360voice Community - Computer Build Help

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Senior Gamer

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 06:06:01 AM

I'm looking to upgrade my current pc setup so that I can actually play games on it, right now I'm using a AMD 62 3200+ and that's not cutting it. Like most PC gamers, my goal is to play Diablo 3 without any issues. I figured that I might turn to the 360v community and see if anyone had an recommendations. I am not looking to start a AMD vs. Intel war like most other forums. My budget is $200-$250 for a processer, motherboard, and PSU. I also just picked up Radeon HD 6670 video card and that's what I will be using. Overclocking isn't a big issue for me but something that I wouldn't mind learning.

Recently I have been checking out these items:
AMD Phenom II X4 965BE (I would love to get my hands on a 960T but they are now discontinued)
AMD Phenom II X6 1045T
Possibly the AMD FX-4100 but I think I seen enough reviews of saying to hold off on the FX series right now.
i5-2500/k or possibly the i5-2300/i5-2400

Asus M5A97 and Evo version MB's
ASRock 970 Extreme 3 or Extreme 4 MB's

I have no motherboards in mind right now for an i5 setup but I know that they can be costly.

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Member of the Moment Guy

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 06:34:12 AM

Don't want to start a war or anything, but Intel really has the lead with bang for your $$$.

I'll try to put something together with what you have to spend when I get home.

I assume you are going to be using the same case/RAM/dvd-drive? Or is all you want to spend on those 3 parts and the rest doesn't matter?

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Zone: Recreation

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 06:37:23 AM

I've been reading that about Intel. I already have the case, DVD drvie, hard drive, and the memory has already been purchased.

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Member of the Moment Guy

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 06:42:10 AM

What type of memory did you get and how many gigs?

Need to know to match the mobo's compatibility.

Also, you are more than likely not going to be blown away with it for that amount of money. More than likely you would need to turn down settings to get D3 to run without lag (aside from server issues). This is just an assumption because I have yet to search for parts, so maybe we can get lucky with sales and whatnot to get something decent.

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Edited by - Tandar1 on May 24 2012 06:46:21 AM

futiles

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 06:49:35 AM

Since Diablo has a 20 year life span with each version.

You are better waiting a few years, getting the entire Battlechest for $20 and playing it on a $300 laptop.

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 07:16:25 AM

@Tandar- Here is the link to the memory that I purchased. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416 I can always cancel my order if there is something better in the same $40-$60 price range. There is a website that does a PC check for D3 and based on my original thought of the fx-4100, 8gb mem, and my video card it said that it would run it fine on high setting but who knows the truth to that site. I have a Microcenter nearby and they have better prices than Newegg and TigerDirect and offer a discount on CPU/MB purchases.

@futiles- That will probably be the case in 3-5 years which is horrible with the following that the game has, and its a shame that it isn't an XBL game with achievements. I'd rather just do an upgrade now since my PC needs it.

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Edited by - EdibleChunk on May 24 2012 07:20:11 AM

Cormyre

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 07:18:06 AM

quote:
Originally posted by futiles

Since Diablo has a 20 year life span with each version.

You are better waiting a few years, getting the entire Battlechest for $20 and playing it on a $300 laptop.

Correct with the first 2 (+ expansions) this one? not so much, they'll shut down the servers eventually and then it will be dead. Unless they patch it to be DRM-less right before that point (which I don't see them doing)...(and if they do I'll actually buy D3 at that point.).

quote:
Originally posted by EdibleChunk

@Tandar- Here is the link to the memory that I purchased. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416 I can always cancel my order if there is something better in the same $40-$60 price range. There is a website that does a PC check for D3 and based on my original thought of the fx-4100, 8gb mem, and my video card it said that it would run it fine on high setting but who knows the truth to that site. I have a Microcenter nearby and they have better prices than Newegg and TigerDirect and offer a discount on CPU/MB purchases.

Thank god for MC or we'd be screwed in Ohio lol; but MLC and I have usually found it the opposite way, someone online can usually beat MicroCenters prices. But when you need it -NOW- it's nice to have :) (as in the only time I usually get to go there is when I need something immediately for work... or we want to see something physically)

Edited by - Cormyre on May 24 2012 07:22:06 AM

futiles

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 07:28:21 AM

May 1, 2014 I will be playing Diablo 3 on my new laptop.

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Senior Gamer

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 07:30:15 AM

quote:

Thank god for MC or we'd be screwed in Ohio lol; but MLC and I have usually found it the opposite way, someone online can usually beat MicroCenters prices. But when you need it -NOW- it's nice to have :) (as in the only time I usually get to go there is when I need something immediately for work... or we want to see something physically)

I know some of their stuff is really over priced which is why I never thought to look there but recently that have been having some great deals on CPU/MB when you purchase them together. Most CPU prices beat Newegg and TD by $20 and they are local for us.

I might be able to swing $300 with gift cards, but that's my max.

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Edited by - EdibleChunk on May 24 2012 07:51:07 AM

futiles

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 08:45:39 AM

I don't use New Egg.

Side not for you: TigerDirect only buys "customer rejects" as their "refurbished" merchandise. (Best Buy, too)

So, if you buy the refurb stuff, it is discounted, and has never been used. Shipped to a customer, return/reject, can't be sold as new - so, sold to Tiger Direct and Best Buy.

(I saved about 60% on my 2 laptops, NAS HDD, network printer, etc last year)

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Member of the Moment Guy

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Posted - May 24 2012 : 10:38:58 PM

I was out working all day today on my cousin's car.

I will look at this first thing in the morning

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Member of the Moment Guy

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Posted - May 25 2012 : 08:41:13 AM

Ok here we go.

I recommend this MOBO as a good start: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128543

If there's any way you could get this CPU instead of the i3 one I'm about to list... I feel like you would be MUCH happier (there's currently a $15 off code too until 5/28)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073

however for budget reasons you might need to get: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

After the code it's about $80 more and you will get WAY more use out of it than the i3. But that's all up to you.

This leaves the PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049 is really good and will last you awhile. rebate puts it at $75

Or your rig would probably be able to run with this one and save you $35, but if you upgrade video card you can expect to get a new PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171060

So if you went for the best option, it's $90 bucks outside the range.
If you went with the lower PSU your rig would still run, and be only $55 outside the range.

Also with either one you should be able to easily overclock it, however I have done 0 overclocking with any PC and don't see a need to wear down my parts just to squeeze a little more power out of them.

Now your RAM is fine, but honestly you don't need 8GBs of RAM right now, or in the near fututre. Especially if you are only running 32-bit windows (it won't even use all of it).

If you would want to return the RAM you got and switch it for this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
you could save $20. Which is not much, but it would bring down the better CPU rig down to $35 over your budget.

This was very difficult to build according to that budget, but I feel like if you can swing the extra $55 (or with swapping the RAM you would be $35) you would be much happier with the i5 CPU.

If you have any questions feel free to ask or e-mail me!

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Edited by - Tandar1 on May 25 2012 08:46:24 AM

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Senior Gamer

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Posted - May 25 2012 : 12:56:54 PM

Wow this is all awesome. I can actually get most of these parts cheaper at MC.
The 2500k is $170 or the 2400 for $140 and plus if I buy a motherboard with it, it gets cheaper. Thank so much for your help.

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