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Uber Schwarz

n00b
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Jan 13, 2009
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I am looking to build a new desktop that would be capable of playing older shooters, WoW, Diablo 3, and StarCraft 2 at max settings. I'm not looking to play current and future shooters at max settings.

This is what I currently have selected: https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=12116188

Feel free to give me suggestions. I still need to pick a GPU and PSU. I already have a monitor. I'm currently trying to decide between a C2D 3.0Ghz or a C2Q 2.4Ghz.
 
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc Answered in 1st post
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included? Around $1,000
3) Where do you live? USA
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.Everything but monitor
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model. None
6) Will you be overclocking? Not right away
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have? 22" Widescreen
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Within the next 3 months
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc. Only ethernet and onboard audio
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? Buying a new OS
 
I would recommend the Sapphire 4830 video card.

I would swap out the 250gb seagate hdd for a WD6401AALS as that will give you a lot more space and will be much faster for only about an extra $15.

For the PSU, the Corsair TX650 is a great unit and quite affordable. If you want modular the HX620 is very nice.

I would go with 2x 2gb ram sticks rather than 4x 1gb. This will be less expensive and leave room for a future +4gb upgrade;)

If you want to save some $$ you could go with an E5200 processor as I don't think you'll be processor limited with the older games (esp if you OC it). The E5200 OC'd should out run a stock-clocked E8400 anyway:)

You might want a better HSF than the stock one for whatever you get as well.

have fun!
 
Thanks. Here's a couple places I would change.

- You can get 4GB of RAM for only $40 by going with this G.Skill kit. There's no reason to pay more than that.

-In order to use all 4GB of memory, you'll need to use the 64-bit version of Vista. It's also $5 cheaper, which doesn't hurt. :)

-With what you're doing, you won't need a whole lot of power for your video card,.The HIS HD4870 1GB ($225) should last you for awhile.

-The best bang for the buck hard drive right now is the WD6400AAKS. It holds more data, is faster and quieter than the drive you chose.

-This Samsung DVD drive is a bit quieter than the Lite-On you chose.

-The Corsair 650TX should be more than enough power for you, and it's a high quality power supply which won't kill your system.


The parts I suggested would put you at ~$1030 before shipping. To get that below your budget, I would go with a different case, such as the Antec Three hundred, which is $50 right now on Newegg. It doesn't have free shipping though, so you may end up paying and extra $20 in shipping.
 
DanW said:
Thanks. Here's a couple places I would change.

- You can get 4GB of RAM for only $40 by going with this G.Skill kit. There's no reason to pay more than that.

-In order to use all 4GB of memory, you'll need to use the 64-bit version of Vista. It's also $5 cheaper, which doesn't hurt. :)

-With what you're doing, you won't need a whole lot of power for your video card,.The HIS HD4870 1GB ($225) should last you for awhile.

-The best bang for the buck hard drive right now is the WD6400AAKS. It holds more data, is faster and quieter than the drive you chose.

-This Samsung DVD drive is a bit quieter than the Lite-On you chose.

-The Corsair 650TX should be more than enough power for you, and it's a high quality power supply which won't kill your system.


The parts I suggested would put you at ~$1030 before shipping. To get that below your budget, I would go with a different case, such as the Antec Three hundred, which is $50 right now on Newegg. It doesn't have free shipping though, so you may end up paying and extra $20 in shipping.
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What about the processor? Would it be good for me to stick with the Dual Core at 3.0Ghz or pay a few more for a Quad Core at 2.4Ghz?

Thanks for the help guys!
 
The dual core will probably be a bit better for gaming, the quad probably a bit better for apps that can use all four cores or for running a bunch of stuff at once. I don't think the older games can use all four cores, but I could be wrong there.

Microcenter has the Antec 300 for $39, if you happen to have one near by that could save you some $$. They also have a cooler master 690 + 550 Watt real power PSU for $99 AR which might be a good option.
 
Or the MSI 4830 for the 1GB which is nice to have and Antec 900 case room for expansion
 
Uber Schwarz said:
What about the processor? Would it be good for me to stick with the Dual Core at 3.0Ghz or pay a few more for a Quad Core at 2.4Ghz?

Thanks for the help guys!
Click to expand...

Eh well, more and more games nowadays are now taking advantage of quad-core CPUs. Left 4 Dead will and does utilizes the extra two cores on quad-core CPU. IIRC, the same CPU updates for L4D was or will be provided to TF2 as well. Far Cry 2, Assassin's Creed, Supreme Commander, Bioshock, and Mass Effect takes advantage of quad-core CPUs as well. So yeah, the Q6600 is a good choice with games that do take advantage of quad-cores.

Also, are you still on dial-up or something? Just odd seeing a modem in a modern system.
 
Yes, I am still on dialup. Broadband should be in my area soon. I usually take my Xbox 360 to a friends to play online so that's what I'll probably do for my desktop till I get broadband.

Again I won't be playing shooters on my PC. Only the older ones such as Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Unreal 2k4, etc. However I want to play StarCraft 2 at max settings. I'll probably get the new Wolfenstein for the computer and/or the 360.
 
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