Gaming PC advice $1500-$2000

[lacoon]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next two weeks

BUDGET RANGE: $1500 - $2000
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT gaming, modding, watching TV and movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, second monitor - I have a Sony SDM-HS95P, speakers - I have an ONKYO system

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: intel CPU, AMD GPU, 24" LCD with IPS panel

OVERCLOCKING: Probably

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe later

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080, 1920x1200

PARTS BEING CONSIDERED:

SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102857

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

HP LP2475w Black 24" 6 ms (GTG); 12ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176104

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: The monitor is pricey but I'd like an ISP panel and glossy screen, however I do like my Sony which is TN

 

[Proximon]

You do understand about the gaming limitations of the monitor, right? I'm not arguing, just making sure you know you'll likely see a response difference.

What kind of modding and how much?

 

[lacoon]

Yes I know it has "6ms GTG;12ms" but I'm not sure if that's a problem would that be a problem for upcoming games? I think my Sony has a 12ms response time and looks good to me. Would a TN monitor be better?

As for modding, it's Half Life 2 and it's what I do most - play around with Hammer.

 

[Proximon]

As for monitors, just have a look at this guide before deciding:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y

When you say modding on this forum, we think cases not games

 

[lacoon]

Oops -- This will be my first build so I'm a complete noob. However a cool case wouldn't hurt.

To clarify things a bit, I do not do MMO if that helps narrowing the choice any.

OMG that is quite a reference. At first glance it looks like the Dell U2410 if I insist on IPS panels. Sill confused about TN panels but as I said I like my Sony which is TN.

 

[Proximon]

It's a matter of personal preference also, because a little ghosting might not bother you much. If you could look around at some local shops you might find some to compare... I'm about to post a build here for you, but the lights are flickering and the wind is blowing. So, if it's not up in 15 mins it likely won't be tonight


i7 920 AND P6TD Deluxe combo
OCZ Platinum 6GB CL7 1600
--
Cooler Master Storm Sniper
Corsair HX850 This is a very high quality PSU, one of the very best. It's here because you can afford it, but can be changed if it turns out you need to spend elswhere.
--
Caviar Black 1TB
Optical drive
--
Noctua CPU cooler
MX-2 thermal paste
--
I haven't seen a 5850 in stock in a while

 

[lacoon]

Well I really misremembered the pricing on the Dell - way too much for my budget. My wife is getting a little nervous about the total price so cutting back a little here and there would be nice.

I really appreciate your input -- thanks

 

[baddad]

If your going to spend that much money on a monitor why not get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009165

 

[lacoon]

Thanks, it might be a little too big, but I'll definitely keep it in mind.

 

[lacoon]

How about this build to keep it under $2000? With Windows 7 it's about $1900.


SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102857

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

ASUS P6TD Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131403

OCZ 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3X1600R2LV6GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227501

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW etc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058

HP 2509m 25" 3ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080p LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 60000:1(1000:1) Built in Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176126

Noctua NH-U12P SE2 120mm SSO CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608014

ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

 

[Proximon]

I want to suggest this combo deal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.288404
But the CP-850 is a bit less powerful that the 850TX. Higher quality but fewer 12V amps.... I want to check on the power reqs of CF 5870.

 

[Proximon]

Yes that looks fine. Your max load would not exceed about 40A, and that leaves lots of margin still.

 

[lacoon]

I'm not quite sure why you're suggesting the combo deal. Is it because the case is better? If so in what way.

 

[Proximon]

It's larger, more deluxe, and perhaps a bit better air flow. The PSU is also slightly higher quality, modular, but will only fit in the Antec 1200, P193, or P183.

Compare reviews:
CP-850
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=142

850TX
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=126

Personally I prefer Cooler Master cases over Antec usually. That's a pretty good deal though.

 

[lacoon]

What would you suggest for a Cool Master system? -- so long as they don't have red leds

 

[Proximon]

The ATCS 840 is very nice looking, has a slide out motherboard tray, and excellent cable management. As with most CM cases it has extra depth and accomodates longer video cards easier than Antec:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119187

The HAF has more of a practical appearance. It's exceptionally well cooled and is very easy to work in. You would have to buy blue fans though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

The 690 is basic but roomy. Well cooled with options to make it very well cooled.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Then there's the Storm Sniper I linked before, but it's sold out at newegg atm.
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=CA-SGC6000

 

[lacoon]

By pure chance I was able to buy an XFX Radeon HD 5850 from Newegg so I'm ready to roll.

I think I'll go with the rest of the build as is, except getting the Cool Master HAF instead of the Antec. I googled around and found an article on modding the fan. It seems like it would be easy to swap out the red leds for blue. If not I can either live with red or cut the wires.

Is the cooler really needed whilst I'm not overclocking? I probably won't do that for a while.

Really appreciate all your help.

 

[Proximon]

No stock is fine until you OC

Good luck, check out the new assembly sticky at the top of the forum.