Computer Upgrade for Gaming Purpose

[Nipun]

I want to upgrade my PC to a better one, that can run some of the most advanced games and softwares. Please suggest me the best configuration in my budget(given below).
Here's what I have and I wont be changing:
Hard Disk: 80GB


1. What is the purpose of the computer?
A: I want to use it for some latest-great games.

2. Are you open to alternate ideas/products giving similar better performance but offering more VFM/ sellers? If not- why?
A: Since I have very poor knowledge of computer components, YES!

3. What is your MAX budget?
A: I dont know that will it be sufficient for my needs or not, but it is arround 20-30K.

4. Planning to overclock?
A: Dont know what that means


5. Which OS are you planning to use?
A: WinXP or 7(IF it can run games smoothly...)

6. How much hard drive space is needed?
A: ~I already have one of 80GB and would like to attach external hard disk to it~


7. What resolution will the screen run at & whats the size of the screen you want? If you already want have one and want to use it, mention its resolution and size.
A: The size of monitor is 15 Inch. Don't know how to get its resolution!

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)
A: 2


9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
A: I will get it done by an assembler


10. When are you planning to buy the system?
A: This month(March)

11. Are you one of the types looking out for "future proof" configurations?
A: Ofcourse, I cant upgrade my PC all the time...

12. Are there going to be any components that you don't want to include in this new rig? If yes, do mention.
A: Hard Disk-Since I have one.

13. Which city do you live in and are you open to buying from shops from other city/states?
A: Delhi, and will be only buying from here.

14. Mention any other points if deemed necessary
A: I have thought of having the i5 processor with ANY 3GB RAM that will be compatible. So suggest me everything I will need for a gaming rig. If you wish to edit my above config to something better, I will be thankful. Also suggest me an external hard disk of atleast 250 GB.

I also forgot to mention that I have a DVD writer, UPS, speaker, keyboard& mouse.

Mod edit: next time don't forget to mention the things which you already have. :/

 

[masterkd]

Component | Make | Price Processor |AMD Athlon II x3 440|3200
Motherboard |Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H|4500
RAM |G.Skill F3-10666CL9S-2GBNQ|1100
Graphic Card |Sapphire HD5670|5200
DVD Writer |LG 22X SATA DVD|900
PSU |FSP Saga II 400W|1700
Case |CM Elite 310|1500
Monitor |DELL IN2020M|6500
Mouse and Keyboard |Logitech combo|700
UPS |APC 600VA|1800
Speakers |Logitech Z313|1000
|Total| 28100

for external HDD
seagate FreeAgent Go 320 GB @Rs. 2600
seagate FreeAgent Go 500 GB @Rs. 3100

 

[lordirecto]

^ Are you sure 80 GB of hard drive space is sufficient for you to play latest games? I would recommend that you add another hard drive of Segate 500 GB @ 1800.

 

[Nipun]

Component | Make | Price Processor |AMD Athlon II x3 440|3200
Motherboard |Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H|4500
RAM |G.Skill F3-10666CL9S-2GBNQ|1100
Graphic Card |Sapphire HD5670|5200
DVD Writer |LG 22X SATA DVD|900
PSU |FSP Saga II 400W|1700
Case |CM Elite 310|1500
Monitor |DELL IN2020M|6500
Mouse and Keyboard |Logitech combo|700
UPS |APC 600VA|1800
Speakers |Logitech Z313|1000
|Total| 28100

for external HDD
seagate FreeAgent Go 320 GB @Rs. 2600
seagate FreeAgent Go 500 GB @Rs. 3100

I suppose this forum(section) is for components of computer that come INSIDE the case, and monitor and speakers dont come in it

I also forgot to mention that I have a DVD writer, UPS, speaker, keyboard& mouse.

I am not familiar with AMD processors. Do they also work as nice as the Intel's? Also, is the graphic card "Sapphire HD5670" only compatible with AMD processors?
If we remove the cost of DVD writer, UPS and other things I already have, we can have extra 10,000. So can it be MORE improved now?

EDIT:

^ Are you sure 80 GB of hard drive space is sufficient for you to play latest games? I would recommend that you add another hard drive of Segate 500 GB @ 1800.

As I have mentioned above, I will prefer an external hard disk.

 

[sparx]

Yes @OP you should get atleast a 500 GB, and that 80 GB of your, would be running at 5400 rpm most probably but current hard drives run at 7200 rpm. This makes game load times much less.

Also if you can squeeze a HD5770(7k) in that budget, it will ensure you can run most high end games at high settings in that resolution and futureproof.

Get a Phenom II X4 955(6.5k) for the proccy since you have 10k in hand now. Games are becoming dependent on more cores so again futureproof

 

[Nipun]

Yes @OP you should get atleast a 500 GB, and that 80 GB of your, would be running at 5400 rpm most probably but current hard drives run at 7200 rpm. This makes game load times much less.

Also if you can squeeze a HD5770 in that budget, it will ensure you can run most high end games at high settings in that resolution and futureproof.

DO AMD WORK NICE AS INTEL'S? If we forget the budget, what would you recomend: i5 or Phenom II x4 955?

OFF-TOPIC: Why did you mention me as OP?

EDIT: Also, will I also require a sound card? Which one is perfect?

 

[lordirecto]

@OP: OP means Original Poster, refers to the person who started the thread.

You prefer an external drive? LOL!! You want to install your games on an external drive and carry it around to your friends place??!!!

On a serious note: 500 GB internal is highly recommended to make sure you dont have bottlenecks once you start using your comp. But its your call in the end.

---------- Post added at 08:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:18 PM ----------

EDIT: Graphic cards are not processor dependent. So dont worry if it is AMD/Nvidia graphics.

---------- Post added at 08:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:19 PM ----------

Onboard audio solutions are quite good, unless you are an audiophile who needs to listen to even the 20 Hz produced by sound tracks. Since you are going for a gaming system, I think sound card does not matter much.

 

[Nipun]

@OP: OP means Original Poster, refers to the person who started the thread.

You prefer an external drive? LOL!! You want to install your games on an external drive and carry it around to your friends place??!!!

On a serious note: 500 GB internal is highly recommended to make sure you dont have bottlenecks once you start using your comp. But its your call in the end.

---------- Post added at 08:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:18 PM ----------

EDIT: Graphic cards are not processor dependent. So dont worry if it is AMD/Nvidia graphics.

---------- Post added at 08:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:19 PM ----------

Onboard audio solutions are quite good, unless you are an audiophile who needs to listen to even the 20 Hz produced by sound tracks. Since you are going for a gaming system, I think sound card does not matter much.

OK, thanks! But one of my questions is still unanswered:
DO AMD PROCESSORS WORK AS NICE AS INTEL'S? If we forget the budget, what would you recomend: i5 or Phenom II x4 955?

And I wanted hard disk to be external since I have much data(about 60-70GB) in my previous hard disk. So I thought not to replace it. Another question striked my mind, which might be kinda stupid, that is there any way that to have 2 hard disks in 1 computer?

 

[omega44-xt]

Go for a 1x4GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM. If u want in future u can add 3 more 4GB RAMs & make total RAM 16 GB if u buy GIGABYTE GA-880GM UD2H

 

[sparx]

But AFAIK i single stick 4GB RAM will be costlier than 2X2GB. Correct me if a am wrong

 

[Gaurav Bhattacharjee]

But AFAIK i single stick 4GB RAM will be costlier than 2X2GB. Correct me if a am wrong

not really.

 

[Nipun]

2x2 GB would be 2200 and 4GB will be around 3-4GB(according to some sources on net...)

But still my question:
Do AMD processors work as good as INTEL? Do all things work well?

 

[lordirecto]

DO AMD PROCESSORS WORK AS NICE AS INTEL'S? If we forget the budget, what would you recomend: i5 or Phenom II x4 955?

Another question striked my mind, which might be kinda stupid, that is there any way that to have 2 hard disks in 1 computer?

I would recommend you to go for Sandy Bridge proccy, as this is the latest from Intel, and also outperforms any AMD proccy currently available.

Yes, you can have as many hard drives as the number of SATA connectors on your motherboard.

EDIT: masterkd has suggested a config based on your budget. So he has suggested a AMD proccy. Since you have a few components that you have already, you can go in for a Intel proccy & mobo.

 

[rupankur]

OK, thanks! But one of my questions is still unanswered:
DO AMD PROCESSORS WORK AS NICE AS INTEL'S? If we forget the budget, what would you recomend: i5 or Phenom II x4 955?

And I wanted hard disk to be external since I have much data(about 60-70GB) in my previous hard disk. So I thought not to replace it. Another question striked my mind, which might be kinda stupid, that is there any way that to have 2 hard disks in 1 computer?

Intel CPU is better, but your budget is not saying for Intel. So all matured advice comes to you for AMD . Your destination for GAMING, for gaming CPU is not importent than GPU . So go for ATI 5xxx series graphics as above suggetion which is Direct X 11, low power consumtion, and it runs cool so no need extre exhoust 140mm fan, and its save money by low watt SMPS .

 

[Gaurav Bhattacharjee]

Intel CPU is better, but your budget is not saying for Intel. So all matured advice comes to you for AMD . Your destination for GAMING, for gaming CPU is not importent than GPU . So go for ATI 5xxx series graphics as above suggetion which is Direct X 11, low power consumtion, and it runs cool so no need extre exhoust 140mm fan, and its save money by low watt SMPS .

spelling mistakes there.
but the summary is correct.

 

[sparx]

Yes intel proccy is better than AMD in performance but the premium for the xtra performance is high so AMD is the best option with high VFM

 

[Gaurav Bhattacharjee]

Yes intel proccy is better than AMD in performance but the premium for the xtra performance is high so AMD is the best option with high VFM

yeah.
basically, low budget = AMD
not-so-low = Intel

 

[Nipun]

Intel CPU is better, but your budget is not saying for Intel. So all matured advice comes to you for AMD . Your destination for GAMING, for gaming CPU is not importent than GPU . So go for ATI 5xxx series graphics as above suggetion which is Direct X 11, low power consumtion, and it runs cool so no need extre exhoust 140mm fan, and its save money by low watt SMPS .

Sorry to all, getting some problems to understand...

Do you mean that I should go with the AMD processor with any GPU of ATI 5xxx series if I want gaming? Correct me if I am missunderstanding something...

 

[utkarsh009]

@OP: go with hd 5670 or 5770 or 6850 according to your budget

 

[Nipun]

Thanks to everyone for help!