computer build opinions.

[opie4386]

I'm in the dark when it comes to computers and technology.

I recently decided I want to build a gaming computer ( we can thank skyrim for that)

That being said I just don't know where to get started.
I know I want HDMI outlet, AMD cpu. and run 2 graphics cards if possible..

I found this motherboard witch seems decent on fry's.

http://www.frys.com/product/7412115?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I just want to run games at the best possible graphics I can.

Any overall thoughts on what I should be looking into? Maybe some certain specs or manufacturers I should look into/stay away frome.

Thank you guys, sorry for being a nOOb at this.

[Future unsure]

Stay away from Fry's. they don't have the best quality.
Try Newegg. They have better warranties.
( my system is an i5-3330, on an AsRock MoBo, a 1TB hard drive, 630w power supply and the msi gtx 650ti/OC.) my system runs Skyrim on very high at 46 fps.

[Darryl Licht]

Originally Posted by Future unsure

Stay away from Fry's. they don't have the best quality.
Try Newegg. They have better warranties.
( my system is an i5-3330, on an AsRock MoBo, a 1TB hard drive, 630w power supply and the msi gtx 650ti/OC.) my system runs Skyrim on very high at 46 fps.

DITTO!!!

Stay away from Frys!

Newegg rocks!

AMD vs Intel... kinda like Ford vs Chevy! Either will do the job!

For a mobo I'd stick with Asus or Gigabyte.

On video card... ATI if you go AMD, Nvidia if you go with Intel CPU.

[Future unsure]

Oh- it has 8gb of 1600 ram and its in a Thor v2 case.

[moochaka]

That motherboard wouldn't work with an AMD cpu. I run an ASUS mobo, amd phenomII x3(which will be upgraded soon), 1.5 tb harddrive, 700w psu, asus radeon hd 6670(also will be upgraded soon), and 8gb ram in a coolermaster HAF912 case. I run skyrim on high at around 45 fps.

[paul0660]

OP what is your budget?

[opie4386]

I would like to keep it under $800.

I was looking at the intel i7 but the $300+ for a cpu when I can get the AMD a10 for $120 seems better.

[opie4386]

Wow got the newegg mobil app.


Kid in a candystore feeling!!!!!!

[billofrights]

For $800 running two graphics cards at that price point is completely unnecessary and you're builidng in an additional point of failure. Take the money and get the best single card you can afford with what you have. Running dual GPU's on a sub-$1k machine is like putting $2000 rims on a $400 craigslist beater.

[nothinghere2c]

don't waste your time running more than 1 graphics card. ATI and Nvidia both are plagued by stuttering and driver issues when running 2 or more cards. its a marketing gimmick (i bought into it a couple times hoping it would get better).

you'd be much happier getting a single beefy card that can perform at the speed of the 2 cards. you'll have smoother frame rates, and a better experience.

some people will say "SLI works for me!"

it does.... SOMETIMES. when it does, it works nicely. when it doesnt, you've wasted your money lol.

[stilly]

Originally Posted by nothinghere2c

don't waste your time running more than 1 graphics card. ATI and Nvidia both are plagued by stuttering and driver issues when running 2 or more cards. its a marketing gimmick (i bought into it a couple times hoping it would get better).

you'd be much happier getting a single beefy card that can perform at the speed of the 2 cards. you'll have smoother frame rates, and a better experience.

some people will say "SLI works for me!"

it does.... SOMETIMES. when it does, it works nicely. when it doesnt, you've wasted your money lol.

+1

It seems that most of the time the BEST way to run two cards side by side is for the lower end cards, like two slower or medium cards in sli = a tad faster than the higher end card. HOWEVER, is it really worth it? No. Skyrim only needs a 285 or better to run nice and smooth. Get a 570 and you will only spend around $150 AND have a GREAT card without dropping a lot of cash. SLI is for magazines and people that are only trying to squeeze out as much as possible for performance and benchmarking without really taking into account how ridiculously wasteful it is to blow that money on top of the line cards...

[nothinghere2c]

that asus mobo is fine. i know a few people who have that one. i'd definitely go Intel if you can fit it in your budget. but then again, games aren't too CPU bound these days at 1080p resolutions and up.

[baih777]

Go to micro center in tustin or newegg for a motherboard. Micro center has a much bigger selection of components than Fry's.

[paul0660]

I don't game but have built a bunch of computers for trading. SLI didn't make any sense to me, AMD CPU's last forever, Newegg is very good.

[bigbearbear]

Toms Hardware usually have good articles on builds. Here's a article on a $1000 build, they have builds for $500 and $2000 too:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...self,3366.html

[bish0p]

Newegg obviously has more variety, but also consider Amazon. I think you can save on the tax.

[fonso]

Originally Posted by bish0p

Newegg obviously has more variety, but also consider Amazon. I think you can save on the tax.

Plus, if you use http://www.shop42A.com

CalGuns gets a cut!!!

[opie4386]

Ok, after googling and following the opinions here I decided I will stick to one graphics card.

What numbers should I be looking at when searching for a graphics card?

The AMD A10 5800k is the processer I like that I will be getting, now can anyone recommend a good G/C that would pair nicely with this.

Note I am eying this g/c.

the sapphire radeon hd 7750
Specs -1gb, 128bit gddr5 pci express 3.0×16 hdcp ready...........WTF!?!?!?!?!?

[opie4386]

Skyrim only needs a 285 or better to run nice and smooth. Get a 570 and you will only spend around $150 AND have a GREAT card



What's 285? That the speed? Pardon my ignorance.

[JDay]

I'd go with an i5, much better bang for the buck than an AMD cpu.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

[evansu2]

The 285 part is the video card series from Nvidia that is listed as the base model of what will run Skyrim at "very high/extremely high" settings (per skyrim's minimum system requirement webpage).

Just remember, when you start to dive into Intel vs. AMD, it's as bad as saying "glock vs. sig"

+1 for newegg, I've used them for years in my own builds, and have always been treated well in terms of returns/waranty etc.

One thing I would like to suggest is, make sure you pick your components like mobo, video, and RAM, and then pick out the power supply, to make sure you pick one with enough juice. The video card will have a minimum requirement, and be sure to get plenty, since you'll more than likely upgrade parts, rather than the whole computer down the road.

Sorry, don't mean to complicate or confuse anymore, just thinking out loud.

[norman311]

I like to read through the Tom'sHardware and AnandTech articles before hitting the online retail stores. Here's an example of a $500 build from Tom's Hardware and a $850 build from Anand Tech. Lots of good info here.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...uter,3364.html

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6492/w...n-buyers-guide

Good luck and have fun!

[Scratch705]

http://kotaku.com/5983493/how-to-bui...-for-under-700

bam. mid-line gaming system for under $700. and small enough so that you can hook it up to your nice big screen and get a HTPC too.

[Petra]

First off, this isn't exactly the best researched, maximum bang for your buck build... but, at the very least, it'll work well as a starting point for your build.

A few notes: You said you wanted AMD, so that's what I went with. I ignored your comment about wanting to use an A10 APU because there's really not a lot of point in going for one of the APUs if you're going to be using a decently capable discrete graphics card. The APUs are a great choice if you're not planning on having a discrete graphics solution, however.

The aftermarket heatsink is optional, but it'll keep things cooler than the stock unit and should help to quiet things down. Also, pick whatever computer case you want... the one I selected is just a placeholder/suggestion.

Do not skimp on your power supply. I cannot emphasize this enough. Too many people buy cheap, low quality PSUs and then wonder why they have all sorts of stability problems with their system.

If you can stretch your budget, I'd suggest using an SSD as a boot drive (my recommendation would either a Samsung 830 or Crucial M4) and the platter HDD as a storage drive... SSDs really make a MASSIVE difference in overall system performance but are still somewhat expensive.



Subtotal for the above is $742.91

[stix213]

Don't forget about cooling in a modern gaming machine.