Okay all you PC gamers, I need some help...

[BreakfastMan]

...in the PC parts buying. I have been a nearly exclusive console gamer for the longest time, but all the delicious PC exclusives are just so darn tempting (dang you S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and The Witcher! Dang you CD Projekt!). I cannot take it anymore, so I have decided to build myself an awesome gaming PC. The unfortunate part is, I have no idea were to start. Can you all help me? Were is the best place to order parts, and which are the best, most powerful parts I can get for the money? What parts will I need? Any PC exclusives I should pick up once I have it? Any helpful sites on how to assemble PCs? Tips, tricks, advice? Help, please?

NOTE: I figure that if I am going to do this, I might as well go all out, so if you could recommend the most powerful parts that you know, I would be grateful.

 

[BreakfastMan]

You really want to go all out? I mean, you really want to go all out? Because that's when you get into price ranges that un-informed people use when arguing against PC gaming.

Well, I want something will be able to play games that come out 5-6 years from now on medium settings at least, so, yeah I guess? I do not know all that much about PC gaming, but I want a really, really powerful computer, so I would think that requires one to go all out...

 

[DefunctTheory]

The advice forums are LITTERED with threads asking the same questions here.

Go there. Read. Actually READ the threads, and then if you still need help, post there.

Two more things...

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/538.277772-The-Technology-Help-Corner

And the second is simple: if your building a PC just for gaming, with no actual interest or understanding of basic computer mechanics... don't do it. It's a lot of money to drop if your not going to give it your utmost attention.

EDIT: Also, an all out computer, balls to the wall PC will most likely cost in excess of $2000.

WAY in excess.

 

[Abengoshis]

I got all my stuff from Scan computers. My final build runs every game I've played so far (including Crysis 2) on the highest graphics settings with no lag and without overclocking.I heard the prices have gone up since I bought my parts though. It ended up costing me ~£550

 

[Heronblade]

Newegg.com is the best site I know of for both new and used PC components, and it does have some DIY guides.

As for actually making a high end rig, you need to start off with 3 things. A tower, a motherboard, and a CPU. You need to make sure the motherboard properly fits in the tower, and that the CPU is compatible with the motherboard. The CPU and motherboard combination is your primary limiting factor when it comes to the rest of the computer, partly because they are the only components that are not easily interchangeable, and because most other parts must be compatible with the motherboard. Dual core CPUs are considerably more efficient than the old single core style (a 1.5 GHz dual outperforms a 3GHz single). Quad cores are in turn in theory better than dual, but software has yet to fully use it, so their advantage is not yet realized.

Other parts needed:
-Power supply (check total power drain of all other parts to ensure what you get has the needed Wattage output)
-Graphics card (I personally prefer the Nvidia GeForce series, plenty of options exist though)
-at least 2 RAM sticks (3GB would be all you need for most games, going up to about 6GB would ensure this doesn't fall behind in the near future)
-Hard Drive (250 GB is about the basic standard for these days. Getting over 1TB is fairly easy, but unnecessary unless you like to hoard memory intensive material like ripped movies.
-Operating system (Avoid Vista, just don't go for it. XP of course is the old standby, but it is falling badly behind on a number of standards, security among the biggest. Windows 7 would be my recommendation.)
-disc drive (faster the better for the most part. You probably want a DVD-RW, you never know when burning a physical copy of something can come in handy.

As far as price goes: If you are careful with price vs performance comparisons, you should be able to get a rig that will play all currently available games for under $500, though not necessarily at top performance. Getting rid of that qualifying statement will likely cost you another $500.

 

[Retronana]

...in the PC parts buying. I have been a nearly exclusive console gamer for the longest time, but all the delicious PC exclusives are just so darn tempting (dang you S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and The Witcher! Dang you CD Projekt!). I cannot take it anymore, so I have decided to build myself an awesome gaming PC. The unfortunate part is, I have no idea were to start. Can you all help me? Were is the best place to order parts, and which are the best, most powerful parts I can get for the money? What parts will I need? Any PC exclusives I should pick up once I have it? Any helpful sites on how to assemble PCs? Help, please?

I'll give you some tips
1. Four cores in a processor is ideal and the most you'll need for at least 5 years, anything more than four cores used purely for gaming is wasted cash.
2.If you want raw performance then GTX 580's and 6970's offer that...but in terms of price to performance ratio you'd want to look at £100 to £200 for graphics cards. If you have the extra then fair enough go all out but that's where the best value is found.
3. DO NOT BUY A CHEAP POWER SUPPLY, cannot stress this enough, if there's a PSU that supposedly outputs 650Watts and costs £25 likelihood is that it's shit. This is importent because if your power supply blows it CAN and most likely WILL take the rest of the system with it.
4. Be aware that if your going to spend £200 on a graphics card there's not much point getting a 1600X1080 resolution monitor, a cheaper card can easily match that res. Likewise if you go for a 2560X1600 res monitor you'll need a more powerful card to run games at max.

I'm sure there's more I could say but if you have any questions please ask

 

[DefunctTheory]

The advice forums are LITTERED with threads asking the same questions here.

Go there. Read. Actually READ the threads, and then if you still need help, post there.

Two more things...

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/538.277772-The-Technology-Help-Corner

And the second is simple: if your building a PC just for gaming, with no actual interest or understanding of basic computer mechanics... don't do it. It's a lot of money to drop if your not going to give it your utmost attention.

EDIT: Also, an all out computer, balls to the wall PC will most likely cost in excess of $2000.

WAY in excess.

I don't think your "way" is quite big enough...

[HEADING=1]WAY[/HEADING]

There we go.

Woot! You were right.

(Dual Video Cards for Quad monitors, not SLI)

(Case Not Included)

 

[Retronana]

-snip-

That's not even including some of the more crazy stuff.

Meaning water cooling loops and OCZ 480 gig IBIS SSD's in raid 0? Or maybe some of the 3D graphic design cards (like AMD firpro cards) that can go up to £3000 in price? And this (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-072-SV&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1092) case?

Stuff like this makes people think PC gaming is expensive when a GT8800 is stronger than any console and will cost £40 XD

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

NOTE: I figure that if I am going to do this, I might as well go all out, so if you could recommend the most powerful parts that you know, I would be grateful.

First thing I'd do is find someone you can trust who knows about PCs. That's the Most important thing. You'll have a few teething issues, because everyone does, and it's good to have someone to talk to.

Secondly, join a group like http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Escapist-PC-Gamers and ask on there. We've just finished talking @Legion through one purchase and that might help.

Thirdly, the best benefit of the PC is also it's weakness. Find out what you want to play before hand, and read up on it. There are so many games out there (often cheaper or free - while still being legal) that it's easy to get overwhelmed.

Fourthly, Extras. Winamp, Open Office, Firefox, iPlayer, Skype...

 

[Fooz]

yeah i would suggest getting to understand some of the more basic parts of computers before making one, and like some said before, check the other threads, there is a whole load of info on them.

but incase you cant be bothered im going to suggest what i think is appropriate for your question

CPU: Intel i7 Quad Core (3GHz minimum)

GPU: GTX 580 1.5GB (maybe Crossfire two of them, that will see you gaming at high settings for a long time)

Ram: 4GB is sufficient, 8GB will see you for 2-3 years comfortably, make sure its DDR3 memory (Kingston or Corsair are good)

Motherboard: "Asus P7P55D Xtreme Design" is the one i have, it supports Crossfire and is compatible with i7 CPU's ([small] im a bit behind with motherboards so maybe take someone else's advice on this bit[/small])

Cooling system: you could go with an air cooling device or a a water cooling depending on what you want, water cooling is better but is more expensive

Hard Drive: 1-2Terabyte hard drive is what i would recommend and an external hard drive to back up your data

PSU: well this depends on how powerful a machine you have, if you were to go with what i have recommended so far i would suggest a 750W minimum, maybe even an 800W

Operating System: Windows 7 64 bit

Case: this is where you can have some fun, you could, if you wanted, get a really cool one with lights and stuff on it, or be a boring old fart like me and get a black plain one



i hope this helps, and remember it is a big spend on a gaming PC so make sure to use it, and to protect it with a very good anti virus. also defrag it every so often to make it run at a good speed, basically, maintain it well.

 

[BGH122]

You really want to go all out? I mean, you really want to go all out? Because that's when you get into price ranges that un-informed people use when arguing against PC gaming.

Well, I want something will be able to play games that come out 5-6 years from now on medium settings at least, so, yeah I guess? I do not know all that much about PC gaming, but I want a really, really powerful computer, so I would think that requires one to go all out...

If you're looking to go seriously all out then enjoy your $5000 graphics card [http://www.i-store.com.au/product/?CategoryID=2&productid=10065].

If you're just looking for something somewhat expensive then I've had excellent price performance from my HD 6870 for £180.

 

[YuheJi]

I would point you to our own PC Hardware thread.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.105715-PC-Hardware-Thread-Now-With-100-More-Folding?page=1
Lists different builds (budget, mid-range, and high-end) and has explanations for all that parts that you'll need to buy.

 

[BGH122]

You really want to go all out? I mean, you really want to go all out? Because that's when you get into price ranges that un-informed people use when arguing against PC gaming.

Well, I want something will be able to play games that come out 5-6 years from now on medium settings at least, so, yeah I guess? I do not know all that much about PC gaming, but I want a really, really powerful computer, so I would think that requires one to go all out...

If you're looking to go seriously all out then enjoy your $5000 graphics card [http://www.i-store.com.au/product/?CategoryID=2&productid=10065].

Um, that's for serious graphical work, and really shouldn't even be on the radar for someone who wants a PC for games. Unless they're making games, then it could be an option. >_>

I know, I was kidding because he didn't set a price range.

 

[BreakfastMan]

...in the PC parts buying. I have been a nearly exclusive console gamer for the longest time, but all the delicious PC exclusives are just so darn tempting (dang you S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and The Witcher! Dang you CD Projekt!). I cannot take it anymore, so I have decided to build myself an awesome gaming PC. The unfortunate part is, I have no idea were to start. Can you all help me? Were is the best place to order parts, and which are the best, most powerful parts I can get for the money? What parts will I need? Any PC exclusives I should pick up once I have it? Any helpful sites on how to assemble PCs? Help, please?

I'll give you some tips
1. Four cores in a processor is ideal and the most you'll need for at least 5 years, anything more than four cores used purely for gaming is wasted cash.
2.If you want raw performance then GTX 580's and 6970's offer that...but in terms of price to performance ratio you'd want to look at £100 to £200 for graphics cards. If you have the extra then fair enough go all out but that's where the best value is found.
3. DO NOT BUY A CHEAP POWER SUPPLY, cannot stress this enough, if there's a PSU that supposedly outputs 650Watts and costs £25 likelihood is that it's shit. This is importent because if your power supply blows it CAN and most likely WILL take the rest of the system with it.
4. Be aware that if your going to spend £200 on a graphics card there's not much point getting a 1600X1080 resolution monitor, a cheaper card can easily match that res. Likewise if you go for a 2560X1600 res monitor you'll need a more powerful card to run games at max.

I'm sure there's more I could say but if you have any questions please ask

Okay I have a question... What is the importance of a computer case? Is it simply just for aesthetics, or does it have a deeper impact on performance? Could I get away with a cheap case and still have the thing run smooth as butter?