$1200 Gaming PC Build

[jackson28]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next week

BUDGET RANGE: $1,200

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, music studio, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Graphic card (Sapphire 4890)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com, Zipzoomfly.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel motherboards, ATI GPU

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080



Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=corsair%20750

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247

NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173


I am unclear on what motherboard to get. How is the PC Power & Cooling 750W Silencer PSU? On Zipzoomfly, it is $70 AR.

 

[Proximon]

The PC P&C 750 and the Corsair 750TX are very comparable. Not identical, they have their little strengths and weaknesses, but both are great.

Will the ASUS P6T deluxe V2 fit in your budget?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

Or the Gigabyte UD4P:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374

 

[tecmo34]

+ 1 on Proximon on the power supplies. You can't go wrong with either PC P&C or Corsair. IMO, they are the two best PSU companies on the market.

Good choices on the motherboards as well, I would also look at the EVGA E758-TR 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188046 ).

 

[jackson28]

The PC P&C 750 and the Corsair 750TX are very comparable. Not identical, they have their little strengths and weaknesses, but both are great.

Will the ASUS P6T deluxe V2 fit in your budget?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365

Or the Gigabyte UD4P:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374

Which of the two will you recommended? I heard that Gigabyte offer great support and it is going for a good price at ewiz.com now ($209 AR with a $20 off for using a Memorial Day code)


Thank you tecmo for the suggestion of the EVGA. Is the Tempest a good case for cable management? I wish Newegg offered free shipping for it.

 

[Proximon]

Cooler Master HAF is the king for cable management and cooling.
Newegg is having some sort of issue atm...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&Tpk=HAF
Good thing I keep a list.

I would say the Gigabyte is a fine choice, especially at that price!

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U4P $219.99 | $204.99 after rebate Free Ground Shipping
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CorssFireX & 3-Way SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard

or...

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U3R $179.99 | $164.99 after rebate
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CrossFireX/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard

 

[jackson28]

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U4P $219.99 | $204.99 after rebate Free Ground Shipping
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CorssFireX & 3-Way SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard

or...

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U3R $179.99 | $164.99 after rebate
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CrossFireX/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard

Yeah, I saw both of those. The other difference I see between the two is the number of memory slots. Thanks for posting.


EDIT: I went ahead and bought the UD4P, hoping for a total of $170 after the rebate and cashback.

 

[jackson28]

Is the OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory a good alternative to the G.Skill? The only bad thing I heard about OCZ is the rebate process.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

How easy is it to OC? If I it, I may get the Xigmatek Dark Knight along with my order.

 

[Proximon]

I doubt you'll get it much beyond 1600Mhz, but it does have the better latency. G.skill is slightly more reliable in my book, but I often recommend the OCZ.

The Xig DK seems like a good i7 cooler. we don't have a lot of comparison on it with other i7 coolers, but it's history as a LGA 775 cooler makes me think it's a great bargain.

 

[tecmo34]

I would recommend the OCZ Platinum and the Xig DK (Not because I have them or anything... :lol: ). They perform very well for me. The DK keeps my i7 920 around 33C idle and low 50C's at full load. My temps are not much different than what my Q6600 were reading in the winter time and now that it's been in the 80's here, I'm pretty happy.

NZXT Tempest is a good case but I would recommend the Cooler Master HAF (Full or Mid Size) or either the Antec 1200 or 902 over the Tempest. These cases are some of the best on the market, which you have to also include the Cooler Master 690 in that list as well... IMO!!

 

[Why_Me]

With the exception of the thermal compound, everything in this build is free shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194 $159.99 ($109.99 after $50.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper SGC-6000-KKN1-GP Black ABS Bezel, SECC Body ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005611 $99.99 | $69.99 after MIR Free Shipping
PC Power and Cooling S75QB Silencer 750W Quad Power Supply (Black) Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U4P $219.99 | $204.99 after rebate Free Ground Shipping
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CorssFireX & 3-Way SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-920 $264.99 Free Ground Shipping
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $41.99 Free Shipping*
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $4.99
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $94.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 $74.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 $23.99 Free Shipping*
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049 $219.99 Free Shipping*
ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail
With HDCP support

Total: $1,205.90 | $1,110.90 w/mail in rebates

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc <---Save yourself some money on an o/s and dl the 64 bit version of Windows 7

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374 <--- more pics, specs, and customer reviews of the mobo used in this build.

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=1665&product_id=2882 <--- more pics, and specs of the case used in this build.

 

[jackson28]

I would recommend the OCZ Platinum and the Xig DK (Not because I have them or anything... :lol: ). They perform very well for me. The DK keeps my i7 920 around 33C idle and low 50C's at full load. My temps are not much different than what my Q6600 were reading in the winter time and now that it's been in the 80's here, I'm pretty happy.

NZXT Tempest is a good case but I would recommend the Cooler Master HAF (Full or Mid Size) or either the Antec 1200 or 902 over the Tempest. These cases are some of the best on the market, which you have to also include the Cooler Master 690 in that list as well... IMO!!

I like all the cases you listed, I really like the HAF. I may get it because I may be under my budget and can put some money in a case and new monitor.

 

[Why_Me]

I like all the cases you listed, I really like the HAF. I may get it because I may be under my budget and can put some money in a case and new monitor.

I didn't realize until a few minutes ago that you already had a 4890 and that you were looking for a monitor. Give that build I posted up above another look. I did a quick edit job on it and threw in a monitor with the resolution you were looking for.

 

[jackson28]

I didn't realize until a few minutes ago that you already had a 4890 and that you were looking for a monitor. Give that build I posted up above another look. I did a quick edit job on it and threw in a monitor with the resolution you were looking for.

Thanks, that monitor look nice. I like the Storm because of the handle, easy to move around.

 

[tecmo34]

Yeah... The Storm is growing on me as well for that reason. I'm thinking of putting together a LAN system, so I don't have to carry my Antec 1200 around.... it gets heavy after a while. I'll create another thread when that time comes for feedback. I have pretty much everything I need outside of a HHD, Optical Drive and CPU. I got the memory, PSU, MOBO (775 Socket), 2x Evga 9800 GTX and Thermaltake M9 case.

Why_Me's system looks real good and seems to be price close to yours....

 

[Why_Me]

Ok, forget that OEM cpu I have in my build if you want a i7 that runs cooler. This one down below is D0 stepping. It's worth the few extra dollars, especially if you ever plan on over clocking. Just click the option on that link for D0 stepping.

https://www.antaresdigital.com/customer/product.php?productid=16135&cat=282&page=1"

 

[jackson28]

Ok, forget that OEM cpu I have in my build. This one down below is D0 stepping. It's worth the few extra dollars if you plan on over clocking. Just click the option on that link for D0 stepping.

https://www.antaresdigital.com/customer/product.php?productid=16135&cat=282&page=1"

Thanks. Newegg has the C0 for 279.99 so obviously the DO from Antares is worth the extra.

Where is a good site to buy SATA cables? I don't want to pay like $10 for 2 cables.

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks. Newegg has the C0 for 279.99 so obviously the DO from Antares is worth the extra.

Where is a good site to buy SATA cables? I don't want to pay like $10 for 2 cables.

Check Walmart....they used to have killer deals on them. btw that Gigabyte UD4P mobo comes with SATA cables for the HD and burner.

 

[jackson28]

I am curious if OCZ will accept the rebate after the promotion period. The PSU rebate ends tomorrow.

 

[Proximon]

Microcenter had the D0 for $230, but it had to be picked up at the store... you might check on that if you are near one.

 

[jackson28]

Microcenter had the D0 for $230, but it had to be picked up at the store... you might check on that if you are near one.

Yeah, I know but the nearest MC is 6 hours away.

 

[jackson28]

Alright, placed my order today.

COOLER MASTER Storm Sniper SGC-6000-KKN1-GP Black ABS Bezel, SECC Body ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.193835

PC Power and Cooling S75QB Silencer 750W Quad Power Supply (Black)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005611

i7 920 DO Stepping
https://www.antaresdigital.com/customer/product.php?productid=16135&cat=282&page=1&#034

Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151176


Total: $787.42


Thank you to everyone for helping me pick my parts.

 

[tecmo34]

We are going to assume you picked up the Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 ) HHD you had originally listed, since it wasn't on your final list?

I've must have been one of the lucky ones when I purchased my i7 920 from Newegg early this month, I got the D0 revision.

You should be very happy with your new system... Have fun putting it together and gaming!!!

 

[jackson28]

We are going to assume you picked up the Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 ) HHD you had originally listed, since it wasn't on your final list?

I've must have been one of the lucky ones when I purchased my i7 920 from Newegg early this month, I got the D0 revision.

You should be very happy with your new system... Have fun putting it together and gaming!!!

You are definitely the lucky one to get a DO from Newegg. Many people that I know got CO from them.

 

[jackson28]

When setting up RAID 0, does both drives need to be empty?