$1500 gaming build

[racermx187]

PPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-2 weeks BUDGET RANGE: 1500 Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, web, music

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard and mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: good ole' USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Nvidia and would like at least a 23" monitor

OVERCLOCKING: Yes (mild) SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: need a monitor so 1900x1200 would be good

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This is for a friend of mine and he insists on Nvidia. He needs an OS and everything. My general idea was a GTX470 with an i5-750 as the basis for the system unless anyone else has a better plan.

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[MadAdmiral]

I would highly recommend steering clear of nVidia. Right now, their cards are too expensive to really be a viable option. Also, the higher heat and power requirements are a detriment to expansion and overclocking.

Here's what I'd suggest (working on exact links and prices):

CPU/Mobo: i5-750 and Asus P7P55D-E Pro $365
RAM: G.Skill Eco 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $110
GPU: HD 5870 $390
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $70
PSU/Case: Antec 900 and TruePower 750W $165 after rebate
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $20
HSF: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus (Check Amazon. Newegg's price for it is obscene. It should be around $30)
Monitor: Asus 23" 1080p $180 after rebate
OS: Windows 7 Home 64-bit OEM $100

Total: $1,430

 

[racermx187]

I would highly recommend steering clear of nVidia. Right now, their cards are too expensive to really be a viable option. Also, the higher heat and power requirements are a detriment to expansion and overclocking.

Here's what I'd suggest (working on exact links and prices):

CPU/Mobo: i5-750 and Asus P7P55D-E Pro $365
RAM/GPU: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 and HD 5870 $505
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $70
PSU/Case: Antec 900 and TruePower 750W $165 after rebate
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $20
HSF: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus (Check Amazon. Newegg's price for it is obscene. It should be around $30)
Monitor: Asus 23" 1080p $180 after rebate
OS: Windows 7 Home 64-bit OEM $100

Total:

That looks good but my buddy will not budge on the Nvidia thing. He has played on my rig with my 5850 and sees how well they perform buy he is a Nvidia fanboy to the death

 

[MadAdmiral]

If he won't listen to reason (or his wallet):

PSU: Corsair 850W $120 after rebate
Case: HAF 922 $90
GPU: GTX 470 $350

Total: $1,435.

This WILL be worse performing than the build above. I'd also hazard a guess that it's about equivalent to an i5/5850 system, just with a much higher power usage and more heat.

 

[banthracis]

It's possible to work in the 480 to Mad's build with following changes.

GPU /PSU
GTX 480 and Thermaltake Toughpower 775W $565 w/ $25 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.382621

Case HAF 922 $90

G SKill Ripjaw kit $100 after promo code
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&cm_re=ripjaw_1600-_-20-231-303-_-Product

Technically $1520, but with the MIR down to $1495. You could get a smaller monitor is you really wanted to knock under $1500 before rebates.

Still better off with ATI though. The power and heat of Fermi's is pretty ridiculous.

 

[MadAdmiral]

That promo code ends tomorrow though. Also, I'm not a fan of Thermaltake's PSUs, and I certainly wouldn't trust one to run two 480s down the road...

 

[banthracis]

The PSU itself is fine, rates as well as the corsair 750 actually on jonny guru. Just looks ugly as hell.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=182

But yea, not way it'll run 2 480's. Hell, the 2 OC 470's in today's marathon build topped 850 watts... yea, that's more than 2 5970's...