Looking to Build a Computer - What Does Skyrim Need?

[DrCharizard]

Hello! This summer I'm looking to make the switch to PC gaming, and would love to build my own computer. However, I don't have much experience with such a project, which poses two initial questions: how difficult would it be to build a PC, is it a feesible task? And if I were able to build it, what kind of machinery would you suggest I buy. I'm looking to play RPGs like the elder schrolls and fallout, never really been interested in big mulitplayer like COD or BF. However, I would intend to mod the sh*t out of games like skyrim. Having watch PC playthroughs of skyrim for years, I have a laundry list of mods I want to try, some being on the larger, more performance hitting side. My buget would be around 2000-2500.

What do you think? Could I build it, and if so what exactly would I need?


Thanks for the help.

[ForciaOpera]

i7-3770K - 900
16GB RAM DDR3-2000mhz - 100
GTX 780-Titan or R9-290X - 1000
Asrock B5 Motherboard - 100
2TB WD Caviar Black Hybrid SSD/HDD- 200
Casing + 2 exhaust 120mm Fans + 3 intake 120mm Fans = 200

PSU, unfortunately the Corsair 1200W exceeds your 2500 budget, so your PC has to make do with free solar power.

Other cooling to consider:
HyperX212 CPU cooler
Ex-Calibur PWM 120mm Fan
Xigmatik 120mm High Performance, Silence Fans

GPU cooling ... can install perspiring armpit with armpit hair material for the sweat to remove heat from the GPU, then evaporate using the armpit hair's large dissipation area to cool the GPU.

[DrCharizard]

My coomputer noobness will really be showing here, but could you explain a little bit of what those pieces individually do, and what kind of PC that would build me? Also, is that all I would need to buy (other than the obvious: game, mouse, ect.)?

[ForciaOpera]

Oh wait, I forgot you are building from sketch.

Standard enthusiast gaming resolution = 1900 x 1200 nowadays. If your GPU can handle, get a 120hz version. Most gamers still stick to 1080p though.

Mouse: Get at least a Logitech GS400. Very good bang for buck, will last a while.

If it exceeds your 2500 dollar budget, you can find a mouse using a mouse trap for free.

Sound: No need for soundcard nowadays, as it is integrated into the GPU, but you can get one if you want. Quite cheap.

Soundblasters: I don't know much.

[ForciaOpera]

Първоначално публикувано от ATTAYA:

My coomputer noobness will really be showing here, but could you explain a little bit of what those pieces individually do, and what kind of PC that would build me? Also, is that all I would need to buy (other than the obvious: game, mouse, ect.)?

You can do your research here actually: http://www.guru3d.com/

Very good site. I did all my research there.

To get a computer running, you need all these parts:

1) CPU - this is the main non-graphical processing unit. Think of it as the brain. Get a good latest-generation quad-core for future proofing.

2) Motherboard - to house all other parts like CPU, RAM, GPU, Hard disk - it is like the highway of the computer. For future proofing, get those with more slots to put in more RAM, Hard disk, and GPU if you intend to upgrade.

3) GPU - for graphics. Another 'brain', but meant more for graphics. You will need to see how much video RAM you need. Probably 3GB VRAM, but more for future-proofing. You can get 2 or even 3 of the same to boost performance if needed for future upgrades.

4) Hard Disk - To store permanent data and install stuff. This can be SSD or HDD. You can get 2 more if needed.

5) RAM - This is to store temporary data. Ideally 8GB or more nowadays.

6) Cooling - Intake and Out-take fans. Very important, or your computer will fry. You need to watch the directionality of airflow. Also, you may consider removing stock CPU or GPU coolers and add a custom one like the HyperX212 which is quieter and more powerful for sustainable gaming.

7) Casing - duh.

8) DVD player - duh

9) Soundcard - normally not necessary, but you can go get one if needed. Most people don't, because the GPU renders this.

10) Wifi connector - for internet

11) PSU - very important. For a good gaming system, I think you need at least 650W of power, or even up to 1000W if you are running 3 GPUs.

12) Monitor

13) Soundblasters

14) Keyboard

15) Mouse

16) Operating System - very important if you want to do gaming. Get Windows 8.1 for future proofing.

17) Drivers - you need to download video drivers to update your GPU, or even CPU drivers for some AMD CPUs.

[ForciaOpera]

That is all you need actually. Make sure to keep the registration/production numbers for some of the parts, or the certificate of warranty for them. You need them in case you wish to deliver it back to the factory if it breaks before the warranty grace period, if any.

I suggest that you go do a google search on websites that allow you to customize a computer on the spot to see the cost and everything. If it is too troubling, see some of the already-built configs online, or ask the computer store for help (don't go to companies like Apple, HP, Compaq, or other domestic computer stores, those are not meant for gaming. Go to a real gaming computer store).

[DrCharizard]

wow this is some great stuff, fellas thanks for the help, this is some great info to begin some research with!

[DrCharizard]

I guess I do have one more question though: could you suggest any specific models for me to begin to look at? Websites like newegg have like 20 pages of each component, I'd love to know what are some of the most popular models.

[DrCharizard]

I appreciate the honesty!!

[ForciaOpera]

I can't re-trace the old links to the websites with already-configured builds after much search I'm afraid. Mmo-champion.com occasionally comes up with several tiers of well-designed computer setups every month, but I cannot find the last month's version, despite searching until my armpits persired ...

[DrCharizard]

Първоначално публикувано от Tantamount:

I can't re-trace the old links to the websites with already-configured builds after much search I'm afraid. Mmo-champion.com occasionally comes up with several tiers of well-designed computer setups every month, but I cannot find the last month's version, despite searching until my armpits persired ...

haha wow thanks for the effort!! I really appreciate the help!

[♛Lastace♛]

I'm not sure where you live, but Umart are the cheapest and most helpful from experience. Your main priority is to spend a little extra on an Intel CPU, motherboard and power supply unit. You can pick up a half decent graphics card from around 200 dollars. The rest of the parts needed is personal preference. Your mouse and keyboard should be hard wired if you are not prepared to buy batteries and aim for at least 16gb of ram. Buying a case is again a personal preference but again you should make the size at least a medium, allowing for upgrades etc @ a later date. Gl and hf, nothing more satisfying than building your first computer. :) Let us know what you name it. :D

[Fear2288]

My advice: tread VERY carefully.

People who make building a PC sound easy are those who've been doing it for years and more than likely are very knowledgable concerning the computer sciences.

For someone like you building a PC WILL be frustrating, confusing, and overwhelming.

Unless you hit the books and do ALOT of reading, studying, and watching of tutorials or know someone personally who has done this before and will help you I would actually advise NOT building your new PC yourself.

The truth is that the smallest mistake or oversight, not using compatible components, or just hooking something in wrong, etc can end up bricking (i.e. killing) your entire system and you'll suddenly be out hundreds of dollars or more.

Instead I would suggest going around and taking note of recommended system specs for high performance games to have released in the last 6 - 8 months. Games like Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Assassin's Creed IV, Total War: Rome 2, etc. It doesn't matter if you plan on playing them or not - the point is that you'll get an idea of what today's standard is for hardware components like CPUs (processors), GPUs (video cards), RAM, etc.

Then with those notes go to one of the many websites out there that allow you to customize a PC and buy it from them. Make certain to outfit your PC with either the standard bits of hardware from your notes or better.

Also be aware of the little things that can cost you big time.

For example you probably won't NEED more than 16 GB of RAM. Many games are actually limited in how much RAM they can use and the standard is typically 2 - 8 GB (Skyrim launched with only 2 and then a patch raised it to 4). Unless you're planning on doing some intensive 3D design you won't need more than 16 GB. Plus, RAM is something you can upgrade easily when the time comes (which will probably be years in relation to games).

Another example is your HDD (hard drive). The average game is somewhere between 8 and 30 GB of required space (with most being around 10 - 20). Having something like a 2TB HDD (which holds 2,048 GB) is nice if you want to just install a ton of games, videos, etc but you'll have to ask yourself if you're actually going to use all that space or not. To give you a better idea I have a 1TB HDD and right now I've got 10 games, around 7500 songs, and maybe something like 300 video files and (not counting all the other kinds of files) I still have around 40 GB of free space. So depending on what you want to do you might actually be ok with a 1TB or even a 500GB HDD.

Seemingly insignificant stuff like that needs to be taken into account b/c it could save you hundreds of dollars in the end - espically with RAM as RAM is and always will be very expensive.

[Zefram Cochrane]

A good graphics card.

Thats it.

Honestly I have access to a 10 year old PC that plays it fine - with a decent card. If you're looking to play more demanding recent games like BF4 then you'll need something beefier but Skyrim is not demanding on hardware. An SSD will give faster load times but its not essential.

The only problem you'll likely run into is lack of VRAM if you're interested in HD texture mods, the more VRAM the better, 2 GB would be a miniumn, 3 GB or higher if you really want to get the best out of them.

[O)))]

ATTAYA, I'll make it real easy for you if in fact you have decided on building. Go to TomsHardware, choose one of three of their most recent builds based on budget and build exactly that.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/2014-q1-sbm-gtx-780-sli-overclocking,3779.html

Choosing parts is the most difficult part of PC-building. The actual assembly is a cakewalk as everything essentially just snaps together.

[UnReal-4-Life]

Get an old working tower that works . Take it apart then put it back together a day or two later. you will learn alot when tring to remember were everything goes.. and you will learn if you will break it or not.

No computer to practice on. Dont do it.