How do you decide what to spend on a new build? - Overclock.net

BounouGod · 10-17-09

In general my strategy has always been to get the best "cheap" computer, always looking for the sweet spot between value and performance.

My next build is going to be a little different, decided to break the bank so to speak and get the best so bit of a new experience there.

I am curious how the rest of you do it, how do you make your choices for upgrades or new builds?

Tator Tot · 10-17-09

I try to look for what will have the best impact on performance vs cost.

If you are on a Budget, the 790GX or 790X boards are nice and cheap, pair them with 2x2GB DDR2 1333mhz or 1600mhz (roughly the same price) and an Athlon II x4 and you are solid.

Like for me, a nice budget system is

AM3 Quad Core + ATi GPU

AMD Athlon II x4 620 - $100
ATi Radeon HD4850 - $100
AM3 AMD790GX ATi SB750 Motherboard - $100
2x2GB DDR3 1600mhz Cas 7 - $100
430 Watt PSU
Perfect budget case

Zipperhead · 10-17-09

Well, for me I decided what games are already out that i want to be able to play. Then I took alook at what is coming out w/ in the next year that interests me enough to want to be able to play. I don't want to buy a game an a gfx card at the same time. The only thing I'm looking forward to next year is SWTOR, and I think the the requirements for that game will be very average. I just saw the video for "crysis 3' engine and my wallet said "Ouch", not sure what that means. Ohh another big factor is how much cash I have.

Mikecdm · 10-17-09

I just see what seems reasonable and buy it based on performance or features. Every rig I have bought before my current one was based on price/performance. My current mb is the most expensive one that I have ever owned, but then I got the cheap cpu with it. If it wasn't for the good combo deal, I wouldn't have upgraded.

Every mb that I have owned has been a budget clocker. This time around, with i5 i7, I wanted a top of the line mb. The opportunity presented itself, so I jumped on it.

gsk3rd · 10-17-09

I basically find what is the best for OCing at the moment in time and make sure the system supporting mods can support that OCing. One thing to keep in mind is that if you are not into OCing that much but have played around with the idea. Once you start messing around and seeing what clocks you can get, you will get bit by the OCing bug.

Bloodfire · 10-17-09

What I do is look for a top notch PSU first, and budget that in there.

Next step is find a board with upgradeability, so one that can handle a whackload of CPUs and a ton of RAM.

Next step is get a cheapo CPU and cheapo RAM.

Then look for a ROM drive that will eventually become a secondary drive. I recommend a DVD combo writer, probably with lightscribe.

Then you figure out how much budget you have left and decide on whether you are gonna get a decent or powerful video card. This is more easily determined by deciding on the case first.

First thing to upgrade after that would be CPU and good heatsink (I recommend the Dark Knight personally), then RAM, then GPU. Lastly, you grab a Blu Ray rom.

Then, you use your spare parts you have to create a secondary rig and give it as a gift to someone.

That's pretty much step by step what I did xD

jimibgood · 10-17-09

Cheap and performance are usually an oxymoron but AMD can give some performance with their new additions. I would recommend the tri core 720BE with an inexpensive motherboard.

Instead of using the word cheapo multiple times here why not post your budget and the guys can build the best bang for buck. The cheapo thing is getting annoying.

BounouGod · 10-17-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimibgood

Cheap and performance are usually an oxymoron but AMD can give some performance with their new additions. I would recommend the tri core 720BE with an inexpensive motherboard.

Instead of using the word cheapo multiple times here why not post your budget and the guys can build the best bang for buck. The cheapo thing is getting annoying.

Already have a pretty good idea of what i am going to buy, at this point i am just waiting for windows 7 and maybe/hopefully the release of the 5870x2/5970 soon after.

Actually for the first time ever my problem is that i am probably spending too much as opposed to not enough. Guess its a good problem to have hehe.

Just curious as to how other people make their decisions with new PC's. Still wrestling with the idea of spending over 4000$ on a new computer figured someone else's perspective might help make the decision easier.

Sorry if i gave the impression that i perceived AMD as cheap, far from it i actually think that for gaming its really where the smart money is and anyways i like the idea of encouraging competition!

OCTDBADBRO · 10-18-09

... what you do is take all the money you have, and build a computer with it,

and then upgrade it with the money you get from then on...

but really, you decide what you need for what you use a computer for, and then spend what those parts cost... and if your not sure yourself, ask around here and explain what you need it built for and someone im sure will be willing to help you

doc2142 · 10-18-09

I upgrade every 3 years. Upgrade to something that will last me another 3 years. For example my sig rig i updated recently not the video card or monitor. Because i dont feel any game out there i need to be play that i can't support in super high.

Once there is a game i love and play and i can't support in high setting ( Not including AA that is a plus) then i decide to upgrade.

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How do you decide what to spend on a new build?

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