D3 and General Usage Rig

[RobustDude]

It's been a while since i've used a desktop


What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? Etc
Diablo 3, web browsing, and general shenanigans

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I’d like to stay under 600 including tax & shipping but I am open to increases if you provide valid arguments.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
US, Atlanta, GA

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, Mobo, PSU, RAM, HD, Case, and drive

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
None. Out of the game too long. I do have a 36GB 10krpm WD raptor lying around somewhere, but it could probably only hold the OS.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes, eventually. I don’t think I’ll be able to stop myself from doing it.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1900x1200 dell 2407wfp and a 1280x1024 acer al1914

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Spaced out… probably buy the cpu/mobo combo this week and then space out the rest over weeks to months (hopefully). Although I can buy all now.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)?
UEFI? etc.
Onboard gpu. Usb3.0 and sata 6Gb/s would be nice for future-proofing.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, Windows Vista Ultimate whoops

These are the parts I was thinking about:
I was considering the i5-3570k & ASRock Pro4 or the AMD FX & Free mobo combo deal at microcenter and the CM Hyper 212 with the rebate from microcenter. I think it’s basically a price vs performance issue but would like some outside input here especially.

Will the Intel HD 4000 of Ivy Bridge hold me over until I am willing to drop some additional money on a midrange card? I would like D3 to run on the main Dell, but it doesn’t have to be killer, just functional and not choppy.

I browsed the other similar threads created in the last few days and I am aware of those parts in my budget that I will keep in consideration.

Thanks guys!

 

[Dangman]

These are the parts I was thinking about:
I was considering the i5-3570k & ASRock Pro4 or the AMD FX & Free mobo combo deal at microcenter and the CM Hyper 212 with the rebate from microcenter. I think it’s basically a price vs performance issue but would like some outside input here especially.

Intel is usually going to be your best bet for a gaming PC. However what's the sales tax over there in Atlanta Georgia?

Will the Intel HD 4000 of Ivy Bridge hold me over until I am willing to drop some additional money on a midrange card? I would like D3 to run on the main Dell, but it doesn’t have to be killer, just functional and not choppy.

If you play on that Acer and at low settings, probably yes. At 1920x1080, I don't see the HD 4000 handling D3 that well even on low settings.

As for the cases, I recommend the following:
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite Black ATX Case
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite White with Black Front Trim ATX Case
$88 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K58W ATX Case
$90 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case
$76 - Corsair Carbide Series 300R ATX Case
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - Antec 1100 ATX Case
$115 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$120 - Fractal Design Define R3 Arctic White ATX Case
$120 - Fractal Design Define R3 Silver Arrow ATX Case
$125 - Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl ATX Case
$120 - Lian Li PC-9F ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Full Tower ATX Case
$130 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Full Tower ATX Case
$130 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Orange Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$140 - Antec P280 ATX Case
$140 - Antec Performance One Series P183 V3 ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-WA ATX case
$150 - Silverstone TJ04B-EW ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$164 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
$162 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
$220 - Silverstone FT02S-W ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case
$270 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Full Tower ATX Case

 

[RobustDude]

Intel is usually going to be your best bet for a gaming PC. However what's the sales tax over there in Atlanta Georgia?

If you play on that Acer and at low settings, probably yes. At 1920x1080, I don't see the HD 4000 handling D3 that well even on low settings.

As for the cases, I recommend the following:
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite Black ATX Case

I would roll with the cheapest case as I don't see noise being my biggest complaint.

In regards to your other questions and concerns, sales tax where I am is 6%. I can always play on the Acer until I get something mid-range. Is there a specific card? I'll browse the card forums in a bit, but I probably wouldn't buy that until June.

 

[Dangman]

I would roll with the cheapest case as I don't see noise being my biggest complaint.

Still a fairly solid case nonetheless.

In regards to your other questions and concerns, sales tax where I am is 6%.

I honestly don't trust AsRock's Z77 mobos just yet. I recommend grabbing the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H motherboard instead.

Is there a specific card? I'll browse the card forums in a bit, but I probably wouldn't buy that until June.

If you're fine with medium to high settings at 1920x1080, the $140 HD 6850 (assuming that it's still at price point in June) is a good choice for D3.

 

[ssnyder28]

Look at picking up a small synchronous SSD as your OS drive and maybe put D3 on it as well, should be much faster than the velociraptor. You could either sell the hd and maybe get a bigger one or use it as your second drive.

 

[RobustDude]

Look at picking up a small synchronous SSD as your OS drive and maybe put D3 on it as well, should be much faster than the velociraptor. You could either sell the hd and maybe get a bigger one or use it as your second drive.

Thanks, but for now I'll stick it out... when I'm rolling in money years from now though.

 

[RobustDude]

Fun lessons about unexpected setbacks. Future warning to those hoping to skate by later on...

Intel HD 4000/2500 are not supported driver wise for windows vista

Work a few more weekends and I should be able to really throw down on a gfx card.