Build a Gaming PC
Gaming computers are some of the most expensive consumer computers out there. However, building your own computer can save you money, will give you a better computer, will help you to become intimate with your machine's components and workings, and will be easier to upgrade and repair in the future. In addition, many components have better warranties you will find with complete computers. RAM, for example, typically carries a lifetime warranty. You can get all your components for cheap from online retailers like TigerDirect, Mwave,Newegg, or ZipZoomfly. Through this guide, you will learn how to make a powerful gaming computer for little over a grand.
— Christopher Olsen / DrKBlz
— Christopher Olsen / DrKBlz
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Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 ($300)
The heart of any computer is the processor. The major brands available are Intel and AMD. AMD tends to be far cheaper (1/2 - 1/4 the price), and has far better performance per dollar, but Intel is the way to go for ultimate performance (if you can afford it). The Phenom II X4 965 is probably the best bang for your buck. It features 4 cores at 3.40GHz each. AMD also has a X6 line, which for $300 gets your a 6 core processor at 2.80GHz. If your budget is a little bigger, Intel offers i7 4-core processors, which feature hyperthreading, simulating 8 processors ($600 for a 3.20GHz model, a 3.40GHz model does not exist). In gaming, however additional cores won't help much in gaming, as most games perform better on fewer, faster cores. In gaming, hyperthreading won't provide a big boost (if any), and high-speed quad-cores will out perform their slower hex-core siblings.
Motherboard: Asus Crosshair IV Formula ($250)
The first step in looking for a motherboard is the socket. Motherboards will usually only support one socket style, which must match your processor. The next step is to look at prices, features, and brands. This motherboard, designed specifically for gaming, features easy overclocking, 7.1 surround sound, DDR3 ram, crossfire multi-GPU support, USB3 + SATA 6, and core-unlocker. If you have an AMD processor with latent cores (ie - a processor labeled as X2 that's really a X3 with one (possibly bad) core turned off), you can attempt to reactivate the additional core with Core Unlocker.
The first step in looking for a motherboard is the socket. Motherboards will usually only support one socket style, which must match your processor. The next step is to look at prices, features, and brands. This motherboard, designed specifically for gaming, features easy overclocking, 7.1 surround sound, DDR3 ram, crossfire multi-GPU support, USB3 + SATA 6, and core-unlocker. If you have an AMD processor with latent cores (ie - a processor labeled as X2 that's really a X3 with one (possibly bad) core turned off), you can attempt to reactivate the additional core with Core Unlocker.
RAM: Mushkin XP3-10666 Blackline DDR3 SDRAM 2x2GB memory sticks ($110 a pair)
When choosing Ram, you need to look at capacity, speeds, timings, and price. This set features 2 2GB sticks, 1333MHz speed (the fastest most CPUs and motherboards support), 7-7-7-20 timings (the lower the better at a set speed. For the speed, these are the best timings available), lifetime warranty, and are fairly inexpensive. In addition, they are optimized for AMD processors. For addition performance, buy 2 sets for a total of 8GB of ram, or buy 4 1GB sticks instead.
When choosing Ram, you need to look at capacity, speeds, timings, and price. This set features 2 2GB sticks, 1333MHz speed (the fastest most CPUs and motherboards support), 7-7-7-20 timings (the lower the better at a set speed. For the speed, these are the best timings available), lifetime warranty, and are fairly inexpensive. In addition, they are optimized for AMD processors. For addition performance, buy 2 sets for a total of 8GB of ram, or buy 4 1GB sticks instead.
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 Vapor-X 1GB ($170)
Videocards are one of the most important aspects of your system gaming-wise. Typically you should spend similar dollar amounts on your videocard and processor. When buying a videocard, be sure to check which cards are compatible with your Motherboard. Although you can usually put one card in OK, if you are planning on upgrading to Crossfire or SLI later, or using it as an alternative for pricier cards, you need to be sure your motherboard supports it. Typically, Intel based motherboards support nVidia cards and SLI, while AMD based motherboards support ATI and Crossfire, although that is not always the case. Per dollar, the Radeon HD 5770 one of the fastest videocards currently available. Two of these in crossfire perform better in many situations than the $600 beasts. In addition, one of these cards supports up to 4 monitors, for extra wide or extra large display arrays.
Videocards are one of the most important aspects of your system gaming-wise. Typically you should spend similar dollar amounts on your videocard and processor. When buying a videocard, be sure to check which cards are compatible with your Motherboard. Although you can usually put one card in OK, if you are planning on upgrading to Crossfire or SLI later, or using it as an alternative for pricier cards, you need to be sure your motherboard supports it. Typically, Intel based motherboards support nVidia cards and SLI, while AMD based motherboards support ATI and Crossfire, although that is not always the case. Per dollar, the Radeon HD 5770 one of the fastest videocards currently available. Two of these in crossfire perform better in many situations than the $600 beasts. In addition, one of these cards supports up to 4 monitors, for extra wide or extra large display arrays.
Hard Drive: Hitachi Deskstar HD32000 7K; 2TB 7200RPM ($140)
A major bottleneck in many performance machines is the harddrive. Larger capacities will perform better than smaller capacities. The harddrive speed, in RPM, is another major factor. Faster RPMs means faster data transfer and shorter access times. Avoid "Green" drives at all costs; they are always run at lower RPMs. This drive features a whopping 2TB capacity at 7200rpm has a 3 year warranty, and is half the price of a comparable Western Digital drive. Another good choice would be the Western Digital VelociRaptor 300GB ($200). Although considerable smaller, it runs significantly faster. If possible, buy both. Put Windows and games on the VelociRaptor, and media and storage on the Deskstar.
A major bottleneck in many performance machines is the harddrive. Larger capacities will perform better than smaller capacities. The harddrive speed, in RPM, is another major factor. Faster RPMs means faster data transfer and shorter access times. Avoid "Green" drives at all costs; they are always run at lower RPMs. This drive features a whopping 2TB capacity at 7200rpm has a 3 year warranty, and is half the price of a comparable Western Digital drive. Another good choice would be the Western Digital VelociRaptor 300GB ($200). Although considerable smaller, it runs significantly faster. If possible, buy both. Put Windows and games on the VelociRaptor, and media and storage on the Deskstar.
Power Supply: Diablotek RPM850 850W ATX Power Supply ($80)
When looking for a power supply, your major concern is the videocards. Many newer videocards can suck as much as 400Watts each. In addition, new videocards can require a 8 pin PCIe and a 6 pin PCIe plug each. This power supply provides two of each, and 850 watts, which will provide ample power for any video card, even two, while still leaving enough power for the processor, harddrives, and other parts.
When looking for a power supply, your major concern is the videocards. Many newer videocards can suck as much as 400Watts each. In addition, new videocards can require a 8 pin PCIe and a 6 pin PCIe plug each. This power supply provides two of each, and 850 watts, which will provide ample power for any video card, even two, while still leaving enough power for the processor, harddrives, and other parts.
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Computer Case ($150)
When looking for a case, you need to find something that looks good, has good cooling, can fit all your components (especially large video cards), and is a price you can afford. Although pricy, the HAF case is extremely large, allowing you to stuff dual power supplies, plenty of disk drives and harddrives, and a variety of different motherboard sizes. It also has AMAZING cooling, featuring 3 230mm fans. If you need something a little cheaper, the NZXT M59-001BK M59 Case, at a mere $55, provides ample space, good looks, and decent cooling.
When looking for a case, you need to find something that looks good, has good cooling, can fit all your components (especially large video cards), and is a price you can afford. Although pricy, the HAF case is extremely large, allowing you to stuff dual power supplies, plenty of disk drives and harddrives, and a variety of different motherboard sizes. It also has AMAZING cooling, featuring 3 230mm fans. If you need something a little cheaper, the NZXT M59-001BK M59 Case, at a mere $55, provides ample space, good looks, and decent cooling.
Final Components
Once you have all of that, all you need is a disk drive (DVD-Burner (~$20) or Bluray-Burner (~$200)), a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and a copy of Windows. Try to aim for a flat-panel monitor, preferably 1920x1080 or 1920x1200; a decent keyboard; a good wired (wired has better gaming performance) laser mouse with high DPI; and a 64-bit copy of Windows 7 (Windows Vista is terrible, as well as 64 bit XP, and 32-bit will only support up-to 4GB, typically only 3GB, of Ram.) Put it together, install Windows, install drivers, and you have an awesome gaming rig.
Once you have all of that, all you need is a disk drive (DVD-Burner (~$20) or Bluray-Burner (~$200)), a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and a copy of Windows. Try to aim for a flat-panel monitor, preferably 1920x1080 or 1920x1200; a decent keyboard; a good wired (wired has better gaming performance) laser mouse with high DPI; and a 64-bit copy of Windows 7 (Windows Vista is terrible, as well as 64 bit XP, and 32-bit will only support up-to 4GB, typically only 3GB, of Ram.) Put it together, install Windows, install drivers, and you have an awesome gaming rig.
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