New Desktop build under $2000

[fps_noob]

Hello, I am looking to build a new desktop...


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: next week

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: mostly gaming (FPS, some MMO), a little video editing

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, OS (already have windows 7 ultimate I can use)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com but I'm open to recommendations

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Whatever lasts me best

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I put together a wishlist for parts I wanted to get:

[strike]http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=13673246[/strike]

I would prefer to only go cheaper from that price. Thank you for all your help.

*Edit* new list:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=8818069

 

[mavanhel]

Few things:

1. There are cheaper PSUs out there that are still quality. Look into OCZ StealthXStream or GameXStream, both of which can be as low as $60 (for 700W).

2. For you HSF get the Cooler Master Hyper 212+. It is the best bang for your buck and in the same price range as that Arctic Cooling one. (See this article)

3. ATI is destroying nVidia with they're new 5xxx video cards. Go for the 5850 (~$300) or if you're willing to go up a little more the 5870 (~$400)

4. If you're just gaming (with a little video encoding, depending on your definition of little) you won't need more than 4GB of RAM. 4GB is a great number to suggest because you will be able to do anything you want with that, but if you find that it's a little slow, you could always go back and grab another 4GB. I just don't want you spending $140 when it might not even help you significantly.

5. Look for some cheaper RAM with tighter timings, CL8 or lower is generally good. G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 12800CL7 is $20 less than your last one and better.

 

[MadAdmiral]

Most of that's all wrong. I'll start over with the $2K max budget.

CPU: i7-860 $280
Mobo: Asus P7P55D-E Pro $190
RAM: Corsair XMS3 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $110
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $90
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $24
HSF: Not necessary until you overclock
PSU: SeaSonic 850W 80+ Silver Certified $110
Case: HAF 922 $90
GPU: HD 5870 $400

Total: $1,294. Stick in a 128 GB SSD for $400, and that monitor, leaves your total at $1,824 for a better system.

 

[fps_noob]

I haven't looked into the parts people recommended to me yet, but one thing I should mention is that I selected 2 sets of the 4 gig kits. It is easy to miss, I apologize that I didn't mention it in the first post

@ madadmiral, why do you recommend that cooler master cast over the antec 902?

 

[mavanhel]

Ya, I realized you picked 2 sets of 4GB kits, but 8GB isn't really necessary by today's standards, which is why I suggested starting with one kit and then if you felt like it was necessary getting another kit. The HAF 922 was suggested because it's $40 cheaper, bigger (even though it's still called a mid tower it's bigger than some full towers) and has amazing airflow for cooling. You can also add a few other fans to make it an air cooling beast. I should've mentioned the HAF 922 switch but it completely slipped my mind.

 

[MadAdmiral]

That pretty much covers it. I actually use a 902, but I got it during a sale when it was the same price, which made it a toss up.

 

[fps_noob]

Ok, so I made a new wishlist based on your recommendations.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=8818069

I decided that I want to get a HSF so that I could easily overclock once I get the system set up and I do enough research. Are there any other suggestions?

 

[MadAdmiral]

Check out this article. The CM Hyper was the best budget one, but the Scythe Mugen 2 Rev-B was better at a higher price.

You might want to get a larger SSD if you can afford it. A 30 GB one will basically hold the OS and that's it, as SSDs like to have empty space.

 

[banthracis]

Um if you're making a $2k system either xfire those 5850's or just get a 5970.

Also, combo some stuff, you can save a lot of money that way.

Price/performance a 5850 is 12%-15% slower than the 5870, but the 5870 is 33% more expensive.

Monitor wise swap the asus out for a 24.6" 1920x1080 Hanns G $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254040

 

[banthracis]

5850's $269.99 each w/ promo code VGA161302
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161302


OCZ vertex 120gb $389.00 w/ $50 MIR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227395

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The PSU is the best buy on the market but it doesn't fit in the 902.

Case / PSU - Antec 1200 / CP-850 provides a bigger / cooler case than the HAF 922 and the PSU is only one of three Antec SG-850. ANtec SG-850, Seasonic MD12) to make the Editor's Choice list here:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_PSUs

All three also get a 10.0 performance rating at jonnyguru.com

MoBo - I'd opt for one of the ne ASus SATA III / USB 3 boards

Memory - Don't see a value to DDR3-2000.....DDR3-1600 gets you to 4 Ghz and more, so really don't see the need to g0 higher unless you thinking LN2 cooling. Plus it's CAS 9 ! Long way from CAS 6 or 7. Here's CAS 6 for $10 more

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231281

CAS 7 for $109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145285

GFX - I'm assuming you selected this card specifically to play PhysX games since , in addition to the primary GPU, it has a dedicated PhysX GPU on board. If that's not the case, I'd recommend other options.

Monitor - if ya can swing it and fit it, would recommend 1920 x 1200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236047

AS5 takes 200 hours to cure.....as for the HS, how much OC you wanna do ?

For performance and ease of installation, the Prolimatech Megahalems fits both criteria. Here's what I'm putting in new builds Mega w/ IC Diamond TIM and Scythe PWMfans. For moderate OC's, one fan is fine.....you wanna low core temps above 4 GHz, then add the 2nd fan and the cable splitter.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8807/cpu-pro-01/Prolimatech_Megahalems_Rev_B_Intel_CPU_Heatsink_LGA_775_1156_1366_AM2_AM2_AM3_Hot_Item.html
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7038/thr-41/Innovation_Cooling_Diamond_7_Carat_Thermal_Compound_-_15_Grams.html?id=BZWnrfIC
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10026/fan-639/Scythe_Slip_Stream_120mm_x_25mm_PWM_Fan_-_SY1225SL12LM-P.html?tl=g36c365s936
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8418/cab-150/FrozenCPU_PMW_Y_Splitter_Cable.html

Hard Drives - Check out the performance charts and pick whatever 500 GB per platter drive performs best under your usage patterns. The WD Black 2 TB is a good choice but at smaller capacities, you are limited to the Seagate 7200.12 or the Spinpoint F3. The 7200.12 excels in gaming, multimedia and pictures whereas the F3 wins at music and movie maker. See the comparisons here (copy past link in manually, link won't work in forum):

(http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-3.5-desktop-hard-drive-charts/compare,1006.html?prod[2371]=on&prod[2770]=on)

 

[fps_noob]

I'm still looking into the other suggestions, but I cannot get a bigger monitor. I move back and forth between home and college, and moving a large monitor would be rather tough.

Edit: updated the SSD, at this point the desktop is over 2k after tax and shipping though...

 

[fps_noob]

Can someone explain to me why I should get ASUS P7P55D-E over ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i. The sabertooth appears to be a better motherboard outside of the lack of USB 3.0. I figured that if I get a 3.0 compatible device I could just get a USB 3.0 card...

 

[fps_noob]

Bump, I would like to order the parts tonight or tomorrow, any final comments are appreciated.

 

[mavanhel]

The p7p55d-e pro is cheaper than that Sabertooth, has SATA III USB 3.0, and the features of the Sabertooth don't look like anything too special. If you feel you could make use if it though, by all means, get it the Sabertooth.

 

[logitic]

Most of that's all wrong. I'll start over with the $2K max budget.

CPU: i7-860 $280
Mobo: Asus P7P55D-E Pro $190
RAM: Corsair XMS3 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $110
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $90
Optical: Cheapest SATA DVD burner $24
HSF: Not necessary until you overclock
PSU: SeaSonic 850W 80+ Silver Certified $110
Case: HAF 922 $90
GPU: HD 5870 $400

Total: $1,294. Stick in a 128 GB SSD for $400, and that monitor, leaves your total at $1,824 for a better system.[/quotems

I agree with everything MadAdmiral suggested except the HAF 922. That's a pretty big Mid size case. Hope you have a big desk to put in on.

 

[MadAdmiral]

It's huge, but the case has to big to fit the GPU. And you can always put it on the floor, where towers belong. It's not advertised as a desktop case...

 

[fps_noob]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, I ordered my parts today, can't wait to put together this bad boy.

 

[fps_noob]

Best answer selected by fps_noob.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey