$1500-2000 gaming pc

[username455]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP BUDGET RANGE: 1500-2000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: nvidia gpu, intel cpu

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920 x 1080


So far this is what Im looking at:

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

CORSAIR CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail (unless the 850tx is recommended)

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C7D G - Retail
or
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM

I didnt include the video card because Im not sure which to go for. I was going to go with the gtx260 but decided maybe something a little better would be nice. I would like to stay with nvidia.

also, if I want to upgrade to windows 7, should I get vista for now? and I heard that for xp compatible mode(if needed) I will need windows 7 professional or ultimate?

 

[Outlander_04]

a gtx 260 is marginal

a gtx 275 makes sense at that resolution , and adding a second one is an option for later

850 watt psu is too much and wont run efficiently . Drop back to 650 for a single gfx card or 750 if you are definitely adding another gfx card in the near future .

 

[hunter315]

I would suggest this for the ram rather than either of those
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

Use the price difference to allow for a GTX275.

 

[username455]

which gtx275? there are so many versions..

 

[Outlander_04]

which gtx275? there are so many versions..

most are the reference part and are identical so choose the one with the best price/bundle

 

[waynec121]

Agreed with the RAM suggestion from hunter.
Agreed with the PSU suggestion from Outlander.

A very good 750w psu is the corsair 750tx. If you want modular and want to spend a little more then get the 750hx from them since it is modular.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010&Tpk=750hx

You could get Vista 64 bit now and it comes with a free upgrade to Windows 7. That is probably the best option IMO.
heres a combo with the HDD and vista:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235895.22-136-319

As for the GPU, the evga gtx 275 is at a great price. I would definitely go with that.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

 

[username455]

thanks guys! I think Im about ready to order now then.

would you suggest vista ultimate or professional? or stick with home premium?

 

[Outlander_04]

do ultimate and/or professional have features you actually want to use?

for almost all home users the answer is NO ,and so spending the extra on what are just additional programs built in to the same OS is a waste .

 

[stevensl2]

Go with the Dominator Rams ^-^

At that resolution, if I had 2k to build I would definitely go with the Evga gtx 275, Cheapest one I can find, and then I would SLI them. a Tx850 would be cheaper so drop back to the TX version so you have money to get a second card. of course this is all without even thinking about the future.

 

[hunter315]

Why? What is the reasoning for going with the dominator ram? The 850HX is a very good PSU and the modular aspect will help keep your case clean. I doubt you will need a second card for a while, a single GTX 275 will work fine for a while, by the time it doesnt the DX11 cards will be out.

 

[waynec121]

yea agreed you are seriously paying extra just because they are called dominators. the ocz platinum is better ram. look at the specs

 

[Yoosty]

Also there are better CPU HSF Coolers' then the one you choosed and lower prices.
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail $44.98 Free Shipping*
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Scythe MUGEN-2 $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093

CoGage True Spirit Heatpipe CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Silent Fan for Intel LGA1366 $37.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=450&products_id=26022

One of the latest Reviews on 1366 CPU HSF Coolers'.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/07/23/intel_core_i7_heatsink_roundup_q309/5

Items you will need.
Thermal Compound.
Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Compound - Retail $9.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608008

You will need this 8-pin Power Extension Cable for most Cases that has Bottom Mounted PSU.
1ST PC CORP. 12" 8-pin EPS extension cable Model CB-8M-8F - Retail $8.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812706004

Good Luck on your Build.

 

[username455]

ok this is what Ive changed:

PSU: corsair 750tx
GPU: evga GTX275
Memory: OCZ platinum
HSF: XIGMATEK Dark Knight

everything else is as I posted above. So does it look good?

also, does thermal compound go bad? I have some from maybe 2-3 years ago..