Newbie here

tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
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Hello techies. First and foremost I'm happy to be apart this community and will appreciate any help I can get in choosing the correct and most cost effective parts to build my first gaming PC.

1. Will be used for mostly gaming. Does not need to max every single game but needs to run them at a minimum of high settings.

2. Budget is around $800. Please suggest me parts and/or a chassis that will be easy to work with, allowing for future upgrades in graphic card without having to buy a new one (tower).

3. Want a decent 1080p monitor (not factored in the $800), but is not that expensive. Any good cheap monitors under $200?

4. I have no brand preferences at least when it comes to processors, I lean more towards intel. I'm a fan of physx also but if a radeon is equally match with the price of nvidia's, while offering better performance it will be picked.

5. Will be building it from vendors that ship to or within the US.

6. Trying to find good deals on parts, so most likely within a month.

7. I'm not sure about over-clocking. Don't want to break stuff too quickly but I'm still considering a card that will be able to handle it if the need arise.

8. Do need windows because i don't think my upgrade key will work.

I'm currently looking around but any suggestions will help. You guys eat, breathe and sleep computers so I know for a fact I'm in the right place (not necessarily this subsection :)).
 
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tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
687
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Thanks but I don't want that low of graphics card, can drop the ssd for now though, if anything I will just have to increase my budget.

Note: Prebuilt or used systems can be suggested. Can't access the for sale/trade section yet.
 
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Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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OP updated with a few more info.

How good in terms of upgrade is this case? I can shave off an extra 50 bucks with a promo. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352031. Other suggestions are welcome.

That's an excellent case, although it's still a bit expensive for your budget.

For $800, and given the need for an OS, you're really looking at the following:

(1) CPU - $140
(2) Motherboard - $80
(3) Video Card - $240
(4) Memory - $60
(5) Hard Drive - $65
(6) Power Supply - $60
(7) Case - $50
(8) OS - $100
(9) Optical Drive - $18 (optional)

I suggest the AMD FX-6350 for your processor and the HD7870 for your video card. Adding another $100 to the budget would allow you to go with an i5-3570K and an HD7950, which would be the next logical step up.
 

tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
687
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81
That's an excellent case, although it's still a bit expensive for your budget.

For $800, and given the need for an OS, you're really looking at the following:

(1) CPU - $140
(2) Motherboard - $80
(3) Video Card - $240
(4) Memory - $60
(5) Hard Drive - $65
(6) Power Supply - $60
(7) Case - $50
(8) OS - $100
(9) Optical Drive - $18 (optional)

I suggest the AMD FX-6350 for your processor and the HD7870 for your video card. Adding another $100 to the budget would allow you to go with an i5-3570K and an HD7950, which would be the next logical step up.

Thanks for this, but if you do not mind can you place a brand of hardware etc., beside your list?

Also this build is just to get me rolling, in the future I will be upgrading a few parts here and their. Also what is your take on haswell processors, wait or go with ivy bridge?
 
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tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
687
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81
Since no one is offering advice at this point in time I guess i will have to follow one of mfenn's build. But thanks to those who replied.
 

tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
687
20
81
Following Termie's blueprint:

FX-6350 $140
MSI 970A-G43 $70
Corsair DDR3 1600 8GB $58
XFX 7950 3GB $280 AR
WD Blue 1TB $65
Seasonic S12II 520W $65
Corsair 200R $40 AR
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $100
Total: $818 AR (enjoy or sell the free games that come with the GPU)

thanks for the reply if i increase my budget to include the i5 3570k will it be that much better in terms of performance when compared to the 6350. Also the 800 base price is not set in stone so if i need to work a few more weeks
(pay sucks) to get better parts, i will have no problem doing it.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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Following Termie's blueprint:

FX-6350 $140
MSI 970A-G43 $70
Corsair DDR3 1600 8GB $58
XFX 7950 3GB $280 AR
WD Blue 1TB $65
Seasonic S12II 520W $65
Corsair 200R $40 AR
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $100
Total: $818 AR (enjoy or sell the free games that come with the GPU)

mfenn - thanks for filling that in - perfect advice!

thanks for the reply if i increase my budget to include the i5 3570k will it be that much better in terms of performance when compared to the 6350. Also the 800 base price is not set in stone so if i need to work a few more weeks
(pay sucks) to get better parts, i will have no problem doing it.

If you'd like a computer now and money is tight, then the build above will be ideal for you. The issue with going to a 3570K is that you'll need to spend another $70 on the processor and at least another $20 on a motherboard, so it's over 10% more expensive, and in most games, it won't be 10% faster. Take a look at how CPUs affect a modern game like Metro Last Light: http://www.techspot.com/review/670-metro-last-light-performance/page6.html

Yes, the 3570K is faster than a 6350, but this is with the most powerful GPU available, the Titan. In my opinion, you don't need a 3570K to take full advantage of an HD7950. Use the extra money to buy a few more games with your next paycheck. Of course, you get four free ones with the 7950, which will keep you busy until then!
 

tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
687
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@termie thanks for that post. This is the reason I'm here, dont need to overspend. I have alot of games on backlog but right now im tired of can't be able run some at a decent fps that its killing me lol. Recently tried biosock infinite and tomb raider and after i saw how awesome the gameplay was i needed to see with better graphics and the like.

Edit: i see their a different versions or manufactures of this card, which do you think is the best and would a 7870 work just as nicely(brand)? What about crossfire and SLI?
 
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akugami

Diamond Member
Feb 14, 2005
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If you're near a Microcenter, check out their CPU+Mobo combo deals. you can't beat it even after tax.
 

tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
687
20
81
If you're near a Microcenter, check out their CPU+Mobo combo deals. you can't beat it even after tax.

their is one like 20 miles from where i live but idont have any drive currently, and the deals are really good.
 

tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
687
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81
Is it true that the fx 6350 bottlenecks the 7950 in some games? Also read that the xfx version of the radeon is not as good as the others.
 
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tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
687
20
81
Can anyone please make a build centered around an i5 processor and radeon 7870 or comparable graphics card? Trying to cut down cost not too much include a good monitor of the forums choice.

Sorry if I come off as demanding and/ obsessive, im just looking for the best price/performance ratio. I like games such as bioshock infinite, alan wake, tomb raider etc.
 
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mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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Can anyone please make a build centered around an i5 processor and radeon 7870 or comparable graphics card? Trying to cut down cost not too much include a good monitor of the forums choice.

Sorry if I come off as demanding and/ obsessive, im just looking for the best price/performance ratio. I like games such as bioshock infinite, alan wake, tomb raider etc.

The games you mention are very much GPU limited at 1080p all max. An i5 and 7870 will be slower when you turn everything up than a FX-6350 and 7950. The GPU is the most important part of a gaming rig, don't sacrifice it for the CPU.
 

tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
687
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The games you mention are very much GPU limited at 1080p all max. An i5 and 7870 will be slower when you turn everything up than a FX-6350 and 7950. The GPU is the most important part of a gaming rig, don't sacrifice it for the CPU.

Ok thanks for that, help and guidance is very much appreciated. Also im at a road block which radeon 7950 is the best based on your view? Also is their a point in waiting for haswell?

If all goes well i might be able to put my system together in two weeks max, always come up short due to spending on other things, but have most of it ready.
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
Ok thanks for that, help and guidance is very much appreciated. Also im at a road block which radeon 7950 is the best based on your view? Also is their a point in waiting for haswell?

If all goes well i might be able to put my system together in two weeks max, always come up short due to spending on other things, but have most of it ready.

The best 7950 is whichever one costs the least but still has a good cooler. Right now on Newegg, that's this Sapphire.

As for Haswell, indications are that prices will be somewhat inflated at launch. Given your budget and uses, I think that Vishera is perfectly good.
 

tg2708

Senior member
May 23, 2013
687
20
81
The best 7950 is whichever one costs the least but still has a good cooler. Right now on Newegg, that's this Sapphire.

As for Haswell, indications are that prices will be somewhat inflated at launch. Given your budget and uses, I think that Vishera is perfectly good.

ok thanks again the xfx radeon is 309 like the sapphire variant but with an extra ten off. Should i still got with the sapphire an extra 10 is nothing. Is the overclocked edition worth it
 
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mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
The Sapphire is actually slightly better and less expensive now. The cooler is what matters, you can overclock it yourself.