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New Gaming/ Everyday Use Rig

B

btadler

Member
Hey,

Was cleaning out my closet the other day and found a few components that have been tucked away for probably close to 2 years. I figure I might as well use them and build a new computer with them. I originally purchased them to build a new tower but ran out of money and gave up. I have the build from 2 years ago but I figured there would be something better out now so I am up for any ideas.

What I have right now is basics:
OCZ 700w PCU
Samsung DVD Drive
922 HAF Case

Would like to keep the costs under $600 for the rest. I would like the system to be able to run Star Wars Old Republic, Shogun 2 and Crisis. That is pretty much all I play on my current laptop and Crisis I haven't been able to play since my last comp died. I feel like I am burning out my laptop everytime I play a game even though it has specs to do so and would like a tower to be able to give my laptop a much needed break. Thank you for your suggestions.
 
@janas: I don't know of an i3-2400. Perhaps you meant the i3-2120, $128? 😉

@OP: Out of curiosity, what is your 2-year-old build's hardware specs? And are there any questions in [thread=80121]this thread[/thread] that you haven't answered yet?
 
This was my old build for Ken

CPU - Phenom II X4 955
Mobo - Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P
Ram - G.Skill 4gb DDR3
GPU - HIS Radeon HD 4890
PSU - OCZ Mod Xtreme Pro
HD - Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB
 
Ken g6 said:
@janas: I don't know of an i3-2400. Perhaps you meant the i3-2120, $128? 😉

@OP: Out of curiosity, what is your 2-year-old build's hardware specs? And are there any questions in [thread=80121]this thread[/thread] that you haven't answered yet?
Click to expand...

Oops typo. Fuck me, I'm making dumb mistakes left and right here 😱
 
Already have Win7 64 bit so no OS needed. Plus I prefer a clean OS vs all the preloaded crap that Dell would put on there.
 
btadler said:
This was my old build for Ken

CPU - Phenom II X4 955
Mobo - Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P
Ram - G.Skill 4gb DDR3
GPU - HIS Radeon HD 4890
PSU - OCZ Mod Xtreme Pro
HD - Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB
Click to expand...

Well, it's a little unclear to me if this is the build you're cannibalizing the PSU, case, and DVD from. But if it is, I suggest you also take the HDD (they've been expensive ever since some flooding late last year), and potentially the memory if it's 1.5V or less and DDR3-1333 or higher.

With that out of the way, how much "everyday use" will you be making of this machine? If a lot, you may want a SSD. Otherwise you can upgrade to a 2500k, z68 board, and potentially a Radeon 6950, as in [thread=2192841]this thread[/thread].
 
I'm not really cannibalizing an old system. I was meaning to build a new system after i sold my old one to a friend for cheap and never got around to it. I was buying piece by piece and just kinda stopped with only 3 items purchased. So I am essentially looking for a new build just dont need to have the case, PSU or optical drive included as I have them already. And use. I am a stay at home dad with a 2 month old. Meaning she sleeps most the time and I find myself playing games if I am not cleaning or making food. Soooo... close to 8-10 hours of use a day.
 
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btadler said:
Already have Win7 64 bit so no OS needed. Plus I prefer a clean OS vs all the preloaded crap that Dell would put on there.
Click to expand...

I guess you're right. My 6 year old Dell is just so bloated...
42885216.png


One of these days I'm going to have to upgrade to a SSD, too. Loading all this bloat takes forever:

boott.jpg


But if you'd rather use the OS you have instead getting a free one from Dell and selling the one you have (which would give you ~$180-200 worth of parts to sell to offset the $660 XPS + 6870)... well that's up to you.
mfenn's build is sitting ^^^ if you want the DIY route.
 
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btadler said:
This was my old build for Ken

CPU - Phenom II X4 955
Mobo - Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P
Ram - G.Skill 4gb DDR3
GPU - HIS Radeon HD 4890
PSU - OCZ Mod Xtreme Pro
HD - Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB
Click to expand...

Definitely reuse that HDD instead of buying a new one. That leaves you with $100 to play with that you can use for either a better GPU (6950 2GB) or a 60/64GB SSD.
 
I do not have any of the components listed other than the case, optical drive and PSU. The other components listed were what I was going to build but never got around to it. I am wondering if the builds listed above are going to be the best bang for my buck or if anyone else has a suggestion. Thank you.
 
btadler said:
I do not have any of the components listed other than the case, optical drive and PSU. The other components listed were what I was going to build but never got around to it. I am wondering if the builds listed above are going to be the best bang for my buck or if anyone else has a suggestion. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Read mfenn!
 
btadler said:
I do not have any of the components listed other than the case, optical drive and PSU. The other components listed were what I was going to build but never got around to it. I am wondering if the builds listed above are going to be the best bang for my buck or if anyone else has a suggestion. Thank you.
Click to expand...

In that case, direct yourself to post #5.
 
mfenn said:
7800's aren't out yet, so there isn't really a 7000 series GPU in that price range.

Here's what I would do:
i5 2400 $190
ASRock H67M $80
Crucial DDR3 1600 8GB $35
GTX 560 Ti $200 AR
Hitachi 7K1000.D 750GB $100
Reuse Burner, PSU, and Case $0
Total: $605 AR
Click to expand...

I am bumping this thread since I am finally getting around to building this thing. Got caught up with other more important life issues. Is this build still going to be the best for what I am looking to get? Around $600 in cost and good performance to be able to run Crisis 2 and 3 when it comes out 😀 Thanks
 
Oh wow, this is from five months ago! Holy thread necro batman!

Things have changed a bit, there are newer and better components out.

CPU & Mobo i5-3470 + Gigabyte B75M-D3V $252
RAM 2x4GB 1333MHz $37
GPU XFX 7850 2GB $240 AR
HDD Seagate ST1000DM003 $78
Reuse Burner, PSU, and Case $0

= $607 AR + free shipping

If you're not keen on overclocking the graphics card, get a Sapphire 6950 2GB $190 AR. It's the last gen version of 7850, so it consumes a bit more power and overclocks a bit worse, but the Sapphire cooler is better than the XFX one. Really a great chance to save $50 that could be put towards an overclockable i5-3570K+Z77 combo or a future SSD upgrade (they keep going down in price steadily).

Another option is to wait for a promo deal on a 7850. MSI 7850 has been as low as $210 AR on newegg.

And another thing: consider selling the OCZ 700W unit because your build doesn't need, and will never need, anywhere near that much power. i5-3470 + 7850 consume less than 200W during gaming (no OC). You should be able to get enough cash for it on eBay or elsewhere to afford a good quality brand new 500w unit.
 
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Obligatory question, do you live near a Micro Center? If so you can get a nicer CPU + motherboard for less than what Ken and lehtv have suggested.
 
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