Thread: Need partial build recommendation

How's everyone doing? I've been playing Starcraft and Diablo 3 as of late until I saw that BF4 was released. I've purchased it and popped into the TPG server a handful of times but my computer is pretty slow. I would like to replace the motherboard, processor, and video card and want recommendations.

My computer hasn't changed too much, it's a Frankenstein still. Here's a few tidbits of info on my system:
Windows experience index: (not sure if this stuff really means anything)
Processor 6.1
Memory 6.1
Graphics 7.2
Gaming graphics 7.2
Primary hard disk 5.9

Processor: Intel Core 2 CPU 6700 @ 2.66 GHZ
Installed memory: 4 GB
Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
Power supply: EDIT: it's actually a Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-900 900W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Intel Haswell Fully Compatible
Motherboard: same one I've had since 2005, from an old HP computer. Don't remember what it is but it's listed in one of my old threads on here.
Hard disk: Western Digital WD Blue 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive
Internet speed: 16 MB download, 1 MB upload

Any recommendations. upgrade ability is important to me too. My intention is to purchase from Fry's Electronics unless you recommend a different direction.

Thanks in advance!
jmw

edit: if possible, I would prefer to stick with Windows 7 since I already own it. I'm having trouble getting used to Windows 8. I use this computer for work and I'm used to Windows 7.

Check MicroCenter for a MoBo/GPU deal, plus they will match prices if Fry's/Newegg has anything cheaper.

Here is a recent build I did for my son. http://www.teamplayergaming.com/pc-h...-new-post.html

What is your budget?

My budget? To be honest I hadn't thought much about it. Actually, I haven't even kept tabs on what things cost nowadays let alone the latest technology as mentioned before. I recall shelling out a bunch of money for that GTX 260 in 2008.

It would be nice to play on ultra settings since I feel that being able to play with higher settings gives you an extra competitive edge on the battlefield.
Graphics are nice but not hugely important to me, game speed is everything.

I guess I'm willing to spend $1000. I really should be saving my money right now... but I'm itching to play... Phyrelight, just for the VC, MB, CPU, cooler, and memory you spent $1323 + tax. Ouch.

Hmm, well, try giving me a $1000 option as well as a $800 option and I'll use yours and Civil's build to compare to. Don't be surprised if I end up spending more than $1200 though, lol. $200 isn't a whole lot of money if you are spending $1000 anyways.

My build was a budget build for my son for his bday and Christmas. I spent roughly $500.

Derpatalk!

Intel Core i5-4670K, Asus GeForce GTX 760 - System Build - PCPartPicker

Upgraded pretty much everything you need to get a system functioning and very capable of playing BF4. I threw in an 840 EVO just because I had 300 dollars left in the budget, but you can feel free to take it out. It won't crush BF4, but the GTX 760 will play it on Medium-High just fine. I would recommend an AMD card, but there's too much negativity surrounding AMD right now (even though they're the only ones keeping prices down in Video Cards. Gotta give them some credit).

Edit: I also made the assumption you had a case that could fit a full size ATX board, and a power supply that could handle up to about 500w.

If you're looking to play on ultra, and willing to shell out a little bit for some good parts...

i7-4770K CPU is really a killer CPU that will last you a long time.
Intel Core i7-4770K - Newegg.com

For $300-400 you can get a really solid GPU. I don't keep up much on AMD's prices nor benchmarks but the GTX 760 or 770 might be what you want if you decide to go with NVidia. If you do get the 760, make sure you get the 4GB version and not the 2 GB one. As has been said in numerous other TPG threads lately, the 770 will give you a little more performance for only maybe $50-75 more. Probably worth it if you can afford it.

760 4GB - MSI, EVGA, Gigabyte, and ASUS are all really good manufacturers this generation but MSI seems to be the favorite for the 760; it's what I have and it's benchmarks are slightly better than the others for this card. They have a non-stock cooler and some decent modifications from the reference card that make it run noticeably cooler and at slightly less power than its peers.
Newegg.com - MSI Gaming N760 TF 4GD5/OC GeForce GTX 760 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card

770 - Not sure which manufacturer takes the cake for 770, but all the big names make really good cards
ASUS GTX770-DC2OC-2GD5 GeForce GTX 770 2GB GDDR5 PCI-e 3.0 SLI Video Card - Newegg.com

For motherboards, there's a lot of room for diversity. You could get something as cheap as $150 up to as much as $500. ASRock, ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte all have some really good mobos. I personally have an ASRock p67 Extreme 4 which works well but is a bit dated. Get something with the Z87 chipset if you can - it'll future-proof your rig for that much longer.

Originally Posted by salty99

For motherboards, there's a lot of room for diversity. You could get something as cheap as $150 up to as much as $500. ASRock, ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte all have some really good mobos. I personally have an ASRock p67 Extreme 4 which works well but is a bit dated. Get something with the Z87 chipset if you can - it'll future-proof your rig for that much longer.

Z87 sounds like me. Upgrade-ability is everything to me. The current one got me 8 years. I'm hoping to beat that.

I prefer X79. Socket 2011 has quad channel memory as opposed to dual channel. And still hosts the fastest cpus.