So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

[John Mora]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

You don't really need a blu-ray player. Take it from me.

[Red Dragon]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

Blarg, half the stuff you linked sampson is unavailable. I was curious on what video card and Case you were using in that situation.

[Sejon]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

Yea, a Blu Ray player is unnecessary as I don't think I'd really ever use it, at least on my comp. All I need is a DVD/CD RW drive.

Spurred by Sampson's recommended set-up, I snooped around newegg and gathered all these together:



How does that all look? It's a bit pricey, but factoring in the mail-in rebate, it's only a few bucks more than the pre-built, and presumably much better (except for the fact it's a Phenom processor and not the i7, but I imagine that wouldn't make much of a difference).

[Perversion]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

My buddy ended up getting an HD-DVD player/Blu-Ray burner (in one drive) in his. Yeah, you don't NEED a Blu-Ray drive if you have an external player or a PS3, but it would be convenient if you don't have either. And PC Blu-Ray drives are a LOT less expensive than a stand-alone or a PS3.

[Sejon]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

I don't think I've even touched anything related to the Blu-ray technology as of yet, movie or otherwise, so I feel it isn't a necessity for me. If in the future I feel it's worth the investment, then I'll go for it. I imagine it'll be cheaper by then anyway.

[Sampson]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

Blarg, half the stuff you linked sampson is unavailable. I was curious on what video card and Case you were using in that situation.

The Antec 900, best case on the market IMO. Only surpassed by the 1200, but that case is freakin' enormous.

The video card was just an ati 5750.

[Sejon]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

Sampson, what do you think of the set-up I had on newegg? Everything look good to you?

I'll probably be ordering it in the next few days.

[Sampson]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

Sampson, what do you think of the set-up I had on newegg? Everything look good to you?

I'll probably be ordering it in the next few days.

If you're getting that MoBo, get this combo deal instead of the processor you have picked:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.322820

You'll get a slightly better processor then and only pay an additional $10.

My only other observation is that honestly that RAM is probably overkill. For example, I have 4GB of the DDR3 Corsair XMS3 and Windows 7 gives my ram a score of 7.5 (7.9 being perfect). That ram is not even as good as the dominator. Getting 8 GB of dominator ram...you won't need to upgrade that for a long time.

[Toaster]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

Hey Samson.

Can you throw together a computer build for me on newegg? I'd rather go into a little bit of debt making something worthwhile, unlike this laptop I have right now that only lasted me a year and a half.

[Sampson]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

What's your general budget? Do you plan to do a lot of upgrading to the computer after its built? Do you have any specific needs like Blu-ray, lots of HDD space, sound card, etc. or is this just a pure gaming machine?

EDIT: This might interest some people. Its an article comparing the intel core 7 to the phenom 2:

http://www.pureoverclock.com/article794.html

Their conclusion echoes my belief:

Where things get really interesting is when you equalize the costs between the platforms and look at what you get for gaming performance in return. For a current difference of $215, you can purchase a second Radeon 4890 to go with a Crossfire setup in your Phenom II system and it will utterly crush a Core i7 gaming setup that will have only one graphics card. And we must admit, that provides a very compelling reason to consider an AMD gaming system, especially when we remember that a Phenom II X4 can overclock very well and also easily handle just about any regular use application. Unless you're doing a ton of video encoding or workstation renderings and animations, the cost for performance difference is very difficult to justify, particularly for a gaming setup.

[Toaster]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

I ended up pretty much followed Sejon's Build to a T aside from adding a better optical drive and a better power supply. Together with monitor, speakers and keyboard it comes to about $1400. I'm sure I don't "need" such a high performance computer but I don't care. I'm sick of these POS laptops that keep breaking on me.

I'll be buying it sometime during the summer most likely and I'll come back here and show you what I plan on buying so I can get some last minute recommendations. You seem to pretty pretty well-versed with this stuff.

[Sampson]

Re: So I'm looking into getting a new desktop computer...

Make sure whatever LCD you buy has a response time of <5ms and a resolution of 1920x1080.

As for the speakers, price check whatever model you're getting on Amazon. For some reason, Amazon seems to beat Newegg on audio stuff (my speakers were $350 on Newegg, $300 on Amazon).