Looking to buy a new computer

[Chokan]

Any ideas on what I should get if I'd like to run semi-modern games at high settings. Want to stay less than 1k budget.

[Shannacore]

Everyone here is going to tell you to build your own machine. Is that what you're looking for?

[Chokan]

Eh, not particularly. I know how, but I think buying premade is probably going to be cheaper honestly.

[Swish]

buying premade is probably going to be cheaper honestly.

Not usually, the only added benefit of buying one from Best Buy or something is having the option of shit like extended warranties.

I've always wanted to build my own. Done the research, its always cheaper to buy the components individually... the issue for me is knowing about compatibility issues. If you buy a premade PC with Windows 8 you're a moran :p

[myxomatosii]

I'm actually about to build my own, going to be a Linux/Windows dual.

All I know so far is I'm prob going with a Nvidia 660ti Boost, mid-range, not too expensive and Intel CPU.

Will post more details as they come..

[Thulack]

If you want to buy a prebuilt wait 2 weeks for black friday.

[myxomatosii]

If you want to buy a prebuilt wait 2 weeks for black friday.

I'm doing that for the online sales that correspond to BF and Cyber monday.

[Swish]

If you want to buy a prebuilt wait 2 weeks for black friday.

Last year (and every year) Black Friday:-

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9fe_1353704754
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=496_1353811391

Be careful out there :D

[Atmas]

I have never ordered from them and haven't looked at their sites in a while but at one point ibuypower and cyberpowerpc (I think) had good deals on customizable machines.

I built my last machine a while back, but iirc they came out priced pretty close to the cost.

[myxomatosii]

Just put together my theoretical build. The only part I'm thinking of changing is the motherboard. Justification below.

First time I've built a computer since 2004-2005ish, went a little pricier than I expected.. but.. I sorta expected that. I love my hardware. Associated goals: future capability for tri-monitor support, Linux compatibility, SSD raid capability, and ability to play newer games on medium-high with minimal bumps, as well as play older games Skyrim, GW2, TF2, on Ultra.

Grandfathered parts are optical drive, 120gb Patriot SSD, keyboard/mouse taken care of, main monitor will be a Vizio 55inch. Not too worried about blur on the TV since most games I play are scenic, not twitch.

http://i.imgur.com/xfAEA1zh.png

http://i.imgur.com/a3perE2h.png

​
Parts List

Video Card - EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card

Why?
Firstly, its listed on Tom's Hardware Best Gfx Card per Dollar just before the curve begins to increase more rapidly. I used a similar strategy for CPU and SSD.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

Second, I wanted at least 2GB of VRAM based on anecdotal recurring evidence in reviews and posts citing multiple monitor support.

Third, I wanted a card that had SLI support (cards price goes down over time) and when mine begins to struggle I theorized that SLI might give it a second wind, this is purely speculative.

CPU - Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor

Why?
First, let me just say I'm excited to be stepping into the realm of quad core.. I know a lot is under-utilized (so I hear) etc etc, but still, QUAD CORE! So cool! Umm, ok so a reason. I don't have much for this one, honestly Tom's Hardware did most of the work for me with their performance per dollar chart here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-3.html

MOBO - Asus P8Z77-V PRO ATX LGA1155 Motherboard

Why?
Firstly and most importantly I wanted Wifi, why did I want Wifi? Convenience, along with the fact that games I play don't require super low pings (mostly MMO games, dungeon crawlers, offline and online).

Secondly, I suppose I go excessive on my MOBOs for future expansion when current gen components go down. I mean quad-sli, 32gb ram support, etc

Thirdly, I wanted a full size ATX which is gonna have plenty of room in my case. I choose big cases/mobos to keep things spread out as I've had heat nightmares in the past. I'm not a weakling so I don't mind lugging a 30-40lb PC around occasionally. Worthwhile for the heat dissipation in my opinion.

Lastly, and this is fanboyism but I've always had good fortune with ASUS MOBOs, laptops, accessories. I stay true to those that serve me well.

Storage - Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk

Why?
Right now it seems that Samsung's 840 series is the leading edge in SSD tech http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-recommendation-benchmark,3269-3.html, with cost/GB being the main factor it was simple to see that the cost of going with the leader was negligible.

RAM - Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory

Why?
I looked into some of the technical details on RAM and clock speeds and came out with a general notion that whether its 1600, 1833, 2000 etc that the value stated is merely what the RAM *can* do, not what it will do. Therefore I decided to go with an aesthetically good-looking middle range RAM (as middle and high end don't lend huge performance boosts) with a healthy-sized heat spreader for a continued focus on heat dissipation.
​
Case - Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX Full Tower Case

Why?
Firstly, I wanted a handle on my case. Main requirement. No joke.

Second, my main concern is heat dissipation, and the best way to combat heat dissipation is .. space! Keeping hot things far apart with a little bit of air moving betwixt is the best way I can think. On top of that I didn't want my video card bumping into drive bays, etc and a bigger case is great for that. I don't mind the supposed weight either as it has the handle built in, and I'll be the only one carrying it and 30-40lbs is no big deal.

Third, expansion! A running these in my build has been the ability to upgrade and improve my build as parts become cheaper and games become more demanding until eventual invalidity.

Fourth, features galore! Holy shits, after watching the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3UJdeIbtKk I was in love. 90° rotatable bays, removable air filters, fan control, readouts, features galore!

Fifth, ventilation. The thing is made of vents.

PSU - SeaSonic 660W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

Why?
Firstly, and most importantly obviously is power demand. I had originally intended on getting a 550W Gold+ PSu but I read someone complaining that their card was needing some more juice, now this was anecdotal but it made me go back and review my selection and I found that an extra 100W for a full modular supply with Platinum+ ratings was like $10-15 extra so I pulled the trigger

Second, the platinum+ rating. Power efficiency is great and will reduce heat and general energy waste.

Third, reviews tend to say its quiet. I look for that in most of my parts but the PSu tends to make more noise than other parts so I paid special attention here.
​

[r00t]

That computer is basically everything I would have reccomended. latest i5, best gtx card you can get, most ram you can get, and w/e mobo/case will fit all the shit. Id see if you could hit 16gb of ram tho, Idk might need another mobo too lazy to look at its specs

However, this goes against what happened this morning when I was walking out the door today I was like "I could use a desktop" and decided I would build it with an amd cpu / ati gfx but thats mainly for the cohesion and to boycott nvidia for giving 0 support to linux kernel driver developers over the years

[Nuggie]

Everyone here is going to tell you to build your own machine.

Word.

It's easier than you think. Just don't fry your shit with static electricity. If you have to build on carpet or other static prone area's get a piece of metal to discharge yourself before you grab any component.

Nerd up and build it.

Edit, oh and don't forget the damn offsets for your mobo (that keep the back of the mobo off the case) so you don't fry it.

[myxomatosii]

That computer is basically everything I would have reccomended. latest i5, best gtx card you can get, most ram you can get, and w/e mobo/case will fit all the shit. Id see if you could hit 16gb of ram tho, Idk might need another mobo too lazy to look at its specs

However, this goes against what happened this morning when I was walking out the door today I was like "I could use a desktop" and decided I would build it with an amd cpu / ati gfx but thats mainly for the cohesion and to boycott nvidia for giving 0 support to linux kernel driver developers over the years

AMD & ATI is cheaper so they are def the best options for the same machine with the same performance for less money. If the OP was gonna avoid Linux and only play popular games I'd recommend going with that combo, I'm just an unusual person when it comes to computer preferences.

I read a ton about Intel vs AMD today, and basically its like comparing apples and oranges. Two processor manufacturers, same product, completely different goals.

The only reason I steer away from ATI is because I used to be in a hardcore group of enthusiasts who always built PCs together and LANd and as a Nvidia guy on my first build I constantly had driver support where the ATI guys were having crashing issues and driver support issues (mind you, this could be completely different these days).

My first processor was also an AMD, since it was cheaper etc, but I had heat issues with that. I got a laptop, went Intel / Nvidia, a laptop well known for heat issues and it went for 3 solid years, just before year 4 the GPU finally started melting down. I have to prop it up with the case off and a fan blowing across it to even play EQ. Beyond acceptable life if you ask me, I'm proud of my ASUS lappy.

Intel & Nvidia on an ASUS have better general reviews when it comes to Linux Compat (anecdotal) so I'm gonna try em out one more time :)