I am looking to build a computer that can deliver moderate graphics that can play most games, while acting as a family computer. I already have a 500 gb hard drive and a new sata dvd drive so I am basically looking for everything else. I would like it to run Windows 7 and be able to process HD video and multi-tasking. Here is a list of the specs/parts I am looking at/for (let me know If I'm missing anything). 6 gb ram Quad Core Processor Mobo (not specific) Graphics Card (Not Radeon) Power Supply Computer Case I am located in Canada and was wondering if its cheaper to buy the parts online. I am looking to keep it under a 1000$, but if its a lot lower thats fine. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am not looking to build a super computer, but anything is better then my current PC which has 512mb of ram and a single core processor.
As Radeon graphics cards are basically the only ones worth buying at the moment, why are you avoiding them?
I've been having issues with my current one, a Radeon HD 4600, which I think is responsible for some crash issues with Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds, and also because there seems to be more issues with ATI vid cards than with nvidia's.
Baseless. There are plenty of issues with both manufacturers. You can go with an nvidia card if you must, but you will be paying far more for the same level of performance, and if you're buying high end,you'll have other issues to deal with too, such as astronomical power consumption, heat and noise. nvidia's high end may be fast, but apart from that, it's absolutely terrible.
Okay, if that's your position, can you reccomend a card (Radeon, Nvidia or otherwise) that's not too expensive but provide mid to high level graphical capability and compatibility. And while you're at it, are there any other computer components you can reccomend for me (refer to the list) if you could, please?
I recently built a system similar to your idea of a budget gamer. I did use 4 gigs of ram from my old system and a terabyte HD sata 7200 for my os drive. Here is the shopping I did, put it all together and runs everything flawlessly with max settings. # 1 x HEC 6K28BBX585 Black 0.8mm SECC Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case 585W Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121004 @ $49.99 w/ free shipping # 1 x TP-LINK TL-WN722N USB 2.0 High Gain Wireless Adapter http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704045 @ $19.99 w/ free shipping # 1 x ASUS CuCore Series EAH4850 CUCORE TOP/2DI/1GD3 Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121380 @ $104.99 w/ free shipping # 1 x ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 @ $18.99 w/ free shipping Next is a combo, however I will slide individual links for you. # 1 x Western Digital Caviar Green WD8000AARS 800GB 5400 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136517 # 1 x G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098 # 1 x AMD Phenom II X2 550 Callisto 3.1GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor HDX550WFGMBOX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103847 # 1 x ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595 The combo was # Original Price: $272.96 # Discount: -$40.97 # Combo Price: $231.99 and of course FREE SHIPPING! So basically I spent, with rush processing, a whopping 428.94 (free shipping) for a decent mid range (from my research) gaming system. Not saying the prices hold but these parts mesh very well, and I have no problems so far. No heat issues and running seven 64bit because of the 6 gigs of ram I have installed. The 4850 for all intents and purposes is the same as my 8800gt but runs quieter and seems a bit cooler under full load.
Avoid the case and PSU deal. That PSU will probably last a few months before going bang, destroying the components inside the PC (so watch out, nottastud) Phenom dual cores are OK for low-end systems, representing reasonable value for money, but a modern system that has to last really needs a quad core CPU these days if you can afford it, even if it's something basic like an X4 630. Asus motherboards are also to be avoided due to low quality, this also applies to their graphics cards. You also want to avoid using 5400rpm drives as your OS, as this makes the PC run very slowly. 5400rpm drives are designed for data storage, not for running Windows off. An HD4850 is a reasonable step up from an 8800GT, about 20-30% in most instances. Here's what I would recommend for dataoneil (and sorry for the delay, had a busy week!) Core i5 750 CPU - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215 Gigabyte P55A-UD3 M/B - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412 4GB XMS3 RAM - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260 XFX Radeon HD5770 - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462 Corsair CX 400W PSU - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008 WD1001FALS 1TB HDD - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284 LG GH22NS50 DVDRW - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136167CVF Antec Three Hundred case = http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 This comes to around $920 posted, well within budget, and gets you a good midrange system. Note: for $50 extra, you can upgrade to this PSU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004 It is not required, but if you wish to make the PC a more high-end system in the future using an expensive graphics card, it's worth considering. Otherwise don't worry, the 400W unit is ample to run any CPU upgrade you might want, along with many hard drives. A typical midrange gaming system will use around 150-200W at maximum load. The 400W Corsair will be able to produce about 420-440, more than twice what you need. The 550W unit can top out around 600. Meanwhile the 585W HEC unit nottastud has used will typically fail around the 150W mark, so he's cutting it very fine (cheap manufacturers like HEC abuse component ratings to get away with lying about the maximum rating of their PSUs. Most cheap PSU brands have never produced a single unit that can even match what it says on the label, let alone exceed it!)
I would go with Sammorris's build, but to save money you can take away the hard drive and the DVD-Burner since you have already purchased new ones. I added up the total with the upgraded PSU and it comes too 948.03$ with shipping and taxes in NS.
Ah yeah, missed that. Those can be removed, but do be advised it is strongly recommended to reinstall an operating system fresh when you change to an entirely new PC.
Decodem, your link isn't working. And does installing a new OS delete any other files and programs I currently have?
It's because he hasn't made a public wishlist, he's just linked to the present page he was at, which of course polls your browser cookies to show what's in it, it's unique to his PC You should really, best practice, wipe a drive clean before you install windows to it. You can leave files there, but it's not recommended.
In that case, should I just look into buying a new hard drive? I could use the other one as backup, once I installed the OS and copied over my files from my old drive. And another question: I've looked at Sammorris' list but can't determine what component provides all the input plugs (USB slots, speaker, etc.) at the back or the front of the PC. Where do they come from?
The connections in the rear are in the motherboard. The front USB ports are on the case. There will be a cable or two running from them, inside the case, and simply plug them in to the mobo. The mobo will come with an I/O panel which is just a piece of cheap aluminum(or soemthing like that) that snaps in to the back of the case and will seal up all the little gaps between the stacks of USB Ports and such to make it look nice, and help keep dust out. Anyways I would go with Sams build and upgrade the PSU as he recommended. PSUs are the last thing you want to skip out on. It doesnt mean you cant buy cheap you just need to buy cheap but reliable otherwise you risk not only frying your parts, but also the risk of fire.
My friend Decodem (I know him in real life) told me not to doubt Sammorris, but I need to ask: Does your list of components work and work well together, Sammorris?
If it didn't, I wouldn't have posted it here. I have specified several friends almost identical systems to these.
