• 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.

need help with choosing parts

mrplow9999

Junior Member
hey ive been looking around this website and cant decide what parts to get im fairly new to building computers so i just need help with what to get for a computer.

the computer will mainly be for gaming so i want to be able to run high detail games

the parts i need are:

1.Power supply

2.Case

3.Motherboard

4.CPU

5.Heatsink/fan for the CPU

6.Memory

7.Primary hard drive

8.Primary optical drive

9.Video card


my budget is $400 but im willing to spend more if i have to
thanks
 
Which games do you play and what resolution do you run?

Bare minimum for a decent gaming machine is going to cost between $600 and $800. That's not top of the line hardware but it should do okay in most games.
 
my screen resolution is 1024x768 and i want to be able to play world of warcraft in high detail, the witcher, crisis, fallout 3. pretty much alot of the new games coming out. $600-$800 is still fine i just need a list of what to get if thats fine with anyone
thanks btw
 
An AMD Quad CPU MOBO & RAM will cost you around 4-500$ off the bat and that is the cheapest but it can compete with the Intel C2Q class, even with overclocking. The best AMD Quad is the 955. AMD is a little late in the game but don't count out these FAST & GREAT Quads. I'm starting with quads because from what I've heard is WOW needs processing power. Both top quads will cost you ~ 290$ Intel's Q9550 is the best value Quad as it can easily hit 4Ghz They do have a Q9650 but reaching 4.5Ghz will need exotic cooling like an h20 loop. The 8.5 multi on the Q9550 is good enough. I'm only running an 8 multi on my Q9650 but at 500fsb on my cheap UD3R board. The UD3R goes for ~114$ at New Egg is a steal if you are an overclocker but I am not sure if they have trouble coming out of sleep mode. Mine doesn't but you may need to consider that. If you stick with a quad on the Intel side and are not concerned with the sleep mode note i made, the UD3R or P is your best choice. If you want the full 16x PCIe lanes for going dual GPU's (and ATI only) the X48 will be something you'll want to look into but you pay a premium for virtually no extra performance. If you prefer Nvidia and want dual GPU's you'll need an Nvidia mobo chipset.

I am not too familiar with the best mobo for an AMD setup so if someone else can help out...

Any other questions, feel free to ask!

Good Luck and welcome to the Anandtech forums 🙂

EDIT:

an i7 cpu mobo, and ram setup will bring you close to 600$
775lga Quad cpu mobo & ram will be a tad over 500$ maybe lower
AMD will be the cheapest cpu mobo and ram setup
 
Back
Top