Halp?

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1

Hello one and all.   I am going to build a new computer for myself, and need a little guidance.  I currently have:

 

AMD Phenom 8400 Triple Core 2.10 ghz

8 gig generic type memory

AMD Radeon of some ilk, 500 mg, crossfire type thing.

800 w power core

80g HD

 

The box I have is, for lack of  a better term, bad.  So, I am thinking of building what I have into something oh so much better.  I want to stay under $500.  I want a mechanical HD, and will need an optical drive as well.  I want to be able to play the new simcity coming out with graphics at full.

 


So, with that in mind- suggestions on a build? 

2

Uhmm.... what graphic card? Some "AMD Radeon of some ilk, 500 mg, crossfire type thing." is not really gonna show if you can play your sim game on high. The graphic card is the absolute most important part of a computer when it comes to games. If you can find out the four numbers after the thing it can help (Radeon HD 6670) for example.

If you're lookfing to just play some games, and not much else (like video editing and rendering 3D stuff, then all you need is just a new graphic card)


I would recommend this card - Sapphire Ultimate Radeon HD 6670 1GB GDDR5 graphics card. It's $85, not fan so it's silent, and it can play Battlefield 3 on ultra settings. This card could EASILY play your sims on highest settings and everything

3

in what universe does the 6670 play BF3 on ultra settings?

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/613?i=401.458.489.490

 

do you have a Sata Optical drive you can reuse in your current build?

4

I was thinking of getting a new card, and using crossfire with the old one if that makes sense?  Also- not "the sims."  Simcity. link below.I have quite a few games, but can't scrape past 20 FPS in minecraft of all things.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YceL2C4TW4Q&feature=share&list=PL0OgZH_o4pWcTo2UjTaJWdULk67VCYfZY

So, that Sapphire looks nice enough.  That's like the one Logan recommended in his $400 build.  So, I guess the real question is whether or not I could actually FIT 2 large cards into the mobo he offered for the AMD option.  

 

Thoughts there?

5

I also wouldn't mind a decent soundcard- capable of multiple midi channels, etc.

6

I'd want to get a new one.

7

it really cuts into your budget to get a sound card unless you have 300$ headphones, intergrated sound has come a long way

keep in mind you need a new mobo, cpu, ram, gpu, and HDD, HDDs are 65-80$, CPUs are 140 for a decent one, and mobos are 60 for cheapo and 100 for decent, ram is about 40-60$ then what you have left is to be used on a GPU and a optical drive and case if REALLY want a new one

see you barely have the money for a entry level GPU like the 7750 since you had to put your money in the everything else first

just imagine if you had a 80% sound card and 20$ ODD you wouldn't even have money for the GPU

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/613?vs=535

8

here is a nice APU build made for CF graphics you can get rid of the 6670 if you want 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/yQPT

9

With only a few tweaks, does this work?

 Also, yes I know it's about 50 bucks north of what I said, but based on what you all are saying, this may be the better build.  Also, 2 TB only 99 bux? wow.

10

Also, Thank you ALL for your input.  I truly have been listening :D

11

ok option with that build you want the fastest ram possible let me tweak my build to include that 2tb and i will get it within your budget :D

12

There is a build just over $450 with a great Mobo Combo and better ram you can add a Gfx card later for now the onboard should suffice

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CidA