My sister is preparing for her first gaming computer! She plans on buying all the components and assembling the machine herself. She plans on using the computer for games like WoW and Skyrim. Her approximate budget is $800 and should NEVER exceed $1000. Here are my suggestions for her build, but since I am an amateur I thought I'd ask you what you think.
Processor: I suggested an AMD processor considering the budget but since I personally prefer Intel I have no experience in choosing which processor to use.
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 560 Ti or AMD Radeon HD 6870. I prefer Nvidia but since I know very little am unsure whether it would be compatible with the other AMD components.
PSU: Cosair 650w. She suggested a SeaSonic 620w but I don't like that idea :P
HDD: I suggested a 500gb HDD. We have a WD Caviar Black in mind.
Audio: I suggested onboard sound since it doesn't matter too much to her and she is on a budget.
Motherboard: No flipping idea. Whatever you guys think would be best for a low end gaming rig. Remember it should be able to run WoW smoothly and Skyrim (Even if we have to push the budget a bit she REALLY wants Skyrim)
So tell me, what should she buy?
EDIT: Cases! She is debating between NZXT Phantom 410 and CoolerMaster Storm Scout. Leaning to CoolerMaster.
>Right now, although AMD might seem to be slightly more bang for the buck, go for Intel. Why? AMD is pulling out of the market, Intel is here to stay and offer future upgrades. i5 2500K is awesome and can be, if she wants, overclocked like a sweet baby (if you want to OC grab the likes of a H100 or NH-ND14 too).
>If you're looking at the price range of the 560 Ti, get the 560 Ti. Because Nvidia doesn't produce crappy drivers and have shitty support (unless you're using linux, hehe).
>PSUs should all work just fine, if you're limited with your budget you can save big time by buying one that isn't brand name (and no, they don't magically die after a week, I always stick cheapo LC Power PSUs in the builds I hand out and I've yet to get any complaints - I've even had more issues with CM).
>Caviar Black is pretty nice, Spinpoints F3 aren't that bad either (in real life performance tests they score a tad bit higher than the Caviar Blacks I think, but each have their own strengths and I always recommend both).
>Mobo shouldn't be an issue, every budget board nowadays comes with the standard features. If you're going AMD you might want to look at the 990x family, if you go Intel I recommend you buy a P67 board
>Cases: fuck NZXT, the one case I had gave me traumas. Antec Eleven Hundred if you want something gamer-ish (ie looks), Fractal Design's Core 3000 is an awesome air-cooling case that looks reasonably plain (I love it, I force it on erryone).
Seasonic>Corsair for power supplies.
This is an okay build it will run Skyrim on max I think.
You could torrent Windows 7, and get a better graphics card like AMD Radeon 6950 .
Better CPU, same gfx & other stuff. Come at me
First build was under 700 without Windows 7.
I just choose randoms that looked good for second one luls.