Thread: New PC

Hi guys,
I'm thinking of building a computer what sort of specs would you recommend? I'm hoping to keep it to around $1500-$2000AUS. Thanks!

I couldn't recommend anything specifically but in general the advice I was given when I upgraded a few months ago was:

- Get a fast Dual Core over a medium Quad Core, Quads still aren't 100% compatible with most games and theres the theory that a Quad can never beat a Dual while dealing with realtime data.
- If your working to a limited budget DDR3 isn't worth the extra cost. Just get decent DDR2 and perhaps an extra GB.
- Nvidia cards are better than ATI when running CryEngine2. ATI still have a few bugs in their drivers which Crysis hates.

Here is a theorietical build I just made on newegg, it uses the new i7 processor, DDR3 ram, and an ATI 4870.

Processor: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115202

Motherboard: EVGA Intel X58 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188039

Memory: CORSAIR* 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145199

Video Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102801

Power Supply: CORSAIR 750W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda* 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119077

DVD-RW Drive: SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151171

CPU Cooler: OCZ Vendetta 2 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835202007

This build assumes you already have a monitor and keyboard/mouse speakers, and an OS.
Everything is rated majority 5 stars or better by newegg users.

Cost: $1,199.92 USD
Possibilities: Endless

With extra cash I would get maybe a 4870x2 but its really just overkill right now, 2 more gigs of ram wouldn't be bad but not really necessary because DDR3 is lightening anyway. You will probably want a bigger hard drive and get a 2nd to raid if you wanted. Lol have fun with it, let me know if you have questions or anything. If I had the money I'd build that right now.

Thanks for the advice Bob.
Personally I would make sure it's very silent too.
Your setup is geared towards performance only, the challenge for me would be into silencing it too

Monk.

hehe true, but I run a simliar setup with a quad core and it isnt overly loud or anything.

The cpu cooler is pretty damn quiet. As for the 4870, there is a fan fix you can do to knock it down to like 30-40% fan which keeps it cool and is relatively quiet.

Yeah, I'd prefer to keep it air cooled. I don't really do overclocking so that's not really an issue..

I was thinking, should I just get a large case since it's easier to work in? Chances are I won't move it. There aren't too many LAN parties around : (.

Entirely up to you, bigger case= better cooling. However I think bigger cases are louder just because of the number of fans they accommodate and resonance sound of the walls, as unless you have the case full there will be a lot of empty space. I'd recommend going with a mid tower if you dont plan on cramming a lot of things in there.

Sound dosent matter to me that much, after a while you dont even notice it. Just make sure you dont go buying some stupid case with neon lights and random ****. The list Bob gave you is pretty much perfect.