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Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-11 18:59
by FiveOh617
So Im looking for new PC and I have no idea what to get. Considering PR will be the game I run most, I figured I should ask for opinions here.
Im looking for something reasonably priced that will run games like LA Noir or ArmA II smoothly. I dont need any of that fancy shit like case lights or anything. I just need a noob-friendly machine that will play my games and wont break the bank.
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-11 19:46
by Pedz
Probably best to post in the hardware section, but whats your price range? We can easily help you make a PC that will meet your specifications, but everyones "break the bank" limit is different. So prices =].
Also do you have a PC at the moment, with a case that is acceptable (has some fans for airflow), and a power supply (with a known wattage). Also hard drives and disk drives, these will all save you money (and quite a bit).
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-11 20:53
by Cp
Thread moved.
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-11 21:01
by FiveOh617
HURRRRR cant believe I didnt see this section. Im looking to spend less than $1K. Im not sure if thats reasonable or not though...
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-11 21:58
by BloodBane611
You can easily get a nice setup for less than $1000. A few questions though:
What is your current setup?
Do you have any parts you can re-use (GPU, Case)?
Do you want to upgrade your OS ($100 for Win 7 64 bit if so)?
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-11 22:03
by OkitaMakoto
asus has a G74S on amazon pretty cheap. its what i use. bluray, nvidia geforce 560m, i7, 12gig ram, windows 7.
runs bf3 on full as well. arma2 on mostly full as well
ahhh nevermind. i read laptop in my head. the one i listed is a laptop. but still its nice
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-12 13:46
by Pedz
I agree with Exileds rig, but instead of the standard 2500, get the k version... So easy to OC, and so stable. Been running my i7-2600k at 4ghz ~(standard is 3.4) with no changes to voltage, no temp increase or anything (I did buy a bigger CPU cooler, don't know if the standard would be good enough for a 600mhz oc 24/7).
Also at the moment, I personally don't see the point in investing in an SSD, yes it is quicker, but wait a few years and the price will drop a whole lot, and with only 64GB you won't get much other than quicker boots out of it, and possibly better Arma2 play, which tbh isn't worth the ?100 extra, as win7 boots pretty damn quickly anyway, and if you implement logic when you book up, (e.g go do other stuff, like make a drink etc..) then theres no benefit at all for a non-ultra-top-end PC.
Edit: Also wait 1-2 months and Nvidia + AMD(ATI) will be releasing new graphics cards, which will both decrease the price of the current, or give you a fair amount more performance for your cash, so if you don't mind waiting till Christmas, or possibly January 2012, you'll get more for your cash =]. (Always like to point these things out). Another thing is that Ivy bridge (new intel processsors) are out in January, so again more performance, for the same cash, or the same perfromance for less cash.
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-12 16:32
by BloodBane611
Exiled's suggestion is a pretty decent build, I've got a few minor comments:
If you have a 64 bit OS, I think you should pick up 8 GB of RAM. Programs like ArmA 2 can use 2 GB at a time, with win 7 you're at 3, a few background programs running (i.e. mozilla) and you can easily hit 4 GB used simultaneously. Given the cheapness of DDR3 these days, there's no reason not to do it (to be fair, I bought DDR3 when it cost twice as much, so maybe I'm a little biased).
I agree with Pedz that a 32 GB SSD isn't very useful - Win 7 takes up a minimum of ~8 GB, ArmA2 takes up another 10-20 GB depending on mods, so max it's going to fit OS + 2 games - it's just not worth it (unless you want the super fast boot time, which is a feature I find really like every time I turn on my computer). If you're building a budget machine, don't buy an SSD, it really doesn't make sense. I built a budget machine in 2010 ($850 w/ monitor), then upgraded it with an SSD this summer. You can always get it later if you want to, and prices are only going down.
As Pedz says, given the small ($5) price difference between the 2500 and the 2500k, I would go with the 2500k. You don't have to overclock, but if you want to in the future you can - it offers you more flexibility for basically no money.
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-12 19:45
by Epim3theus
If he really needs to save somewhere maybe look around for an old hard drive he has laying around, because atm you'll pay double of what it was 2 months ago because of Thailand being flooded.
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-13 02:31
by BloodBane611
Th3Exiled wrote:SSD- C: ~29.8GiB OS, Drivers, programs & pagefile
HDD- D: 100GiB Programs & Games E: ~365GiB Documents
That's how I'd set up that computer. I like to have at least two hard drives. Although the games aren't on the SSD, you still gain improvement becauase all the other services which are constantly running are being pulled from the SSD and not forcing the HDD to go back and forward between the game and system files. I don't really notice much improvement to games myself from having them on the SSD (since they usually run smoothly, although I don't have a million services/programs running while I game. Having a second hard drive does however help), I notice a big improvement in windows and other tasks though.
Guess it really depends on whether you are solely concerned about games or if you also enjoy a fluid desktop experience.
Exiled.
Yeah, that's a fair point, an SSD does improve normal desktop activities quite a bit.
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-15 01:41
by LITOralis.nMd
FiveOh617 wrote:So Im looking for new PC and I have no idea what to get. Considering PR will be the game I run most, I figured I should ask for opinions here.
Im looking for something reasonably priced that will run games like LA Noir or ArmA II smoothly. I dont need any of that fancy shit like case lights or anything. I just need a noob-friendly machine that will play my games and wont break the bank.
You can go to Micro Center in Cambridge, MA and buy the parts on the cheap.
Micro Center Boston/Cambridge
730 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: (617) 234-6400
here is the best option right now, be aware that
1. you can find better prices online.
2. the cost of HDDs have skyrocketed due to the devestating flooding in Thailand
3. $60 discount for buying cpu/mobo combo at micro center
4. several rebates
5. free batman arkham for the video card
6. you can buy cheaper RAM cheaper SDD, cheaper HDD, cheaper PSU, and strill be good
7. definitely can finder cheaper video card from websites like slickdeals.net
https://www.microcenter.com/InsiderAcct ... HmWdIAOuNX
Wish List
i5-2500k matx build
Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:06:13 PM
$179.99
Add to Cart
Gigabyte GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX Intel Motherboard
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:07:16 PM
$139.99
Add to Cart
Corsair H60 Hydro Water Cooler CWCH60, for Intel LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1366, LGA775 ...
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:08:15 PM
$89.99
Add to Cart
Corsair Vengeance Series 8GB DDR3-1866 (PC3-15000) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory ...
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:10:22 PM
$89.99
Add to Cart
Antec Three Hundred ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:11:01 PM
$49.99
Add to Cart
Seasonic USA X-Series SS660KMACTPFCF3 660 Watt Modular ATX Power Supply
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:13:16 PM
$149.99
Add to Cart
Crucial m4 CT0128M4SSD2 128GB SATA 6.0Gb/s 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) wi...
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:14:28 PM
$209.99
Add to Cart
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 7,200RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive WD10EALX - R...
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:15:39 PM
$99.99
Add to Cart
Blu-ray BD-ROM/8x DVD?RW DL SATA Internal Optical Drive OEM
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:16:31 PM
$49.99
Add to Cart
Scythe Slip Stream Kaze Jyuni 120mm 500RPM Case Fan
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:17:47 PM
$12.99
Add to Cart
MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x1...
Date added: 11/14/2011 8:20:43 PM
$259.99
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-15 02:06
by LITOralis.nMd
My prior post is a near top of the line PC for about 1400. Without keyboard/mouse/monitor/speakers/headphones/ps3 Eye webcam, etc.
TO build a PC that can run ARMAII
R at high, and stay under $1k , you probably need to switch to AMD cpu/mobo combos from Micro Center.
OCZ Technology ModXStream Pro 500 Watt ATX EPS12V ...
SKU: 907790
$59.99
$39.99
after Rebate
[Details] $59.99
Scythe Slip Stream Kaze Jyuni 120mm 500RPM Case Fa...
SKU: 408997
$12.99 $12.99
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 7,200RPM SATA 6.0G...
SKU: 963629
$99.99 $99.99
Blu-ray BD-ROM/8x DVD?RW DL SATA Internal Optical...
SKU: 838565
$49.99 $49.99
Corsair H60 Hydro Water Cooler CWCH60, for Intel L...
SKU: 283465
$89.99 $89.99
AMD FX 4100 Black Edition 3.6GHz Quad-Core Socket ...
SKU: 994335
$109.99 $109.99
Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 Socket AM3+ 990FX ATX AMD M...
SKU: 533240
$149.99
$139.99
after Rebate
[Details] $149.99
OCZ Technology Vertex 3 SSD Series 60GB SATA 6.0Gb...
SKU: 562124
$119.99
$99.99
after Rebate
[Details] $119.99
Thermaltake V4 Black Edition VM30001W2Z ATX Mid To...
SKU: 775288
$39.99
$29.99
after Rebate
[Details] $39.99
Shipping Options
select
select
Subtotal $732.91
Tax $45.81
Grand Total $778.72
MINUS $60 in REBATES.
FREE Battlefield 3 game coupon with purchase of any AMD FX processor and compatible motherboard.
For ~$718.72 you'll be set for quite some time.
Again, you can find cheaper video cards online. If you buy a bigger card, buy a bigger power supply.
EDIT: I think you want to buy a bracket to hold the SSD:
Bytecc 2.5" Hard Drive Mounting Bracket/Universal ...
SKU: 281527
$3.49
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-15 02:37
by LITOralis.nMd
IRL testing the AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition has been faster and easier to overclock than the FX4100, it's a bit cheaper too...
ASUS M5A87 Socket AM3+ 870 ATX AMD Motherboard ASUS M5A87 Socket AM3+ 870 ATX AMD Motherboard
SKU: 525642 $59.99 $59.99
AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition Boxed Processor AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition Boxed Processor
SKU: 133777 $139.99 $139.99
Thermaltake V4 Black Edition VM30001W2Z ATX Mid To... Thermaltake V4 Black Edition VM30001W2Z ATX Mid To...
SKU: 775288 $39.99
$29.99
after Rebate
[Details] $39.99
Crucial Ballistix Sport Series 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-... Crucial Ballistix Sport Series 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-...
SKU: 490227 $52.99 $52.99
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-620 620W ATX P... Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-620 620W ATX P...
SKU: 048439 $77.99 $77.99
OCZ Technology Vertex 3 SSD Series 60GB SATA 6.0Gb...
SKU: 562124 $119.99
$99.99
after Rebate
[Details] $119.99
Gigabyte GV-N56GOC-1GI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 1024... Gigabyte GV-N56GOC-1GI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 1024...
SKU: 746628 $199.99
$179.99
after Rebate
[Details] $199.99
Scythe Slip Stream Kaze Jyuni 120mm 500RPM Case Fa... Scythe Slip Stream Kaze Jyuni 120mm 500RPM Case Fa...
SKU: 408997 $12.99 $12.99
Subtotal $703.92
Tax $44.00
Grand Total $747.92
$50 in REBATES
Buy this NVIDIA GeForce GTX and get Batman: Arkham City for PC FREE
TOTAL = $697.92 with free Batman game, but no free BF3.
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-15 02:43
by LITOralis.nMd
Here is the easiest guide I've seen, that is up to date with current pricing:
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-16 12:28
by LITOralis.nMd
I agree with Exiled,
keep in mind if you are a student with a .edu email address, you can get a free or very cheap copy of windows7 or windows server2008r2 standard.
keepin mind also you should check websites like slickdeals.net and fatwallet.com and bensbargains.com for desktop deals. Recently had deals on DELL desktops that were from DellOUtlet that also had coupon codes. Very good deals, all prebuilt, etc.
Dell XPS 8300 - Intel Core i7-2600 - 8GB DDR3 - Radeon HD 6770 - $730 - Slickdeals.net
enter code LM?BF7P$FR9KCK at checkout.
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Description
XPS 8300
Date & Time: November 16, 2011 6:39 AM CST
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
XPS 8300 Qty 1
XPS 8300, Genuine Windows? 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English Unit Price $1,530.99
Dell XPS 8300 price includes $463 instant discount.
Limited Time Offer!
- $463.00
Save $100 on any Studio XPS or XPS Desktop $1099 or greater
Expires Wednesday, November 30, 2011
- $100.00
12 mo special financing on new computer purchases $899 or more with Dell Preferred Account!
Limited Time Offer!
Catalog Number: 29 DXDWMW2
Module Description Show Details
XPS 8300 XPS 8300
Operating System Genuine Windows? 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
Processors Intel? Core? i7-2600 processor(8MB Cache, 3.4GHz)
Memory 8GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4 DIMMs
Keyboard Dell Consumer Multimedia Keyboard
Monitor No Monitor
Video Card Single AMD Radeon? HD 6870
Hard Drive 500GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
Mouse Dell Laser Mouse
Network Card Add 2 USB 3.0 ports
Modem No Dial Up Modem Option
TBU Adobe? Acrobat? Reader
Optical Drive Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
Sound THX? TruStudio PC?
Speakers No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Wireless Dell 1501 Wireless-N PCIe Card
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) Microsoft? Office Starter: reduced-functionality Word & Excel w/ ads. No PowerPoint or Outlook
Security Software McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
Hardware Support Services 2 Year Basic Support
Peace of Mind DataSafe 2.0 Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
Trusted ID Trusted ID,IDSafe, 12 Month Subscription, Digital Delivery
TOTAL: $967.99
Additional Discounts and Coupons
Free 7 Day Shipping!
Limited Time offer!
Total Price
Sub-total $967.99
Shipping & Handling1 --
Tax --
Total Price2 --
As low as $30/month*3
Apply NowLearn More
Why should I apply?
Re: Need a new gaming machine.
Posted: 2011-11-16 12:52
by LITOralis.nMd
Here's how to get cheap copies of Windows and Windows Server:
https://www.realitymod.com/forum/f358-s ... -win7.html