Computers & Electronics

Gaming pc options for ~900

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  • Aug 17th, 2012 5:24 am
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Jun 7, 2008
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Gaming pc options for ~900

Hey guys I just sold my old first gen i7 xps, now I'm trying to get a new computer setup. Generally looking for something for gaming.

Here are my options so far - Lenovo y580

Or

Custom gaming desktop with a budget of 900 with atleast a 23 inch monitor, then to cover the portability space id get a MacBook air or pro in the future (only because they hold their value so well, allowing me to have a fairly recent Mac at all times while taking a minimal loss)

I don't really need to game on the go so I don't really need to purchase a laptop. The only benefit I see with buying the Lenovo is that I wouldn't need to purchase another laptop, a downside however is the laptop will become obsolete (ish) way quicker than a desktop.

What do you guys think I should do? If you guys can help me out on building a desktop thatd be cool, I'm not In too much of a rush to build one, I do have a timeframe of 3 months to get it done though, so any tips on sales would e appreciated!
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Jun 7, 2001
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Here's a build just over $900 excluding taxes, keyboard, mouse and speakers:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($92.99 @ Computer Valley)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.57 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Memory Express)
Case: BitFenix Merc Alpha ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 550W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($18.29 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($159.06 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.99 @ Computer Valley)
Total: $920.85
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-16 18:07 EDT-0400)

If budget is tight, may downgrade to HD 6850. No overclocking on this build...for OCing, you would need to add $50 or so (or nickle and dime something else)...couldn't add a SSD due to priorities...could downgrade to an i3-2120 (or it's Ivy Bridge equivalent which will soon be out) and upgrade the graphics to HD 7850. Chosen monitor is a 23 inch 1920x1080.
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Jul 22, 2006
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^^ OP can safe some $ going WD Blue....
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george__ wrote: ^^ OP can safe some $ going WD Blue....
So many choices...what to keep, what to cut, etc. Everyone got opinions on their favourite HDDs...some like Seagate Barracudes, others like WD Caviar Blacks and Blues, Hitachis, Samsungs, etc. No particular brand stands out IMO. OP could save some $$ by going with MicroATX mobo (vs. ATX).
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Jun 7, 2008
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Sweet thanks for the input guys, so how much better should that desktop be compared to the lenovo y580?
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randomkidx wrote: Sweet thanks for the input guys, so how much better should that desktop be compared to the lenovo y580?
Rule of thumb is that it's typically better to game on a $600-$900 gaming desktop than a $600-$900 laptop. Unless you get a really loaded laptop, it would hard to upgrade later. No such limitation on a desktop...if you plan it correctly....change out the video card with a faster one or SLI/crossfire it with an identical one (same type, not same brand/model) if your mobo can handle it. Budget priced mobo like that above have limited capacity for great SLI/crossfire (limited to one or the other, etc.)....good to great boards with these features cost in the order of $150.

Dave
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DavidY wrote: Rule of thumb is that it's typically better to game on a $600-$900 gaming desktop than a $600-$900 laptop. Unless you get a really loaded laptop, it would hard to upgrade later. No such limitation on a desktop...if you plan it correctly....change out the video card with a faster one or SLI/crossfire it with an identical one (same type, not same brand/model) if your mobo can handle it. Budget priced mobo like that above have limited capacity for great SLI/crossfire (limited to one or the other, etc.)....good to great boards with these features cost in the order of $150.

Dave
Cool, so what kind of build would I need if i wanted to OC? I'm def willing to skimp out on some stuff if i can get a slightly better video card and OC capabilities. Also with this mobo I should be able to sli safely right?
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Jul 22, 2006
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^^
Z77 Motherboard, Unlocked (K) CPU -- So ~$1100?

Z77 board - $120+++
CPU -- $200ish+++
Aftermarket CPU Cooler - $20++++
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Memory Express)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.05 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($144.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.57 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.79 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card ($189.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.23 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: XFX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($18.29 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($159.06 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1008.95
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-16 20:24 EDT-0400)
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Jun 30, 2010
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NCIX is weird, so many of their products don't show the proper price unless you get the link via the weekly sale page.

3570k is $220 on weekly sale, but $230 otherwise. 212 evo is $30 on weekly sale, but $35 otherwise. Really screws up sites like PCpartpicker.
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Jul 22, 2006
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That's a good idea.
Getting that K means OP is set for OVERCLOCKING
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Jun 30, 2012
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I like the total 1008.95 of davids built up its really good.

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