Free CPU, RAM, MOBO, OS -- please help w/ rest of game rig

[dengis]

Hello everyone,

I have a good friend who is the CTO of a tech company. He heard I wanted to build a computer for gaming and volunteered to give me some demo equipment he had no use for anymore. So, here is his gift to me:

Motherboard: DP55SB
Processor: Core i7-860
RAM: DDR3-1006 2G x 3
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Ultimate, 64 bit

My intent with this computer is for it to be a great gaming platform. I intend to buy a 22-26 inch HD flat panel to pair with it. The types of games I intend to play are Starcraft II, the new Diablo whenever it comes out, Crysis, WoW, Oblivion, (whatever else I've missed in the last 3 years without a good desktop) etc., etc.

So please give me some advice on how I should build this out. I'm new to this, but will have help putting it all together. I'd be thrilled to spend under $700 for the remaining parts (though I can exceed this if necessary).

Preferred website: Newegg
Purchase Horizon: With 2 weeks
Overclocking: I'm open to it, but is it even necessary? I'd prefer not to if the cpu can handle everything as is.

Case?
Flat Panel suggestions?
Video Cards (1 or 2)?
Power Supply?
Cooler (won't a good fan be sufficient)?
HD?
DVD?
Flat Panel?
Speakers?

Anything else I need (assuming I have a mouse and keyboard)

Thanks all for the help! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

 

[sk1939]

Thats some really nice equipment that you got for free.

Monitor

HP Debranded 25" $229
1920 x 1080
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824228016&cm_re=HP_monitor-_-24-228-016-_-Product

OR

HP 24" S-IPS Refurbished $219
1900x1200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176144

Case: $79.99
Antec P180 Micro ATX (Has some soundproofing for quiet running, cable management trays, and PSU on the bottom in a seperate zone.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129044&cm_re=antec_case-_-11-129-044-_-Product

PSU: $120
Corsair 650HX 650W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012&cm_re=PSU-_-17-139-012-_-Product

Heatsink: $26

Scythe

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185140&cm_re=1366_heatsink-_-35-185-140-_-Product

DVD Drive: $29
HP DVDRW

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140042&cm_re=dvd_writer-_-27-140-042-_-Product

Graphics: $169.99
Radeon 5770

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462&cm_re=5770-_-14-150-462-_-Product

HDD: $99
WD Caviar Black 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284&cm_re=caviar_black_1tb-_-22-136-284-_-Product

[strike]Total: 643.94[/strike] $734.99 including more expensive monitor. So a little over budget.

[strike]Optional and not included in price:[/strike]
Blue Ray Drive $65 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135205&cm_re=blue_ray_drive-_-27-135-205-_-Product

Edit: Forgot the HDD

 

[xrome]

I would look at these three cases, cant beat them for the price:

LIAN LI Lancool PC-K62
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112239&cm_re=lancool-_-11-112-239-_-Product

CM HAF 922
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Video Card: Sapphire 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102884&cm_re=5850-_-14-102-884-_-Product

Power Supply: Corsair 650TX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&cm_re=corsair_650-_-17-139-005-_-Product

All ROCK solid parts. I chose that sapphire version of the 5850 because it is VERY quiet, shorter than the reference card design, runs cool and is the cheapest 5850 on newegg. Win-Win-Win etc.

Don't let people convince you that you need a 1000W PSU... Get a corsair though.

The cases are solid choices, but case has a lot to do with personal preference.
Could also look into Scout or Sniper cases by CM, the Antec 902...

MUST have feature IMO is cable management holes, having a PSU on the bottom makes the case look cleaner, and cable management is better = lower case temps.

 

[mortonww]

If your main focus is gaming, I think these should be the remainder of your components:

Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066
-$60

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500 GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
-$55

(spinpoint f3's are sold out)

Monitor: ASUS MS226H Glossy 21.5" 2ms 1080p monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236071
-$165 after rebate

GPU: ASUS EAH5850 DIRECTCU Radeon
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121375
-$320

PSU: Corsair 650TX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
-$70 after rebate

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view



You don't want to limit yourself to a 5770 in a gaming rig at 1080p. This case is cheap but is very good (great cooling, enough space).

The total is $756.93 before any rebates or shipping. After rebates, it's 721.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Rare that you see Intel Boards in a gaming box but don't look at a gift horse in the mouth

Antec 902 w/ EA-650 $175 (Bigger and roomier w/ better cooling than smaller cases....won't have to upgrade to do twin cards)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.387140

HD - Seagate 7200.12 $80 (could go smaller but bargain price)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433&cm_re=7200.12-_-22-148-433-_-Product

DVD - Any $25 DVD writer

GFX - nVidia 470 $360
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550

or

ASUS EAH5850 DIRECTCU/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121375&cm_re=5850-_-14-121-375-_-Product

the 5850 would save $40 but the cost in dollars per frame (DX11 9 bench average)) is $9.48 for the 5850 and $9.33 for the 470 making the latter a better buy.

Cooler - Use stock cooler since OC won't be big opportunity I expect on Intel board.

Monitor - Asus 1920 x 1080 $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051

I'm $100 over ya budget but I wanted to get you into HD (1920 x 1080) range for future upgrade ability....anything cheaper would put you into a compromise in that regard....for example....a 5770 would knock off $200 but they struggle with Dx11 at 1920 x 1200 and hi settings.....a 500 GB HD would knock off $25 but your getting that 2nd 500 GB for half price by comparison.

If you do have to shave, I'd get the $55 500 GB 7200.12 and a 5850 as a minimum ...that gets you to $735.

 

[sk1939]

I do feel like I have to add something though, and thats the amount of cases that have the annoying lit leds...some people like them but they annoy me, especially when your in the same room with them trying to sleep. If they're in a seperate room that may be less of a problem, I personally don't like them to begin with. Something to take into consideration when choosing a case.

 

[dengis]

Thats some really nice equipment that you got for free.

Monitor

HP Debranded 25" $229
1920 x 1080
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824228016&cm_re=HP_monitor-_-24-228-016-_-Product

OR

HP 24" S-IPS Refurbished $219
1900x1200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176144

Case: $79.99
Antec P180 Micro ATX (Has some soundproofing for quiet running, cable management trays, and PSU on the bottom in a seperate zone.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129044&cm_re=antec_case-_-11-129-044-_-Product

PSU: $120
Corsair 650HX 650W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012&cm_re=PSU-_-17-139-012-_-Product

Heatsink: $26

Scythe

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185140&cm_re=1366_heatsink-_-35-185-140-_-Product

DVD Drive: $29
HP DVDRW

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140042&cm_re=dvd_writer-_-27-140-042-_-Product

Graphics: $169.99
Radeon 5770

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462&cm_re=5770-_-14-150-462-_-Product

HDD: $99
WD Caviar Black 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284&cm_re=caviar_black_1tb-_-22-136-284-_-Product

[strike]Total: 643.94[/strike] $734.99 including more expensive monitor. So a little over budget.

[strike]Optional and not included in price:[/strike]
Blue Ray Drive $65 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135205&cm_re=blue_ray_drive-_-27-135-205-_-Product

Edit: Forgot the HDD

Forgot to mention that I can get a Dell-branded HD 24" monitor for about 130 (have an employee discount code).

 

[dengis]

Rare that you see Intel Boards in a gaming box but don't look at a gift horse in the mouth

Antec 902 w/ EA-650 $175 (Bigger and roomier w/ better cooling than smaller cases....won't have to upgrade to do twin cards)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.387140

HD - Seagate 7200.12 $80 (could go smaller but bargain price)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433&cm_re=7200.12-_-22-148-433-_-Product

DVD - Any $25 DVD writer

GFX - nVidia 470 $360
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550

or

ASUS EAH5850 DIRECTCU/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121375&cm_re=5850-_-14-121-375-_-Product

the 5850 would save $40 but the cost in dollars per frame (DX11 9 bench average)) is $9.48 for the 5850 and $9.33 for the 470 making the latter a better buy.

Cooler - Use stock cooler since OC won't be big opportunity I expect on Intel board.

Monitor - Asus 1920 x 1080 $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051

I'm $100 over ya budget but I wanted to get you into HD (1920 x 1080) range for future upgrade ability....anything cheaper would put you into a compromise in that regard....for example....a 5770 would knock off $200 but they struggle with Dx11 at 1920 x 1200 and hi settings.....a 500 GB HD would knock off $25 but your getting that 2nd 500 GB for half price by comparison.

If you do have to shave, I'd get the $55 500 GB 7200.12 and a 5850 as a minimum ...that gets you to $735.

I definitely want to run in HD. If I could spend 1000, would that significantly change the vid card selection or would you just double up and put it into Crossfire (can I even do crossfire with this cpu/mobo combo)? I'm wondering where I slip from real bang for my buck to just spending money chasing unneeded frames... any thoughts?

 

[dengis]

Hello everyone,

I have a good friend who is the CTO of a tech company. He heard I wanted to build a computer for gaming and volunteered to give me some demo equipment he had no use for anymore. So, here is his gift to me:

Motherboard: DP55SB
Processor: Core i7-860
RAM: DDR3-1006 2G x 3
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Ultimate, 64 bit

My intent with this computer is for it to be a great gaming platform. I intend to buy a 22-26 inch HD flat panel to pair with it. The types of games I intend to play are Starcraft II, the new Diablo whenever it comes out, Crysis, WoW, Oblivion, (whatever else I've missed in the last 3 years without a good desktop) etc., etc.

So please give me some advice on how I should build this out. I'm new to this, but will have help putting it all together. I'd be thrilled to spend under $700 for the remaining parts (though I can exceed this if necessary).

Preferred website: Newegg
Purchase Horizon: With 2 weeks
Overclocking: I'm open to it, but is it even necessary? I'd prefer not to if the cpu can handle everything as is.

Case?
Flat Panel suggestions?
Video Cards (1 or 2)?
Power Supply?
Cooler (won't a good fan be sufficient)?
HD?
DVD?
Flat Panel?
Speakers?

Anything else I need (assuming I have a mouse and keyboard)

Thanks all for the help! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Failed to mention that I can get a Dell-branded HD 24" flat panel for about $130 (have an employee discount coupon).

 

[xrome]

I definitely want to run in HD. If I could spend 1000, would that significantly change the vid card selection or would you just double up and put it into Crossfire (can I even do crossfire with this cpu/mobo combo)? I'm wondering where I slip from real bang for my buck to just spending money chasing unneeded frames... any thoughts?

5850 is a bang for the buck card and so is the 5770. 5770 isn't enough for you though, so you move up to 5850. The 5830 just isnt worth the price tag. nVidia 470 seems nice at only $50 more, but it takes more power to run it and that reduces the cost/frames argument.

If I had $1000 I would still just get 1 5850. or at most a 5870. Crossfire is a waste. Takes more power and $$ to run them (which means bigger PSU also...), just get 1 solid card.

CF 5850's is chasing unnecessary frames...

I wouldnt get a case without cable management holes (i.e., Antec 300 isn't good enough IMO)

 

[sk1939]

+1

The 5770 is a good card, but if you like your FPS, get the 5850 or 5870. I would have chosen them, but I wanted to stick as close to your given budget as possible.