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"I need a new PC!" 2010 Edition

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for a mid to high end gaming PC with upgradeability.

My budget is $800. I was wondering if the "bang for the buck" guide in the OP is outdated by now. Some of the items are not available at NewEgg anymore, and the guide was written in January.

Thanks.
 
kinggroin said:
I'm running a 5970 plus 2 raptors, an overclocked Phenom II x4 @ 4ghz a dvd burner and 4 gigs of ram, all on a 750w Corsair. Not a single issue.

So long as your PSU brand is decent, you should be more than fine.
I'm using a Corsair, too. I believe a 5970 has less power draw than two 5870s, though, and I'm also on 6GB RAM and an OCed i7 920 (4GHz as well).

The fact that you're on 750w does encourage me, though.
 
kagete said:
Amazon has the Hyper 212+ for $30 instead of the $50 that newegg charges for it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002G1YPH0/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Nice! I was going to ask where it was $30.
Diablohead said:
This is the best thread to ask in but what is a good piece of software that can show heat and temp for parts of the pc (if supported) ? I have seen it shown around gaf a few times where if the temp is too hot it shows a flame icon.

I ask because team fortress 2 is the only game I have which makes small white dots appear on the wall textures, I don't think it's heat related as no other game has ever shown problems and the player models themselves in tf2 are fine, but it's always wise to check anyway just in case I need to buy an extra case fan or two.
White dots should be artifacts which means something is going wrong on your videocard.
Download FURMARK or ATiTool and run that. If you get static / flippy graphics your GPU is on its way out and you should try to return it. If you can't return it try downclocking it and see if it works when it is a bit slower.
For temps you can use GPU-Z or RivaTuner. CPU temps: RealTemp, Core Temp
The flame icon one is SpeedFan, but I've had it report wrong in the past so I just use Real/Coretemp. Some others haven't had issues.
Amneisac said:
Is there any reliable way to know where your bottleneck is? In other words, I just bought an i5-750 and how can you tell what video card will complement that properly and not be too much or too little card? Right now I have a 4850, which will clearly be the bottleneck, but would a 5850 be overkill or could the i5-750 push an even better card?
Some games will just bottleneck your card no matter your CPU. It is just that your GPU can scale better with a better CPU. A 5850 is definitely not overkill. Even 4x 5870's still gain frames on an overclocked quad today.
Milabrega said:
Why would the prices go down next week? There a release of some kind I am unaware of?
GTX 460 launch in under a week.
Should slot in the $200-$230 range
AcciDante said:
Can anyone help me with the build I posted above? I'm kind of just picked that power supply randomly and could use some help finding a good one.

Also, somebody PM'd me after I posted that and said that I should get a Phenom II X6 instead of i5/i7. Also said that 1155/1366 are dead platforms. Is this true?
This was my response to Ryoma
So you've brought this up a few times in the past when you post, but performance wise the i5 is just plain faster (In programs that are not made for 4+ cores/threads). It just is.

AM3 looks to have a better upgrade path with the new chips that should work fine with AM3 and no doubt they will be priced excellently... when they actually come out (The real mainstream chips, nto the date for the top end). In terms of clock for clock performance I don't see AMD passing the i5/i7 line by much if they do at all. Obviously that is just speculation by me. I expect the 1156 refresh to line up competitively with Bulldozer and if the need be there, you can upgrade.

I just don't think the upgrade to Bulldozer to be worth buying a slower chip at the same price and waiting many months on an upgrade.
PSU is great. Don't worry about it.
 
*Reposting*
1)Basic Desktop Questions

Budget: Price Range + Country
Main Use: Gaming, Video editing, or just general usage
Monitor Resolution: What resolution will you be playing your games at? Are you going to upgrade later?
List SPECIFIC games that you MUST be able to play: Self Explanatory

2)General Guide on what to buy (Summer)
Tech Report Builders Guide!
A very good basic guide that has been updated for Summer. Has alternative options and many price points.


3) 15 minute video how-to
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/video_how_build_pc_ever_step_explained
40 minute how-to
http://www.tested.com/news/video-how-to-build-the-best-1500-gaming-pc-step-by-step/152/

If someone has a better short video please share.

4) Prospective laptop buyers please fill this out (and maybe even ask their forum):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/wha...ould-i-buy-form-must-read-before-posting.html
FleckSplat said:
Hi guys,

I'm in the market for a mid to high end gaming PC with upgradeability.

My budget is $800. I was wondering if the "bang for the buck" guide in the OP is outdated by now. Some of the items are not available at NewEgg anymore, and the guide was written in January.
2nu6pgn.jpg

MikeDub said:
Is there anything else like this that would be UK orientated? I am looking to buy a new rig within the next couple of months and just wanted to get a sense of what is out there right now.
Components are the same across the pond. Also a couple a months can be an eternity, so just ask then.
 
Crunched said:
I'm using a Corsair, too. I believe a 5970 has less power draw than two 5870s, though, and I'm also on 6GB RAM and an OCed i7 920 (4GHz as well).

The fact that you're on 750w does encourage me, though.


The 5970 is OC'd as well as having it's voltage upped to accommodate. You're more than fine.
 
Alright. I want to finalize mostly everything.

I have two options now. Would hyper threading work on something like FFXIV, does anyone know? That is the biggest resource hog that I will have running on my computer. If that would be a waste then I will settle on the i5-750 most likely.

For reference:
i5-750 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product
i7-860 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214&cm_re=i7_860-_-19-115-214-_-Product

My motherboard for either the 750 or 860:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412&cm_re=GA-P55A-_-13-128-412-_-Product

Ram for either:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275&Tpk=F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM

Video Card:
Waiting on the GTX 460 to either get it or another card due to possible lower prices.

HD:
Still deciding on if I want to shell out some money on a SSD or not. I'll either end up getting:
1) SSD + Everything else (500 or 640gb)
2) Raptor + Everything else (500 or 640gb)

Monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

As I stated above, the case and psu have already been purchased. Any final input, especially on my CPU question would be appreciated. :)
 
demosthenes said:
Alright. I want to finalize mostly everything.

I have two options now. Would hyper threading work on something like FFXIV, does anyone know? That is the biggest resource hog that I will have running on my computer. If that would be a waste then I will settle on the i5-750 most likely.

For reference:
i5-750 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product
i7-860 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214&cm_re=i7_860-_-19-115-214-_-Product

My motherboard for either the 750 or 860:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412&cm_re=GA-P55A-_-13-128-412-_-Product

Ram for either:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275&Tpk=F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM

Video Card:
Waiting on the GTX 460 to either get it or another card due to possible lower prices.

HD:
Still deciding on if I want to shell out some money on a SSD or not. I'll either end up getting:
1) SSD + Everything else (500 or 640gb)
2) Raptor + Everything else (500 or 640gb)

Monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

As I stated above, the case and psu have already been purchased. Any final input, especially on my CPU question would be appreciated. :)

I'm going to piggyback on your monitor thing real quick, I asked about this earlier, but no one really answered. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZVCGXQ/?tag=neogaf0e-20 this monitor is just slightly more, and is LED backlit, all the specs seem to be the same, is it a noticebly better monitor or is there something I'm missing about it?
 
kagete said:
Amazon has the Hyper 212+ for $30 instead of the $50 that newegg charges for it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002G1YPH0/?tag=neogaf0e-20
As I mentioned before, something is off with Newegg.com's pricing as of late. Amazon's $30 list price isn't actually a deal since the Hyper 212+ has an MSRP of $29.99.

Microcenter seems tio be one of the few places that still has a regular sale on the 212+. It was marked down to $20 a few weeks ago and I believe it's at $25 now.

edIt: MC has it back down to $20 again, online and in-store

0315397_303198.jpg


Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus Universal CPU Cooler $19.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0315397
 
Just picked up my new pc today but wont be home for another 2 hours

specs

Asus P6T SE mobo
i7 930 processor
radeon HD 5870
6GB ram ( should I grab some more or am I good with that)

plus hard drive windows and all that stuff

1600 $ canadian
 
·feist· said:
The 212? It's around 6.25" in height, so unless the door latch gets in the way, you should be fine with a Sonata.

I think I ordered a different one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Is this the same one? I hate the way Amazon lists their products sometime. It looks the same though.

Edit: Nevermind it says the thing is 6.2inches, I guess it's the same one. One thing some people have said is it doesn't include the height for the pipes which makes it longer.
 
gillFTR said:
Just picked up my new pc today but wont be home for another 2 hours

specs

Asus P6T SE mobo
i7 930 processor
radeon HD 5870
6GB ram ( should I grab some more or am I good with that)

plus hard drive windows and all that stuff

1600 $ canadian

6GB is more than enough for gaming.
 
WEGGLES said:
FFFFFFF. I just ordered the 5850.

Augh.

Does Newegg have some price guarantee thing? D:
Assuming the 5850 pricedrops.

Well, nvidia rarely gets their stuff out on time, but I'm sure you can return it for a refund within 30 days.
 
Well if you got an older revision of that memory, you could encounter cold boot problems with that mobo. I was going to recommend another brand, but looking at the official G.Skill forums it looks like they shipped the new revision a while back, so no worries.
 
esc said:
Well if you got an older revision of that memory, you could encounter cold boot problems with that mobo. I was going to recommend another brand, but looking at the official G.Skill forums it looks like they shipped the new revision a while back, so no worries.

Oh okay, well thanks for the heads up, is there a way I'll be able to ensure I'm not getting the bad memory when it shows up?
 
Amneisac said:
Well, nvidia rarely gets their stuff out on time, but I'm sure you can return it for a refund within 30 days.
I don't want to return the 5850 I ordered. I just want like a 30 day price match thing like Futureshop has, if you buy something and it goes on sale within 30 days they'll refund the diff if you ask.
 
So how powerful is the GTX 460 supposed to be? Unless they've totally screwed up with their naming scheme, it should be less powerful than the 465, but since that's roughly equivalent to a 5830, wouldn't that make the 460 something like a 5770 for $200?
 
Amneisac said:
I think I ordered a different one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/?tag=neogaf0e-20

Is this the same one? I hate the way Amazon lists their products sometime. It looks the same though.

Edit: Nevermind it says the thing is 6.2inches, I guess it's the same one. One thing some people have said is it doesn't include the height for the pipes which makes it longer.
Yes, it's the same cooler.

As for fitment concerns, here's a Sonata with a Prolimatech Megahalems:


P1020038.jpg



http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/mattd860/P1020027.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f77/mattd860/P1020029.jpg

The images are from here:
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=156951
 
dr3upmushroom said:
So how powerful is the GTX 460 supposed to be? Unless they've totally screwed up with their naming scheme, it should be less powerful than the 465, but since that's roughly equivalent to a 5830, wouldn't that make the 460 something like a 5770 for $200?

I read that they're supposed to be faster than the 465's, which has pissed off the other makers b/c they'll be left with a stockpile of 465 cards.
 
demosthenes said:
I read that they're supposed to be faster than the 465's, which has pissed off the other makers b/c they'll be left with a stockpile of 465 cards.
Alright, I thought I had read that before but I thought it was kind of weird that the 460 would be faster as well as cheaper than the 465.

Are they renaming the 465 then or is it just totally gone now? Seems like it would be pretty confusing for people browsing newegg who don't keep up with news.
 
dr3upmushroom said:
Alright, I thought I had read that before but I thought it was kind of weird that the 460 would be faster as well as cheaper than the 465.

Are they renaming the 465 then or is it just totally gone now? Seems like it would be pretty confusing for people browsing newegg who don't keep up with news.

Thus, why the manufacturers are angry.
 
I wonder why they didn't just name it GTX 465+ like with the 9800. Or come up with some other name. Seems pretty stupid to piss everyone off like that. Or maybe just rebrand the 465 as a GTS card or something.
 
hey guys, long time lurker here, just wanted to see what you guys thought of my new build that Im working with, and see if any of you guys have some suggestions:

Im on a 1400 dollar budget, and I want to get as best as I can right now without going too crazy: (Keep in mind the 1400 includes my new monitor, which is around 200)

CASE: Cooler Master CAC-TO5 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068)

CPU: Intel i7 - 930 (had a crazy good deal at MicroCenter, decided to jump on board with this)

MOTHERBOARD: EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR LGA 1366 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9&Tpk=X58 SLI LE LGA 1366 X58 ATX Motherboard)

HARD DRIVE: Seagate 250GB 7,200 RPM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148451)

RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145236)

COOLING SOLUTION: (my friend suggested it, said it will help alot) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010&Tpk=corsair h50)

POWER SUPPLY: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006)

GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5850 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477&cm_re=5850-_-14-150-477-_-Product)

The GPU is what Ive been going back and forth with..

Any suggestions / comments would be awesome, this is the first time Im building my own PC as well, thanks!!!!!
 
I think I found a decent deal at Best Buy, but I could you some GAF opinions. My primary reason for a new PC is to play FFXIV at least at mid-range settings. Can this beast handle it?

Dell - Inspiron Desktop -Model: I580-5108NBC
Processor
Intel® Core™ i5-650

Processor Speed
3.2GHz

Cache Memory
4MB

System Memory (RAM)
8GB

Type of Memory (RAM)
DDR3 SDRAM

Hard Drive Type
SATA (7200 rpm)

Hard Drive Size
1TB

Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GT220

Video Memory
1GB (dedicated)

I know the graphics card is weak, but I would upgrade that in the near future. Thoughts?
 
Woo, ordered a 1TB HDD and replaced my old 500GB with it. Now that I've done that, my computer successfully detects the HDD and I was able to install Windows without a hitch.

I've run into one problem though: the mobo drivers CD apparently only supports Windows XP and Vista -- me running Windows 7. This only applies to the Audio and Lan drivers; it installed all the others just fine. Halp D:

EDIT: Ah! Turns out the first Drivers package installed everthing. Crisis averted. Everything is now hooked up and done with. Thanks for all the help along the way :D
 
Classic_Gs said:
I think I found a decent deal at Best Buy, but I could you some GAF opinions. My primary reason for a new PC is to play FFXIV at least at mid-range settings. Can this beast handle it?

Dell - Inspiron Desktop -Model: I580-5108NBC
Processor
Intel® Core™ i5-650

Processor Speed
3.2GHz

Cache Memory
4MB

System Memory (RAM)
8GB

Type of Memory (RAM)
DDR3 SDRAM

Hard Drive Type
SATA (7200 rpm)

Hard Drive Size
1TB

Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GT220

Video Memory
1GB (dedicated)

I know the graphics card is weak, but I would upgrade that in the near future. Thoughts?

make sure whatever psu it ships with is man enough to take a beefier gpu to task.
 
Classic_Gs said:
I think I found a decent deal at Best Buy, but I could you some GAF opinions. My primary reason for a new PC is to play FFXIV at least at mid-range settings. Can this beast handle it?

Dell - Inspiron Desktop -Model: I580-5108NBC
Processor
Intel® Core™ i5-650

Processor Speed
3.2GHz

Cache Memory
4MB

System Memory (RAM)
8GB

Type of Memory (RAM)
DDR3 SDRAM

Hard Drive Type
SATA (7200 rpm)

Hard Drive Size
1TB

Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GT220

Video Memory
1GB (dedicated)

I know the graphics card is weak, but I would upgrade that in the near future. Thoughts?


Noooo don't do it. It's almost $800 on bestbuy, online only, and you will end up paying tax and shipping. If you really must buy a preconfigured desktop that you won't have to wait a couple of weeks to ship then maybe just look at the ones being sold on newegg or other sites.

I imagine using the gt220 for FF14 will make you sad :(
 
ghst said:
make sure whatever psu it ships with is man enough to take a beefier gpu to task.
Great point, thanks.

kagete said:
Noooo don't do it. It's almost $800 on bestbuy, online only, and you will end up paying tax and shipping. If you really must buy a preconfigured desktop that you won't have to wait a couple of weeks to ship then maybe just look at the ones being sold on newegg or other sites.

I imagine using the gt220 for FF14 will make you sad :(
I will continue to shop, thanks, and yeah that gpu is not exactly jaw dropping.
 
Speccy is saying my CPU is running at 69-72 degrees Celsius. This is at idle. Isn't that way too high?

EDIT: Here is the readout atm.
MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 930 @ 2.80GHz 69 °C
Bloomfield 45nm Technology
RAM
6.0GB Triple-Channel DDR3 @ 530MHz (8-8-8-20)
Motherboard
EVGA 141-BL-E757 (Socket 423)
Graphics
AL2216W @ 1680x1050
SyncMaster @ 1680x1050
ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series
Hard Drives
977GB Western Digital WDC WD10EARS-00Y5B1 ATA Device (IDE) 38 °C
Optical Drives
TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S203N ATA Device
Audio
ATI High Definition Audio Device
Also says my RAM is at 530MHz when it's supposed to be 1600MHz? Is that wrong? =|
 
Rrang129 said:
hey guys, long time lurker here, just wanted to see what you guys thought of my new build that Im working with, and see if any of you guys have some suggestions:

Im on a 1400 dollar budget, and I want to get as best as I can right now without going too crazy: (Keep in mind the 1400 includes my new monitor, which is around 200)

CASE: Cooler Master CAC-TO5 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068)

CPU: Intel i7 - 930 (had a crazy good deal at MicroCenter, decided to jump on board with this)

MOTHERBOARD: EVGA 141-BL-E757-TR LGA 1366 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9&Tpk=X58 SLI LE LGA 1366 X58 ATX Motherboard)

HARD DRIVE: Seagate 250GB 7,200 RPM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148451)

RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145236)

COOLING SOLUTION: (my friend suggested it, said it will help alot) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010&Tpk=corsair h50)

POWER SUPPLY: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006)

GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5850 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477&cm_re=5850-_-14-150-477-_-Product)

The GPU is what Ive been going back and forth with..

Any suggestions / comments would be awesome, this is the first time Im building my own PC as well, thanks!!!!!

you and me kind of have the same build I just got mine today. I forked out the extra money for the i7 930 my other option was to go with with a i7 860 or i5 750 which means you can get a 1156 mobo(less money) and save money on the processor if you go with the i5 750. Once again I am in canada and that was the way I found I could of saved money, but U.S usually has much better and competitive prices.
 
My Radeon 4850 is acting weird. I can't make any changes to the settings in ATi overdrive menu. My fan speed fluctuates between 37-39% and the I cannot change it. Every time I hit "Enable Manual Fan Control" and click apply it just unchecks it. Same thing applies when I try to change my clock speed settings. Any ideas here? I tried setting everything to default, deleting/making new profiles, and also uninstalling/reinstalling new drivers.
 
gillFTR said:
you and me kind of have the same build I just got mine today. I forked out the extra money for the i7 930 my other option was to go with with a i7 860 or i5 750 which means you can get a 1156 mobo(less money) and save money on the processor if you go with the i5 750. Once again I am in canada and that was the way I found I could of saved money, but U.S usually has much better and competitive prices.

yeah the 930 was 200 bucks at Micro Center... too good of a deal to pass up
 
Classic_Gs said:
I will continue to shop, thanks, and yeah that gpu is not exactly jaw dropping.
Good move. That's an awful buy at that price.


Kenak said:
Speccy is saying my CPU is running at 69-72 degrees Celsius. This is at idle. Isn't that way too high?

EDIT: Here is the readout atm.

Also says my RAM is at 530MHz when it's supposed to be 1600MHz? Is that wrong? =|
DDR3 @ 530MHz --> 1590MHz

My current G.Skills are DDR2 @ 533MHz --> 1066MHz

The CPU temp in the summary is an average across all of your cores. For what it's worth, Speccy's temp read outs are mostly in line with what I get from Real Temp and Speed Fan. Have you tried another program? Unless your mobo is reporting incorrect CPU figures, you may have an issue with your PC. It could be something like a thermal material problem or misaligned cooler.
 
·feist· said:
Good move. That's an awful buy at that price.


DDR3 @ 530MHz --> 1590MHz

My current G.Skills are DDR2 @ 533MHz --> 1066MHz

Wrong there. DDR2 and DDR3 are both double the original bandwidth. So in your case DDR3 at 533MHz is only 1066MHz and not 1590MHz just like DDR2 at 533MHz is 1066MHz. If you want your RAM to run at 1600MHz you need to increase it to 800MHz. There should be a setting in your motherboard's bios.
 
Kenak said:
Speccy is saying my CPU is running at 69-72 degrees Celsius. This is at idle. Isn't that way too high?
Yes. Reseat your cooler. My i7 @ 4GHz hits those temps after twenty minutes at full load.
Kenak said:
Also says my RAM is at 530MHz when it's supposed to be 1600MHz? Is that wrong? =|
Adjust RAM speed in your BIOS. The "1600MHz" is what your RAM will work up to, not what it automatically will be.

What CPU cooler are you using?
 
Crunched said:
Yes. Reseat your cooler. My i7 @ 4GHz hits those temps after twenty minutes at full load.

Adjust RAM speed in your BIOS. The "1600MHz" is what your RAM will work up to, not what it automatically will be.

What CPU cooler are you using?
Stock that came with it. I'll take it off and put it back on, but I'm doubtful that it will work.
 
Are those thermaltake hdd docking stations any good? Would I be better off getting one of those and an internal drive or just a straight up external? I'm paranoid lately and want a cheap backup solution.
 
Kenak said:
Stock that came with it. I'll take it off and put it back on, but I'm doubtful that it will work.
I guess higher temps are to be expected, then, but ~70C seems far too high even on a stock cooler. I'd assume an i7 would float around 40-50C at idle with a stock cooler.
 
Kenak said:
Stock that came with it. I'll take it off and put it back on, but I'm doubtful that it will work.

Don't be offended but just in case you've never done it before make sure you put thermal paste on when you're reseating it.
 
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