.

My advice, learn mouse and keyboard from the ground up, accept that you're not going to be great with them straight away, there's no really good middle ground control wise but the switch is 100% worth it, every PC gamer will agree I think.

Good advice!

I can't ever imagine playing a FPS game with a darn ps3 controller. Mouse and keyboard are better in my opinion.

 

[L0ne]

I felt the same apprehension about switching back to keyboard and mouse when I got back into PC gaming. But, I recently tried to play some xbox with my friends and the controls now feel like a joke.

 

[UaVaj]

precision control of a mouse and keyboard is night and day compare to a controller with a thumb joystick and a few buttons.

as for quality of gaming. for the same price point as a console. you can get better graphics and better gaming experience.

for gaming with all the eye candy. expect to spend triple of what a console cost.

if you want surround gaming with all the eye candy. triple that triple.



pc gaming is an expensive choice, however well worth the return. eye candy was never cheap.

 

[UaVaj]

ps4 graphic is laughable. (comparable to good setting on pc).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rGlu3e9kdks

 

[Hubb1e]

I think you can beat a PS4 for under a grand.

Here's the latest $600 build from Tom's. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pc-gaming-overclock-build-a-pc,3443.html

I'd go with 8GB of memory, bigger hard drive, and a 500 watt Antec Earthwatts. So even with those changes it would still be less than $700. You could spend more on a more powerful graphics card now, or add a second one later. If you want faster load times you can go with a SSD. Then you need an operating system if you don't already have a copy.

I've gotta say, normally I'm not a fan of Tom's builds, but this one really packs in some good performance for $600. You could actually build that PC straight up like that and be fine, or make a few tweaks like Blade's recommendations. The $800 build is also solid this month. PC gaming vs console gaming is more about the controls and the community rather than the difference in hardware. The PS4 will be about equivalent in performance to that $600 build when you take into account a lighter OS and games optimized for the hardware. But you'll find that the mouse and keyboard are better for precision than a gamepad and the people who play on the PC aren't as juvenile.

 

[BladeVenom]

Interestingly enough, AMD will also be selling the APU that's in the PS4, so you will be able to make a PC that's almost exactly like a PS4. http://www.tomshardware.com/news/A-Series-APU-PlayStation-4-John-Taylor-Radeon,21290.html

 

[guidedbyechoes]

is it just me, or does that build not include monitor? and it doesnt list keyboard, mouse, OS, or speakers/headphones. so add $200-$300 for that right there on top of the 600$.

I'm using a 32 in lcd vizio 1080p monitor, might need to upgrade the mouse and keyboard, for the headphones I'm using audio technica at50m's I think their called. Basically studio level monitors in headphone form. Most of the stuff was covered in another thread as this one got moved from the pc gaming forum since I wasnt sure where to post.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

precision control of a mouse and keyboard is night and day compare to a controller with a thumb joystick and a few buttons.

as for quality of gaming. for the same price point as a console. you can get better graphics and better gaming experience.

for gaming with all the eye candy. expect to spend triple of what a console cost.

if you want surround gaming with all the eye candy. triple that triple.



pc gaming is an expensive choice, however well worth the return. eye candy was never cheap.

ps4 graphic is laughable. (comparable to good setting on pc).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rGlu3e9kdks

The only two games I've played with 3d graphics on the pc are doom 2 and counterstrike. The rest were all nes era sidescrollers or star and warcraft. It's funny because I think the graphics look pretty decent in that video but the first wave of games look like crap compared to the much later waves.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

I've gotta say, normally I'm not a fan of Tom's builds, but this one really packs in some good performance for $600. You could actually build that PC straight up like that and be fine, or make a few tweaks like Blade's recommendations. The $800 build is also solid this month. PC gaming vs console gaming is more about the controls and the community rather than the difference in hardware. The PS4 will be about equivalent in performance to that $600 build when you take into account a lighter OS and games optimized for the hardware. But you'll find that the mouse and keyboard are better for precision than a gamepad and the people who play on the PC aren't as juvenile.

I like it more because it can unlock my ability to play a lot of games I'd never get to otherwise. With consoles there are always emulators to play anything I miss on playstation thats an exclusive. I quite enjoy the series like the uncharted series, god of war, metal gear and heavy rain, but both Sony and Microsoft did some lame stuff last generation as well as iffy products.

 

[Eureka]

Well according to the other thread I won't be able to build the kind of pc I want for under a grand. Which I wanted to build a pc slightly better than a ps4, looks like that isnt going to happen right now.

i5-3570K: $230, or 180 on sale/at microcenter
z77 Motherboard: $120, or $80 at microcenter with the above
RAM: $30 for 8 GB
Powersupply: $25 for a CX430
Graphics card: $230 or less for a 7870 XT
1TB HDD: $70
DVD drive: $20
Win7: $0-100, depending on where you get it, you can get it for free from a lot of scientific/educational sources
Budget case: $30-50

Total: $875 at the worst case scenario. You can squeeze in a 250GB SSD for $150 and still stay under $1k if you find some good prices.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

Interestingly enough, AMD will also be selling the APU that's in the PS4, so you will be able to make a PC that's almost exactly like a PS4. http://www.tomshardware.com/news/A-Series-APU-PlayStation-4-John-Taylor-Radeon,21290.html

I also hear that the ps4 has a 8 core that runs 1.2 ghz? Why didn't they just use a 4 core?

 

[guidedbyechoes]

i5-3570K: $230, or 180 on sale/at microcenter
z77 Motherboard: $120, or $80 at microcenter with the above
RAM: $30 for 8 GB
Powersupply: $25 for a CX430
Graphics card: $230 or less for a 7870 XT
1TB HDD: $70
DVD drive: $20
Win7: $0-100, depending on where you get it, you can get it for free from a lot of scientific/educational sources
Budget case: $30-50

Total: $875 at the worst case scenario. You can squeeze in a 250GB SSD for $150 and still stay under $1k if you find some good prices.

What does the xt on the graphics card denote? Also I have no idea where you are getting that price for that card. Ram and hard drive prices have dropped a huge amount since last time I was going to do a build. Ram was 25 per gig and I got a 500gb for like 150 when circuit city was going out of business. It's an external but I still have it and it still works.