Computers & Electronics

[Noobie] Help to set up a gaming rig!!!

  • Last Updated:
  • Oct 19th, 2011 12:38 pm
Member
User avatar
Jun 6, 2010
216 posts
Richmond Hill

[Noobie] Help to set up a gaming rig!!!

Hey,

It's my first time trying to build my own PC. I was previously thinking of buying an Asus G74 laptop but I thought I'd rather get a gaming desktop rig which will be much much cheaper. My budget is around $1k. I've been looking around on tigerdirect, newegg etc. on what parts to buy. Some specs I definitely need for my desktop:

- 8 GB DDR3 RAM + a 2 GB GDDR5 dedicated graphics card
- Huge case with good airflow + with at least 1-2 USB 3.0 ports
- 1 TB/750 GB HDD + maybe another smaller hdd of around 250 GB
- The keyboard/monitor/mouse etc. isn't included in that budget, just building the case.
- Going for intel core i5/i7 cpu

NOTE: I need a gaming desktop. Budget: $1k


:?: I got a ton of questions, even if you can answer a couple in detail please do as I could really use the help:
1. What do you need to find out about the compatibility when buying a motherboard, RAM, power supply and the graphics card?
2. What's the warranty when you separately buy motherboards and graphic cards?
3. Is it highly recommended that I have a small partioned SSD now that I want this PC to last for at least the next 2-3 years?
4. I've heard that a lot of core i5's are at par with some i7 processors. What's the latest i7 (2nd gen) I should buy for a gaming rig? Btw, did they release 2nd gen i5s and i7s for their entire range of cpus?
5. What's the cost range for motherboards,graphics cards, processors, cpu fans, HDDs, SSDs?
6. What do yo think of this RAM:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... No=7114149
7. What do you think of this tower (and also the fan that's suggested with it)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... =C283-1223
8. How much of power supply is really needed? Some people say 600w, some say 650-700w? How do you figure it out?
9. Even if my tower doesn't come with more than 1-2 ports on the front, I'll have them on my motherboard anyway right?
10. What's the deal with unlocked CPU's like this one:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... 9&csid=_23
Does that mean you can overclock it or so?
11. I've heard of the nVidia GeForce GTX560M which is kinda one of the best graphic cards for laptops at the moment, so what would you think would compare to that on the desktop? Are nVidia motherboards any good? Also, what do you think about SLI graphic cards?
12. What else should I be concerned about when setting these things up? I'm thinking of buying it online through a site like TigerDirect, that the right way to go??



Any feedback is appreciated. Also, if you wanna drop any links for building a gaming pc or something else please do (just no wiki links plz :razz :) .
[Not sure if they allow people to put up their email in these forums, but just pm me if you need to]

thanks!
11 replies
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Jan 4, 2011
5820 posts
3846 upvotes
West Vancouver
If i had to build a gaming computer right now i would go with :

Asus P8Z68-V PRO Motherboard w/ Intel Core™ i5-2500K Processor --> 379.99
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/P ... .aspx?cc=1

Radeon 6950 --> 259 $
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/P ... 7(ME).aspx

COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper --> 139.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... 6811119194

CCorsair Vengeance LP 8GB DDR3 1600MHz --> 44.99
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/P ... 2(ME).aspx

Corsair Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750 Watt Power Supply -->79.99
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/P ... 8(ME).aspx


+ third party cpu heatsink + SSD (something like : http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/P ... 8(ME).aspx)

Then you might add things you need like dvd writer etc etc.
Deal Addict
Sep 10, 2004
2907 posts
924 upvotes
Toronto
1. Decide on a processor first. That will narrow down your options of motherboard and memory.
2. Varies depending on manufacturer and model.
3. No comment.
4. You can refer to the following for comparisons, AnandTech Bench
5. See response 1.
6. Other brands/models with longer history, known reputations available.
7. No comment. Case selections are matter of personal preference and will vary depending on user requirements.
8. You can refer to the following, eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Lite
9. Clarify.
10. Unlocked multiplier. Option of overclocking via multiplier.
11. You can refer to the following, Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart
12. Considering the questions that you have posted, advisable to get one of your knowledgeable friend(s) assist you in selection/assembly.

Various suggested system configurations
Member
User avatar
Jun 6, 2010
216 posts
Richmond Hill
Warlock wrote: 1. Decide on a processor first. That will narrow down your options of motherboard and memory.
2. Varies depending on manufacturer and model.
3. No comment.
4. You can refer to the following for comparisons, AnandTech Bench
5. See response 1.
6. Other brands/models with longer history, known reputations available.
7. No comment. Case selections are matter of personal preference and will vary depending on user requirements.
8. You can refer to the following, eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Lite
9. Clarify.
10. Unlocked multiplier. Option of overclocking via multiplier.
11. You can refer to the following, Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart
12. Considering the questions that you have posted, advisable to get one of your knowledgeable friend(s) assist you in selection/assembly.

Various suggested system configurations


Should I go for the i7-2600k, I'll be gaming as well as using it for rendering purposes. As for question 9, I meant that does it matter if my case comes with usb ports and such, because the motherboard will have them anyway right (they're only on the case for ease of use from the front are they??)
Banned
User avatar
Oct 15, 2005
12954 posts
1617 upvotes
North York
sgroup2 wrote: Should I go for the i7-2600k, I'll be gaming as well as using it for rendering purposes. As for question 9, I meant that does it matter if my case comes with usb ports and such, because the motherboard will have them anyway right (they're only on the case for ease of use from the front are they??)

yes. get the i7.

the case usb ports are only header extensions.
they still those case ports still have a wire that connects to a pin out on your mobo.
most mobos today have 1 to 3 of these on the mobo.
Member
User avatar
Jun 6, 2010
216 posts
Richmond Hill
infamouskid wrote: yes. get the i7.

the case usb ports are only header extensions.
they still those case ports still have a wire that connects to a pin out on your mobo.
most mobos today have 1 to 3 of these on the mobo.

What do you think about the i5-2500k. I heard that comes within a 5% performance range (not that noticeable) of this one and I'll save $90 towards a better GPU for my graphics card??

Also, what should I be looking at after deciding on the CPU. The motherboard or the graphics card?
Deal Addict
Sep 10, 2004
2907 posts
924 upvotes
Toronto
sgroup2 wrote:Should I go for the i7-2600k, I'll be gaming as well as using it for rendering purposes... What do you think about the i5-2500k. I heard that comes within a 5% performance range (not that noticeable) of this one and I'll save $90 towards a better GPU for my graphics card?? ...
If you can afford it and/or performance due to time requirements are important, sure buy the 2600K.
Value wise, the Intel Core i5 2500K makes more sense.
sgroup2 wrote:... As for question 9, I meant that does it matter if my case comes with usb ports and such, because the motherboard will have them anyway right (they're only on the case for ease of use from the front are they??)
Provided I understood the question correctly,
Generally yes, the mobos usually have ports at the rear as well as having internal I/O connector (headers) but always double check.
sgroup2 wrote:... what should I be looking at after deciding on the CPU. The motherboard or the graphics card? ...
Never advisable to go cheap on the mobo.
Banned
User avatar
Oct 15, 2005
12954 posts
1617 upvotes
North York
sgroup2 wrote: What do you think about the i5-2500k. I heard that comes within a 5% performance range (not that noticeable) of this one and I'll save $90 towards a better GPU for my graphics card??

Also, what should I be looking at after deciding on the CPU. The motherboard or the graphics card?

yeah but from the sounds of what your gonna be doing you dont sound like a normal user.
multitasking will play a role here and the i5 does not have hyper-threading where the i7 does.
Member
User avatar
Jun 6, 2010
216 posts
Richmond Hill
Warlock wrote: Never advisable to go cheap on the mobo.
What brands am I looking at when deciding on the motherboard?? Now that I know I need one which supports the LGA1155 socket. I'm planning to buy it from tigerdirect.ca or newegg.ca, or maybe canadacomputers.com.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... p?CatId=13
http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.as ... therboards
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?cPath=26

Any that you would suggest?
Deal Addict
Sep 10, 2004
2907 posts
924 upvotes
Toronto
Generally, the two favoured brands with long term history for mobos would be ASUS and GIGABYTE.
The current Intel Z68 chipset is often recommended for LGA1155.
Following models are examples: Forgot to mention,
Among the three stores, suggest you check on their exchange/return policies.
If turnaround time is important, where exchange for defective item(s) is required, it would be most preferable to purchase it from one that you can walk in.
If all purchases will be conducted online,
I would guess that newegg policies will likely be the most accommodating among the three.
Deal Addict
User avatar
Jan 21, 2010
3373 posts
129 upvotes
Scarborough, ON
8. How much of power supply is really needed? Some people say 600w, some say 650-700w? How do you figure it out?

- If you are building a gaming system you should look more for the Amps on the 12V+ rail.
- 80 plus is a must, especially considering the price difference is minimal but the performance gain is substantial
- Don't focus on brand but look at the OEM and if it survives torture tests. Some brand names don't pull as much as it they advertised and some models from the same company can be very different in terms of quality. Entry/budget level Cooler Master power supplies suck (pull a lot less watts than advertised) but their high end ones are very good for example.
- Don't focus too much on the watts unless you are going SLI. Future systems will only consume less and become much more efficient. So don't stress about getting a power supply over 600W unless you are going to SLI or Crossfire a pair of high-end cards.
- Measured from the wall, my stock i7 2600K + 2x2GB RAM + 4 7200RPM drive + 1 ODD + A pair of GTX 580s in SLI pulled ~550W.
- If you are overclocking, that is when you also worry about more headroom in PSU.
- Modular power supplies are convenient to install and move around if you have to upgrade or swap out components regularly, but a non-modular is not really a problem inside a case with good cable management (so the wires don't block the air flow). This could often save you between $20-30 compared to a modular model.
Deal Addict
Jul 26, 2007
1425 posts
640 upvotes
Fwiw I use an antec 430w on my i5 2500 k and 6850 rig at stock of course and I don't have any issues. Unless you SLI power isn't a huge concern. And I disagree with brand not being important, there are clearly more reputable brands like corsair, antec, xfx etc on the market

Top

Thread Information

There is currently 1 user viewing this thread. (0 members and 1 guest)