[SonnyZ13]

Hey everyone. I'm working on building a computer for gaming, but I don't really want to spend a lot on it. I came up with something with the help of some peers, but I would really appreciate some input from a more educated community!

Case: I'm using an older Cooler Master model from my current desktop. Should work just fine I think.
OS: Windows 7
Mobo: ASRock
GPU: Radeon 6850
CPU: i3 2120
RAM: G. Skill Ripjaw 8gb
PSU: Corsair 600W
HDD: I'm probably just gonna throw in the 250gb HDD from my current desktop. I know it's old, but I'm not looking to store too much on it. Will this affect my performance much since its an older drive?

Is there anything here that won't work or that I should replace with something else? Will this thing be able to handle games like, say, Skyrim or Battlefield 3 well? I don't necessarily need to crank them up to the highest level graphics, but I don't want FPS issues. Depending on the marginal performance increase, I could possibly bump up the GPU to a Radeon 6950 and/or bump up the CPU to an i5 2300 or an i5 2500, but it depends on how much each of these upgrades would improve performance over the listed components, and if it would be worth the extra money for that improvement.

Edited by SonnyZ13, 02 December 2011 - 11:36 PM.

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Hi SonnyZ13 and
Your Ram is out of stock, check the MBs QVL (qualified vendors list) to ensure you purchase a compatible CPU and Ram
http://www.asrock.co...8 Extreme7 Gen3 see the CPU and memory support tabs on the left of the page.
Just a cautionary note, unless your OS disk is the full retail edition you cannot use it with a new MB as an OEM disk is tied to the original MB it was paired with, to use an OEM disk with a new MB is software piracy and therefore illegal.
Exceptions to the above are 1: If your MB is replaced under warranty and 2: If your MB is replaced under warranty with an alternative type due to the original model being no longer available.
Two tutorials for you courtesy of Troy/Artellos and Digerati respectively http://www.geekstogo...r-own-computer/ and http://www.geekstogo...rface-material/
Good choice of PSU but if you are able go for an i5 CPU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115074 and adding an SSD for your OS to boost boot up times http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820220580

[phillpower2]

Hi SonnyZ13 and
Your Ram is out of stock, check the MBs QVL (qualified vendors list) to ensure you purchase a compatible CPU and Ram
http://www.asrock.co...8 Extreme7 Gen3 see the CPU and memory support tabs on the left of the page.
Just a cautionary note, unless your OS disk is the full retail edition you cannot use it with a new MB as an OEM disk is tied to the original MB it was paired with, to use an OEM disk with a new MB is software piracy and therefore illegal.
Exceptions to the above are 1: If your MB is replaced under warranty and 2: If your MB is replaced under warranty with an alternative type due to the original model being no longer available.
Two tutorials for you courtesy of Troy/Artellos and Digerati respectively http://www.geekstogo...r-own-computer/ and http://www.geekstogo...rface-material/
Good choice of PSU but if you are able go for an i5 CPU http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115074 and adding an SSD for your OS to boost boot up times http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820220580

[iammykyl]

Hi SonnyZ13 ,

HDD: I'm probably just gonna throw in the 250gb HDD from my current desktop.

What brand, model is the HDD.

I would not go to an i5 but for $30 get just a bit more from this i3, http://www.newegg.co...3^19-115-093-TS,

The 6850 is a pretty good car and should have no problem playing your stated games. Here is a pretty good and reliable site with VGA charts for more demanding games.
http://www.guru3d.co...s-spring-2011/1

[SonnyZ13]

This is my HDD. Seagate Barracuda

Someone else had actually mentioned the i3 2125 to me as well, so I'll probably go with that one, thanks!

I might bump up to the 6870 instead of using the 6950. That link really helped!

Edited by SonnyZ13, 03 December 2011 - 07:11 PM.

[SonnyZ13]

Ahh, I didn't even notice that! Oh well, I can get it from somewhere else for $5-10 more, the RAM is an easy one. As far as my OS goes, I can get a discounted upgrade to Windows 7 through the University, but will that not work since I'm switching motherboards? Thanks for the links, I bookmarked them and will refer to them throughout the rest of this process!

[phillpower2]

You are welcome

I can get a discounted upgrade to Windows 7 through the University, but will that not work since I'm switching motherboards?

I am not 100% certain on this so I suggest that you email MS for guidance http://support.microsoft.com/?ln=en-gb unless someone else can provide a definitive answer.

[iammykyl]

That drive will work fine, you are fortunate to have a HDD available to use, You will have noticed how crazy the prices have become, this is the reason.
http://www.crn.com/n...pply.htm?pgno=1

AS Phillpower2 suggested, consider in the future, installing a SSD for OS and games, then use the Barracuda for programs and Date.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233206

When you have a finalized selection, please post it before ordering.

[SonnyZ13]

All right. I think I've come up with a build I'm comfortable with.

Mobo: ASRock Extreme3 Gen3
GPU: ASUS Radeon 6850
CPU: i5 2500k
PSU: Corsair 650W
RAM: G.Skill 8gb 1600
SSD: Corsair 120gb

I am reusing the case from my old system and the 250gb 7200rpm HDD. I am probably going to hold off on the SSD for now, but when I do get one, that is probably the one I will get. How does it look? I took my list to a local computer shop and the guy told me not to buy Corsair stuff or the ASRock motherboard. He was telling me to buy all Intel or MSI stuff, but after looking at a similar build to this one, it was way out of my budget constraints.

[iammykyl]

Your build is looking very good.
You will need a DVD drive.

When you eventually install a SSD, you will need to do a fresh clean install of the OS (backup any important DATA) and #1 in most cases make sure the BIOS shoes AHCI enabled. #2 disconnect your mechanical drive.

the guy told me not to buy Corsair stuff or the Asrock motherboard

I think just personal bios kicking in. Go here and look at any build using Asrock or Corsair, you will not find any that has not come up to expectations.
http://www.geekstogo...vity&mid=262948

As with all new stuff, regardless of who it is from, you may get something that is dead on arrival, just luck of the draw.


As well as looking at the 2 tutorials Phillpower2 gave in post #2, here is another How to Build.,
http://www.diy-gamin...ild-a-Computer/

Download you Mobo user manual so you can familiarize yourself with it.

Please le us know how things go.

[SonnyZ13]

We're up and running! Its feeling pretty sweet so far. I ended up going to Microcenter and getting some pretty good bundle deals. i5 2500k for 180 bundled with an ASUS P8Z68-V LX for 50 bucks off. Radeon 6850, OCZ ModXstream-Pro 700W, Corsair 8gb 16000 RAM, and Windows 7, all for about $640 after mail in rebates. I have a super old network card and I don't think the drivers even work on Windows 7, so once I pick one of those up I should be running at full steam.

[phillpower2]

Thank you for the feedback we do appreciate it
I would suggest with a new system that you use a new network card