Going to buy gaming computer, budget is $2000

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josh5786

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I'm definitely going to buy a gaming computer and want to run all of the latest games at the highest settings very smootly. My budget is $2000. I have my eyes set on this computer. Would this achieve what I want? What do you suggest is the better route to run all games at the latest settings (and smootly) for less? I'm upgrading from a Dell GX60 lol). Should I go with dual GTS250 or dual GTX275.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4678030&CatId=114

Processor: Intel Core i7 920 Quad Core (2.66 GHz, 4.8 GT/s)
Motherboard: Asus Rampage II Gene
Cooling: Liquid Cooling System
Memory: 12GB Triple Channel DDR3 1333Mhz (PC10600) (6 x 2GB)
Video: Dual GeForce GTS250 512MB Video Cards in SLI Configuration
Hard Drive: 1TB, 7200RPM, 32MB Cache
Optical Drive: DVD±RW Burner Drive
Audio: 8-Channel High Definition Audio
Included Accessories: Logitech Keyboard and Optical Scroll Mouse
Case: NZXT Advanced Gaming Chassis
Form Factor: Mid-Tower, ATX
Power Supply: 600Watt, ATX
 
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unknown_13

unknown_13

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Hi

Well, i got my eyes on some parts that cost 1947,9$ on Newegg. Here they are:

CPU: Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail -$288.99
MB: ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail -$309.99
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G - Retail -$339.99
GPU: ASUS EAH5850/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail -$299.99
HDD: Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M160G2R5 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - Retail -$499.00
Case: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -$59.95
PSU: Antec TPQ-850 850W Continuous Power ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply - Retail -$149.99

With this PSU you could Crossfire later, and the HD5850 is performing the same as 2xGTS250.

And if you want you could wait for nVidia DX11 cards to come out, but the HD58x0 series are great DX11 cards. Anyway its your choice. Happy gaming rig hunting:D
 
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josh5786

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@unknown_13, first of all thanks for the searching, helps me on my part. I like the solid state hd's and everything, I might get all of what you listed, looks really nice!

@JDV28, IMHO, I would stay away from Alienware, no matter how much dough your willing to shell out. Alienware is nice, however, it's overpriced and a bit overkill for gaming.
 
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DJRWolf

DJRWolf

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Hold off if you can for a bit. USB 3.0 is just starting to hit the market so you should start to see more motherboards with it native instead of having to use an expansion card. But if you can't wait Buffalo Technology does have a PCIeX1 card for I think it was about $60 with 2 ports. Also Intel and AMD are soon going to be releasing new chip lines so it could cause current CPU prices to drop.
 
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mavanhel

mavanhel

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Just a few things to note:

1. For the 1366 platform ASUS makes a great mobo that has SATA III and USB 3.0 (ASUS P6X58D Premium)

2. SSDs are not worth the price you're paying for them right now, especially since they only have optimum performance when they're around half full, meaning that the $500, 160GB SSD should only be an 80GB drive.

3. Water cooling, IMO, is not worth it unless you're looking for some serious overclocks. The Cooler Master Hyper 212 is a great cooler for just around $30. There have been many people who can get a stable OC of 3.6GHz+ on the 920 with the Hyper 212.

4. Best GPU right now is the 5870. I'm cutting out the 5970 as an option because it's around $700, and that's a bit pricey. It's not much more than 2x5870.

5. Don't cheap out on the case if you don't have to. Good air flow is crucial when it comes to these super high end builds. Great case is the HAF 922, but if you'd prefer to go with Antec I'd suggest at least an Antec 900. The 300 is a bit small, but good for a low - mid end build..

Hope this helps and as for buying vs building, build it. No where else can you learn more about the hardware of your PC other than being inside it and putting it together. By knowing your hardware you can better optimize your usage of it.
 
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unknown_13

unknown_13

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OK then how about this one

CPU: Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail -$288.99
MB: ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail -$284.99
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX3X12G1600C9 G - Retail -$339.99
GPU: 2x ASUS EAH5850/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail -$299.99 ( Crossfire )
HDD: Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive -$199.99
Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -$99.99
PSU: Antec TPQ-850 850W Continuous Power ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply - Retail -$149.99

All in all 1963,92$

This parts are from newegg and i couldn't find 5870's

Mavanhel or anyone else if you find HD5870 please post:)

Those are two HD5850s in Xfire. I removed the SSD and the Antec 300
Josh what do you think about this config?
And will you OC?



 
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maximaniac

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't 12gb of RAM a little overkill for today's gaming? I could understand if you run multiple programs at once for coding or you do alot of video encoding, but for gaming??
 
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mavanhel

mavanhel

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Newegg quicksearch for HD 5870

There's a list of 5870's that are good to look at (XFX has the best warranty which is probably the only difference right now). As for you HDD, (sorry I didn't mention this before) you're still paying too much. The Samsung F3 Spinpoint, which is only 7200rpm is actually faster than the WD drives, even the VelociRaptor. The 1TB F3 is only $90, and is a terabyte.

The reason the F3 is faster is because it uses 500GB platters instead of the standard 250GB. With fewer platters the drive can run more efficiently and read/write data much faster.
 
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josh5786

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I like it all, anything is better than what I have currently. I like the fact that the ASUS P6X58D supports usb3, sata6 and the new i9's and you can overclock. I might also get 2 ssd's with raid 0. Thanks unknown_13 for your help.
 
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josh5786

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Bump.

Well, here is what I got from Newegg.

MOBO: ASUS P6X58D http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102857

PSU: Antec TPQ-850 850W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371009

CPU: Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

HDD: 2 x Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB RAID 0 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

BURNER: SAMSUNG DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

CASE: Corsair Obsidian Series 800D http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139001&Tpk=800d

----------------

I got 6gb ram instead of 8 or 12, the reason being 12gb is excessive and a waste (if your just gaming) and 8gb is pushing it. 6GB seems just right and you save money.

I'm not going to crossfire just yet because I want to see what the 1 card will handle.

I also opted out for SSD's. I hear a lot of people report that it's much faster over HDD's. The boot time is faster and but that is just about it. I also never turn off my computer either so it doesn't matter about the boot. As far as gaming, the fps doesn't exactly matter with ssd's, only load times, but not a great deal faster. And they are damn expensive so I will be happy with 2 raid 0 drives.

Total cost w/ shipping came out to something like 1768. I still am looking at some 32" lcd screens to compliment this system well. Please comment on my build and may post pics, not sure yet.
 
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K

kislen

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@OP

Overkill on much RAM. The most I ever use while multi-tasking is .. 3.5 or 4? That's with 2 games open, 40+ browser windows, music playing, multiple IM clients ..

**GET FULL ATX!** Get a bigger case, you'll thank me later when you're trying to install your video card(s). Trust me on this one..

Don't skimp on the video card. It should be the item you're willing to spend the most money on. It will be your bottleneck in almost every game.

Why are you getting liquid cooling? Are you planning on OCing like a madman or do you just want it for the style factor? Quietness?

And there are less expensive motherboards you can get than the rampage II that will do everything you need, without every single pci/pcie port being covered/full with your SLI config. You MIGHT be able to use that lowest standard PCI slot ..
 
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josh5786

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Overkill by 2gb? 6gb is fine, I'm nicely seated above 4gb. I can run multiple virtual OS's, games, apps, music, at the same time without worrying about teetering on the edge of 4gb.

The Corsair 800D is a full ATX case, what are you talking about?

As far as video cards, I only look at driver support, clock speed, etc.

For cooling, I will most likely use a huge fan on the cpu and case fans instead of liquid cooling.

I would only liquid cool for the quietness, style and better fps in games, etc.

Can the rampage II support SATA 6, USB 3 and/or the I9 CPU's? I wanted a nextgen board.

@JDV28, AMD is cheaper and much better at lower power consumption during idle over Intel chips, however, Intel beats AMD in performance in my opinion.
 
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d3athd3aler

d3athd3aler

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Theres way to much debate over the perfect system for a certain price I guess the onyl way youll know 100% is if you were rich enough to try everything..so my only advice would be get the best hardware and top brands you can get for 2000 bucks and I dont know if it matters to you but when picking a pc case I always have looks as a top priority before compatibility..I just can't stand some cases with so many crazy lights and colors that make it look like a toy. I'd probably get a nice slick silver or black case or maybe even an alienware chassis from ebay if you can find a good one. for 2000 though id buy an alienware.i wouldnt go out picking parts myself so accurately until Im experienced enough.
 
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josh5786

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That is so very true on what determines as the perfect system, perfect chipset, perfect cooling fan, perfect temps, etc. but I think the system that I have chosen is nice and will last for years to come.

As far as cases go, I like neon lights, however, they aren't good for sleeping, it bothers my sleep.

Check out this review on the Corsair 800D, I think it's one of the perfect cases. Lots of room, cords tucked away, easy access to back on cpu removal screws, air filter, hot swappable drives, etc. Corsair has definitely done their homework on their first case. So I'm very pleased with the 800D. http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=784
 
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