Topic: I want to build a PC and run every good and maybe the next gen stuff. Advice?

[SixthAngel]

If you want it to "future-proof" your pc it just has to be able to run PS4/720 games.  Game that need specs beyond that are going to be beyond rare for probably near a decade.

I can't help you much choosing the parts. If you still need this in a month or two post again and I should be able to though.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I had a thread like this about a year or two ago where I built an entire computer from scratch with a $800 budget.
That was monitor, keyboard and everything. It still runs every game I tried at good settings.

So for $1,000 budget, you should be able to put together something very very nice if you shop smart.

Edit: I found my old thread http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=31386.msg610728#msg610728
I went a little over my budget,  but it was worth it.

[Oblivion]

Okay, I'm going to do this step by step. First, the processor. How is this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

[ymeegod]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

$10 cheaper and a bit more power.  I5 2500 is a bit older (hell I was considering it when I built my PC three years ago--was expensive then).

--------------------------------

For $100 more you can get an decent I7 or if you go cheaper route; $20 less you can get an 8-core AMD (actually $40 less since there's an $20 rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284

Part of me says to go with 8 cores since next generation is heading that way meaning software is going be written to take advantage of multiple cores much better so you might get an advantage over 4 cores.  And it's cheaper .

[BranDonk Kong]

Wait 6 months before buying anything.

[RABicle]

http://pietriots.com/2011/12/21/thinking-of-building-a-gaming-pc-dont/

My biggest regret.

[Oblivion]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

$10 cheaper and a bit more power.  I5 2500 is a bit older (hell I was considering it when I built my PC three years ago--was expensive then).

--------------------------------

For $100 more you can get an decent I7 or if you go cheaper route; $20 less you can get an 8-core AMD (actually $40 less since there's an $20 rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284

Part of me says to go with 8 cores since next generation is heading that way meaning software is going be written to take advantage of multiple cores much better so you might get an advantage over 4 cores.  And it's cheaper .

Yeah, that AMD is looking pretty tempting.

Wait 6 months before buying anything.

Why?

[oohhboy]

If money isn't an issue maybe I can interest you in this.

3 SLI Nvidia Titians.
32GB 1600 DDR3.
Sandy bridge six core Intel CPU 3970X.
1200 Watt PSU.

Play Crysis 3 on max and heat your home.

Jokes aside, Wait 6 months when we know what to expect out of the new consoles, then you can comfortably over shoot that with whatever parts you need at a cheaper price than trying to overshoot now. Even with the new consoles, my current 2009 computer can equal them if I swap out the GFX card. Their "Raw" specs sound impressive, but implemention is another story. They had to cut corners to get those numbers and that's where you are going to find your advantages. Also with the consoles going multiple small cores, it's going to find a hard time utilising them since games don't multi-thread easily. Most games won't use those cores or have the need to as it is really hard to do.

Don't skim on RAM, get 8 GB minimum or more, it's cheap and one of the easiest part to "Future proof".

[ShyGuy]

Completely agree on the RAM.

[pokepal148]

Completely agree on the RAM.

so what brand of ram should i get
on that subject the old Vista desktop PC i have here is in dire need of upgrading, would it be worth my time to slip a few gigs of ram in there just to get some practice in the sort of thing

also what options are there for pc gaming on a TV, those Home Theater type builds seem promising but what of streaming from a desktop, is that reliable

[TJ Spyke]

Completely agree on the RAM.

so what brand of ram should i get

Doesnt really make much of a difference. Corsair is good though.

[RABicle]

Don't buy Strontium.

[pokepal148]

i see alot of amd in the PS4(and 720 rumors) and a fair bit of it in the Wii U... should I put this into consideration? will that affect how games are optimized for amd parts in a PC...

Either way I do not plan to break past 1080p... I will probably be using a gaming PC mainly on the TV with a controller...  how many ways are there to stream content to a TV or should I go for a direct connection

[BranDonk Kong]

Use HDMI.

[pokepal148]

anybody plan to answer the first question?

[BranDonk Kong]

I don't think anyone understands the question. Go with Intel and Nvidia if that's what you're asking.

[magicpixie]

The processor you decide to go with is going to depend solely on your own needs, ie: cost, performance, brand loyalty.  If a game is ported to PC, it is going to work on AMD and Intel chipsets.  So go with whatever's on sale, or whatever gives better benchmarks at the time.  There may be some marginal improvements in quality, but ultimately, it won't really matter all that much.

In certain cases, graphics cards may contain manufacturer-specific technology that doesn't necessarily translate as well to other cards - "TressFX", "PhysX" - but those won't affect your ability to play the game.  They just change how the game is displayed, and in some cases, driver updates can resolve the issue.

If you're outputting to your TV, streaming won't be an issue.  Just treat your TV like a monitor and you will never have issues with file formats again.

[ShyGuy]

I too wish to "run every good"

[MukiDA]

Guys, this isn't hard. First, buy the cheapest CPU on the top row (Probably i5 2500K, get a non-K if you're doing Linux with emulation):
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html

Do your cross-comparison in Amazon.com and Newegg.com, and if you don't know how to, learn how to middle-click and use tabs. Also Newegg probably has a comparison tool.

Then get the highest one you can get in your price range (I'd recommend Radeon 7870 or Geforce 660):
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html
Do NOT spend too much on a video card. You're far better off spending $200 now and $200 again in two years than spending $400 now.

Get your RAM in 8GB sticks (starting with at least 1), and remember which speed you got (1300, 1600, etc.). Look to get another stick in the next 3 or so months, same speed. Repeat until you're comfortable or until you have 32 gigs. This'll "future-proof" your PC in more ways than most people think. 16-24 should be more than fine, if RAM gets too expensive in the future. Please trust me on this one. I could go on for hours about how almost everything about having "more than enough" RAM is bullshit.

For EVERYTHING else (e.g. case, RAM, motherboard, etc.) read the reviews. Don't get the cheapest case, but don't go crazy. Look in the reviews to make sure the inside of your case isn't razor sharp, and that your motherboard isn't riddled with funky bugs. Make sure you graphics card doesn't have overheating problems.

[magicpixie]

Update?  Did you decide on specs/build a rig?

[falcon511]

This past summer i did actually build my own gaming desktop.  I have no regrets whatsoever.  While i did buy  a medium range system and such, it runs every game currently out just fine and will probably be able to handle any xbox one and ps4 games easily that come out in the first year should they come to pc.  The best part is just learning how a computer actually works and so forth.  I think my main platforms going forth the next 2 or 3 years will be the 3ds, wii u and the pc as my main.  If you ever get stuck just ask or watch youtube videos.  There are people who dedicate hours to doing this and you can learn a lot. 

If you feel this en devour isnt exactly for you, they you can always buy a pre built desktop from other sites.  I recommend these 2. 


www.xoticpc.com


http://www.digitalstormonline.com/

Best part about these 2 companies is the parts they use to build your computer, even the case, can ber bought from newegg easily.   You can even upgrade your entire rig if you need to.  Nothing is smoldered in or downclocked weirdly. 

[King of Twitch]

What if I want to spend $600 on a PC and I don't want to build one?

[Oblivion]

What if I want to spend $600 on a PC and I don't want to build one?

I can't remember the name of the company, but they sell gaming PCs for hardly more for what you'd pay if you bought and built it yourself. Maybe like 50 dollars more? I'll look it up and see if I can find it.

[King of Twitch]

Thanks! I just want to walk in/walk out of a store with something and not order something online, if you follow me. And it doesn't need to be a gaming machine.

[Oblivion]

Oh, then that company isn't for you. They're online only.