Looking to build a gaming rig.

[GriffinSentinel]

I'm looking into building a gaming rig once i get my taxes back (if it's a good return that is). I was curious if anyone had build ideas for a rig that could play skyrim and/or old republic at max settings and 60fps? I know one can be built for 1/3 the cost of alienware and am capable of putting one together, it's just been 10+ years since I've done so and i know alot has changed. :D So any advice and build ideas are welcome.

[iamthesgt]

I'm looking into building a gaming rig once i get my taxes back (if it's a good return that is). I was curious if anyone had build ideas for a rig that could play skyrim and/or old republic at max settings and 60fps? I know one can be built for 1/3 the cost of alienware and am capable of putting one together, it's just been 10+ years since I've done so and i know alot has changed. :D So any advice and build ideas are welcome.

Check this thread for some reccomendations: http://usmilitarygamers.com/community/showthread.php?t=6025
I assume this is sort of a 'budget' gaming machine since you said 1/3 the cost of alienware, so I would go for an AMD Phenom processor, ATI Radeon low 6-series video card, 500GB 7200rpm HDD, 8 or 12 Gigs of RAM (RAM is rather cheap). I think you can put together a machine like that for between $700 and $900, but I'll have to look. If you want to give me a rough estimate on how much you're looking at to spend, I can give you some firmer recommendations.

[GriffinSentinel]

Check this thread for some recommendations: http://usmilitarygamers.com/community/showthread.php?t=6025
I assume this is sort of a 'budget' gaming machine since you said 1/3 the cost of alienware, so I would go for an AMD Phenom processor, ATI Radeon low 6-series video card, 500GB 7200rpm HDD, 8 or 12 Gigs of RAM (RAM is rather cheap). I think you can put together a machine like that for between $700 and $900, but I'll have to look. If you want to give me a rough estimate on how much you're looking at to spend, I can give you some firmer recommendations.

Thanks for the link Sgt. I guess you could say a budget rig is what I'm looking for. I just know you can build powerful computers for much less cost than the prefabs out there.So yes about $800-900 is the area i was looking at.

[iamthesgt]

Thanks for the link Sgt. I guess you could say a budget rig is what I'm looking for. I just know you can build powerful computers for much less cost than the prefabs out there.So yes about $800-900 is the area i was looking at.

Here's what I would do:

MSI ATX Motherboard - $129.99 with rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130565
AMD Phenom X6 Thuban - $149.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106012
G.SKILLS Ripjaws 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 RAM - $84.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231312
HIS Radeon 6750 1GB Graphics card - $84.99 with rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161379
Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 7200rpm HDD - $129.99 with promo code http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
RAIDMAX 600W PSU - $39.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028
LG SuperMulti DVD Burner - $15.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240
Gigabyte ATX Mid Tower - $35.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233065

Total cost: $671.92 + shipping. If you are fine with 8GB RAM and a 500GB HDD, you could save about a $100. Hope this helps.

[GriffinSentinel]

Nice build and quick finds. What do you think about installing a blue-ray drive? Might as well utilize my 1080p 120hz 42" flatscreen to its fullest right? :D

[saviger]

Nice build and quick finds. What do you think about installing a blue-ray drive? Might as well utilize my 1080p 120hz 42" flatscreen to its fullest right? :D

Lolz might as well...


AMD Phenom X6 Thuban - $149.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819106012 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106012)

VERY nice CPU good find.


HIS Radeon 6750 1GB Graphics card - $84.99 with rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161379 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161379)

I'm partial to NVIDIA, due to the lack of driver support on ATI's side. Additionally NVIDIA seems to be more compatible with current generation of games.


RAIDMAX 600W PSU - $39.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817152028 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028)
Go ahead and bump this up to 650 or 700 so you can go SLI/Crossfire in the future (multiple Vid cards)


G.SKILLS Ripjaws 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 RAM - $84.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231312 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231312)

Good price on the RAM, but more than he will ever need, 8gb will run everything just fine.
I am running 12gb, with BF3 running on Ultra, and MSI Afterburner recording game play I rarely use more than 4.5 gb of RAM. With SWTOR Maxed out I usually run about 3.5gb of RAM being used by the system.

[iamthesgt]

Go ahead and bump this up to 650 or 700 so you can go SLI/Crossfire in the future (multiple Vid cards)

He could, but according to newegg's power calculator, 2 7200rpm Drives, 1 DVD Drive, an AMD Phenom X6, dual graphics cards of that model, and 16gigs of RAM uses 560W...so 600 should be sufficient. Of course, more power couldn't really hurt. That PSU does support CrossfireX


Good price on the RAM, but more than he will ever need, 8gb will run everything just fine.
I am running 12gb, with BF3 running on Ultra, and MSI Afterburner recording game play I rarely use more than 4.5 gb of RAM. With SWTOR Maxed out I usually run about 3.5gb of RAM being used by the system.

Yeah, that's what I've heard - most people don't use that much. 8GB will run about $37 (2x4GB)

The blu-ray is up to you - I don't own one and don't plan to, but if you think that'd be good, go ahead. I think they run about $70-100. nVIDIA vs AMD is always argued, but most people are not going to notice much difference. I prefer AMD, mainly because they offer better Linux support, but I think either will do fine. Crossfire is easier to set up than SLI, especially with triple or quad cards (but I doubt most people want to do that). Keep in mind you'll have to acquire a copy of Windows 7 - that'll jack up the price $150 if you have to buy it retail.

[saviger]

The blu-ray is up to you - I don't own one and don't plan to, but if you think that'd be good

I wouldn't unless this is being setup as a media server.


Keep in mind you'll have to acquire a copy of Windows 7 - that'll jack up the price $150 if you have to buy it retail.

Always forget to add this. Yup need to find a copy of Windows7. The "Home" version will do just fine for your needs. Unless you plan on going all crazy with it.

EDIT:
Go ahead and take an hour to watch part one and two of these Newegg videos. They will get you up to speed with current hardware and good practices.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw

[GriffinSentinel]

Go ahead and take an hour to watch part one and two of these Newegg videos. They will get you up to speed with current hardware and good practices.

Homework? I thought I got out of high school years ago. :) I'll check it out when I get home tonight.

[saviger]

Go ahead and take an hour to watch part one and two of these Newegg videos. They will get you up to speed with current hardware and good practices.

Homework? I thought I got out of high school years ago. :) I'll check it out when I get home tonight.[/QUOTE]

Also needed to say, make sure you get the x64 version of Windows7

[iamthesgt]

Homework? I thought I got out of high school years ago. :) I'll check it out when I get home tonight.
Also needed to say, make sure you get the x64 version of Windows7

Yes, good clarification. Amazon has it for $99.99

[DOCCUPCAKE]

Also needed to say, make sure you get the x64 version of Windows7

Yes, good clarification. Amazon has it for $99.99[/QUOTE]


If you guys need any information on cheap parts let me know. I have my suppliers who can get things cheaper since I buy in bulk on parts. I am an official Microsoft partner so I get deep discounts through them. If I can Help you just let know :)

[smoke]

I like you, you are my best friend! :redface:



If you guys need any information on cheap parts let me know. I have my suppliers who can get things cheaper since I buy in bulk on parts. I am an official Microsoft partner so I get deep discounts through them. If I can Help you just let know :)

[DOCCUPCAKE]

I like you, you are my best friend! :redface:

LOL..To funny :)