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Gaming PC: ~$800

M

Monkey King

n00b
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
18
1) What will you be doing with this PC?

  • Gaming: MW3. I'll be recording my game play and commentating as well. (I know it's not out yet, but I don't particularly HAVE to play on highest settings)
  • Photoshop CS5: light photo editing, creating simple graphics, etc.
  • Sony Vegas: editing video game recordings, making slideshows
  • General: I'd like a computer that can handle having multiple programs open at once. Ex: multiple browsers open that use a lot of memory (Youtube, Facebook, Email, Downloading). Another example: playing MW3 while recording with TeamSpeak running.

2) What's your budget?

$800 excluding shipping. Will consider higher if there's justification.

3) Which country do you live in?

Minneapolis, MN, USA

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget?

CPU, RAM, CPU cooler, Motherboard, RAM, Optical Drive, HDD, Graphics Card, PSU, Case. I'd like to have Liteon Litescribe to burn CD/DVDs.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?

None. Building from scratch.

6) Will you be overclocking?

No.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?

Planning on a 19". Could use suggestions here as well. *Do not include this in the budget.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

ASAP

9) What features do you need in a motherboard?

Not sure, but I'd like to have a few USB slots in the front. It'd be nice to have a microphone slot in the front. It would need to be able to connect wirelessly to the internet. I'm not very knowledgeable in this area.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?

I currently have a copy of WindowsXP, but will be upgrading it to Windows 7 64bit once I've financially recovered from this build.


So, in essence, I'm looking for a straight gaming computer that can handle multiple programs open at once as I'll be recording my game play and editing it in Sony Vegas. Looking forward to your suggestions. Let me know if you need more clarification.

Thanks!

Monkey King
 
Can you get to the Microcenter in St. Louis Park?

Also, are there other reasons that are preventing you from waiting until MW3 is out or closer to release? (i.e. do you really need to buy it right now?) We generally suggest waiting until system requirements have been verified by reviews (or at least published by the devs) when building a system for a specific game.
 
Yes, the Microcenter isn't too far. Would it be cheaper going there or ordering online from Newegg?

There aren't really any restrictions for waiting except for my impatience. I'd like to have the computer built and ready before MW3 comes out. However, if it's strongly suggested I wait until the time comes closer, I'd be inclined to do so. So maybe we'll revisit this in 7 weeks?
 
Microcenter has some great CPU and motherboard combo prices so generally it's cheaper even with sales taxes, so long as the drive isn't too far.

Since Modern Warfare 3 has a release date of Nov. 8th, I would wait until mid to late October and see if anyone has released some performance evals or system requirements. Who knows, maybe some new hardware will be out by then too.
 
I also suggest waiting til the game is closer and the required/recommended hardware is confirmed.

I recommend going here and subscribing to the Micro Center print ads - unless you're good about checking them online. I find it easier to look through the print ads. They generally are a good place for CPU/mobo combos, but tend to be a generation behind and way overpriced on their GPU's.

When/if you do go, try to avoid weekends if you can. I'm not sure if MC's elsewhere are the same, but the one in SLP is so busy on weekends that I find it annoying ;)
 
I'd like to revisit this conversation.

The beta for BF3 is catching my attention. I'm making an assumption that a rig that can handle BF3 will be able to handle MW3. Although it might be a poor decision to build a PC without knowing the requirements, it's a risk I'm willing to take. I can't imagine a PC that can play BF3 with full graphics won't be able to at least come close to playing MW3.

Again, I'd like to stay within $800. If there's justification, I'd be willing to consider higher. I live 15 minutes away from the Microcenter, so that's definitely an option.
 
If you go with this monitor:
$100 - Acer S201HLbd Black 20" DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor

I recommend this setup:
$150 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU from Microcenter
$129 - Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 Intel Z68 ATX Motherboard
$90 - Corsair CMX16GX3M4A1333C9 XMS3 4 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$170 - XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB PCI-E Video Card
$60 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$22 - Sony AD-7261S-0B SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe Support
$58 - Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W PSU
$28 - Asus PCE-N13 Wireless Adapter
------
Total: $717 plus tax and shipping

Choose your own case. I recommend these:
$50 - Cooler Master HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 ATX Case
$50 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K58W ATX Case
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite Black ATX Case
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite White with Black Front Trim ATX Case
$50 - Sentey Black Box Series 4284 ATX Case
$60 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K58 ATX Case
$70 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K56 ATX Case
$80 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K56W ATX Case
$90 - Cooler Master CM690 II Advance ATX Case
$90 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case
$100 - Cooler Master CM690 II Advance nVidia Edition ATX Case
$100 - Cooler Master HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - Lian Li PC-7B Plus II ATX Case
$100 - Lian Li PC-7FN ATX Case
$110 - Lian Li PC-60FN ATX Case
$120 - Antec Lanboy Air Yellow ATX Modular Case
$125 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Full Tower ATX Case
$125 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Full Tower ATX Case
$125 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Orange Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$130 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$130 - Fractal Design Define R3 White ATX Case
$130 - Fractal Design Define R3 Black ATX Case
$130 - Fractal Design Define R3 Silver Arrow ATX Case
$130 - Fractal Design Define R3 Titanium Grey ATX Case
$140 - Antec Performance One Series P183 V3 ATX Case
$140 - Cooler Master HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$140 - Lian Li PC-9F ATX Case
$140 - Silverstone RV03B-W ATX case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$170 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
$190 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
 
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The wireless adapter isn't available. Is there a comparable one?

Also, I didn't see a fan listed. Would I need to get one?

Thanks for your quick reply.
 
Last edited:
Monkey King said:
The wireless adapter isn't available. Is there a comparable one?

Also, I didn't see a fan listed. Would I need to get one?

Thanks for your quick reply.
Click to expand...

The Ralink-based PCE-N13 is being phased out, replaced by a Realtek-based PCE-N15 for about the same price. There are no good reviews on the PCE-N15 yet.
 
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