$1500 Gaming Build

[semanthe]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next month.

BUDGET RANGE: $1500 After Rebates, Tax, and Shipping

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, watching movies, word documents, and internet surfing.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Corsair 750watt PSU, Keyboard, Windows 7, Mouse, Speakers, Dark Knight Cooler, 250GB Hard Drive, and DVD Drive.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, but will consider cheaper alternatives. (I do get charged tax from Newegg since I live in TN)

PARTS PREFERENCES: Prefer Intel for CPU, but would consider AMD. I'm liking the i7 920 alot, though.

OVERCLOCKING: Not too aggressively, but yes.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Eventually.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I'm getting a 1920x1200 monitor in my $1500 budget.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
I have an Apevia Jupiter Case currently. I'm wondering if I should take some of my budget to upgrade to a Antec 1200 or CoolerMaster HAF.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144197

I also have a HD 4890. I considered crossfiring it with another one, but I'm leaning towards buying a HD 5870 and crossfiring that later on when the prices drop. The budget I gave above is including me selling the HD 4890 on ebay hehe.

 

[Proximon]

You should have an 850W for CF 5870.

I think you should get a better case, yes.


Here's your list:

Asus P6TD Deluxe and OCZ Gold DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.290889

i7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

CM Storm Sniper case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

A 5870 such as
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102856

Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

LG 1980x1080 gaming monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005125

DVD burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151192

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Is someone giving out $1500 all over the place ?

This question musta been asked 10 times in last 3-4 days...check out some of these until you get some of ya own answers:

http://www.tomshardware.com/search.php?s=%241500

And yes both those cases are great, I just build one for my son w/ the 1200.

See the vid card roundup on the THG home page

 

[semanthe]

I forgot to mention I have a DVD burner already. Sorry about that, I'll update my originial post. Also, that build you listed did not give memory suggestions. That case is nice, but at that price I'd rather go with the Antec 1200 or CoolerMaster HAF.

I think I'm sold on the i7 920 and the HD 5870 (assuming I can find one). I'm mainly needing suggestions now for a mobo, memory, and monitor. I was considering getting a 1920x1200 monitor, but the price tag is high....is that worth it? The 28" Hanns-G is mighty tempting

I had a build put together, but I could not keep it under budget. That's why I am asking you guys so I can see what's worth "compromising" on to make it work. I can save alot of money on the monitor by dropping to 1920x1080, but is it worth it?? I currently have an Acer 20" at 1680x1050 res, but wanted to up the size and res.

Thanks for the input!

P.S. Yeah, I checked those builds out, JackNaylor. There was some really helpful information in most of those threads, but I just figured I could get more of a personalized build this way. I'll definitely keep reading up tho!

EDIT: Would I really need an 850W PSU for dual 5870's? I thought I had read in previous threads that a good PSU such as a corsair 750W would easily run those...maybe I misread or am remembering wrong...

 

[stopthe_bomb]

As long as its Corsair, 750W would tear 5870's up, (considering Quad core) and all other stuff.

 

[darksupreme]

uhh dont listen to that 850w comment ( ownt say who) the requirement ( as posted my ati)
for 2 5870's CF is only 600w psu youlld do fine with the 750w

 

[Proximon]

uhh dont listen to that 850w comment ( ownt say who) the requirement ( as posted my ati)
for 2 5870's CF is only 600w psu youlld do fine with the 750w

Then ATI need to hire some new engineers.

Total system draw at Anandtech was 550W at full load.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3650&p=13

This is with only a single 80GB SSD to power, and a very moderate overclock (possibly even stock voltage).
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3650&p=3

Factor in transient load spikes that Anandtech did not measure for. Next, factor in PSU stress. Next, factor in efficiency.

60% is the long established rule, and a good one.... that would make the ideal PSU 900W by my calculation, rounded up.


Peak draw of just the cards themselves is listed as 400W at full load:
http://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/index.php?showtopic=264

Here is a complete tutorial on PSUs:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/181/1

 

[semanthe]

Okay, well I don't plan on crossfiring until at least a few months away or whenever prices on the HD 5870 drop anyways. I can't afford 2 of them at $400 bucks!!!

So what about the other questions I've posed? I copied my last post below for what I'm still needing suggestions for...thanks!

I think I'm sold on the i7 920 and the HD 5870 (assuming I can find one). I'm mainly needing suggestions now for a mobo, memory, and monitor. I was considering getting a 1920x1200 monitor, but the price tag is high....is that worth it? The 28" Hanns-G is mighty tempting

 

[darksupreme]

hers a really food mobo for u
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365&cm_re=asus_p6t_deluxe_v2-_-13-131-365-_-Product

great ram ( just as good as corsair dominator)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381&cm_re=ocz_platinum-_-20-227-381-_-Product