REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

Matlock · 05-20-2012, 11:35 AM

Hey guys,

I have a PC that runs great, but I want to build a budget Diablo III rig for my gf.

I haven't built a computer in quite a few years and am currently out of the technology loop on what would be the best bang for my buck.

If someone could please help me pick out a CPU, motherboard, and GPU while keeping performance and budget in mind that would be great. D3 doesn't require a lot to run.

I'll probably be using a 120GB SSD or cheaper. This will be specifically for diablo III. I want to save money, while still running on medium to high settings.

I'm sure that there are also a lot of other people out there who want to get a new PC specifically for diablo III.

Thanks

CRS · 05-20-2012, 11:57 AM

Price range?

And do you have reusable parts like a case/PSU?

Recon604 · 05-20-2012, 11:58 AM

u will need atleast $600-700

Purely · 05-20-2012, 12:04 PM

Diablo III settings are not demanding to run. If your GF has a laptop or pc, she should try running it on that first. I have friends playing on their school laptops (not really meant for gaming) and its fine for them.

Matlock · 05-20-2012, 12:04 PM

How low can we go? Under $500 would be ideal, but I'm not sure how possible that would be.

The only thing I can reuse is my DVD drive, which I will take back after installing windows.
Sound probably doesn't matter, might be fine with using on board.
I still need to buy a PSU, windows 7, and a cheap computer case.

I have tried running D3 on her budget $300 laptop and it does get low fps with the lowest settings. As a more experienced gamer I can play my own characters on it, but it looks like ass and I don't think she would have the patience to deal with that.

Recon604 · 05-20-2012, 12:25 PM

You should spend more on the PSU and especially on the Computer Case.

These things are always reuseable and if you buy a good one, you wont need to repurchase one in the future.

Graphics card is gonna like atleast UNDER $200. Windows 7 you can use torrent... that will be free. Motherboard ~ $150. CPU ~$150 (AMD). You would need atleast $600 cuz of tax.

Razor Ramon HG · 05-20-2012, 12:30 PM

You don't need much for D3. My brother runs it on high on 1440x900 with an AMD 6000+ and a 9600GT.

!MiKrofT · 05-20-2012, 12:43 PM

For D3 you can make due with practically any kinda graphics card. As long as your laptop has discrete video it'll run it. For a desktop even an under $100 video card will do like a Radeon 6670 which is $64 after rebate at ME. If you're an nvidia fan like me a 550Ti would be perfect which is around $100. I'm using a GT240 at 1920x1080.

fd3 · 05-20-2012, 01:27 PM

I picked up

A msi mobo+16gb of ram for 120
Amd six core 120
And an evga gtx 560 for 140 @ncix on tuesday

Forgot to add 100$ on an 850 psu

Overkill for d3 but def good for the price imo

Mr.HappySilp · 05-20-2012, 01:38 PM

well I think $550 to $600 min is what you are looking at......

Matlock · 05-20-2012, 02:13 PM

So far I am figuring after rebates, before tax...

Going with Zotac because of their warranty and they're local.

Zotac GeForce GTX 550 $99.99
Zalman case, no PSU $39.99
OCZ Vertex Plus 120GB 2.5IN SATA2 Indilinx Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD $79.99

Need to figure out CPU and mobo before seeing how low I want on my PSU.

Recon604 · 05-20-2012, 02:24 PM

well the psu its also can be based on ur graphics card. I would say get atleast 550w for ur psu. Minimum power for the 550 is 400w.

CPU i recommend AMD since its a budget build. Mobo not really important, just buy the cheapest and compatible one with enough usb ports for your need.

CRS · 05-20-2012, 02:24 PM

If you're willing to spend a little more, you can upgrade to pretty extreme comp that will be time resistant so that she/you can play all upcoming games.

ME has a bundle of i7 and z68 mobo that is pretty damn killer for the price.

Intel Core

I would have gotten this if I didn't already have the exact same setup.

Then the ram you need here (you could get 1 but 2 to max out at 64bit win 7).

Kingston HyperX Genesis 4GB DDR3-1600MHz CL9 DIMM at Memory Express

Case and PSU to whatever you want. Then get a used graphics cards on CL or RS for cheap and you'll be done.

So here you'll have

CPU - i7 2700k
Mobo - Asus P8Z68-V Pro / Gen 3 Motherboard
Ram - Kingston 4GBs 1600 mhz (or 8GBs if you get 2)

Total cost: 509.98 + tax = 571.18 - 20.00 (rebate) = $551.18

For under 600 dollars, that's a pretty killer setup. You could add the other 4gbs of ram for 19.99 and the total goes to $593.57 with taxes (573.57 with rebate).

Missing
PSU
Case
Graphics

twitchyzero · 05-20-2012, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Diablo III settings are not demanding to run. If your GF has a laptop or pc, she should try running it on that first. I have friends playing on their school laptops (not really meant for gaming) and its fine for them.

this...dont go out of your way to get a budget PC for this game unless you are certain it won't run okay on her old laptop/pc.

Mining · 05-20-2012, 09:23 PM

for a budget build, go AMD... either 965BE or FX4100. 965BE is better at stock speeds but if you're planning on OC, then fx-4100 will perform better. I think it can go to 4.6ghz easily with the right cooling. not saying higher clock speeds = better performance though. google some 965 vs 4100.

for motherboard, depends on if you plan to OC or not. a solid MOBO for amd would be 970-UD3 . (good and cheap overclocker)

your selected gpu would do just fine.

I see you are getting your stuff at NCIX. Go to memoryexpress.com and see if they have the same items. they priceBEAT anyone else's prices not pricematch.

btw ncix is having a warehouse sale... may 26? on viking.

if you still need a PSU, don't go OCZ. Go quality on this one... corsair, xfx, antec.

fd3 · 05-20-2012, 09:28 PM

^antec ftw

SkinnyPupp · 05-20-2012, 09:29 PM

I haven't seen the benchmarks, but I would think that a Llano CPU (AMD A8) would be sufficient to run the game in 1680 or lower. Seek benchmarks to be certain. This way, you wouldn't need to buy a video card either.

Razor Ramon HG · 05-20-2012, 11:41 PM

The 6650D will run D3 on max.

StaxBundlez · 05-21-2012, 02:42 AM

I say anything AMD for a budget build. If you go to free geek they might have a few things you could pick up for cheap; it's those little things add up.

Cman333 · 05-23-2012, 04:11 PM

My friends running a Q6600, 4GB DD2, 9800GTX w/ 430W PSU and it runs fine for him.

If it's ONLY for D3 and nothing else might as well just buy used. $

50 done.

Presto · 05-23-2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cman333

My friends running a Q6600, 4GB DD2, 9800GTX w/ 430W PSU and it runs fine for him.

If it's ONLY for D3 and nothing else might as well just buy used. $

50 done.

I'd buy the cheapest current system you can find, and throw in a modest video card. I running my outdated C2D with 5750 - high textures, low shadows, no AA - and it runs well.

Matlock · 05-27-2012, 10:13 AM

Went to NCIX warehouse sale on Sunday and picked up some stuff.

Zotac GTX 480 $60 (Same as my main PC)
OCZ Fatal1ty 550W PSU $40
Fractal Case $40
Asus Sabretooth 990FX $90 (AMD AM3+)

Also picked up a 19" LG LED monitor for $59, keyboard for $5, and HDMI cables for $1/each.

Now, today I met up with Leetastic through Revscene and picked up his 64 GB Crucial SSD for $70, sealed.

So far, (60+40+40+90)*1.12+70= $327.6

All I need now is some memory and a CPU. Which AM3+ should I get? Hmm...

twitchyzero · 05-27-2012, 12:21 PM

wow 480 for $60 and sabertooth for $90
how was the line up?

Matlock · 05-27-2012, 12:26 PM

^I lined up at 6 AM, they opened at 9 AM, and didn't get past the door until 10 AM.
The guy at the very front apparently lined up at 6 PM the day before, which is ridiculous.

I'm really glad I went. I tried to get friends to go with me, but they didn't seem interested and after I told them the prices each one of them said, "Oh, maybe I should have went."