sort of a game question, more of a computer parts question

[bigolred74]

It's been way too long since I've been up on whats good as far as computer specs. However, the time has come to put together a new desktop and I'm lost on what's good and what's not. I need a bit (a lot) of advice on what to look for. I prefer Asus motherboards and Intel CPUs, and would like one without built in graphics and sound as I'd like to put in whatever I want, and be able to upgrade them. I've always been partial to Creative soundcards and had good luck with Radeon video cards. However, if I'm way out of touch please let me know. The most graphic intense game I'm likely to play is LOTRO (mostly solo), I don't really have any need for 3D or large group/raid capability. Thanks all

tl;dr I need advice on a good motherboard, video card, and sound card

 

[HiGirlsRHot]

Re: sort of a game question, more of a computer parts questi

Once I left Silicon Valley I found it impossible to keep up with the constantly changing components.

I still think anadtech.com is the best source of computer hardware info, it is heavily oriented to gaming.

 

[GweenBlack]

Re: sort of a game question, more of a computer parts questi

My specs run most of new games on ultra (like battlefield and borderlands 2) and its a game machine:

120 GB SD card (where i installed windows to run faster)
1.5 TB HD (for storage and to install the games)
8 GB RAM
GeForce 660ti
Intel Core i5 (the new generation, i couldnt afford the i7)

and I suck and cant remember my motherboard

But i live in Brazil, i paid for this last year 4400 BRL (2200 usd) for this amount at newegg.com you can afford a better machine.

 

[bigolred74]

Re: sort of a game question, more of a computer parts questi

Once I left Silicon Valley I found it impossible to keep up with the constantly changing components.

I still think anadtech.com is the best source of computer hardware info, it is heavily oriented to gaming.

You dropped an 'n' there :lol: ... www.anandtech.com but I figured out what you meant. Thank you for the pointer

 

[Jesse0328]

Re: sort of a game question, more of a computer parts questi

The subreddit Build-A-PC (http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc) most likely will be able to help you out. Just post what you're looking for and your budget and you should get one or more suggested builds. If you already know what you're looking at, you can throw your build in pcpartpicker or whatever and let them critique it.

 

[UncleThursday]

Re: sort of a game question, more of a computer parts questi

My specs run most of new games on ultra (like battlefield and borderlands 2) and its a game machine:

120 GB SD card (where i installed windows to run faster)
1.5 TB HD (for storage and to install the games)
8 GB RAM
GeForce 660ti
Intel Core i5 (the new generation, i couldnt afford the i7)

and I suck and cant remember my motherboard

But i live in Brazil, i paid for this last year 4400 BRL (2200 usd) for this amount at newegg.com you can afford a better machine.

Just a note, you don't want Windows to have its desktop or scratch disk on your SSD. It will kill your SSD much faster. Put the OS and programs you use a lot on the SSD (browsers, etc.) but try to make your desktop and scratch disk be on a regular HDD.

 

[Hakujin]

Re: sort of a game question, more of a computer parts questi

I really don't see anything wrong with Amd Fx 6300 on up. I run that and 8 gigs of ram with a radeon 7670 and get good fps on wow in 25 man raids with ultra settings. That said I do get slowdown for a second or two at times which isn't a big deal to me.

That being said my wife runs a Fx 4300 ( or 42 can't rember ) and it is only slightly less but still does Skyrim reasonably to me and I'm a snob.

Boards are a complexity but I generally support anything in the $70-100 range for into gaming. Stick with Asus and ASRock or Msi.

If possible, check out cyberpower or ibuypower for their entry level builds. It certainly helps.