Casual Gaming config required.

[hellknight]

1. What is the purpose of the computer?
Primary: Casual gaming right now, some HD movie playback, internet surfing and downloading.

2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
Sure

3. What is your MAX budget?
20-22k

4. Planning to overclock?
No.

5. Which OS are you planning to use?
Windows 7
Maybe Linux

6. How much hard drive space is needed?
1 TB

7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want?
Already have one. 19"

8. How would you rate your hardware knowledge from the count of 1-10? (1 being the lowest, 5 being you are somewhat in sync with the current performers and 10 being the highest)
8

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
I always assemble myself

10. When are you planning to buy the system?
Next month

11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
Actually, I'm getting this for a neighbor kid.. So, not so future proof as he will probably leave the city for a Bachelor's degree within 2 years

12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
Monitor
UPS
Speakers
Keyboard & mouse

13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
Mandi. Will get it here or will get from Chandigarh

14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
I'm looking for AMD Llano based config as it has awesome IGP

I'm thinking about this rig

AMD Llano A8 3850
Gigabyte GA-A75M-S2V
4 GB DDR3
Seagate 1 TB
Sony DVD writer
Cooler Master Elite 310
Need suggestion on PSU

 

[vickybat]

Here you go mate:

Component | Make | Price Processor | AMD A8-3850|7000
Motherboard |MSI A75MA G55 |5500
RAM |G.Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL9S-4GBRL|2000
HDD |Seagate 500GB 7200.12|1900
DVD Writer |LG 22X SATA DVD|900
PSU |FSP Saga II 500W|2000
Case |CM Elite 310|1500
Total |20800

Alternatively , you can go for the newly launched corsair CX 430-V2 @ 2.6K. Its 80+ certified unlike the older cx builder series and has better voltage rectifiers. It also comes with 3 years of warranty whereas the older cx series had 2 years of warranty with the exception of cx 400.

 

[hellknight]

What about if I go for Athlon II X3 based combo & 5670? Would that be a better deal?

 

[vickybat]

^^ From a pure gaming perspective, x3 + 6670 will offer better gaming performance.

But if you add a 6670 with llano, it will crossfire with the on-die GPU enabling dual graphics.

I suggest stick with llano now and add a 6670 later.

 

[Skud]

+1 for vicky's suggestion. Only change the cabby to a NZXT Gamma or CM Elite 430.

And at 19" screen, Llano would be sufficient for casual gaming. And you can always add a graphics card later.

 

[Cilus]

My suggesion will be

AMD Athlon II X4 640 @ 4K
Asus M4A78LT-M LE @ 2.6K
Kingston 4 GB 1333 MHz CL9 @ 1.45K
Seagate 500 GB SATA @ 1.8K
LG 22X DVD Writer @ 0.8K
Zebronics Bijli without Cabinet @ 1.1K
corsair CX 430-V2 @ 2.6K
Sapphire HD 5770 1 GB GDDR5 @ 7K

Total 21.35K. This system can even handle gaming in 1080P resolution.

 

[Skud]

But the A8-3850's CPU performance is more or less same to a X4 640. And the graphics is sufficient for low-setting gaming at that resolution. The graphics card can be added later if OP wish so.

 

[Cilus]

I'm aware that llnao will satisfy the need of casual gaming, especially in a 19" display @ 1440X900 resolution and it is okay to go with it for the current scenario. But in future if OP upgrade his display to a higher resolution one, say full HD one, then Llano will not deliver satifactory performance and if you plug a powerful GPU, anything over HD 6670, llano GPU will stop working. Even the current hybrid Crossfire mode is not up to the mark and sometimes resulting 10% -15% performance decrease.
So a quad core CPU + a powerful discreate card will be better for gaming and also a bit future proof considering the upcoming demanding games. HD 5770 can handle 1440X900 resolution in highest setting for almost all the games and can provide acceptable performance in 1920X1080 or Full HD resolution.

 

[hellknight]

Actually, he isn't going to upgrade after sometime.. as he will go to some college and get a laptop for himself.. I need a config which should be sufficient for 18 months.. He's in 11th standard right now..

 

[vickybat]

^^ Stick with llano then.

 

[somulesnar]

+1 for cilus bhai's config.