Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

[CaptainZombie]

I know we've had numerous of these threads over the past year, figured why not try to make one where we can all reference back to.

My current setup:

Core 2 Duo E7500 @ 2.93 Ghz
3GB DDR 2 RAM
550W PSU
Nvidia GeForce 250 GTS

I know I most likely will end up sticking with an Intel processor, either i3 or i5 to start. Should I look at AMD?

This will be used for moderate gaming looking to run Witcher 2, the Mass Effect trilogy (which I can run 1 & 2 on my current setup maxed out), and a few other games. The Witcher 2 will most likely be the most demanding unless the Enhanced Edition patch changes something.

I started looking at video cards, which I'm looking to buy this week and will use it in my current setup till I get the new mobo, cpu, and ram. I was looking at the Nvidia 550 TI, Nvidia 560, or Radeon 6770. I would go after the 560 TI, but that might require in me having to get another PSU which I bought this 550W about a year ago. I'm not looking to max games out and get blazing 60+ FPS on everything. Any recommendations?

How are the newer cards with hooking them up to larger screen TV's in the 50" range every so often if the set is 1920 x 1080 capable?

[Altimus]

I'd strongly recommend getting that PSU upgrade and going with the 560 ti. The difference between the 560 ti and the 560 and 6770 is almost night and day. Those two will be chugging along while the ti would blaze through the same things you would throw at it.

Processor wise, there's a lot more to it then just Intel VS AMD. Which processors? You might go with a great processor but it might not be great for gaming. It might be blazing fast in running other processes but might give you issues in gaming.

Hooking up to a TV is simple; just like the consoles with ton more options. One problem is overscan or underscan. This is dependent on your TV but it can be easily fixed with the Nvidia or ATI control panels.

[CaptainZombie]

Quote: Originally Posted by Altimus

I'd strongly recommend getting that PSU upgrade and going with the 560 ti. The difference between the 560 ti and the 560 and 6770 is almost night and day. Those two will be chugging along while the ti would blaze through the same things you would throw at it. Processor wise, there's a lot more to it then just Intel VS AMD. Which processors? You might go with a great processor but it might not be great for gaming. It might be blazing fast in running other processes but might give you issues in gaming. Hooking up to a TV is simple; just like the consoles with ton more options. One problem is overscan or underscan. This is dependent on your TV but it can be easily fixed with the Nvidia or ATI control panels.

Mike, thanks.....so which processors would you recommend for gaming?

Is a 650W PSU good enough to run the 560 TI?

[SuperBowlNachos]

I would think so. In the NewEgg demo for the 680 they said to use a minimum of 500W.

I want to build from scratch during the summer. I built my current one in 08, but fortunately it is just now becoming dated.

Spoiler

Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146041
250GB HDD
Started with 2 GB of - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145589 - these are cool, they light depending on usage
I added 4GB of - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220279
Card reader
Intel Core 2 Duo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037
Intel MOBO - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121100
500W Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103940
Nvidia 8800GT - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130318 This thing was an absolute monster for the price (189.99).

Luckily I am cheap. I wait for games to be $20 or less on Steam then get them. So I am still playing older games that allow me to use high settings. Nonetheless I still want to upgrade. That system was around $750. I think I will go up to $1000-$1200 depending on how SSD prices are.

Zombie, go i5. Since you are in the realm of performance there is no reason to go i3. What is your budget overall going to be? You can't go wrong here - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115073
What motherboard you are gonna have matters to of course for the socket type.

[Sandman42]

Quote: Originally Posted by CaptainZombie

Mike, thanks.....so which processors would you recommend for gaming? Is a 650W PSU good enough to run the 560 TI?

A 650W PSU is more than good enough to run the 560Ti. I believe the minimum recommended PSU is 500W. I run my 560 Ti fine on a 600W PSU.

Assuming you don't want to break the bank, an i5 is the way to go. You don't want to have to get stuck upgrading the CPU or the motherboard a few months after you build your PC. The i5 2500K is just as good as any of the i7 models also.

The i3/i5/i7 are all Sandy bridge CPU's. Intel is releasing Ivy Bridge in a few months, but they will be pricey. Also from what I've read up on the i5 2500K and the good i7 CPU's beat out any of the AMD equivalent CPU's.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Man I wish I wasn't a poor college student. I put this together just now.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/M...px?ID=26708368

[mikenoob]

I'll just toss this in here, it's updated occasionally too, so you can periodically check the image.

Spoiler

[CaptainZombie]

Quote: Originally Posted by olliethebum85

I would think so. In the NewEgg demo for the 680 they said to use a minimum of 500W. Zombie, go i5. Since you are in the realm of performance there is no reason to go i3. What is your budget overall going to be? You can't go wrong here - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115073 What motherboard you are gonna have matters to of course for the socket type.

Which C2D do you have and is it overclocked?

I might look into the i5 2500, Microcenter here has had it as low as $150 on sale at times.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sandman42

A 650W PSU is more than good enough to run the 560Ti. I believe the minimum recommended PSU is 500W. I run my 560 Ti fine on a 600W PSU. Assuming you don't want to break the bank, an i5 is the way to go. You don't want to have to get stuck upgrading the CPU or the motherboard a few months after you build your PC. The i5 2500K is just as good as any of the i7 models also. The i3/i5/i7 are all Sandy bridge CPU's. Intel is releasing Ivy Bridge in a few months, but they will be pricey. Also from what I've read up on the i5 2500K and the good i7 CPU's beat out any of the AMD equivalent CPU's.

Based on what I have in my system, can I work with the 550W PSU if I do add the 560 TI? This is an Ultra LSP PSU, so not quite sure how great it is.

I was reading that the Ivy Bridge might work with mobo's that have the Z68 architecture, is that true? I will consider getting a Z68 mobo when I do to make sure I'm quite future proof.

On ATI/AMD's side, which card is equivalent to the 560 TI? One thing that intrigues me with the Radeon's is that you can also bitstream the audio via HDMI from the card.