Building a <$1000 gaming rig to last through the ages

[TheAfroWai]

Hey Guys. I recently Received a Core i7 930 as a gift and now I am compelled to build a system around it. I'd like to think of myself as an educated consumer and would like to look to you for advice and suggestions. One major aspect of the computer I build will be its ability to last through the ages. As an example of what I mean, my brother built his computer 6 years ago when Sata and PCIe were relatively new. He didnt buy all of the newest and most expensive components he got around 2nd best, and today, his computer still runs all of the newest games. Albeit not at the highest settings, but pretty close. My idea is to do as much work and research now, so that in the future I wont have any reason to regret.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: As soon as possible.

BUDGET RANGE: Up to $1000. preferably less

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Porn > Gaming > Mild 3D modeling > Movies > Surfing the net

PARTS REQUIRED: Motherboard, Memory, Graphics Card, Case, Power Supply

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I don't care, I live in New York, USA though.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

Power Supply
For the power supply, I've been recommended the corsair 650TX and it looks pretty good. Will it supply enough power for Sli or Crossfire?

Processor
Core i7 930

Mother Board
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R
I was drawn to this motherboard based on the recent article from toms hardware about LGA1366 boards with USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb support.

Video Card
By personal preference, I've always leaned toward nVidia over ATI. I have been looking at the 200 and 400 series and am currently unsure which one to get. I will only be getting 1 card for now and would like to leave the option open for Dual cards in the future. I find the 400 series to be extremely expensive, but am I sacrificing a lot of future potential if I get a 200 series card? Finally, if ATI has something with a clear advantage, then I am definitely open to suggestions.

Memory
I plan to get 6gb. 12 is just ridiculous. I haven't begun my research on memory yet, so I don't have any educated choices of what I want to get.

 

[Alvin Smith]

. . . " to last through the ages ".

HAF 922 Case ... Has provisions for LONG GPUs and H2O and extreme "future flex".
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

You prolly cannot afford a Seasonic "X" Series 750W PSU ... or even one of the best Corsairs but the Corsair 750W Bronze is a keeper (for future xFire builds), and is under $100 ... WOULD NOT GO LOWER (unless a cheaper Seasonic).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=corsair%20750

ALSO ... The CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ CPU cooler is great for the 930 and will cool ANY MODERN SOCKET with aplomb. ... it is usually $25~$30 BUT just jumped to $45 at newegg !! (comes with paste & fan).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=hyper_212-_-35-103-065-_-Product

These are infrastructure ... all will move to future builds ...

BASE YOUR BUILD ON ONE 5850 (for now).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102884&cm_re=sapphire_5850-_-14-102-884-_-Product

= Al =

 

[Alvin Smith]

Best X58 gaming mobo, for the $$$ ... Also ... This Ram

GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423&cm_re=gigabyte_x58-_-13-128-423-_-Product

ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

 

[Alvin Smith]

Drives HDD & Optical

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=f3%20500


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032&cm_re=dvdr_sata_optiarc-_-27-118-032-_-Product

 

[TheAfroWai]

Wow thanks for the very thorough reply Alvin. I will take your recommendation and purchase the 750 Watt PSU instead of the 650.

Is there a particular reason you recommended GSkill RAM over something like Crucial or Corsair? I have read similar recommendations from many different forums but I cant help but feel that something like Corsair is a more name brand.

I was definitely considering the Radeon 5850 and the Geforce 470. I have read some reviews that the 5850 was better for the price

Thanks for the cooler recommendation that part completely slipped my mind.
i havent really looked at cases yet but the one you posted looks pretty good, and its cheap!

Thanks again,
Wai

 

[Alvin Smith]

I'm not going to defend my RAM choice ... Those who are in the know get it.

nutshell? ... corsair is way overpriced (way) ... G.Skill is consistent quality (few RMAs) and gives you the best speed/CAS for the money.

It's cheap .. It's fast .. It just works.

= g'luck ! =

 

[TheAfroWai]

is there any specific difference between video cards manufactured by different companies?

I plan to get the Radeon 5850 and looking between the HIS model and the Sapphire model. The prices are pretty much similar and I want to know if there is a difference. If i get one brand today and want to crossfire in the future would I have to buy the same exact card or would any Radeon 5850 do?

HIS H585FN1GD Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161330

SAPPHIRE 100282-3SR Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102884

 

[Alvin Smith]

Sapphire ... Japaneese caps and copper coils ... lower emi/rfi and a quality builder for decades.

 

[Jinnistacia]

Corsair XMS3 3x2GB DDR3-1600 CL7 $155 after $30 rebate

G-Skill is usually lower-priced. If you're going with the 5850, you can drop down to a 650w and maybe an Antec 300 Illusion or CM 690 for the case.

And, the usual favorite Hyper 212+ is now $57+ after shipping (ﾟДﾟ|||), so maybe you should look at a Scythe SCMG-2100 (aka Mugen, "Infinity"), or buy it somewhere else.

--Jin

 

[Jacks_85]

definitly 5850 for video card

i have gkill ram right now and it worked great...seems that more ppl are willing to get gkill over corsair for price reasons

 

[banthracis]

Hyper 212 Plus $30 at amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-RR-B10-212P-G1-Universal-Heat-Pipe/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275486409&sr=8-1

Scythe def performs better, but requires a separate mounting kit and is a major PITA to get on.

I'd still go with the G skill over the Corsair. Keep multiplier low, under clock the G SKill a bit and it does 7-7-7-21 fine. Also, you shouldn't be using 1.65v RAM when 1.5v kits are around.

The Corsair price is very good atm though. Too bad there aren't any good combo's for the PI kit atm.

It's more than price. G Skill sells you better RAM then what you pay for. IE, they overclock and handle tighter than spec timings really well. Corsairs, not as much. Not bad at all, but G SKill really gives you the most for your money.

 

[TheAfroWai]

so in the end here is what im getting:
Graphics Card: HIS Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro)
Power Supply: CORSAIR 750TX 750W
Mother Board:GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R
Memory: G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Case: LIAN LI Lancool PC-K62
Cooler: Corsair H50
In the end I have decided to get the Corsair h50 and try it out because of its uniqueness in the world of retail cheap coolers. based on test results it seems to have the same performance as the thermalright 120 so that reassured me a little too.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1025/6/

 

[Jacks_85]

looks good!

 

[Alvin Smith]

better read ALL the reviews on that cooler (starting with the worst) ... I think the Megahalems with Noctua Fans would be hassle-free, for-ev-er.

 

[TheAfroWai]

Pictures

http://tinypic.com/r/2u87xjo/6
http://tinypic.com/r/2hyv5tx/6

 

[Jacks_85]

ia this your build?

 

[Alvin Smith]

very tidy ... VERY !

 

[Jacks_85]

ya gj on the wiring!