[Nubbles]

Ok so, my current computer is about to die so im looking for a new one. Instead of buying one i thought i could maybe build one and save some bucks. What i mainly use this computer for would be stuff for school, and also i need it to be capable of doing some gaming (im an mmo fan and would like it to play Guild Wars 2 well when it eventually comes out). So i did some research and compiled about everything i need to make a machine. Im really looking for a budget gaming piece, so about $850.

Here is what i have (link to Amazon page as well):

Motherboard: $93
GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-USB3 AM3+ AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
(http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

CPU: $130
Phenom II X4 965 Black AM3 3.4Ghz 512KB 45NM 125W 4000MHZ
(http://www.amazon.co...m=AZ8ZZL30AH7DI)

GPU: $190 [I wish i could go higher, but this seems like about the best i can get before jumping up another $200]
EVGA GeForce GTX 560 1024 MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 2DVI/Mini-HDMI SLI Ready Graphics Card, 01G-P3-1460-KR
(http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

RAM: $98
Corsair Vengeance Blue 16 GB PC3-12800 1600mHz DDR3 240-Pin SDRAM Dual Channel Memory Kit for Intel and AMD Platforms CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9B
(http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

Dvd Drive: $20 [Just chose a cheap drive, doesnt seem like a big deal]
Asus 24x DVD±RW Drive DVD-RAM/+R/+RW 24x 8x 16x (DVD) 48x 32x 48x (CD) Serial ATA Internal OEM DRW-24B1ST (Black)
(http://www.amazon.co...=A2NG4HB43UEDVL)

OS: $100
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack
(http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

Power Supply: $110 [I went with the 750 just to be safe, also if i upgrade it later i figure it will still be fine]
OCZ ZT Series 750W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom
(http://www.amazon.co...=A2NG4HB43UEDVL)

Case: $70 [The one i have selected is mid tower, idk if that is big enough?]
NZXT Guardian Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Case 921RB-BL
(http://www.amazon.co...m=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

Hard Drive: $70 [Really wasnt sure about this one, so i just found a 500GB drive that wasnt too expensive]
Seagate Technology - ST3500320AS - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS Hard Drive
(http://www.ctistore....T3500320AS.html)


So far, before the price of the hard drive, the price comes to $881, which seems reasonable for what would seem to be a pretty good gaming machine. An interesting article i saw was one on NVIDIA's website, about how they built a Crysis 2 computer for less than $600, which is what sort of got me going. Again, i dont need the best thing in the world, but i would like this to last me a while and be able to kick back and play a nice mmo with good graphics and no lag while im not studying.

Thankyou so much for looking this over and getting back to me! Your feedback is much appreciated.

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Hi Nubbles, .

A pretty good build. Some suggestion for you to consider which will give you better performance. Will use Newegg for parts, you may find better prices elsewhere.

MOBO, Asrock, will give you a better upgrade path. http://www.newegg.co...1^13-157-281-TS

CPU. good choice, you may be lucky and enable at least 1 hidden cores.

RAM. 8GB is all you will need for this build. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233202

GPU. You will get much better performance from this card. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121420
560 cards compared. http://hexus.net/tec...-vs-msi/?page=2

CASE. The Nzxt is a good case but does not have washable air filters. Consider using the Antec, better cooling, more fan control, washable air filter and 3 years warranty.
http://www.newegg.co...6^11-129-066-TS

PSU. Good choice, good thinking.

HDD. Good.

[iammykyl]

Hi Nubbles, .

A pretty good build. Some suggestion for you to consider which will give you better performance. Will use Newegg for parts, you may find better prices elsewhere.

MOBO, Asrock, will give you a better upgrade path. http://www.newegg.co...1^13-157-281-TS

CPU. good choice, you may be lucky and enable at least 1 hidden cores.

RAM. 8GB is all you will need for this build. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233202

GPU. You will get much better performance from this card. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121420
560 cards compared. http://hexus.net/tec...-vs-msi/?page=2

CASE. The Nzxt is a good case but does not have washable air filters. Consider using the Antec, better cooling, more fan control, washable air filter and 3 years warranty.
http://www.newegg.co...6^11-129-066-TS

PSU. Good choice, good thinking.

HDD. Good.

[Nubbles]

Thanks for the suggestions!

First off, i definitely see how that motherboard is better and more upgradable.

As far as RAM goes, i may have gotten a bit carried away with 16GB hehe. But out of curiosity, is there a downside to having too much ram?

GPU: Alright im not sure how you tell which video card is better. Looking at the chart on the site you linked it seems like the 560 is better than 460. Also i read the 460 can be a bit loud. What are your thoughts on instead just going for the ASUS ENGTX560 TI DCII (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121425), its only about $50 more. Im just not exactly sure how to know what video card beats what, i just look at numbers and think the higher one wins =P

Case: Yeah the Antec looks better for sure. Although its not nearly as pretty... more fans + washable filters is a bonus.

Thanks again for replying!
PS: newegg seems like a really good, site, lots of rebates and free stuff. I will probably order all this stuff on black friday or cyber monday and hopefully get even btter deals.

[Digerati]

But out of curiosity, is there a downside to having too much ram?

It costs more and places a greater demand on your budget and PSU - while any performance gains would be marginal, at best. I agree the better place to put the money is towards a better graphics solution (not that your initial choice is bad)- or MS Office, since you said this is for school.

As for Antec cases not looking as pretty, my take on that is I tend to pay attention to what's on my monitors. I prefer my cases to sit quietly and discreetly off to the side, and NOT draw attention to themselves.

[Nubbles]

Ok thanks!

And haha yeah i guess i wouldnt spend too much time looking at my case would i =P

As far as graphics cards go, do you know much about ASUS ENGTX560 DCII (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121446) compared to the 460 as mentioned earlier, or ASUS ENGTX560 TI DCII (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121425)?

The second one i posted got some bad reviews, but it is technically faster i think. Im just not sure how they all compare. Or how they copare with NVIDIA 560 i had first selected.

[Digerati]

Don't pay too much attention to "user" reviews. For one, happy users don't complain. For another, typically users don't have the qualifications or equipment to do a proper review. I will skim through them but really only pay attention to user reviews if there are many complaining about the exact same thing - indicating a trend.

As far as those cards, note both are out of stock.

[Nubbles]

Well son of a buiscuit, i refreshed the page and they went out of stock.

[Digerati]

Check out Toms Hardware Best Graphics Cards For the Money - November 2011.

[Nubbles]

Wow that link was very insightful, thank you.

I think I have decided to go with Geforce GTX 560Ti. (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130610)

This is only about 30-40 more dollars than the 560, which is comparable to the AMD equivilent. The GTX 560Ti came in a bit higher than both, so i figure its worth the few bucks for an upgrade.

Thanks for your help, ill keep checkings on a few things and hopefully get some good deals, (the mail in rebates are pretty ballin on newegg)

[Nubbles]

One more thing, do you think getting a CPU fan would be beneficial? Something like COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 is only 25 bucks. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835103065

[iammykyl]

Sorry to have caused you some confusion over the video cards. My link in post #2 should have gone to the Asus 560 Ti Top.

Im just not exactly sure how to know what video card beats what,

This is a basic guide about choosing a video card and is part of a whole article on how to build a gaming computer.
http://www.diy-gamin...video-card.html

One more thing, do you think getting a CPU fan would be beneficial?

The issue with adding an after market cooler AND/OR overclocking the CPU is the manufacturers warranty.

A boxed CPU from Intel or AMD comes with a heat sink and fan which are designed to keep the CPU within the thermal threshold. If you fit an after markek cooler, you void the warranty.

Even though the Board manufacturers push the over clocking features of their respective products, by doing so, you void the manufacturers CPU warranty. Doing either, is at your own risk. If you have a case with good airflow the stock cooler will be just fine. If you do decide to over clock, monitor your temps and if they are too high, fit a different cooler.

==========================================

Digerati, unable to insert you link about TIM.

[Digerati]

Digerati, unable to insert you link about TIM.

Hmmm, not sure why. Works for me. TIM

[Nubbles]

Alright so this is the revised build I have:

Motherboard: [$130]
ASRock 990FX Extreme3 AM3+
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157281

CPU: [$130]
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103727

GPU: [$200]
EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1461-KR GeForce GTX 560 (unless I decide to upgrade to the Ti version of a 560)
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130661

RAM: [$54]
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233202

Hard Drive: [$70]
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 (500GB)
http://www.ctistore....T3500320AS.html

Case: [$70]
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (or something similar)
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129066

Dvd Drive: [$20]
ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827135204

PSU: [$109]
OCZ ZT Series 750W Fully-Modular
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817341052

OS: [$100]
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116986
_______________________________________________________________________

Total Cost comes to $805 with rebates and 40 dollars off Amazon deal

Edited by Nubbles, 15 November 2011 - 08:40 AM.

[iammykyl]

That all looks very good. You are ready to take the plunge.

Remember.
Always unplug the PSU from the wall socket when working on the computer. Take anti static measures by touching the bare metal of the case.
Check and check again that the stand offs on the motherboard mounting plate, (inside the case) match exactly the pattern and number of the screw holes on the Mobo. No extra ones.

Download your Motherboard manual to familiarize yourself with it while you are waiting for it to arrive.

Good luck. Please keep us informed on how you go.

Edited by iammykyl, 15 November 2011 - 02:53 PM.

[Nubbles]

Right on, thanks you guys for the help. Ill order the stuff in a week or so then let you guys know how the construction goes and how it performs.

Thanks again for the help

-Nubbles