 "Build a Mid-Range Core i5 Gaming Rig")
With the arrival of the new Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs and the supporting hardware it makes more sense to build a gaming PC using these components if you don’t want it to get outdated soon. So far, the Intel Core 2 Quad CPUs, DDR2 RAM and Intel P45 chipset-based motherboards have been the ideal choice for gamers for building a gaming machine. But the latest generation of computer hardware now costs the same and offers better performance. A few components such as DDR3 memory and high-end P55 motherboards are still expensive, but they’re good investments because they won’t get outdated for the next couple of years down the line. Whereas with the arrival of the new Core i5 CPUs, the Core 2 Quad line-up will gradually fade away.
Lately there aren’t many entry-level and mid-range P55 motherboards to choose from, but they should hit the shelves very soon. However, you can still pick a decent micro-ATX P55 motherboard with multi-GPU support for around Rs. 8,000 which isn’t bad at all. In short, you just need the latest-generation CPU, motherboard, memory and graphics card to build a future-proof gaming PC. Other hardware such as power supply, cabinet, hard drive, optical drive and input devices can stay the same. Here’s our configuration for a mid-range Core i5 gaming PC.
Processor
Intel Core i5 750, 2.66 GHz
Clocked at 2.66 GHz, this new processor by Intel packs a good punch for demanding applications. It comes in the LGA 1156 package and features 8 MB of cache. This one’s a good pick if you plan to build a mid-range gaming PC with the latest-generation hardware.
Price: Rs. 10,500
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2, Intel P55
The Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 is based on the Intel P55 chipset and sports a micro-ATX form factor. With support for up to 16 GB of DDR3 RAM and CrossFireX it’s a good bang for the buck. The audio chip on this board is the 7.1-channel Reatek ALC888B and the rear panel has both coaxial and optical S/PDIF connectors for digital output. The rear panel has 10 USB ports and a gigabit Ethernet port as well.
Price: Rs. 7,800
Memory
Zion 2x2 GB DDR3-1333
The 2 GB DDR3-1333 RAM module by Zion is a good pick for an entry-level and mid-range gaming PC. We recommend at least 4 GB of RAM if you want Windows 7 and games to run stutter-free on your PC.
Price: Rs. 5,100
Graphics card
Zotac GeForce GTS 250, 512 MB DDR3
Identical to the GeForce 9800 GTX+, the GTS 250 is a great mid-range gaming card. This 512 MB DDR3 variant by Zotac should be sufficient to fuel the eye candy in most games at full-HD resolution with medium or high settings.
Price: 7,150
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Hard drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12, 1 TB
The 1 TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 with 32 MB of cache should be more than sufficient for all your games, music, videos, documents and so on.
Price: 4,200
Optical drive
LG GH22 SATA, 22x
The LG GH22 is a speedy 22x DVD-writer with a SATA interface. Say bye to cable clutter!
Price: 1,100
Keyboard + Mouse
Logitech Deluxe 250 & Logitech Optical Scroll Mouse
The plain vanilla Logitech Deluxe 250 keyboard and optical scroll mouse don’t boast of bells and whistles, but their conventional design is great for both work and gaming.
Price: Rs. 850
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Case
Cooler Master Elite 330
The rugged Elite 330 by Cooler Master is a perfect case for the micro-ATX Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2. It can comfortably accommodate up to 4 optical drives and 4 hard drives. So even a RAID setup is possible in this case provided you add a front intake fan. It comes fitted with a 120 mm rear exhaust fan.
Price: Rs. 2,100
Power supply unit
Cooler Master Extreme Power 600W
The Cooler Master Extreme Power 600W has enough juice to drive all the hardware that has gone into our gaming PC. The dual 12V rails on this PSU can handle up to 18A each.
Price: Rs. 3,500
Monitor
BenQ E2400 HD
Initially we thought we’d recommend the BenQ E2200 HD. But priced only Rs 1,000 higher the E2400 HD is definitely a better value for money and offers a great visual treat. It has a native resolution of 1920x1080 and a quick response time of 5 ms. Video inputs include DVI and HDMI.
Price: Rs. 11500
Speakers
Logitech Z-4, 2.1 speakers
The Logitech Z-4 sports a funky design and can belt out 40 watts of power. Be it music, movies or gaming, this stereo speaker set sounds great!
Price: Rs. 4,400
Total: Rs. 58,200
If you are looking for advice on buying any kind gadget, Anand is your man. The specs of the latest gadgets are at the tip of his tongue and he will tell you exactly what's worth your money. When not reviewing products, you will find him disgusting people with his weird food fantasies, enough for people to consider skipping lunch and dinner. And if you don't find him on his desk, be sure you will find him on the streets outside, clicking away on some camera or other. Every cat, dog and even the street hawkers, now have a portfolio thanks to him. The weekends are dedicated to the pampering of his beloved Royal Enfield(s).