Buying New computer, need help!

[jomamma007]

Hey guys,
well I have $800 dollars to spend for a new desktop, preparing for MoP... anyways I know mmo-champion sometimes posts pre made computer ideas for people who are looking for a new one, but I haven't been on in so long, soI don't know if they have done that recently. Anywho any recommendations for the best gaming computer I can get for about 800? I already have a geforce gtx 550ti graphics card, not the best but it was the best my last computer could handle, so I could probably still use that. Any help is appreciated! thanks

[Sthos]

You can check out Marest's Sample Builds

To help: checklist

[Deleted]

Well with 800 dollars you can buy a decent rig me thinks.

Just I live in Europe so I wouldn't know about dollars. :P Will look around for you on Newegg though.[COLOR="red"]

---------- Post added 2012-09-14 at 06:48 PM ----------

http://imgur.com/JOuxH

However, you still need a case.

Luckily most cases are pretty cheap these days.

This will not only make you able to play MoP on Ultra, it will basicly slap MoP silly and then some.

Your 550 TI I would sell, with 800 dollars you don't need it, simple as that.


EDIT: Oops, bought wrong mobo, you need an ATX, not mini ATX.....

[demonskies]

CPU i5 3570k $229
Mobo Asrock Z77 extreme 4 $134
Ram Corsair vengeance 8Gb $44
Case NZXT Source $49
HDD Samsung Spinpoint 1Tb $84
PSU Seasonic 520w $69
SSD Samsung 830 128 Gb $94
Cooler CM 212 $29
DVD/CD Samsung $17

Total ~$755

If you have hardrives, cd drives you can use you can knock those out of the price to. Built this with no video card since you plan on using your 550 but I would recommend saving for a better graphics card down the line. Either that or drop the SSD and fork out the money for a video card now. And save for an SSD later. Something like a 7850 would be almost double the performance of your card currently 550 ti vs 7850 You also didnt say you needed or didnt need an os so didnt add that in.

[Deleted]

http://imgur.com/rNM9i

This is better, but more expensive.
You will also be able to overclock.

You still need a case though, but maybe you could use your old one? Or spend just a little bit more?

[demonskies]

http://imgur.com/rNM9i

This is better, but more expensive.
You will also be able to overclock.

You still need a case though, but maybe you could use your old one? Or spend just a little bit more?

Your build has no case, no aftermarket cooling, and 4Gb of Ram, and if your going to get a z77 board might as well get a 3570k instead of a 2500k at this point.

[Leontus]

I'm thinking of buying a laptop. This tech guy tried to tell me a laptop couldn't handle WoW. I'm inclined to disagree but wanted some more input before i unloaded the cash on one. My wife wants to buy this an HP 17.3" Phenom X2 Laptop.
Specs: Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Premium AMD Phenom II dual-core mobile processor
HP Brightview LED display; ATI mobility radeon™ HD 4250 graphics with 128MB display
4GB DDR3 system memory
500GB with HP Protectsmart hard drive protection
Lightscribe BLU-RAY ROM with supermulti DVD±R/RW double layer support
Wireless LAN 802.11B/G/N WLAN(10B)
5-IN-1 integrated digital media reader for secure digital cards, multimedia cards, memory stick, Memory Stick Pro, or XD picture cards
Beats Audio™ and HP triple bass reflex subwoofer
Full-size keyboard with integrated numeric keypad
Kensington® microsaver lock slot
4 USB (4TH port shared with ESATA)
1 HDMI; 1 VGA; 1 LAN
9-cell Lithium-ion battery (up to 7.5 hrs)

If she buys that one do i need to get a graphics card, or more memory?

[Deleted]

Your build has no case, no aftermarket cooling, and 4Gb of Ram, and if your going to get a z77 board might as well get a 3570k instead of a 2500k at this point.

Just trying to help, don't be like that.

Besides, using a 550 is just not done imo when you have such a good CPU.

[demonskies]

Just trying to help, don't be like that.

Besides, using a 550 is just not done imo when you have such a good CPU.

Oh I wasnt trying to be a dick I was just pointing some things out. Sorry if you read it wrong or got the wrong idea.

[dklol]

CPU i5 3570k $229
Mobo Asrock Z77 extreme 4 $134
Ram Corsair vengeance 8Gb $44
Case NZXT Source $49
HDD Samsung Spinpoint 1Tb $84
PSU Seasonic 520w $69
SSD Samsung 830 128 Gb $94
Cooler CM 212 $29
DVD/CD Samsung $17

Total ~$755

If you have hardrives, cd drives you can use you can knock those out of the price to. Built this with no video card since you plan on using your 550 but I would recommend saving for a better graphics card down the line. Either that or drop the SSD and fork out the money for a video card now. And save for an SSD later. Something like a 7850 would be almost double the performance of your card currently 550 ti vs 7850 You also didnt say you needed or didnt need an os so didnt add that in.

If he doesn't plan on using SLI/CF there are cheaper mainboards wit the same features, except you really want that ALC898 onboard sound

[chazus]

I'm thinking of buying a laptop. This tech guy tried to tell me a laptop couldn't handle WoW.

Laptops can definitely play WoW, with correct hardware.

ATI mobility radeon™ HD 4250 graphics with 128MB display

WoW will run, but poorly. Do not get this laptop with the intent to play WoW.

If she buys that one do i need to get a graphics card, or more memory?

You can't 'get' a graphics card for laptops. They are either already there, or not. Most laptops can only have their memory and hard drives upgraded.

[Milkshake86]

Contrary to what a lot of people assume you do not need an i5+ and you are actually better suited by building a well rounded machine from beginning to end, especially if your not looking to be fiddling around a lot. So Ive mocked up a $800~ build with everything being on par with each other nothing massively ahead of any other component, for general life this is way over the top, gaming you should be able to play @ 1920x1080 in near every game on max graphics to a degree I wouldnt expect 60+ fps on every major title and wow well wow sucks on your fps period.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-4170 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($104.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($186.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($69.33 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $793.71
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-14 15:47 EDT-0400)

[demonskies]

If he doesn't plan on using SLI/CF there are cheaper mainboards wit the same features, except you really want that ALC898 onboard sound

Most definately there are cheaper boards with for the most part just as many features. I just like to recommend the Asrock Extreme 4 because the price/performance/features/reliability at that price range its a great deal. Could always go with a pro 3/4 for around the $100 range for single card use. Then he could even pack another 20-40 dollars towards a even better video card like a 7870. Its really all on what he wants to spend and what more he plans on doing lol.

[dklol]

Contrary to what a lot of people assume you do not need an i5+ and you are actually better suited by building a well rounded machine from beginning to end, especially if your not looking to be fiddling around a lot.

Ofc you "don't need it", but with a FX-4170 you won't be happy with some games now already, and even more unhappy in t he future :/
You save 100$ but lose a great chunk of performance (especially in games) and it even uses a bit more energy

My OCed Phenom II x4 955 broke (fx 4170 is only a bit better) and i bought an i5 3570k. My performance in WoW is better, even if it's only in REALLY CROWDED full server 2:1 horde orgrimmar

[demonskies]

Contrary to what a lot of people assume you do not need an i5+ and you are actually better suited by building a well rounded machine from beginning to end, especially if your not looking to be fiddling around a lot. So Ive mocked up a $800~ build with everything being on par with each other nothing massively ahead of any other component, for general life this is way over the top, gaming you should be able to play @ 1920x1080 in near every game on max graphics to a degree I wouldnt expect 60+ fps on every major title and wow well wow sucks on your fps period.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-4170 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($104.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($186.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer MK III 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($69.33 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $793.71
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-14 15:47 EDT-0400)

It would be better to get a i3 2120 or one of the new ivy bridge ones rather than AMD, at least then he has an upgrade path to better performance if need be to an i5. It would benefit to spend the extra 20-30 bucks to go intel. Hes preparing for WoW MoP which is more CPU based so skimping on a CPU all together and getting a budget gaming processor wont help him out alot.

[Milkshake86]

It would be better to get a i3 2120 or one of the new ivy bridge ones rather than AMD, at least then he has an upgrade path to better performance if need be to an i5. It would benefit to spend the extra 20-30 bucks to go intel. Hes preparing for WoW MoP which is more CPU based so skimping on a CPU all together and getting a budget gaming processor wont help him out alot.

Upgrade paths are funny because honestly that 4170 will play everything at reasonable fps even 25m wow. Now 5 years from now when you'd absolutely have to upgrade Im not looking for a 5yr old i5, there is a reason the monthly builds have notes about AMD, and the 4170 is more than adequate for w/e your trying to do. Blizzard is systematically destroying 25m raiding so if I did every build assuming they wanted to 25m raid w/ fraps then yea id always push intel. Chances are by the number of 10m guilds to 25m he or she raids in a 10m, thus meaning going w/ a well rounded machine for gaming in general and picking up some nice perks like an SSD is a clear cut better option.

People you really need to stop pushing benchmarks down the consumer throat, fact is my build won't 1920x1080 and average 60 fps on crysis 1/warhead with details on full max however It is playable and visually stunning.

[Leontus]

Laptops can definitely play WoW, with correct hardware.

WoW will run, but poorly. Do not get this laptop with the intent to play WoW.

You can't 'get' a graphics card for laptops. They are either already there, or not. Most laptops can only have their memory and hard drives upgraded.

See that's why I asked. OK, so what should I be looking for as far as graphics in a laptop?

[jomamma007]

Wow thanks for taking the time to help me out, I'm a real noob when it comes to all thing computer. As far as an OS is concerned would just a standard windows 7 home be fine, and could you like a good deal for me for one liek you did the others if you don't mind ;0,, thanks so much!!!

---------- Post added 2012-09-14 at 05:18 PM ----------

CPU i5 3570k $229
Mobo Asrock Z77 extreme 4 $134
Ram Corsair vengeance 8Gb $44
Case NZXT Source $49
HDD Samsung Spinpoint 1Tb $84
PSU Seasonic 520w $69
SSD Samsung 830 128 Gb $94
Cooler CM 212 $29
DVD/CD Samsung $17

Total ~$755

If you have hardrives, cd drives you can use you can knock those out of the price to. Built this with no video card since you plan on using your 550 but I would recommend saving for a better graphics card down the line. Either that or drop the SSD and fork out the money for a video card now. And save for an SSD later. Something like a 7850 would be almost double the performance of your card currently 550 ti vs 7850 You also didnt say you needed or didnt need an os so didnt add that in.

Wow thanks for taking the time to help me out, I'm a real noob when it comes to all thing computer. As far as an OS is concerned would just a standard windows 7 home be fine, and could you link a good deal for me for one as you did with the others if you don't mind ;0,, thanks so much!!!

[demonskies]

Windows 7 home premium 64 bit $99 I know I might get brutally flamed on these here forums, but if you can't afford the $99 dollars for Win7 right now you can get the Windows 8 RP 64 bit to hold you off to save the money. You would have to do a reinstall of 7 though when you got it but the Win8 RP would give you 3-4 months to save up $99 to get win7 Windows 8 RP download

Edit: If you have a copy of XP or 7 on your old computer and it wasnt a store bought prebuild you should be able to use your copy on your new computer also. As long as you have the CD Keys and what not.