$1500 Gaming Rig

[jackamok]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1 Month

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Mainly used for gaming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor

PREFERRED WEBSITE FOR PARTS: Newegg.com/ebay.com; COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like an Intel CPU and an Element G or Coolmaster Case.

OVERCLOCKING: No; Crossfire: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920 x 1080 40" LCD TV

PRICE RANGE: Up to $1500


I'm looking to build a gaming rig. Would like to use either ATI HD 5850 or 5870 and either i5 or i7 CPU. 1TB Hard drive and a decent sound card. 4-6GB RAM. Thanks!

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Check out some of these:

http://www.tomshardware.com/s/forum/1500/

 

[bejabbers]

how about this?

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811119197 - $89.98

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - Item #: N82E16822136320 - $69.99

ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - Item #: N82E16813157163 - $169.99

combo:
ASUS EAH5870/2DIS/1GD5/A Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire - Item #: N82E16814121345
Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail - Item #: N82E16819115202
$658.98

combo:
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail - Item #: N82E16820227365
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail - Item #: N82E16817341019
$219.98 (not including $20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card20-227-365 and $25.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-341-019)

Subtotal: $1,208.92 - $45 mail-in rebate

can afford a better motherboard if you would like as well.

 

[Niklas_13]

maybe something like this



Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118030
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)
• 1 year: $6.99
• 2 year: $11.99
$27.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

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
-$20.00 Instant
$109.98
$89.98
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
$54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

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
-$30.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$119.99
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227365
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365


• SAPPHIRE 100281SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102856
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan
The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)
o 1 year: $39.99
o 2 year: $79.99
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
-$20.00 Combo
$514.98
$494.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.298042


• ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131614
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
• Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115202
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
-$15.00 Combo
$598.98
$583.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.321536
Subtotal: $1,491.90

Just seen you said 1T HDD go for this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 and change the PSU to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004 you will be @ 1516 If thats to much the MOBO the OP posted will work well if you dont care about having usb 3.0 latter on and your not looking to xfire/sli or OC .

 

[jackamok]

Thanks for your quick replies. Does anyone else have any suggestions? Is there any real benefit with the i7 over the i5?

 

[banthracis]

Don' t know why ppl have such a hardon over the i7-920. For gaming it's an overpriced piece of junk. A Phenom II x4 is better than it.

It is worse at gaming than an i5. Worse at everything vs an i7-860. The tom's article is equalized to 2.8 ghz and speed step is not a factor.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/quad-core-cpu,2499-8.html
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3634&p=16

It's 4% FPS increase w/ xfire due to dual x16in gaming is negated by the 860's better performance, or completely negated by using a 5970.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3641&p=7

i7-920 only ties a Phenom II x4, half it's price, even with a 5970.
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=869&p=23

i7-920 has horrible minimum frame rates. Worse than even Core 2 Duo and Quads in some games. P55 CPU's and AMD Phenom II's don't.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3634&p=8

Triple Channel offers no difference at worse, a only discernible in benchmarks difference at best.

P55 chips use less power and run cooler than x58.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i5,2410-13.html

The only advantage of the i7-920 is that you can upgrade to an i9 later this year. The questions is, after buying a i7-920 for nearly $300, do you really want to upgrade to a estimated $600 chip within the year?

If not, both x58 and P55 will be outdated in a year when 22nm sockets come out.

I have an i7-920 system and an i5-750 system. The i7 was great when I built it a year ago. Currently, I see absolutely no reason to go with x58.

 

[banthracis]

Here's an i5 System I put together yesterday


Case
Haf 922 $89.98 Free shipping with promo code EMCYZNT45,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

HD
Spinpoint F3 $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

RAM
Rip Jaw DDR3 1600 7-8-7-24 $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

can also get the Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600 7-8-7-20 for $109.99
It's cheaper, but brand new and no good reviews out yet.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145285&Tpk=xms3%201600%20cas%207%204%20gb

MOBO
Asus P7P55D-E Pro USB 3.0/SATA 6.0 2 x PCIE x8 $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621

PSU/Optical
OCZ 700W and Lite ON $96.98 w/ $25 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.323055

GPU/OS
Sapphire 5850 + win 7 Premium 64 bit OEM $384.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.298043

CPU/HSF i5-750 and Hyper 212 Plus $221.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.296096

Total $1153.89 before $25 MIR and shipping which should cancel out.


Recommendations

You have enough money left over to get a second 5850, though if your monitor isn't above 1920x1080 you won't notice any difference outside Crysis.

You can also get an Intel X25-M. Cheapest are ~$250
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002IGT7IK/ref=sr_1_olp_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264696013&sr=1-2&condition=new

See these articles for why SSD are such a leap forward in HD tech, and decide if it's worth your money.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/windows-ssd-performance,2518-10.html
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3631&p=20


You could also just use the extra budget for a new monitor like this Hanns G 23.6" 1920 x 1080 $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254044

 

[jackamok]

I used your setup to configure a computer on ibuypower and it came out to about $1200 after shipping. I'm thinking about going that route since it comes with 3 years warranty. Do you know if the stock 700w power supply is good, or should i spend another $65 and get the corsair or thermaltake 750W? And also, the haf 922 case comes with lights so i don't need to get the additional lights ibuypower offers, right?

Thanks,
Jack

 

[banthracis]

Do not use ibuypower. Their is a specific reason I included the parts linked above. Ibuypower, like many other cheap boutiques will use the cheapest parts they can find, or charge a heavy premium for quality components. These parts may often be refurbished or used. Also their customer support is worse than the DMV.

The linked components chosen for their excellent performance/price ratio and have been thoroughly reviewed to be reliable.

The best boutique builder I'd recommend would be AVA direct. Go through their custom desktop (not gaming) computer builder and you get very good deals, you can even specify many of the components I linked.

http://desktop-computers.avadirect.com/Desktop_Computers/Custom_Desktop_Computers/

The gaming builder has more options , but a higher price premium. You can simply use the desktop builder and request any additional options not included.

Other respectable builders are maingear, digital storm and Puget Systems.

Please see these companies pages on reseller ratings and the better business bureau for more information.

AVA Direct
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/AVA_Direct
http://www.akron.bbb.org/newsearch2.asp?ComID=02720039000361

ibuypower for comparison
http://www.la.bbb.org/Business-Report/iBuyPowercom-13141649
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/iBUYPOWER

 

[jackamok]

Oh, thanks for the info...I think i'll build it myself now with your configuration

 

[AVADirect_Joe]

Hello Jackamok,


If you are interested in having a system put together, based on your price point, feel free to send me a private message.

I will also answer any questions you may have, regarding the parts used in the build.


Kind Regards,

 

[zalittle]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/280025-31-build-1500-rate

this is my future 1500 .00 build