Gettin a new PC

Technology and Gaming
#1

Doin some shopping for a new computer, and this is what I’ve got set up for a rig:

  • Processor: Intel Core i3 540
  • RAM: G.SKILL F3-16000CL9D-4GBRH
  • Motherboard: Asus P7H55-M/CSM
  • Graphics Card: Asus 5770 1GB
  • Hard Drive: Western Digital WD5000AAKS Caviar Blue 500GB
  • Optical Drive: LG H22NS
  • Case: Cooler Master USP 100 w/550W PSU

Price: $819.91 before taxes

This is looking pretty good to me, although I’m not too sure about the mobo and processor, whether or not they’ll be beefy enough for gaming, and I think I could probably do better with the video card.

Also, what are your guys’ opinions on Asus EEE PC’s? Particularly, the Asus EEE PC 1001P-MU17-BK Atom N450 1.66GHz HT, 1GB DDR2, 160GB.

#2

Looks kinda ok, I hope you’re planning on a CPU upgrade later on, around the same time you get a GPU upgrade (in a year or so). Anyway, if you’re gonna get a netbook, get an eee pc that has a dedicated graphics chip, it has to have an NVIDIA or ATI sticker on it, otherwise it’s overall performance will be crap.

#3

Yeah, like I said, it’s a pretty budget PC, but I tried to set it up for upgrades later on. As for the EEE PC, I don’t need a dedicated graphics chip because I’m only using it for university, typing, and internet stuff. Don’t need it for games.

#4

Instead of putting up the entire model names for those, why not have each be a link to that part’s page from wherever you’re ordering this?

Looking at things like the RAM’s model number doesn’t really tell me anything unless I then go and look it up, myself.

As for a school computer, just get some middle/low end HP laptop, those things seem to be perfectly adequate.

#5

the ram number says me nearly anything I want to know

#6

That CPU isn’t going to be good for gaming, i3 is Intel’s new Dual-Core processor.

I suppose if it uses the same CPU socket as the i5 and i7 you could just buy one and replace it.

#7

or get an AMD processor

#8

get loadsa leds

#9

Yeah, it does. The Core i3’s are pretty much the same as i5’s, i5’s have dual cores too. The i3 540 I have picked out is 3.02Ghz x 2 cores with 4Mb cache, and the i5 650 that’s an extra 40 bucks is 3.2Ghz x 2 cores, but with an 8Mb cache. Would that be an appreciable performance increase for the price? They both also have Hyperthreading, which has been around for awhile, but is relatively new to dual cores.

As for the RAM: https://otvtech.com/catalogue.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_nostock.tpl&product_id=7880&category_id=618

#10

THIS THIS THIS.

Go Phenom II. And as for that ram go to newegg.com it will be $60 cheaper.

#11

For 790 USD from Newegg.com I got:

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2 ghz
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO
XFX 5770 1GB
Ripjaw 4GB DDR 3 Ram (2 sticks of 2 GB each)
Samsung 1 TB F3 Spinpoint
Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Drive
Antec 900 + 650 W PSU

Edit:

Oh yeah, no taxes and the only thing that shipping was charged on was the mobo. 3 day delivery, very prompt.

Edit 2:

To get it at the price I did you should look for the combos. There was a combo that saved me 30 bucks that paired the GPU and the CPU. Also, look for the email savings from the home page… You can get a Sapphire 5770 for 130 or 140 this week.

#12

amd is dominating the low-end cpu market but intel still pwns because some of their cheapest CPU’s are also the most overclockable.

#13

So what do you recommend. AMD Phenom II 955 at 4x3.3 Ghz or Intel i5 650 at 2x3.3 Ghz. Is 4 cores vs. 2 cores gonna make a big difference for gaming? I think I’ll stick with the vid card and RAM. A 5770 isn’t too bad, is it?

#14

but you still get more performance for less money
EDIT:
HD5770 is a pretty good mid-range GPU and a AMD Quadcore would be better

#15

They make quad-core i5’s, just so you know. Mine’s a quad-core with an 8 MB cache.

#16

Which is only possible when using decent copper heatsinks with fans. That’s a good 60 dollars or so for cooling only, not very nice for lower budgets.

#17

I’m thinking I’ll go with the i5 750 quad core. They scale their cores better than Phenoms, unless you get up to the AMD six core, which ain’t gonna happen for me.

#18

I got my giant copper heatsink for free so I don’t really care about cooling.

#19

Don’t forget clear side panels for that extra boost of performance while playing Crysis.

#20

So, I ended up going with a better mobo, P7P55D-E which supports the i5 Turbo and 4 GPU CrossfireX (For future purchase of a second graphics card), an Asus 5770 1GB, the i5 750, and 4gb GSkill RAM. Under $1000 for what I think will be a pretty decent gaming PC.

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