$2000AU Gaming system

[Mark Heath]

I previously posted for help with this build: http://tinyurl.com/myotherbuild-01 earlier and now I've finally got a concrete budget, some better outlines and a large portion of the money

Man I'm pumped... Finally a computer that I actually own

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Withing about 1 month (likely either ~2 weeks or 6 weeks, depends how parental funding goes... I also want to wait for some prices to go down a bit)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (not hardcore), then general use and homework stuff like ms office are about the same importance

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: The usual things not needed in a whole new system (the budget includes OS)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I'm in Aussie and will be purchasing my components from msy - local brick'n'mortar shop for those who've never heard of it. They have a (regrettably terrible) website. Direct link to price pdf: http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf
Also might use Centrecom and/or PCcasegear.
(centrecom.com.au pccasegear.com.au)

PARTS PREFERENCES: Not really any

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: In future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: preferably 1920x1080 but something close doesn't really matter

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Except for being maintained/cleaned and crossfiring, I don't plan to upgrade this much more. (I prefer to build whole new systems so I can LAN older games with friends) This system will be doing some moving around, so an overly heavy case is something I'd prefer not to have, but it's okay I guess.

So far:

$252 Intel i5 750
$205 Asus P7P55D-E PRO (or maybe the Gigabyte P55A-UD4P for its dual-LAN which I might find useful)
$152 G.Skill 4GB Kit 1600 ECO (checking the model with them)
$87 Samsung 1TB (checking the model with them)
$342 Gigabyte 1GB 5850 (checking the model with them)
$119 Cooler Master Storm Scout
$199 Corsair HX-750
$30 Sony SATA OEM optical
$39 Cooler Master Hyper 212+
$22 Logitech Media 600
$33 Logitech MX518
$17 Decent mousepad (something I currently lack.. yes it's almost as much as the mouse, but not a big range)
$95 Logitech Z-523
$229 Asus 23.6" VH242H
$157 Windows 7 Pro OEM

$1978 TOTAL

I think $2000 worth of components here is about $1650US Newegg prices?

I think that's everything..
Thanks in advance for any help/advice

 

[WR2]

The Corsair HX-750 PSU is sized for 2 5870s. A Corsair 650TX would handle 2x 5850s and extra HDDs/SSDs, case fans, etc.
A Corsair 550VX would have more than enough for your system staying with a single 5850 or with an equivalent next gen upgrade card.
Everything else is looking nicely balanced.

What's your thinking on ordering Windows 7 Pro vs Home Premium?

 

[Mark Heath]

Hmm.. alright I'll swap to the TX-650, since I'll add another 5850 in a year or so

What's your thinking on ordering Windows 7 Pro vs Home Premium?

This one I had to do a lot of research/thinking about. The main thing for me is that I think I read somewhere that support for Pro was longer than HP by a few years but I conveniently can't find where I read this... The price of HP also went up by about $10 recently. ($113 vs $157) Still thinking about it. Any help on deciding between them?

 

[Mark Heath]

found the links:

HP: http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-au&x=9&y=15&p1=14484
Pro: http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-au&x=12&y=9&p1=14481
(Australia)

Does this mean that support for HP will cut out sooner than Pro?

 

[apachaihopachai]

I'm in Australia too and am going to build something similar cept I'm leaning towards an AMD build.

Quick comment on RAM choice, for that price you could get the ripjaws from pccasegear.com. Same 1600mhz. As far as i know, it'll be better for overclocking as the ECo series r limited in terms of voltages. Correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[Mark Heath]

I thought the lower voltages would help overclocking, since you can raise them up to the same level as the ripjaws (and beyond)

Someone's o'cd eco ram:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=239426&page=2

 

[apachaihopachai]

Fair enough mate. I must have misread one of the reviews. Good luck on your build. I just ordered mine through pccasegear. Can't wait.

 

[Mark Heath]

thanks

Everything will actually fit in the scout though right? (cpu cooler and graphics in particular)

 

[Mark Heath]

Apparently the 5850s fit fine.

Updated list:

$249 Intel i5 750
$205 Asus P7P55D-E PRO (or maybe the Gigabyte P55A-UD4P for its dual-LAN which I might find useful)
$152 G.Skill 4GB Kit 1600 ECO (checking the model with them)
$87 Samsung 1TB (checking the model with them)
$339 HIS 1GB 5850 (checking the model with them)
$125 Cooler Master Storm Scout
$199 Corsair HX-750
$30 Sony SATA OEM optical
$39 Cooler Master Hyper 212+
$22 Logitech Media 600
$33 Logitech MX518
$16 Razer mouse pad
$95 Logitech Z-523
$229 Asus 23.6" VH242H
$153 Windows 7 Pro OEM

Totals just under $1900

 

[Nerdbox87]

Hey so my two bobs worth;

Get the UD4P over the Asus Board. <3 Gigabyte Mobos at the moment.

Get Ripjaws (atleast C8s) over the Eco. I think the ones MSY sells are C9s but you can get the C8s from PC Case Gear for 153$. CL7s arent worth the significant price jump imo (in Aus atleast).

Only get the Samsung Drive if its the F3 Spinpoint, which i'm sure you're aware of (These are 99$ from PC Case Gear otherwise)

I'd probably prefer a CM 690 Advanced II ($125) or HAF922 ($140) instead of the Scout, but alot of that is just personal preference really.

Also I don't think Windows 7 Pro is worth the extra 40$ or so. (I bought it and dont use any of the extra features - and I think you're overthinking the extended support past 2015 or whatever)

Also the HX-750 is a great PSU - however you can get the HX850 from Centrecom.com.au or PC Case Gear for only 23/24$ more. Given that the jump from the HX650 to the HX750 was 50$ or so the next jump up for 23$ makes sense. Though you wont use it now even if you were to add another 5850 - you may be glad for the choice down the track for your next build.

Otherwise you could consider a x4 965 build with a GPA-UD3H motherboard - though the i5 is nice. I decided on the AMD build because i wanted 16x/16x crossfire and the possibility of cpu upgrades down the track (and also the 75$ saving or so is nice)

Don't have too much imput with your peripherals as i've never used those. My G15 keyboard (Mine was about 70$ a year or so ago / Sidewinder X8 Mouse (75$) are madness though if you wanna splurge a bit more.

Cheers

 

[Mark Heath]

With the PSU, I meant to change the updated one to TX-650 for $119 (sorry)

I do actually prefer Gigabyte, but that Asus board supports Crossfire and USB 3+SATA 3 and the Gigabyte board only supports Crossfire or USB 3 + SATA 3. So I'll probably go for the Asus, since I'll be crossfiring and using USB 3 in future.

What are shipping costs off PC case gear? cos some of their stuff.. I never knew there was something like this in Australia

I might end up getting most (or at least a few things) of the stuff from PC case gear, since I'm still waiting on model numbers from MSY.

With Windows, after having a bit of a talk in the wind7 forums here, I'm going HP instead.

MX518's supposed to be really good for it's price. It's been given 1000+ reviews (mostly good) on newegg and it's been recommended by TH/TG. THe K/B is really just cos I don't have the money for a really good keyboard and i don't like spending too much on periperals if the computer isn't that much..

ty

 

[Nerdbox87]

With the PSU, I meant to change the updated one to TX-650 for $119 (sorry)

I do actually prefer Gigabyte, but that Asus board supports Crossfire and USB 3+SATA 3 and the Gigabyte board only supports Crossfire or USB 3 + SATA 3. So I'll probably go for the Asus, since I'll be crossfiring and using USB 3 in future.

What are shipping costs off PC case gear? cos some of their stuff.. I never knew there was something like this in Australia

I might end up getting most (or at least a few things) of the stuff from PC case gear, since I'm still waiting on model numbers from MSY.

With Windows, after having a bit of a talk in the wind7 forums here, I'm going HP instead.

MX518's supposed to be really good for it's price. It's been given 1000+ reviews (mostly good) on newegg and it's been recommended by TH/TG. THe K/B is really just cos I don't have the money for a really good keyboard and i don't like spending too much on periperals if the computer isn't that much..

ty

PC Case Gears shipping costs are very reasonable. Usually about 15-20$ for express postage for a full system build though the minimium charge (even on 1 fan) seems to be 11$. You can also pick the items up from Dingley Village (south eastern suburbs) For a few items though they are significantly more expensive then MSY. You can also try Centrecom.com.au who usually have well priced motherboards/cpus and screens etc (on par with MSY). Though they only stock expensive corsair ram. They post too.

The MX518 is indeed very good - i just passed it on to my G/F when i moved up to that wireless x8 sidewinder. (which is amazing). After awhile the 1800dpi wasnt enough and i now run @ 3000dpi while gaming. Fair enough with the keyboard - though a basic Razer one is 45$ and might be worth considering. (if only cause they are pretty)

Okie doke go the asus mobo then! I thought the ud4p was crossfire and USB3 :S not either or.

KK tx-650 is also good - though imo modular is nice.

Anyway looks like a good build

 

[Mark Heath]

Updated again:

$249 Intel i5 750
$205 Asus P7P55D-E PRO (or maybe the Gigabyte P55A-UD4P for its dual-LAN which I might find useful)
$152 G.Skill 4GB Kit 1600 C8 Ripjaws
$87 Samsung 1TB (checking the model with them - alternative is F3 1TB for $99)
$339 HIS 1GB 5850 (checking the model with them)
$119 Cooler Master Storm Scout
$119 Corsair TX-650
$30 Sony SATA OEM optical
$39 Cooler Master Hyper 212+
$22 Logitech Media 600
$33 Logitech MX518
$16 Razer mouse pad
$95 Logitech Z-523
$229 Asus 23.6" VH242H
$112 Windows 7 HP OEM

$1847 TOTAL

I think I should mention this since the price is going down - $2000 is the absolute maximum and a bit cheaper is preferable (which is why I'm happy with $1847)

 

[Mark Heath]

I'd like a modular psu, but are there any good ones that aren't too expensive? (and are more than 600W)

I'll buy the RAM and case from PC gear if the model Number I get from MSY isn't the better RAM, if it's good RAM though, I'll just buy everything from MSY

 

[Mark Heath]

After going through the model numbers with MSY and CPL and checking the prices at CPL and PCCG, this is the (probably) final system without a keyboard, as I'm still deciding on that:

$249 MSY Intel i5 750
$152 MSY G.Skill 4GB 1600 C9 ECO
$205 MSY Asus P7P55D-E PRO
$85 MSY Seagate 1TB 7200.12
$339 MSY HIS 1GB 5850
$33 MSY Logitech MX518
$16 MSY Razer Golaithus Standard Control
$229 MSY Asus 24" VH242H
$95 MSY Logitech Z-523
$125 MSY Cooler Master Storm Scout
$119 MSY Corsair TX-650
$30 MSY Sony SATA OEM
$36 CPL Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
$111 MSY Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM

TOTAL: $1824 (no kb)

I didn't feel the the shipping costs of PCCG paid off, so I decided to not buy from them atm (since I was only getting a few things anyway) I'm also getting Office 2007 Retail Academic from CPL, which is why I'm bothering to buy the Hyper 212+ at a marginally better price. (MSY $39)

Still not sure about a keyboard. I'm willing to spend up to $50 on better keyboard, but I'm not too keen on getting the black version of the Razer Arctosa (which is the only version the MSY and CPL currently sell) I'm considering the Microsoft Sidewinder X4 and any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Mark Heath]

Decided on the arctosa, since I found the silver. Switched to the HX-650 as well.

Thanks for the help, I'll post pics (either here or in a new thread) when I've built it, which will hopefully be in a week or 2.

thanks again for all the help, you've been really.... helpful

 

[Mark Heath]

Best answer selected by Mark Heath.

 

[Nerdbox87]

Congrats! enjoy - very well rounded build.

Good choices in the end for sure.