New here :) Need some advice!!!!

[Gary_Coleman]

My computer just recently died on me, It was and old system I built about 4 years ago and is completely out dated. I really don't want to spend over $1700 on a new system so I want the best bang for my buck. I also really don't want to assemble this one by my self so im looking to purchase an already built pc. Not too sure on good companies to go with but I did find this rig that seems reasonable and want some input.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/GAMER_INFINITY_XLC/

I need something with power to run editing programs but I also want something that can tackle the new gen games that are coming out.

Any input is appreciated, like I said I want the best bang for my buck, If any of you have suggestions please let me know

Thanks in advance.

[DonInKansas]

Welcome to TPU!

Why not assemble yourself? It's lots of fun and will save you major bucks.

What's your budget?

[mlee49]

Glad you decided to join TPU, welcome.

I enjoy building a prebuilt system every now and again. I would suggest Ibuypower.com. Also Sager is really good for a notebook.

Just stay away from Alienware. Their prebuilt systems are overpriced and locked on performance.

[PVTCaboose1337]

Welcome to TPU! I suggest always that you build your own system. Budget is very important, as well as the use of the computer. Give us some feedback.

[Gary_Coleman]

I know, I had help building my previous one and that was a while back so im a little weary on tackling it alone :/ I dont want to spend over $1700. Any suggestions? its been a while since I researched new computer parts and whats good and whats not so im a little out of the loop.

[-1nf1n1ty-]

Originally Posted by Gary_Coleman

My computer just recently died on me, It was and old system I built about 4 years ago and is completely out dated. I really don't want to spend over $1700 on a new system so I want the best bang for my buck. I also really don't want to assemble this one by my self so im looking to purchase an already built pc. Not too sure on good companies to go with but I did find this rig that seems reasonable and want some input.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/GAMER_INFINITY_XLC/

I need something with power to run editing programs but I also want something that can tackle the new gen games that are coming out.

Any input is appreciated, like I said I want the best bang for my buck, If any of you have suggestions please let me know

Thanks in advance.

HEY THAT LOOKS COOL..... yeah it is true that building it yourself is more fun but, I was gonna buy a pc from that website but I mean if you want to buy from the website then go ahead I like it looks really good.

[Gary_Coleman]

I really would like a quad core system with a nice graphics card, enough to run crysis on higher settings. If im going to spend money on a system I defiantly want to spend my money correctly.

[ShadowFold]

With 1700$ you can build the best of the best.. Also if you look at reseller ratings, Ibuypower and CyberPower have REALLY low ratings and generally ship their stuff unfinished..

[Gary_Coleman]

p.s. THanks for the unput

[Gary_Coleman]

Originally Posted by ShadowFold

With 1700$ you can build the best of the best.. Also if you look at reseller ratings, Ibuypower and CyberPower have REALLY low ratings and generally ship their stuff unfinished..

So ive read as well, reguardless of them, how to the specs look on that computer? is there anything that is a waste of money or anything I should get instead that would make a difference?

(I dont want it to seem like im taking the easy way out by not doing research but I have been, and I just want to get the best that I can)

[mlee49]

Your budget can include a Quad core and a nice single gpu. We could easily set you up with three or four parted systems to choose from.

Why buy prebuilt when you can buy a parted system and save at least $200? I like the set up with the Gamer Infinity XLC, Quad Q9550 with dual 9800 GTX+. I would rethink the PSU, you could upgrade to a Thermaltake 850w.

[ShadowFold]

Something along these lines. If you want to make it alot cheaper you can go with a 790FX and a Phenom 9950. It won't quite as fast but fast enough for any res above 1280x1024 and alot cheaper.

Phenom 9950 125w - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103291
ASUS 790FX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131339

[Gary_Coleman]

Originally Posted by mlee49

Your budget can include a Quad core and a nice single gpu. We could easily set you up with three or four parted systems to choose from.

Why buy prebuilt when you can buy a parted system and save at least $200? I like the set up with the Gamer Infinity XLC, Quad Q9550 with dual 9800 GTX+. I would rethink the PSU, you could upgrade to a Thermaltake 850w.

How much of a difference would upgrading the power supply do?

Originally Posted by ShadowFold

Something along these lines. If you want to make it alot cheaper you can go with a 790FX and a Phenom 9950. It won't quite as fast but fast enough for any res above 1280x1024 and alot cheaper.

Phenom 9950 125w - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103291
ASUS 790FX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131339

wow, sounds good. My last computer had AMD so I was giong to try Intel, but those seem tempting.

[ShadowFold]

How big is your current monitor? If you have like a 22'' or higher you might as well spend less on the cpu.

[Gary_Coleman]

I believe its a 22"

[ShadowFold]

Yea definitely go with a Q6600 or Phenom 9950 depending on what brand you prefer.

[mlee49]

Originally Posted by Gary_Coleman

How much of a difference would upgrading the power supply do?

Considering I've never heard of the two 800w options, I would upgrade to a decent name brand like Thermaltake or Corsair or PC P&C(upgrade after purchase). The thermaltake upgrade is +88 but with a $40 MIR could be worth it.

Has anyone else heard of the NZXT PP800 or Xion SuperNova?

Edit: Looks like TPU did a review of the Xion Supernova 600w and it got a 8.4. Link: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/A...va_600W/6.html

[NastyHabits]

That is a great list of parts that ShadowFold created for you. I can't find one part on there I would not recommend myself.

As for corsair power supplies, they are great. The power ratings are consistently understated, unlike many other brands.

[DarkMatter]

Shadowfold's suggested one is pretty good, a dream machine, but is a little overkill on some points and is not what I would call the best bang for the buck. If you want the best bang for your buck and you go Intel I would stay away from the X38 motherboard and go with a P45 based one. You will see no difference at all, but price is much lower.
In Crysis a Nvidia GTX280 or even a factory overclocked GTX260 with 216 SP (it might be tricky for you to differentiate from the old 192SP one though) is much better price/performance and performance wise. A single HD4870 will do the job too, but it's slower on Crysis while trades blows with the GTX260 in other games. A HD4870 X2 will hardly make a difference with your monitor in any game (you'll always be above 60 fps with any of the cards), but it will do in your pocket. Here's a TPU review so you can compare the graphics cards and decide if $100-$200 difference is worth it or not:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Z...Edition/9.html

Originally Posted by ShadowFold

How big is your current monitor? If you have like a 22'' or higher you might as well spend less on the cpu.

I fail to see the relation of his monitor with the CPU he should get.

[ShadowFold]

Well he has a high res monitor and the cpu doesn't work as hard so buying a 300$ cpu would kind of be a waste.

[bigtye]

I think the suggestion is that as the screen resolution increases, the focus switches from cpu being the "bottleneck" to gpu, hence spend a bit less on the cpu for high res gaming in order to have a little more for the gpu.

Low res gaming is not going to stress a powerful gpu so don't bother spending heaps on it, pump up the cpu more instead as it will have more of an impact (below 1280x1024). This is how I have understand much of the discussion and benchmarks on the matter.

Tye

[ChromeDome]

i would always recommend building your own, but if for some reason you don't want to, can't, or don't want to spend the money you can get a pre built Dell Ispiron 530 atm with a q6600 quad core processor, 2 gigs of RAM, and a 500 gig HD for $500. Windows Vista Premium included. no monitor.

you won't be overclocking on the thing, but some upgrades and expansion is possible. take a look here to see how:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=72827

so easy even nubs like me and DocJay35 can get the job done

[DarkMatter]

Originally Posted by ShadowFold

Well he has a high res monitor and the cpu doesn't work as hard so buying a 300$ cpu would kind of be a waste.

The CPU works equally hard at any resolution, it's just the weight of the bottleneck moves from the CPU to the GPU, but a slower CPU WILL ALWAYS make the game run slower irregardless of the resolution being used.

If he was to choose an slower CPU because he games at high resolutions, because a slower CPU would only mean a decrease of 10% in performance (i.e 30 - 3 = 27 fps), he should as well choose an even slower CPU for low res gaming because even if the loss is percentually and materialy higher (i.e 40%, 100 - 40 = 60 fps), he would still always be above playable framerates.

The idea that you don't need a fast CPU for high res gaming is one of the most stupid memes we hear nowadays.

[Gary_Coleman]

Ok......I think building it myself is for sure the way to go. Not going to lie, Alot of this is confusing but makes sense lol. Im not too familiar with over clocking, but i want a stable, strong, cool computer. I say go big or go home. I just want to stay away from issues.

[Gary_Coleman]

I just defiantly want to get up-to-date parts that will last me a while with enough power to do whatever I throw at it....at maxed settings if possible