Buyer's Guide II: Extreme, High-End, Mid-Range, Budget, and Entry Level Systems

[falloux]

Yup, for your own convenience to reach out for power button and I/O ports.

$2000 Blue/Black Build
CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2500K + Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 @ $510
HSF: Xigmatek Gaia @ $39
RAM: G.Skill DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB [Black PCB] X2 @ $56
GPU: Sapphire HD 6950 1GB Dirt3 Edition X2 [CrossFireX] @ $630
SSD: Strontium Matrix 128GB [SATA III] @ $271 (Strontium Online Store)
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 1TB [SATA II] @ $64
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $29
PSU: FSP Aurum 650W Modular [80 Plus Gold] @ $159
CASE: Lian Li PC-7FNW [Black] @ $145
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $112
ETC: Cooler Master 3.5" Front Bay USB 3.0 Adapter @ $25

Total: $2040

Get all from PC Themes unless specified in brackets.

Big thanks bro!!

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

Impossible for an Intel quad core without sacrificing quality. May i know what is the exact usage? Playing what sort of games?

Full usage on internet, work not much.

Well if play would be war3, l4d2
these 2 or abit more...3~4 games of that already meet the required spec (not intend to play bf3, but COD mw4 can already.

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

Downgrade

Well he is alright with either a i3 or G840.

But how much differences btw it quality and can fully utilities the CPU??

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Well he is alright with either a i3 or G840.

But how much differences btw it quality and can fully utilities the CPU??

Best Performance, Poor Quality Build
CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2310 + Biostar H61MH @ $307
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB @ $26
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA II] @ $48
ODD: Samsung 22X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $24
PSU: FSP Hexa 400W [80 Plus] @ $59
CASE: Generic ATX Chassis @ $25
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $111

Total: $600

Get all from Tradepac.

Good Quality Build
CPU+MB: Intel Core i3-2100 + ASRock H61M/U3S3 @ $260
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB @ $26
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 1TB [SATA II] @ $64
ODD: Lite-On 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $26
PSU: FSP Hexa 400W [80 Plus] @ $59
CASE: Ikonik EN2 @ $55 (PC Themes)
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $111

Total: $601

Get all from Tradepac unless specified in brackets.

Full usage on internet, work not much.

Well if play would be war3, l4d2
these 2 or abit more...3~4 games of that already meet the required spec (not intend to play bf3, but COD mw4 can already.

$600 Gaming Build
CPU+MB: Intel Pentium G840 + ASRock H61M/U3S3 @ $210
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB @ $26
GPU: Sapphire HD 5750 1GB @ $98 (PC Themes)
Clearance stock.
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA II] @ $48
ODD: Lite-On 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $26
PSU: FSP Hexa 400W [80 Plus] @ $59
CASE: Generic ATX Chassis @ $25
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $111

Total: $603

Get all from Tradepac unless specified in brackets.

 

[rahul49]

For my current PC setup(as listed in profile ), if I just upgrade my GFX to HD6970, can I play BF3 at 1680x1050 High settings? Will the C2D be a bottleneck?

 

[xonix]

For my current PC setup(as listed in profile ), if I just upgrade my GFX to HD6970, can I play BF3 at 1680x1050 High settings? Will the C2D be a bottleneck?

BF3 not officially out yet so no one can tell you for sure but do check out the cpu cores benchmarks of BF2 here for reference.

There is BF3 benchmark here but it's based on alpha version.

 

[Gforce_Ti]

For what purpose?

For playing mid games and surf net. nothing heavy compute work.

 

[WhatsYourWish]

For playing mid games and surf net. nothing heavy compute work.

You can actually consider those $600 rig below Moneyface has reco to others.
I assume those mid games you play is close L4D~

CPU+MB: Intel Pentium G840 + ASRock H61M/U3S3 ~ $219
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB ~ $26
GPU: XFX HD6790 1GB ~ $189
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB ~ $49
ODD: Sony 24X CD/DVD Writer ~ $29
PSU: FSP Hexa 400W [80 Plus] ~ $59 (Tradepac)
CASE: ikonik en2 ~ $55

Total: $626. (PC Themes)

 

[Gforce_Ti]

You can actually consider those $600 rig below Moneyface has reco to others.
I assume those mid games you play is close L4D~

CPU+MB: Intel Pentium G840 + ASRock H61M/U3S3 ~ $219
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB ~ $26
GPU: XFX HD6790 1GB ~ $189
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB ~ $49
ODD: Sony 24X CD/DVD Writer ~ $29
PSU: FSP Hexa 400W [80 Plus] ~ $59 (Tradepac)
CASE: ikonik en2 ~ $55

Total: $626. (PC Themes)

Thanks alot for ur reco.

 

[WhatsYourWish]

Thanks alot for ur reco.

And you created your account at 2001? WTF!! 2001 I'm still playing with baby toys.

 

[Gforce_Ti]

And you created your account at 2001? WTF!! 2001 I'm still playing with baby toys.

hahaha..... u must be very young

 

[WhatsYourWish]

hahaha..... u must be very young

18 liao not young.. can drink, somke and drive only.

 

[Gforce_Ti]

18 liao not young.. can drink, somke and drive only.

okie okie ..... thanks for ur reco

 

[kimoshiko]

When using i7 2600k, how do i maximize the CPU ram bus?
using :
a) 2x4GB ram
b) 3x4GB ram
c) 4x4GB ram

Anyone knows?

 

[falloux]

Yup, for your own convenience to reach out for power button and I/O ports.

$2000 Blue/Black Build
CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2500K + Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 @ $510
HSF: Xigmatek Gaia @ $39
RAM: G.Skill DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB [Black PCB] X2 @ $56
GPU: Sapphire HD 6950 1GB Dirt3 Edition X2 [CrossFireX] @ $630
SSD: Strontium Matrix 128GB [SATA III] @ $271 (Strontium Online Store)
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 1TB [SATA II] @ $64
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $29
PSU: FSP Aurum 650W Modular [80 Plus Gold] @ $159
CASE: Lian Li PC-7FNW [Black] @ $145
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $112
ETC: Cooler Master 3.5" Front Bay USB 3.0 Adapter @ $25

Total: $2040

Get all from PC Themes unless specified in brackets.

Moneyface bro, ps but still need your help. As much as i`m tempted to go for xfire, i dont really like the idea of having to twitch the settings for different kind of games and not all game support multi gpu. In that case, could you recommend a single gpu card built for gaming on a 1080p monitor. Do i really need a SSD?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Moneyface bro, ps but still need your help. As much as i`m tempted to go for xfire, i dont really like the idea of having to twitch the settings for different kind of games and not all game support multi gpu. In that case, could you recommend a single gpu card built for gaming on a 1080p monitor. Do i really need a SSD?

Getting outstanding performance on the cheap does have some troubles to bear with, but i felt that in this case the performance benefit in the long period is going far outweigh its inherent cons. http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/299?vs=305

If you really want to stay with single GPU, hen change to EVGA GTX 580 1.5GB Superclocked @ $599 (Fuwell)

If you also don't feel the need for those extra SATA ports, USB 3.0 front ports and not going to SLI/crossfire next time, change motherboard to ASRock P67 Pro3 then.

 

[kimoshiko]

ASUS P8P67 -M (B3) MAINBOARD (Must have USB3.0 and 2 PCI x16)
INTEL i7 2600K - 3.40GHZ 8MB $589
KINGSTON PC3-1333 DDR3 4GB X 2 $52
Samsung 1TB HD103SJ Sata2 $65 or Hitachi 1TB Sata3 7200 RPM $64
SAMSUNG 24X DVDRW SATA $27
N560 GTX-TI HAWK 1GB $357
FSP AURUM SERIES GOLD 600 $135
IKONIK EN2 WITHOUT SIDE WINDOW $58 (Must support USB3.0 at front)
Tradepac $1280

Any recommendation for casing and hard-disk ?
Any comment for this virgin system?

 

[falloux]

Getting outstanding performance on the cheap does have some troubles to bear with, but i felt that in this case the performance benefit in the long period is going far outweigh its inherent cons.

If you really want to stay with single GPU, hen change to EVGA GTX 580 1.5GB Superclocked @ $599 (Fuwell)

If you also don't feel the need for those extra SATA ports, USB 3.0 front ports and not going to SLI/crossfire next time, change motherboard to ASRock P67 Pro3 then.

Thanks bro!! Will consider your words. Long run might outweigh its inherent cons!

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi Felfirez. Thanks for your inputs.

I was thinking i5 2600K.
My budget is about 1 - 1.2k w/o monitor.

I do not do video processing offen. i just thought of ramming up my new DIY desktop just in case i may start some video editing work.

This desktop will become my gaming system most of the time.

ASUS P8P67 -M (B3) MAINBOARD (Must have USB3.0 and 2 PCI x16)
INTEL i7 2600K - 3.40GHZ 8MB $589
KINGSTON PC3-1333 DDR3 4GB X 2 $52
Samsung 1TB HD103SJ Sata2 $65 or Hitachi 1TB Sata3 7200 RPM $64
SAMSUNG 24X DVDRW SATA $27
N560 GTX-TI HAWK 1GB $357
FSP AURUM SERIES GOLD 600 $135
IKONIK EN2 WITHOUT SIDE WINDOW $58 (Must support USB3.0 at front)
Tradepac $1280

Any recommendation for casing and hard-disk ?
Any comment for this virgin system?

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2500K + Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 @ $510
Motherboard has USB 3.0 header and 2nd PCIe X8 slot.
HSF: Xigmatek Gaia @ $39
RAM: Kingston ValueRAM DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB X2 @ $52
GPU: Leadtek GTX 560 Ti 1GB OC @ $308
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 1TB [SATA II] @ $64
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $29
PSU: FSP Aurum 500W [80 Plus Gold] @ $115
CASE: Fractal Design Arc Midi @ $139
USB 3.0 front panel bay to be collected from distributor.

Total: $1256

Get all from PC Themes.
Don't approach Tradepac if you are still unfamiliar with their store.

 

[evopilot]

which mobo is better GIGABYTE Z68MA-D2H-B3 or MSI Z68A-G45?