Looking To Build New PC.

Like most builds I am trying to min/max price/performance and I don't have a huge budget to begin with. Absolute max is 400.

This is basically for allowing me to play FFXIV and enjoy it. Along with all of the other things that my current PC is capable of

I plan on reusing my current case, PSU (650w) and GPU (Nvidia Geforce 9500 gt, 1GDDr2)

I will upgrade the GPU with a SLI combo when I can afford it. FFXIV seems to not give it any problems with FPS (on my current system posted in another thread FFXIV has the same lag irregardless of my settings and maintains the same 70-90%GPU usage rating on MSI Afterburner OC program), it is my CPU slowing me down. I think.

This is what I am looking into.

Mainboard.
Your text to link here...

CPU,
Your text to link here...

Memory.
8G to start with, 16 later... Open for suggestions on brand here.

Will snatch a mid-level SATA HD, heat sink and other trimmings along the way and not really considering them in my budget.

Any thoughts or concerns or better ideas?

Not bad but given the budget you just gave for about 5 more dollars your could go considerably faster. The i5 unlocked will do 4ghz on the stock cooler just fine and will definitely run cooler than the amd. The 955 has heat issues and isnt really a popular processor anymore due to the 965 having a much much higher overclocking ceiling as it is a better revision stepping.

Any how try this out

Ram

Motherboard (ive used biostar alot for both amd and intel, they are solid boards!)

Processor

4gb is like a "minimum standard for gaming pcs" and 8gb is pretty much the most. Even then you'll probably still rarely reach the max on 8gb. I wouldn't get more than 8gb as your computer will most likely hardly ever get near a full 8gb of memory use.

Have to make sure you buy a memory type the motherboard supports too. A brand I've always used and never have problems with is G.Skill.

AMD cpu's are more for the budget people. Intel's are better but more expensive.

I know people have budgets, as do I... But, i'd say start piecing your PC together from the ground up piece by piece and plan for the future rather then settle for what you have.

Buy a Good Motherboard, RAM and CPU. You already have a GPU, Case and 650w power supply so you should be able to piece together a great setup for now and expand.

I'd recommend taking your money and buying these 3 items:

CPU: Hands down the best dollar for dollar CPU ~
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

MB: Lotta options here, plan for the future ~
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130583

RAM: Lotta options here too~
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104173

You will spend a whole $400 basically and be set-up with these three items.

i5 + z68

if you live near a microcenter i would go there and get a i5 2500k + asus pro p67 board. they had a combo deal for $359. then order some ram off of newegg. i have the same set up right now with a gtx 570 and the game runs flawlessly with graphics turn up!

Thanks for all of the fantastic input guys.

I think for the moment I am going to just grit my teeth and deal with the shitty performance of FFXIV on my current machine and save up for a build very similar to the ones suggested. Couple more weeks never hurt anyone.

P67 or Z68 ~ Either should be fine.



Few weeks wont hurt. Watch the deals and jump on good ones. If you see a I5-2500K go under $200 I'd suggest jumping on it. Might wanna water cool too as you WILL be OC :) Trust me, 4.0Ghz is CAKE and doesnt affect stability at all really.

i5 2500ks go for $195 at microcenter all day. if you get a mobo in the same reciept you get a $40 off the package. 2600k go for $280

Last time I checked that site those prices were for in-store pick-up only. I do not live within 300 miles of one so I stick to newegg.com

they are not in store prices only. when you are online select web store. i just my shopping cart to see and it works too.

one thing to think about with cpu choice is when intel brings out a new socket your old cpu wont work with it. amd on the other hand gives you the option to upgrade to the newer socket cpu without having to buy new mobo or ram. for example i have an am2 motherboard that will take the new am3 6core cpu. as for heat issues from amd, cooler master hyper 212+ will solve all your probs, my 9950be idles at 25c full load 45c and its running at 3.2 ghz with 1.446vcore.

ff14 is really cpu heavy. plus i like intel.

I just put together a new system consisting of:

Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z (Z68) motherboard
Intel i7-2600k cpu
Corsair H70 CPU Cooler
Corsair Vengence DDR3-1600 ram
EVGA GeForce GTX 580
Intel 510 120GB & 250 GB SSD's
Sony Optiarc Slim slot type Blu-Ray drive
Silverstone FT03 SFF case
Silverstone 750 Watt PSU and short wire kit

System performs better than it looks. Worth every penny I put into it.
Everything purchased from Newegg.com.

my specs are
i5 2500k
asus p67 pro (will get z68 mobo when i go sli)
zotac gtx 570 (2x evga 570s OTW)
500gb WD blk drive (10TB of storage)
1kw corsair psu
HAF 922 case
32inch tv and 24 monitor both samsung

i run the game on all high settings with the 2AA.

imo newegg is the way to go, i put together the following:

N460GTX Cyclone 1GD5/OC
PSU Corsair 800W
Mem 4Gx2 Corsair
1.5TB HD
Frio OCK CPU Cooler
Coolermaster Sniper Case
I5 760
Asus P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel
60GB SSD

I would sign up for newegg and get their newsletter or whatever its called, you will find awesome deals on there. use those promo codes to get stuff cheap.

I just finished my new PC this weekend.

I5-2500k OC @ 4.5Ghz ~ Water Cooled
8GB of Corsair DDR3 1600
Gigabyte Z68 MB
1000 Gold cert power supply
HIS HD 6870 1 GBDDR3
750GB SATAIII 64MB 7200 Hard Drive
Coolermaster Elite gaming case
Play on a 23'' inch Samsung PX2370 Monitor via HDMI

I have my FFXIV Settings @:

1777x1000 (Play windowed)
8x AA
8 Quality
5 Draw Quality
High
Highest
High
Highest
No AO
No DoF

nice pc yeah the 2500k is a better buy then 2600k unless you do alot mroe then gaming.i dont think it justifys the extra $100.

My buddy bought a PC with a 2600k in it and we did not see more FPS with a 6870. Both CPU clocked at 4.5ghz. For the money, I'd recommend a 2500K for anyone that wants a gaming chip.

He then used a 6970 and saw a increase in FPS. With his 6970, he has everything on MAX with except, DoF and AO. Slightly higher then my 6870 BUT, for the price tag i'd recommend people stick to the 6870 or a 6950 for ffxiv.

And buy a aftermarket cooler if you are going to use a reference design card or just but a non reference. It's worth it! The stock 6800 and 6900 series gets loud! (Of the few we tested)

after market cooler for cpu or gpu? i would for the cpu. gpu is ok i guess but i dont really hear my fans because i use TS3 and im always talking.

The HD 6870, 6950 and 6970 reference gpu's are loud! :)

yeah i would just get the non ref cards. im thinking about going up in cards. 2x gtx580s just got to get the wife onboard lol. ***she can upgrade hers from 5830 to my gtx570

Just get one GTX 580 :)

Get the:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130655

and you wont need anything else for awhile :)

there is a guy locally that has 2x evga gtx 580s for sale. $250 each. im trying very hard to resist but its just not working. if he still has them by next week im going to get them after he runs some benchmarks and 3dmark with them turn all the way up. if it passes ill buy them.

That's an absurd amount of money for a single card.

lol check out the gtx590s or 6990s! now that is alot of money! i know a few people who have more then 1 of those cards.

yeah that's cheap! :p

This card just hit new egg and makes me wanna blow my next paycheck:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130693

I wonder what the OP did for his new pc? i have gotten some new hardware since my last post. i picked up corsair vengence 8gb(2x4gb) 1600mhz. also going to order the corsair h100 with 2 more CM sickle blue led fans. HAF-X to put everything in and another gtx 570. also going to order some blue sata cables, white sleeving kits for psu/other cables. i can get everything except the gtx 570 but i would hate to put everything together then redo it once the gtx570 gets here lol