[New System Build] first build!/ WoW computer/$1000 - $1500 budget

[Orc_Enh_Shaman]

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: no later than Black Friday BUDGET RANGE: 1000-1500 (Before Rebates)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming!

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: a mouse and headset ...

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like to use an Intel CPU and an Nvidia graphics card

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe in the future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 on the one I was looking at

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This will be my first from scratch build. I have installed graphics cards, HDs and RAM before but am somewhat confident I can handle the rest with a guide. I borrowed heavily from the suggestions in William-74's thread in this forum and relied on good reviews from newegg. Please let me know if I missed anything important. Also, any advice on making this build more affordable would be great! This computer will be mainly for playing WoW, including software dual boxing, but I would like to be able to play other new MMOs and single player RPGs too.

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Case: $100

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Power Supply: $110

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

Motherboard: $240

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359

Processor: $280

Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 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

RAM: $135

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

Hard drive: $55

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Video Card: $200

EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130433

Sound Card:

on board sound is fine

Optical Drive: $31

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

Monitor: $210

SAMSUNG SYNCMASTER 2333SW High Glossy Black 23" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 20000:1 (1000:1) w/ HPCP Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001314

Keyboard: $64

Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126009

OS: $110

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Cables, Heatsinks, Fans and other stuff: ??

Total: $1535

I would really like to reduce the cost if possible. =(

 

[obsidian86]

asrock extreme mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157163
a pretty good buy

 

[kufan64]

It's a really well built machine... +1 on obsidian86's motherboard suggestion especially since you don't plan to overclock. I've got a couple of questions for you:

What mouse are you using? I assume it's something that will compliment the G11 nicely like a G7 or G5.

Are you interested in Nvidia's 3D Vision technology at all?
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_3D_VisionKit_us.html
I know that WoW (and a few other games) supports it. You'll need a monitor that supports 3D and the 3D glasses, though.

They usually have a demonstration setup at electronics stores if you want to check it out before you drop a couple hundred bucks on the glasses. I haven't had the opportunity to try them out, but I've done some research and the technology is just amazing.

It's worth a look, if nothing else.

 

[Orc_Enh_Shaman]

Thanks all for the help so far.

In response to your questions Kufan64:

I have a fairly old mouse actually. A Logitech Mx518. It's my second one and they are super comfortable to me.

About the 3D glasses, I was looking over at Dell to see what systems they had in my price range and they actually offered this bundle.

Dell XPS 9000 with 3D monitor & glasses:
http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desk...=desktop-studio-xps-9000&s=dhs&cs=19&ref=dthp

Definitely appreciate the suggestion and will try to check them out at a demo. Not sure I can spend the extra money on a fun novelty at the moment though as I'm really trying to keep the cost under $1500

 

[Sean1234]

To be brutally honest I think your selection is very good. I think you could use a few adjustments if you want to reduce your price. Herewith is my list below, ( My entire selection is from newegg)

Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail $289.99

ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail $199.99

ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $169.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply $110

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail $131.99


SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 $55

Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window - Retail $124.95


SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151187 $31

Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard $64


Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $149.99

EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card $200

grand total=$1327.00

 

[darksupreme]

i may be mistaken but it looks like u said in the thread that the computer was for WOW as in world of warcraft i hope im just seeing things but u dnt need a very good comp at all to run wow and either way the game sucks now that computer would be able to run AION really well though since it runs on crytechs cry engine O.O

 

[Orc_Enh_Shaman]

Great suggestions Sean1234.

I've been asking for help from guildies too. Between the ideas on this board and their thoughts, it looks like I'll be able to shave a few hundred dollars off the price. To begin with, I can easily downgrade the the monitor and case from my original build.

And yes, Darksupreme, I understand you don't need a bleeding-edge system to play WoW, but people do tend to underestimate what is required. Things have changed and a computer that could play the original game 5 years ago doesn't cut it now, especially in crowded cities and 25 man raids. Also, as I mentioned, I would like to be able to play other new MMOs and single player titles in the coming years and their reqs are higher.

 

[darksupreme]

thats cool i understand but yea if ur read to start playing a more hc mmo join me on aion siel server name chronos

and AION like i said earlier run on cryteks cryengine so the graphics are better than any other mmo out there and will really make good use of that build

 

[Raxus]

Great suggestions Sean1234.

I've been asking for help from guildies too. Between the ideas on this board and their thoughts, it looks like I'll be able to shave a few hundred dollars off the price. To begin with, I can easily downgrade the the monitor and case from my original build.

And yes, Darksupreme, I understand you don't need a bleeding-edge system to play WoW, but people do tend to underestimate what is required. Things have changed and a computer that could play the original game 5 years ago doesn't cut it now, especially in crowded cities and 25 man raids. Also, as I mentioned, I would like to be able to play other new MMOs and single player titles in the coming years and their reqs are higher.

Absolutely Orc. I am building a high end puter for WoW and other games. Star Trek and Star Wars KoTR MMO's are on the horizon and I want something that can easily handle them. Plus raid lag totally sucks if you have something that is just chugging along.

Rax

 

[mavanhel]

Is there any reason why you need to go with the i7 processor? You could definitely save some money and go with the i5 and the only you'd be losing out on is the hyperthreading, but really, that's not too important to us gamers.

 

[Orc_Enh_Shaman]

@mavanhel

There is no particular reason why I was going i7 over i5, other than just trying to get the best I can afford with the money I have available for this project. I will certainly check out the i5 chips and see what kind of prices are there. Thanks. =)

One of my guildies was even suggesting that I go with an AMD quad-core processor instead if I wanted to save a few more bucks.

I'm really trying to build something that will last for a few years and be somewhat future proof, so I'm not sure how many steps back I want to take with the components. Also, due to my inexperience, I'm not very good at identifying where I can save a few dollars by substituting cheaper parts that don't matter as much so I definitely appreciate all the advice here.

That said, I don't want to chicken out but I am still kinda tempted to just settle for something ready-made because I'm not incredibly experienced with building my own systems and Black Friday deals can be very good.

@ Raxus and darksupreme:

Yes! Aion, KoTR ... lots of great games I'd love to check out. Ideally with better than the low settings I'm chugging along with in WoW right now! =)

 

[Mikey_81]

I really like my ASRock X58 Extreme mobo for $170. Also, I like my CM Storm Scout mid-tower case for $90. These choices would save you some money.

Also, if you read the reviews ATI graphics are faster than a comparable NVIDIA. I have a Sapphire ATI 4870 1GB card for $155.

Mike

 

[Sean1234]

Another selection you might want to consider since you stated you might go with the Core i5 Once again everything is from New-egg.

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail 199.99$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=Core_i5-_-19-115-215-_-Product

ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail $199.99

GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Winner of AnandTech Gold Editors' Choice Award $109.99

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail $74.99

OCZ Obsidian 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3OB1600LV4GK - Retail $78.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 $55

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $69.99

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151187 $31


Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $149.99

EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card $200

Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard $64

grand total = $1244.97

 

[B011]

A lot of good suggestions. For gaming (and no OC) I would definitely go with I5, and use the saved money to get a 5850 to go with it.

About the MBs, cheapest available SLI/CF board (like Asus P55 pro, GA ud4P or MSI gd65), if you need it, otherwise any cheap P55 board which has all the connectors/slots you might need (like firewire etc).

 

[darksupreme]

if u wanna hit those games especially aion u wanna oc i mean honestly theres no reason to build a high end comp take the risk of building it urself then not OC it its not as hard as it used to be but deff get a i5 or i7 cause games like aion where its full on pvp/pve all the time theres raid of faction v faction going on everywhere and its really stressfull to lag in a huge pvp raid and come back dead youll deff wanna grab the i7 so in the future u only have to grab little bits and pieces to keep ur comp top of the line and do me a favor and get a ATI 5870 just cause there so dam cheap for the fact that there better than any other card out there and u get DX11 and eyefinity so yea theres preety much no reason to not go i7 5850 if u ask me but i like to be top of the line somewhat future proof

 

[Orc_Enh_Shaman]

Ok, I was playing around with some of of the things you guys and my guildies suggested and came up with this AMD build:

Case: $35

HEC 6C28BB8S Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121001

Power Supply: $75

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019

Mobo/CPU Combo Deal: $220

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265471

Motherboard:

GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128398

Processer:

AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704

RAM: $79 x 2 = $158 ??? *

* Can I buy 2 packages of this ram to get 8GB total with the Mobo I picked?*
OCZ Obsidian 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3OB1600LV4GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227495&

Hard drive: $55/ $60

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

OR

This if it is on sale:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...136320&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-22-136-320-_-Product

Video Card: $155

SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102849

Sound Card:

on board sound

Optical Drive: $30

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

Monitor: $150

Acer X213Hbid Black 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 20000:1 (ACM)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009175

Keyboard: $64

Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126009

OS: $110

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Cables, Heatsinks, Fans and other stuff: ??

Total: $1057

 

[darksupreme]

good but its ridiculous to go over 6gigs of ram i mean u dnt even need 6 but thats wat i gots for shits and giggles and for the fan if ur looking to save money yet still have a good fan then this if i didnt already state that

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=COOLER%20MASTER%20Hyper%20212

and honestly bud save urself the money and grab 5850's or 5870's
DX11 FTW ONLY ABOUT 400$ FTW AND EYEFINITY FTW AND MOST POWERFUL CARD OUT THERE RIGHT NOW FTW

 

[Orc_Enh_Shaman]

good but its ridiculous to go over 6gigs of ram i mean u dnt even need 6 but thats wat i gots for shits and giggles and for the fan if ur looking to save money yet still have a good fan then this if i didnt already state that

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&Tpk=COOLER%20MASTER%20Hyper%20212

and honestly bud save urself the money and grab 5850's or 5870's
DX11 FTW ONLY ABOUT 400$ FTW AND EYEFINITY FTW AND MOST POWERFUL CARD OUT THERE RIGHT NOW FTW

Yeah, I don't really want that much RAM, I just wasn't sure if I could get 6 gigs on that Mobo or if I had to buy the kind that comes in sets of 2. Sorry, I'm kind of a newb. =P

Those cards look really nice. I will check out the fan too. Thanks! =)

 

[darksupreme]

np bud yea its a little money now but considering that the ati 5050's and 5870's are the best cards out right now and that there so damn cheap theres no reason to not get em

 

[Niklas_13]

my 2 cents




SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151187
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$28.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187



COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant $109.99
$99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197



SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152181
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$54.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181



ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824236049
Return Policy: Monitor Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

-$40.00 Instant $259.99
$219.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049



CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

-$50.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$159.99
$109.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005



G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231276
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276



GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128401
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)

$139.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128401



Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$199.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215
Subtotal: $943.92

ADD a HD 5850 259.99 or go all out for a HD 5870 379.99 still under 1500
If you need a OS win 7 64 bit

If you live by a micro center pick up the CPU there i5 750 for 149.99

 

[darksupreme]

listen to nick thats a good build

 

[Orc_Enh_Shaman]

@ niklas_13:

That build looks great! Only thing I could ask for is a bit more RAM. I'm going to review all the options so far and decide just where I should go with this--spend the entire budget, come in cheap or somewhere in between.

Thanks all for the suggestions so far. =)

 

[darksupreme]

RAM :OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381&Tpk=ocz%20platinum%206gb

THERE YA GO THIS IS THE RAM IM GETTING

 

[Niklas_13]

@ niklas_13:

That build looks great! Only thing I could ask for is a bit more RAM. I'm going to review all the options so far and decide just where I should go with this--spend the entire budget, come in cheap or somewhere in between.

Thanks all for the suggestions so far. =)

You wont need more then 4 gigs for gamming, The s1156 boards have dual channal memory so if you want more ram go 1gig x2 2 gigs 2gigs x2 4gigs or 2gigs x4 for 8gigs

Dont buy the 6 gigs sets thats triple channal setup for the X58 boards that have 6 memory slots

 

[Adroid]

If you would be brave enough to OC you could save alot of money with an i5 system. Go i5 with gigabyte mobo and a smaller corsair psu, 4 gigs of ram... You're looking at at least 250-300$ savings right off the top.
If you are doing a single card setup I would highly recommend the i5.