Building a PC for an MMO Part 2!

[Lockecole7]

http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/techn...articular.html

Thats my first topic I created, sibling is looking to make another, with a somewhat larger budget. Willing to spend $800-1000 on the PC, also looking to play Warhammer, looking for a very powerful CPU, followed by a GPU. Looking to buy everything from Newegg.

Thanks for any help.

[Jaffar]

I recently built a rig with these parts, just a different case & psu here to keep it under 1k:

Newegg.com - LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners DVD+/-burner
Newegg.com - NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases NZXT Tempest Case
Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 W
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards Sapphire 4870 1GB
Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory OCZ Reaper 4 GB DDR2 1066
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more! Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more! ASUS P5Q Pro Mobo (combo deal w/CPU)
Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - Operating Systems Vista 64 Bit Home Premium

Total: $1036.90
MIR: $145

Cost before shipping: $891.90

I went with a cooler master cosmos S & 700W PSU when they had a deal going over black friday. I use it to play WAR & love it, after coming from an old p4 & raedon 9800.

You could go with a more powerful cpu, like the Q9550 for $319 or the new i7 920, but the more expensive mobo & tri channel ddr3 would bumb the cost up for the latter setup.

[Shuemue]

E8500 + HD4870 are a fucking sexy combo, especially when you OC the CPU some. With some decent cooling you'd get 4Ghz np

[solsirt]

Most people will agree on what's listed below as the current best bang for your buck with just a little personal preference here and there.

CPU: ~$180
E8x00 (8400 or 8500... would you like an extra .5 multiplier to overclock for $25?? up to you)

MB: ~$130
Gigabyte GA-P45-UDR3 series or ASUS P5Q series board should both easily be in your price range.

PSU: ~$100
600~ watt
Corsair TX/VX series, Antec Earthwatts series.

GPU: ~$150
Ati 4850 (4870 is great, but trying to work on budget. IMHO if you're running 1680x1050 or less the 4850 can keep up very well)

HD: ~$50-75 (obviously depends on how much storage you want)
WD Caviar Black series
Seagate 7200.11

Case: ~$75
Coolermaster or antec is about the only thing you'll hear more then once or twice (opinions will vary greatly here)

RAM: ~$80
4Gb DDR2 800/1000... pick your favorite. Corsair/OCZ are going to be the consensus

Optical Drives: ~$25
LG/Samsung/Lite-on -- all will work. pick your favorite again.

HSF: ~$40
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7
Tuniq Tower 120 (if your case will fit it)

OS: $100
vista/xp

That's $955 with no rebates/specials, but no monitor/keyboard/etc either.

I'm sure you'll get specific models from others... If you want my personal preferences I'll scan newegg a little later with links.

[Shuemue]

This guy knows what he's talking about ^

[Lockecole7]

Most people will agree on what's listed below as the current best bang for your buck with just a little personal preference here and there.

CPU: ~$180
E8x00 (8400 or 8500... would you like an extra .5 multiplier to overclock for $25?? up to you)

MB: ~$130
Gigabyte GA-P45-UDR3 series or ASUS P5Q series board should both easily be in your price range.

PSU: ~$100
600~ watt
Corsair TX/VX series, Antec Earthwatts series.

GPU: ~$150
Ati 4850 (4870 is great, but trying to work on budget. IMHO if you're running 1680x1050 or less the 4850 can keep up very well)

HD: ~$50-75 (obviously depends on how much storage you want)
WD Caviar Black series
Seagate 7200.11

Case: ~$75
Coolermaster or antec is about the only thing you'll hear more then once or twice (opinions will vary greatly here)

RAM: ~$80
4Gb DDR2 800/1000... pick your favorite. Corsair/OCZ are going to be the consensus

Optical Drives: ~$25
LG/Samsung/Lite-on -- all will work. pick your favorite again.

HSF: ~$40
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7
Tuniq Tower 120 (if your case will fit it)

OS: $100
vista/xp

That's $955 with no rebates/specials, but no monitor/keyboard/etc either.

I'm sure you'll get specific models from others... If you want my personal preferences I'll scan newegg a little later with links.

Ook well OS isn't an issue, needless to say that won't be included in the cost, neither will a case be factored, since I somehow bought two Antec cases last time. So drop another 175 off of that, if that means you can include better specs. Mouse and keyboard and shit also will just be transfering over, as he's comfortable with what he has.

[Kohan]

Maybe get one of these, then?

Newegg.com - HIS Hightech H487F1GP Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

[Jotaru]

Those cards seem pretty cheap, unless I'm missing something- I was just looking at GPU last week and the 4870 1gig models seemed to be running in the $400 price range; am I an idiot?

If not, I'll be picking one of those up next week, as hoped, for a lot cheaper. Kakaka.

[Kohan]

You're not an idiot. There are 4870s in the $400+ price range, but they're usually fancy models with 2GB of high quality memory, come pre-overclocked, and/or have other features.

[Jotaru]

Humhum.. I thought they were 1gb models. Perhaps factory OC, which leads me to a question I've had forever, but have never remembered to ask.. is it worth paying for factory OC? When I can buy a lower clocked one, put some nice cooling to it, and OC it myself?

I suppose the lower clocked versions (like many CPU's) may just not be stable at those higher clocks, which would cause issues, but.. otherwise? Thoughts? Like I said, very related, as that particular card will most likely be coming to my house in the next few days, looking at that price.

[Kohan]

The one I linked to may not have free shipping or anything like that, but it can actually be nicely overclocked, which was why I recommended it.

Legit Reviews - HIS Radeon HD 4870 CrossFire Video Card Review - GDDR5 Arrives - Overclocking

[solsirt]

Ook well OS isn't an issue, needless to say that won't be included in the cost, neither will a case be factored, since I somehow bought two Antec cases last time. So drop another 175 off of that, if that means you can include better specs. Mouse and keyboard and shit also will just be transfering over, as he's comfortable with what he has.

As Kohan said, the only real obvious upgrade for performance would be to a 4870.

Adding a raptor for OS harddrive isn't a bad idea either, but not really necessity.

You can buy one of the nicer MB's in the series listed above... or a DFI if you're wanting to spend more, but in all honesty there's a price/performance ratio that really isn't worth it IMHO.

what I listed is what I build 90% of the time for people unless the just specifically have this 'need' to spend more. (some people think if they don't spend $2500+ on a PC then it's just not as good...)

[Kerberoz]

Don't forget the most important aspects for MMOs... multiple monitors and a G15/G11.

[Mansin]

More evaluate my potential build bullshit, didn't want to start a new topic. (We need a sticky for this)

spoilered

Spoiler: show

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/1990/pcbuildni7.png

Don't need HDD/OS.

[Shuemue]

E8400 CPU shits all over the E7300 in such a huge way

[Mansin]

Hmmm
The E8400 is a little more expensive, but it comes in a sweet combo with the GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P. It wouldn't cost me much more if I just ditched the PQ5. I guess I can spend a bit more >_>

[Shuemue]

You won't regret it, and the EP45 is a nice board too, I love Gigabyte boards.

I'd also switch to this: Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

With that, you'll comfortably OC to 3.6Ghz

[Mansin]

I found an Antec True Power Trio 650W on Craigslist for $75, so I'm gonna go pick that up tomorrow. With the extra money i'll probably upgrade to the EP45. The only thing I'm worried about is the reviews say larger cards don't fit will in the second PCI slot because of the SATA ports.

[Lockecole7]

So assuming I dont need the OS/case or anything, anyone able to give me an updated list on what I can get with like $1000? Sorry, brother needs shit spelled out for him, so that would make it easiest.

[Kohan]

You said you're chopping off $170ish, and I suggested the 4870 in response, which will bring you over $1,000. Nothing else is changed unless you want to spend even more. People did make other suggestions, but they would be additional expenses.