Fox needs halp. Can you supply it? Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help me build a gaming rig! My price point is approximately 1200$USD, although I'm willing to spend a little more if it is worth it. I figure it is about time I had something, anything dedicated to gaming, especially since I haven't really bought any computer hardware for 2 years (except my 2tb external drive a year ago). I am going to need literally everything to build a computer - from the PSU to the thermal paste.
Requirements:Quad-core processor (at least i5, ivy bridge) 16gb RAM-ishShould not require special cooling rigI want a relatively small-to-mid sized tower -no behemoth that I can't move around if I wantWill need a monitor and keyboard/mouseDoesn't have to be cutting edge, but ought to be able to play recent games on high settingsI'm also plan on sort of using it as a NAS/server for streaming and maybe hosting some stuffI won't need to purchase an OS because I've got a Win7 Ultimate license.Seeing as I am terrible with hardware, I leave it up to you. Wander over to Newegg, and assemble parts that you think make the cut. Then we shall choose - via group consensus! Discussion and debate! All out brawling! Duels to the death! How you decide is up to you, just please help ;_;Sorry, derp. No money left over :<
For your budget, the difference in price would be better allocated elsewhere.
I agree with the above.
No need for a 670 if you're not going to use it right now, and a mobo is about personal preference (in the sense that there's relatively equally good quality mobos out there). Again, I'd go with ASUS, 'cause they're lovely.Specs before namebrand, IMO - but I do love me some ASUS.
Having played that game with some… exciting boards before, I'd stick with a manufacturer I know to be usable.
I'm not really up on nVidia manufacturers - is eVGA still any good? They used to have one of the best warranty programs.@flashback - Unfortunately, the board you linked is the wrong form factor.
However, I've done a bit more research, looked at other boards, and as far as I can tell the one I have chosen is fairly decent and has enough options to upgrade stuff later if I want.Here is the slightly tweaked build again, with a changed power supply and hard drive. I plan on getting the CPU and hard drive at microcenter, which knocks off 35$USD, too. I've been looking at some benchmarks, and I think that the 660 will be more than enough graphical power for me - especially since its a higher-end 660, and is nearly comparable to the lower-end 670 cards (and doesn't have a 50% price jump).It has been a long while since I owned a desktop, and so compared to the laptop cards I've been running, even the 660 blows them out of the water.The board look good. =)
But damnit, I just noticed your case. I drive a little 2 door civic SI, and even I have this urge to angrily drive little smart cars off the road. I feel the same way about your case.I know you want it to be mobile, but in reality, mid size cases are quite movable, and depending on their material, can be pretty light. I don't know if I'm just used to it, because I used to lug my case around every weekend, and have moved hundreds of computers at my job. I've carried one in my arms for like 3 kilometres. I've taken it on greyhound buses. On the subway. Over the board to the US. Under my ass when I need a place to sit.If you have a laptop, you will be even less inclined to carry it around.Having the room to work inside your computer will probably make things a lot more enjoyable.@desertfox Drat, didn't notice the case was mATX. The ASRock should be fine (my roommate runs one), I'm just a paranoid crazy person. I would be a bit concerned about airflow in a mini-tower, but a portable mini is going to be a lot cheaper than an equivalent-weight mid tower.
Haha at tiny smart cars. I know the feeling.
That case is actually larger than would first appear. It is significantly wider than most mid towers (11.5" vs 8"), so although it is more compact outwardly, it is actually approx. 4/5th the volume of the random mid towers I checked. Its more cubic shape makes it more volume-efficient :3@flashback - don't worry, heat flow is fairly high upon my 'concern-o-meter'. I will be watching it like a hawk until I'm satisfied with the stability of the system.My subtotal is $1,263.91, without a keyboard or mouse. Forgot to include that detail. Worth the little bit extra, by far.