slice3819
hey guys, I’m new in computer hardware, and now I’m planning to build a new computer for "witcher 2" and "The elder scroll : skyrim" and of course some fps. Unfortunely i duno what hardware I should choose...so I want to ask for some suggestions here... My budget is around 1.2k-1.4k (including lcd monitor maybe)...can anyone help plz ><...
- Does this include OS, speakers, keyboard and mouse?
- What are your game setting expectations, max detail, higher frame rates or both?
- Do you have a preference of case size and/or color?
- Do you intend to overclock in the short-term? Until told, I will assume you will keep all stock when suggesting components, below.
Basic components:
- CPU (processor) -- AMD or Intel, then decide on which socket as that determines you mainboard
- mainboard (motherboard) -- this is determine what and how many RAM stick you can use, also the case choice
- RAM (memory) -- CPU choice will determine speed supported and OS choice determines how much
- OS -- your choice (FYI, each variation of Win 7 64-bit supports a different amount of RAM)
- main drive (HDD or SSD) -- your choice, though depends on mainboard, depends on your files
- optical drive (CD/DVD) -- your choice, also depends on mainboard
- Graphics card (sometimes called GPU) -- depends on game and what you expect.
- Power Supply Unit (PSU) -- depends on CPU and GPU choice, and if you plan to overclock.
- Chassis (case) -- depends on mainboard, GPU, PSU, and optical drive choices.
Build the system on a table or work bench, don't do it on a bed or carpet. If you don't have a grounding strap, constantly touch a neutral metal surface like the case to keep static charge from building up and damaging components. In terms of putting it together, it is like playing with Legos, it takes about 2 hours to put everything together and plugged in. I advise putting the CPU and cooler on the mainboard BEFORE putting the mainboard in the case, to make sure the cooler is on. RAM is easier with the mainboard out too. Separately and depending on which case, I'd say put the drives in first and then the mainboard. Graphics and PSU can be last.
Optional components:
- Aftermarket coolers for graphics or CPU or whatever -- best suited for overclocking, though it will drag full-load temps down regardless. For peace of mind.
- Thermal grease and solvent -- stock coolers include their own, best suited for overclockers, but it will drag temps down regardless. For peace of mind.
- Additional case fans -- case choice dependant and what noise level you can tolerate. Noise adds logarithmically, ten fans at 30dB each becomes 60dB total. Best to have positive pressure, slightly more CFM in than out, but you have to have that balance. Direction isn't important (heat rises in ambient air, not forced) but traditionally exhaust is in the back and top. Intakes are in the side and front.
In my experience, you should devote at least an entire day to doing this but mainly early in the day in case you have to ask Tech Support or post in the forums a question, there aren't many of us awake past midnight although I tend to be a night owl. Also, forum tech question etiquette requires posting your specs and telling us in detail what you've done. Little is obvious about computer problems.
Note on games and graphics: The first Crysis had a minimum requirement of a GeForce 6800GT (which functions like a 9400GT or GT220). Minimum means lowest settings at the NSTC standard of 30 frames per second. At the time the game appeared, folks with a Core 2 Quad overclocked with a pair of 8800GT tried max detail at 1680x1050 and it produced 20 FPS, it was pitiful. The technology of the time couldn't do max which was normal because our choice of settings isn't promised to us, game devs aren't responsible for our desires; we create our own problems. It wasn't until SLi of GTX280/285, or single GTX295/480/570 did the technology allowing the first Crysis to be played max detail smoothly. The ratio of spec is 480 shaders to 16 in the lowest end, or about a 30X increase. Crysis 2 was coded a bit better, some might claim it was dumbed down, because while the minimum was a GeForce 8800GT (almost five times the first one), the power of twin GTX580's will grant max smoothly, this is merely a 9X increase. Therefore, between 9 - 30 times more than minimum graphics can grant max smoothly.
Looking at system requirements of
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as well as
Witcher 2, they both recommend a GTX260/HD4890 type, minimum looks like something about half as fast. Still, a GTX260 has 192-shaders at 1300MHz (or 216 in the 55nm version) where nine times as much means something a bit faster than a GTX590 or a pair of GTX580's to run max detail smoothly. I'm not suggesting you pay $1000 in graphics just to play one game, I don't understand those that do, but you could get one now and another later. Depending on how long you've owned the last system, I'll suggest plan ahead for future games with a 3GB model of a GTX580. Maybe it will turn out you won't need as much graphics, depends on your preferences.
**** As for specs, I'll aim for the $1300 mark, before tax and shipping, what would I do if I had the cash... ****
I'm normally not into cases in general because they all bore me, but lately I have been looking at a Lian Li PC-Q25 case. It is a mini-ITX case but long enough for a full-size dual-slot graphics card, only downside is lack of an optical drive space, but plenty of HDD space. You'd have to use an external temporary USB DVD drive for it. Crysis 2 didn't need the disk in game, I wonder if new games are like that now (I only get one new title per year). So let's try that:
For these components thus far, without graphics or PSU, the total is $983.
The case limits the size of the PSU to 170mm deep; gotta love constraints.
Intel states the power requirement of an all-stock 95W TDP part to be
13A continuous from the 12v line, but they state the same for an a lower TDP like 84W, so easily they are covering their butts with some overhead. Faster models exist in the same 95W TDP (there is a 3.6 GHz Xeon), so if you were to overclock the i5-2500 to those speeds, you're still within the same power requirement. The non-K models can OC up to 400 MHz extra.
- GTX560 Ti, that is 170W or 14.2A at 12v, which pushes the total 12v amperage to 27.2A (326W) minimum.
- GTX570, that is 219W or 18.3A at 12v, which pushes the total 12v amperage to 31.3A (376W) minimum.
- GTX580, that is 244W or 20.3A at 12v, which pushes the total 12v amperage to 33.3A (400W) minimum.
- GTX590, that is 365W or 30.4A at 12v, which pushes the total 12v amperage to 43.4A (520W) minimum.
So the trick is to find a PSU that makes sense, first thing I'm going to do is settle on a single-rail just to make it easier to find. With less than 50A I figure one line is good enough.
I've settled on a
Silverstone Strider 600W unit for $70, it has a single 42A 12v line and falls within the 170mm limit with about .75" gap for wire bending. 42A satisfies a single GTX580, even a 3GB model, and a slight overclock bump of your i5-2500 to 3.7 GHz (which stock cooler can still take). I personally have a
CoolerMaster SilentM Pro 700W model; it has modular cabling and a single 12v rail of 50A. I can attest the quality of owning for 2yrs and funnily fits within the 170mm space, but it is another $40 just for clean cabling and another 8A.
The only gamble is whether the stock CPU cooler fit in the space between the mainboard and the PSU fan in the case which is
80mm according to Lian Li. I still have my i7-920 stock cooler, which was for a 130W TDP CPU, and its less than 80mm high, so it should be clear.
All in all, the cost is $1053 minus the graphics card cost, so video card might be a matter of your choice:
- With GTX560 Ti, it is $1303 -- within your budget range, though you can save on a lesser PSU.
- With GTX570, it is $1413 -- best deal in terms of cash limits, of course you could drop the SSD option.
- With GTX580, it is $1553 -- best performance just out of your budget, unless you want to save up for it.
- With GTX590, it is $1803 -- breaches power limit of Silverstone PSU option and also way out of your budget.
I'll admit I got carried away, I rarely have much build interest but I've always wanted to do a small form factor with high performance, so now for the criticism.
If I were to build this system, I’d find a way to shave off the hard drive cage and find a way to put in some liquid cooling; a single 140mm radiator, pump and reservoir can take up the volume left behind. Then the 140mm can be exhaust with 120mm fan up top as intake. Balance out the CFM's, it should be fine.
<message edited by lehpron on Thursday, November 03, 2011 1:06 AM>