In the market for a new computer

Spartanias·Nov 25, 2014·1 votes·491 views

Im looking to upgrade/get a new computer so that will not only let me play wow and league at consistent 60fps, but also the likes of battlefield 4, witcher 3 and so on.

I have an 8 year old Gateway FX6800 which throughout it's life I have upgraded some components

Current specs: Intel Core i7 920 @ 2.67GHz 9.00gb DDR3 RAM Windows Vista 64bit ATI Radeon HD 6970 2GB 800 Watt PS

I think the Graphics card and powersupply i could keep and put into a new unit. Maybe get another 6970 for crossfire support?

Thing is, I have never built a computer from the ground up so I appreciate any help you can offer. I have been messing with PC Part Picker but to no avail as Its a lot of info to process.

I'm looking at a budget of around $1,000

Thanks!

4 Comments

Joey MontagueNov 25, 20141 votes

Instead of building a PC, the best thing to do (if you're not an expert), is to just buy a gamer-spec one from HP or Apple or whatever.

When people custom-build their PCs, there always tends to be problems (not necessarily huge problems) but like software/BIOS compatibility issues, and then sometimes the cooling system... and stuff just starts breaking faster. Point is, there's always some kind of higher maintenance required.

I bought an HP high-end laptop, play LoL and an MMO on it simultaneously. I've never had cooling issues, hardware problems, etc. Everything has been working fine and I never needed to have it checked or opened up.

I guess custom-building your PC would be cheaper, but yeah... if you don't want to go through the hassle of continuous maintenance, then you should just buy a factory-made one for like $100 more.

Still TrillNov 25, 20141 votes

1: How would you have issues with the cooling system? I'm not too versed into water cooling systems so I cannot speak from those, but it's just a fan with a heat sink that you plug into the motherboard. Unless you go about shoving the connector in the wrong port (which shouldn't even be possible, you have internet tutorials and the motherboard manual which TELLS you which components are meant to be plugged where)

2: Software issues? I've never had one that correlated with the hardware itself, when I did have one it was an issue inside the operating system that was fixed INSIDE the operating system. Once again, user error.

3: I've never had BIOS issues, ever. Don't mess with delicate pieces of the motherboard and don't constantly flash the BIOS and you won't have an issue. User error.

4: I've had this build for nearly 4 years now, stuff never "started breaking faster" that's an issue on the users part. The only "breaking" I've done is taking out a part and putting a new one in (which is just like legos except a bit more advanced.) Unless the person in question happened to get a component that was broken upon shipment or had some sort of malfunction already, then this is user error.

Most issues are user error (Improperly plugged in a component, bended CPU pins, etc...)

There is NO hassle of continuous maintenance. Opening the case and dusting it off every once in a while is some serious maintenance. Tying cords in a certain fashion to allow more optimal error flow is definitely "serious" maintenance.

Fact is, a prebuilt computer is a waste of money (unless it is a laptop, even then you'd have to pick a good one from a good brand, such as MSI, Lenovo, Asus, NOT HP and especially not Apple), a custom built computer allows you to pick exactly what you want, give you the hands on experience (which is easy, building computers is one of the easiest things I've done...) and you learn the parts and what issues may arise from such parts so IF (and that's not a very big if) something goes wrong you know HOW to fix it, instead of shipping it to a corporation who will charge you lots of cash for something that can be fixed for half or even for free, then you have to pay them, then you have to wait. When if the issue happening is something that can be fixed by the user easily it can either be done for free or almost free (compared to shipping it to the corporation.)

You don't have to be an expert to build a computer, you could be a complete neophyte whose never seen the inside of a computer, I was and I did just fine, and many who was in the same situation I was have done just fine too. There are hundreds of tutorials on YouTube, there are hundreds of boards to console, you can get advice from someone from the other side of the world almost instantaneously. Unless you have a very good reason (being new is not one) then building a computer is a very viable choice and is very easy, cost effective, fun and will teach you many things. Not to sound rude, but it seems you have little idea of how easy building a computer is, how easy it is to fix one, and all around oblivious to building a computer in general, how easy it is to fix minor problems and how to avoid problems the bulk of your statement capitalized on.

Joey MontagueNov 25, 20141 votes

1: How would you have issues with the cooling system? I'm not too versed into water cooling systems so I cannot speak from those, but it's just a fan with a heat sink that you plug into the motherboard. Unless you go about shoving the connector in the wrong port (which shouldn't even be possible, you have internet tutorials and the motherboard manual which TELLS you which components are meant to be plugged where)

2: Software issues? I've never had one that correlated with the hardware itself, when I did have one it was an issue inside the operating system that was fixed INSIDE the operating system. Once again, user error.

3: I've never had BIOS issues, ever. Don't mess with delicate pieces of the motherboard and don't constantly flash the BIOS and you won't have an issue. User error.

4: I've had this build for nearly 4 years now, stuff never "started breaking faster" that's an issue on the users part. The only "breaking" I've done is taking out a part and putting a new one in (which is just like legos except a bit more advanced.) Unless the person in question happened to get a component that was broken upon shipment or had some sort of malfunction already, then this is user error.

Most issues are user error (Improperly plugged in a component, bended CPU pins, etc...)

There is NO hassle of continuous maintenance. Opening the case and dusting it off every once in a while is some serious maintenance. Tying cords in a certain fashion to allow more optimal error flow is definitely "serious" maintenance.

Fact is, a prebuilt computer is a waste of money (unless it is a laptop, even then you'd have to pick a good one from a good brand, such as MSI, Lenovo, Asus, NOT HP and especially not Apple), a custom built computer allows you to pick exactly what you want, give you the hands on experience (which is easy, building computers is one of the easiest things I've done...) and you learn the parts and what issues may arise from such parts so IF (and that's not a very big if) something goes wrong you know HOW to fix it, instead of shipping it to a corporation who will charge you lots of cash for something that can be fixed for half or even for free, then you have to pay them, then you have to wait. When if the issue happening is something that can be fixed by the user easily it can either be done for free or almost free (compared to shipping it to the corporation.)

You don't have to be an expert to build a computer, you could be a complete neophyte whose never seen the inside of a computer, I was and I did just fine, and many who was in the same situation I was have done just fine too. There are hundreds of tutorials on YouTube, there are hundreds of boards to console, you can get advice from someone from the other side of the world almost instantaneously. Unless you have a very good reason (being new is not one) then building a computer is a very viable choice and is very easy, cost effective, fun and will teach you many things. Not to sound rude, but it seems you have little idea of how easy building a computer is, how easy it is to fix one, and all around oblivious to building a computer in general, how easy it is to fix minor problems and how to avoid problems the bulk of your statement capitalized on.

Interesting. Well yours is the first experience I've heard about someone who custom built their PC as a noob and didn't have to troubleshoot it once thereafter. My dad, my brother, and my brother's friends built their PCs (from time to time) and I've heard they had software compatibility issues, BIOS issues, etc. etc. etc. had to change the video card at least once. Stuff just broke down.

If you're not lying about stares building your custom PC without ever having to mess with it afterwards, in order to further some sort of custom-build-PC-advocacy vs. bringing-down-PC-manufacturers - then I'll just say your post inspires me to try to build my next PC by myself.

Still TrillNov 25, 20141 votes

The internet is far too vast for you to look to only the League boards for computer advice. I recommend you build your own computer, I've seen 8 year olds build computers just fine, they are advanced legos. I recommend you go to communities that know how to make builds and can help you more than the average user on the League board can.

http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/

http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapcforme

http://www.logicalincrements.com/ Only for base builds, you'll still want to change things.

I'd recommend against making your own build, I'm assuming (disregard if I'm wrong) you don't have much experience with parts and what is good and what isn't. So please reference the links up there, make a post and get help from them there, they know a lot more than most people on League Boards could tell you.