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General discussion

Help with hardware in general

by Johnny_Devo Aug 21, 2013 6:59AM PDT

So it's come to that time again. My computer is quite dated to the point where a game coming out near the end of this year will simply be too advanced for my poor old graphics card to handle.

The problem here is that I don't know much about hardware. I've been browsing around for computers that can run the game I want, but they're either too expensive or lacking in some aspect. A friend told me that I can always get computers cheaper when I'm building it myself, but that's again a problem when I don't know much about hardware.

the specs in the recommended list of the game "X-Rebirth" are:
-Windows 7 SP1 (64 bit)
-Processor: Intel i5 (Quad) or i7 at 2.5GHz or AMD equivalent
-Memory: 8 GB RAM
-Graphics: Nvidia GT500 series with 1GB RAM or better, ATI 5870HD with 1GB RAM or better
-Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c Compatible Sound Card
-At least 10GB free space in hard drive

Basically, I'm looking for any advice in how to find/decide on individual parts, perhaps the process involved in putting it together, or what have you. If I were to specifically make a goal, I would say that I want to meet or exceed the above specifications as cheap as possible.

Sorry if I sound cheap... working on a budget here and I can't help it if I'm looking for as much quality as possible!

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Here's the two I write about today.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 21, 2013 8:11AM PDT
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Specs
by Bob__B Aug 22, 2013 1:04AM PDT
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More information?
by Johnny_Devo Aug 22, 2013 2:44AM PDT

These replies are helpful for finding good value hardware, it seems, but I'm afraid I'm still a little lost.

Do you think you could point me towards a good website that might be able to walk me through the steps necessary to choosing hardware based on my needs, how to tell what kind of heat sink I might need, if I can use an old tower or if it's recommended to even use old parts, etc etc.

I literally am clueless as this is the first time I've gone out for my own computer, but I want to make sure it fits my specifications, so I would love to be able to educate myself on all aspects of the process. The extent of my knowledge is that you start with a motherboard, you attach several cards, such as a CPU and a graphics card to it, and you stick it in an appropriate tower.

Sorry if I seem a little ignorant... but I do realize that my knowledge is very lacking, so I meant what I said when I wanted pretty detailed guidance. Maybe a link to a comprehensive guide?

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I would not do that.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 22, 2013 3:26AM PDT

My advice is to NEVER create a new Frankenstein but to copy what others have made. The current fav around here is that i7 Haswell killer machine and for budget minded gaming, the A10.
Bob

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Some reading
by Bob__B Aug 22, 2013 6:57AM PDT
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