Help Me Build A Great Gaming System

Hello,

I am new to the boards, but I want to build a serious gaming rig and try to keep it under $1,500. So far, I have come close, but would like to know anyone else's opinions on how I might be able to save money and get the same performance, or where I should really look at spending the extra $$$ for a better upgrade. This will be the first computer I ever build from scratch, so wish me luck!

Below are the specs and pricing I am planning on getting:


ThermalTake Big Water 760i Liquid Cooling System Kit (8.4 lbs)

$149.99


Thermaltake Black Armor Full-Tower ATX Case with 11 External Drive Bays, Clear Side, Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports (70 lbs)

$149.99


Logitech MX400 Performance Laser Mouse (0.95 lbs)

$29.99


Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard - USB, Black (4.5 lbs)

$54.99


OCZ Dual Channel 2048MB PC8500 DDR2 1066MHz Nvidia SLI-Ready EPP Memory (2 x 1024MB) (0.5 lbs)

$85.99


Sony DRU190A 20X DVD Rewritable Drive - 20x DVD±R, 8 DVD+RW, 6x DVD-R, 8x DVD±R DL, ATAPI/EIDE, Black (1.95 lbs)

$29.99


Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit DSP OEM DVD (0.25 lbs)

$109.99


EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Video Card - 896MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0 x16, FREE Special Edition EVGA Precision Overclocking Utility, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, Dual VGA Support (1 lbs)

$299.99


Apevia ATX-WA900W Warlock 900-Watt ATX Power Supply - SLI and Crossfire Ready, 135mm Fan, Clear Sides (6.5 lbs)

$179.99


Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, Serial ATA-300, OEM (1 lbs)

$119.99


EVGA nForce 780i SLI Motherboard CPU Bundle - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor 2.40GHz OEM (4.8 lbs)

$449.99

The total comes to just over $1,600, so I am close to my goal hopefully...

Any comments, questions, or pointers are all appreciated.

Thanks!

-Clay

You don't really need water cooling unless you want some extreme overclocking, btw that water cooling system isn't any better then your mainstream beefy air coolers. Go for cheaper 800mhz mem cause 1066mhz mem is overclocked 800. You possibly get a $279.00 4870 on Newegg if you don't have ati/nvidia preferences. You can find a $120-$140 650watt power supply cause you don't need 900watts unless your running an overclocked extreme Intel quad clocked at 5ghz, 6 hard drives, watercooling, 3 nvidia or 4 ati cards, and 5 cd/dvd drives. The nvidia 780i board has some problems with it that can limit an overclocking and if you go for a slightly cheaper 4870 get an x48/x38 for $250. Don't know if you looked at a Antec 900, slightly cheeper and better air flow (all depends on which case you think is sweeter)

Thanks for all of the replies.

My only reason for the water cooling was because I live in a 3rd floor apt that can get a little warm at times in the middle of the summer. Anyways, I am making some changes based on what you guys are saying. I have had some issues with ATI cards in the past which is why I am hesitant to go with ATI again, however after reading a bunch of reviews comparing the two, I am leaning towards the 4870. I also like the idea of the corsair and after reading more into it, I decided on the 750W for $20 more after rebate just incase I need the extra for upgrading.

Here is my updated build:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

ASUS EAH4870/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121258

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

MSI X48C Platinum Motherboard - Intel X48, Socket 775, ATX, Audio, PCI Express 2.0, Gigabit LAN, S/PDIF, Firewire, USB 2.0, eSATA, RAID
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=3646

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 32-bit English 1pk for System Builders DSP OEI DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116480

Sony DRU190A 20X DVD Rewritable Drive - 20x DVD±R, 8 DVD+RW, 6x DVD-R, 8x DVD±R DL, ATAPI/EIDE, Black
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] =S167-4514

Microsoft FA6-00010 Black 103 Normal Keys 17 Function Keys USB Wired Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823109161

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

Ok, I appreciate all the input you guys have given me. And above are the results. Please let me know what you think, and if there is anything I am missing to get a good gaming experience.

Also, the grand total now weighs in at a whopping $1,170.91. I am actually stunned about the savings, I actually don't mind spending a little more, so if anyone can think of something that will take this thing to the next level for a hundred or so dollars more, please let me know. Thanks you!

Yea, I just realized I forgot the RAM. Here is what I am thinking:

CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194

I also forgot to add in the cost of Vista above, but I will definitely go to Premium:

Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit DSP OEM DVD
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] u=M17-7412

That brings the grand total to: $1,389.90 before rebates and 1,299.90 after rebates!

Not really you can better take a Vista premium 64 bit because if you want to upgrade in a year to 6GB ram your 32 bit can't use it. a 32bit only supports RAM of 4GB and less. A 64 bit is better for the futur !

You want this computer for gaming and school ? I think you can better take a dual core because they are easier to OC so they are faster because the games don't need a quad core. A dual core you can OC to 3,8 Ghz that very difficult to do with a quad core.

You can better take a hard disk with an rpm of 10200, its faster and allot nicer to work. you can better take 2 harddisks. 1 of 500GB or more and 1 of 64Gb (for programs) so the computer works faster.

Greets
Ruben

Ok. So I am going to change the CPU and the OS to:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115036

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488


I was also recommended the following CPU fan:

ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835118003


About the hard drives though, I looked and go to 10,000 RPM you take a huge jump in price. From what I have read, is it worth it? And this is my first build, what would be the point and value of doubling my hard drive? Its not that I am opposed to it, but I don't understand the benefit.

Thanks!

Ya if your spending that much dough then get more RAM and maybe go 64 bit windows. Since you have got all this computer greatness you'll be able to run games super fast but your RAM will be lagging so your performance will suffer. For the same price I would get some OCZ Vista RAM (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3327389&CatId=3412) and maybe go ahead and get 8GB. It won't come in handy now but it will make your new investment much more "futureproof."