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| jWavA United States. June 16 2012 11:46. Posts 63 | Profile # |
Hi TL,
I know that there's such thing as the Computer Build Resource Thread, but I'm having trouble figuring out which parts in the thread will work well together so that nothign bottlenecks.
My friend wants to spend under 1000 dollars on a new gaming computer. Knowing not much about computers, he wanted something similar to the Alienware x51. I personally feel like Alienware computers are overpriced, so I'd like to compare what we could make with an equal amount of money. This would be from scratch, with no parts at all except maybe a monitor and a copy of Windows 7.
Can anyone suggest a build that would work well, including processor, motherboard, HDs, graphics card, memory etc. Providing a few links would be even more helpful.
His monitor is 1920x1080. He will use the computer for mostly gaming. Let's keep the upgrade cycle longer, around 1 year. I plan to build his computer ASAP, but don't plan on overclocking as I don't want to mess with anything to that level. I live in the states so I have access to Newegg, TigerDirect, and Microcenter nearby.
Personally, I think we could go with a Core i5 3550 LGA 1155 and mobo, along with 8 GB DDR3 and a GTX 460, and still have plenty left over for a case, maybe a SSD, etc.
I want to build the best computer for the price. Any ideas?
EDIT: Added more infoLast edit: 2012-06-16 11:59:57 |
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| phar United States. June 16 2012 11:50. Posts 616 | Profile # |
Go to that Computer Build Resource Thread http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=137554
Look at the questions in the first spoiler, then re-post this answering those questions in that thread. It's hard to correctly optimize for you without knowing the answers to all those questions.
If you want to keep using your GTX 460 for now, mention that as well.Last edit: 2012-06-16 11:51:11 |
| | Who after all is today speaking about the destruction of the Armenians? |
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| jWavA United States. June 16 2012 12:00. Posts 63 | Profile # |
| I updated the OP with more info. Thanks! |
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| Cyro United Kingdom. June 16 2012 12:07. Posts 6119 | Profile Blog # |
| The GTX460 is 2 generations out of date, if you are buying it new, maybe there is a better option? The newest gen would be GTX 6xx and Radeon 7xxx |
| | Defender of Esports # "oh my god my overclock... I got a single WHEA error on the 23rd hour, 9 minutes" -Belial88 # "there really isn’t any actual need to have the minerals and gas constantly displayed" - Blizzard |
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| MisterFred United States. June 16 2012 13:27. Posts 1846 | Profile # |
You can do way better than that. (And alienware). I'll go ahead and assume you want ye olde generic gaming computer that will last a long time and won't be upgraded. And I'll assume you have windows/a monitor. First, if you're near a microcenter, you can often get good deals on CPU & mobo & not other components. I won't take that into account.
CPU: i5-3450 ($190)
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=70543&vpn=BX80637I53450&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1027
Only a touch slower than the 3550, and $30 cheaper
Motherboard: Asrock B75 ($80)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157314
It'll run the CPU, has room for 1 GPU & basically works.
GPU: Sapphire 7850 ($247)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102986
Good solid video card for a 1920x1080 monitor. Will be a beast if monitor is 1680x1050. Significantly better than a 460.
RAM: G.Skill Ares 2x4gb ($43)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231542
Slightly overkill, but it's ram, so that won't kill you.
SSD: Crucial m4 128GB ($120)
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=60445&vpn=CT128M4SSD2&manufacture=CRUCIAL%20TECHNOLOGY&promoid=1027
SSDs make you feel good. Put your programs on this drive.
HDD: WD 500gb ($70)
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=58402&vpn=WD5000AAKX&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD&promoid=1027
Put your media files (music, pictures, video) here.
If you like to save everything & have a huge HDD, here's 2TB ($108):
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=62047&vpn=WD20EARX&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD&promoid=1027
Case: Bit Fenix Shinobi ($65)
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=60585&vpn=BFC%2DSNB%2D150%2DKKW1%2DRP&manufacture=BitFenix&promoid=1027
It has a window, so you can stare lovingly at the interior of your masterpiece. Non-window version also on us.ncix.com
More expensive, somewhat quieter, but ultimately not really fit for your budget option: Corsair 550D ($120):
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=66726&vpn=CC%2D9011015%2DWW&manufacture=Corsair&promoid=1027
PSU: XFX ProSeries 450w ($38 after promo code & rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207018
Yes, 450w is more than enough, as long as you get a quality PSU that doesn't lie about capacity. That's why you ask for parts advice  .
DVD-Burner ($17)
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=45244&vpn=IHAS124%2D04&manufacture=Liteon&promoid=1027
Gaming Mouse ($61)
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57406&vpn=NAOS3200&manufacture=Mionix
This one is my favorite. For right-handers. Well, you did say every part.
Keyboard & cheapo speakers. ($30)
Just get whatever
Total: $961 AMIR. That leaves you with $40 to massage peripherals to your preference. Or get a wireless dongle if you use wireless. Does not include monitor or windows. Does include mouse.
You could of course rearrange the budget somewhat, say by ditching the SSD in favor of a 7870. But the above is what I'd go with.
Last edit: 2012-06-16 13:48:48 |
| | "The victor? Not the highest scoring, nor the best strategist, nor the best tactitian. The victor was he that was closest to the Tao of FFA." -.Praetor |
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| a176 Canada. June 16 2012 13:31. Posts 5683 | Profile Blog # |
| a nice system with a gtx 670 is possible. adding a ssd might not leave a lot of room for case, etc. try using newegg's combos to save some money. |
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| MisterFred United States. June 16 2012 13:45. Posts 1846 | Profile # |
How does the above build compare with an alienware x51. Well there's a bunch of different versions of those. But going with a $1000 i5 version from the dell website, then part by part:
CPU: My build above is superior. The Dell x51 has an i5-2320, vs the i5-3450. So the above processor is a little faster and the slightly newer generation of intel processors.
Motherboard: The above motherboard isn't special (mobos don't need to be). The Dell mobo is likely a custom job without much expansion possiblity. A wash.
GPU: 7850 above vs the Alienware's 555. The 7850 is VASTLY superior. Honestly I don't know how these 'gaming' computers get away with offering such utter trash GPUs. This is the huge advantage here.
RAM: 8gb vs 8gb, the above a teeensy bit faster. Mostly a wash.
SSD: The above has an SSD. Nice. The Alienware does not. Not so nice. Advantage: custom build.
HDD: I recommended the 500gb drive, the Alienware comes with a 1TB drive. Advantage: Alienware (very slight), but easily fixed by spending a little of the extra cash on the bigger HDD linked above if you feel you need the space.
Case: The Alienware has a custom case. How nice is it? I dunno. The Shinobi is a decent case, with a window, yay. We'll say it's a wash here. The Corsair 550D would be superior to the Alienware case, but it's pricey.
PSU: The Alienware has come custom PSU that's sufficient for its purposes but won't be able to power a GPU upgrade. Advantage to build above, but not by much.
DVD-burner. They both have one
Mouse: The Mionix Naos 3200 will be much superior to the generic optical mouse the Alienware offers.
Keyboard: The Alienware keyboard is likely a little bit better than the "cheapest one you can find" option I gave.
Speakers: The alienware doesn't come with some.
Windows: The alienware comes with a legal version of windows 7 (value ~ $95). The custom build does not. Advantage: Alienware.
Custom building your own computer is clearly better. Most significantly in the video card power. It'll be the difference between playing on med-low settings or high settings for the more difficult to run games on a 1920x1080 monitor. And the SSD will make casual computing a little nicer as well.
If you have a tiny, crappy monitor, you can drop the SSD & afford a generic 23" 1920x1080 monitor that looks ok in the store.Last edit: 2012-06-16 13:46:53 |
| | "The victor? Not the highest scoring, nor the best strategist, nor the best tactitian. The victor was he that was closest to the Tao of FFA." -.Praetor |
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| iTzSnypah United States. June 16 2012 13:48. Posts 1251 | Profile Blog # |
| Erm he has a micro center close. You can get a 3450 for $149 with in-store pickup |
| | Team Liquid needs more Terrans. |
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 SirJolt Ireland. June 16 2012 18:34. Posts 2253 | Profile Blog # |
In future, just post in the existing thread.
"I know there's a thread for this already, but..." isn't a great way to start out. If you'd just asked there I'm sure people would have been happy to help |
| | I write an advice column for amateur necromancers; feel free to ask anything you like - http://necromanswers.com/ |
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