Rate my build, please? :D

[kyakikino]

I'm looking to build a relatively cheap gaming computer. I know it's not realistic to get something AMAZING for cheap, but I'm looking for something that can run most games at above average settings. World of Warcraft would probably be most extensive online game played. (Please don't flame.) Other non-online games that I would play would be Oblivion, Dragon Age, Age of Empires III (nothing too extensive, right?)

I heard about this site called CyberPower PC and it seems to have some really great stuff for lower prices than Dell or anything else I've looked at. I threw something together based on my limited knowledge (I understand RAM and the concept of dual processors, but can't tell one video card from another.)

Sticky Information:
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
I will mainly use it for gaming. Such games I will be playing are World of Warcraft, Dragon Age,
Oblivion, Civilization 5, Sacred 2, Majesty 2, and other new and old PC games. I also plan on
doing some photo and video editing, but I'm assuming if a PC can handle games like those it can
handle editing no problem.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
I will not go any higher than $1000

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
I won't really be buying separate parts, I'd more like to build it on a website in the United States.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
I don't have any preference because I'm not knowledgeable about what each can and cannot do.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
I will be using my monitor.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I have not, aside from the stickies posted.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
If I can safely overclock, (I've never done it before), then I will consider it.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
I would like 1200 x 800.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Whenever I can get all the necessary information.

Build Information

• CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-760 2.80 GHz 8M Intel Smart Cache LGA1156 [+104]
• HDD: 1TB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Hard Drive)
• MEMORY: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module (Corsair or Major Brand)
• MOTHERBOARD: [CrossFireX] GigaByte GA-H55M-UD2H Intel H55 Chipset CrossFireX Support DDR3 LGA1156 Ultra Durable™3 mATX w/ Onboard Graphic, HDMI, DVI, Display Port(Digital Display Output), 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB2.0, SATA-II, 2 Gen2 PCIe & 2 PCI
• SOUND:HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
• VIDEO: AMD Radeon HD 6850 1GB GDDR5 16X PCIe Video Card [+114] (Major Brand Powered by AMD)

Total Cost (with shipping and -$30 promo code): $1,002.00

 

[Harvey]

Hi,

Welcome to the forums. I moved your post from our Computer Help forum to this one. Please review these two sticky threads (top of this forum) for info and answers to a lot of your questions:

NOTICE - PC builders, when asking for input on YOUR projects Please Tell us...

Attention System Builders 2.0

You have already answered some of the questions in these threads. They may provide more answers and/or direction for your further questions, and they will help others to give you more specific answers for your build.

 

[MisterDonut]

Don't want an IGP board if you're using a dedicated card (or gaming for that matter). Not sure these days but I think you need a CPU . Fill out that sticky and give us a budget. Likely looking at a 955BE + GTX460 around that price tag you have listed.

 

[Zap]

Welcome to AnandTech Forums, kyakikino.

Are you comfortable building your own rig or would you be buying a pre-built? If pre-built, are you comfortable with simple upgrades like a video card?

 

[mfenn]

Yeah, you're really going to want something beefier than a 5450 to play those games (especially Dragon Age). Cyberpower has a wide range of options, so you should be able to put something like a 5770 or GTX 460 into that same config.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

AFAIK WoW is more CPU dependent for performance over a GPU. The i5 760 would be a good choice for a chip, but research performance charts for a cpu choice: and be sure to get multiple review opinions.

 

[kyakikino]

Thank you all for your input so far! I updated the first post to answer the questions from the sticky.

Are you comfortable building your own rig or would you be buying a pre-built? If pre-built, are you comfortable with simple upgrades like a video card?

Well, I wouldn't be physically building it myself, but on a website. I was thinking of CyberPower PC because it seems really affordable.

 

[betasub]

Well, I wouldn't be physically building it myself, but on a website. I was thinking of CyberPower PC because it seems really affordable

This is what we refer to as a configurable "pre-build". The supplier builds the unit for you, based on a limited choice of configurable components/options. In some instances, you can get a straight pre-build (basic or no-options) and add in your own items (e.g. a bargain box from Dell, plus a DIY install of a gaming graphics card).

 

[mfenn]

Do you need a monitor/mouse/kb in that budget?

 

[kyakikino]

Do you need a monitor/mouse/kb in that budget?

Yes, unfortunately I'm going to need all of it.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

120Hz LCD for competition
500-1000Hz polling rated mouse

keyboard - your preference

 

[fffblackmage]

120Hz LCD for competition
500-1000Hz polling rated mouse

keyboard - your preference

Maybe for FPS games, but I don't think those are necessary for RPGs. Or are they...?

 

[kyakikino]

Hello, everyone. I took your suggestions and decided to go ahead and throw something together. Could you let me know if it's a step in the right direction?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Maybe for FPS games, but I don't think those are necessary for RPGs. Or are they...?

Depends on your enthusiasm for gaming.

 

[betasub]

The parts you've added to the bottom of OP are good building blocks for a gaming build at the level you are after. It's hard to comment on the total price, as it probably includes extras that aren't listed (like OS) - does it also include a monitor?

Anyway, i5-760/4GB RAM/1TB HDD/6850 are all solid choices. A DIY build would probably go for a P55 motherboard, but the Gigabye H55 should do fine.

 

[kyakikino]

The parts you've added to the bottom of OP are good building blocks for a gaming build at the level you are after. It's hard to comment on the total price, as it probably includes extras that aren't listed (like OS) - does it also include a monitor?

Anyway, i5-760/4GB RAM/1TB HDD/6850 are all solid choices. A DIY build would probably go for a P55 motherboard, but the Gigabye H55 should do fine.

Thank you for your input! And this is probably a stupid question, but 1) Does that include an Ethernet port? 2) Are there slots for me to upgrade my RAM if I would ever need to?

 

[mfenn]

Thank you for your input! And this is probably a stupid question, but 1) Does that include an Ethernet port? 2) Are there slots for me to upgrade my RAM if I would ever need to?

The motherboard that you picked does have an Ethernet port (pretty much all do) and has 4 DIMM slots, 2 of which will be occupied by the stock config.

Overall, it looks pretty decent for $1k prebuilt, though I'd advise you to get a higher resolution monitor. You'll be kicking yourself in 6 months for buying a 1280x800 one.

 

[kyakikino]

The motherboard that you picked does have an Ethernet port (pretty much all do) and has 4 DIMM slots, 2 of which will be occupied by the stock config.

Overall, it looks pretty decent for $1k prebuilt, though I'd advise you to get a higher resolution monitor. You'll be kicking yourself in 6 months for buying a 1280x800 one.

I already have the monitor. I would love to upgrade, but at $125 for the cheapest monitor I feel like it is something I can easily pick up a few weeks later after I have more money to shell out.