$1200 gaming/everyday use build

[PanickerA]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within the next 2 weeks BUDGET RANGE: $1200 USD Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: most important is just every day use, but the most intensive use will be for gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg, tigerdirect (whatever is cheapest and reliable) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US (New York City)

PARTS PREFERENCES: intel cpu (this is my first build, so I'd like to stick with something familiar), ATi (unless someone can convince me that nVidia is worth it)

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, initially to ~3.0, then with aftermarket HSF to ~3.4 SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like a powerful (but not overpowered) computer build for everyday use, but with gaming in mind. I would also like it to be relatively quiet.
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MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard w/ USB 3.0 & SATA 6 Gb/s

CPU: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH

GPU: XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

CASE: Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

HEATSINK: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler

WIRELESS CARD: EDIMAX EW-7128G IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Wireless Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, AES

SIDE FAN: Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120mm Case Fan

MONITOR: SX2210 55cm (21.5") Full HD Widescreen Monitor with Webcam

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
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***NOTE*** I appreciate all feedback, but if you are suggesting a switch of one particular component to another, please explain WHY, instead of just telling me that I should do it. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!! [:

 

[PanickerA]

NOTE: the final price for this build is sitting at $1124.86

 

[Silmarunya]

Nice setup! But for a gaming oriented build at 1920*1080, this GPU won't be able to run recent games at high settings (medium should work fine though).

If you want better gaming performance, it would be a good idea to get an AMD 955/965 (the 965 125W version if you're into heavy overclocking). The cheaper CPU and motherboard will enable you to get a better graphics card (the 5830 for example),while delivering absolutely identical gaming CPU performance.

But if you want to stick with Intel, go ahead. It's not a bad chocie at all.

 

[buddafucofibas]

NOTE: the final price for this build is sitting at $1124.86

If your a little flexible with the budget and are willing to go $50 over, you can upgrade the gpu to a 5850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150494&cm_re=5850-_-14-150-494-_-Product

just a thought. My budget was set in stone so went with the 5770 as well. But if yours isn't, I'd suggest doing so.

 

[PanickerA]

Thanks for the advice!!! would you recommend the same build if I added that I'm not gonna do any gaming except for Starcraft? It relies a lot less on the GPU and more on the CPU... I pretty much use my xbox for all other games besides PC exclusives

 

[PanickerA]

If your a little flexible with the budget and are willing to go $50 over, you can upgrade the gpu to a 5850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150494&cm_re=5850-_-14-150-494-_-Product

just a thought. My budget was set in stone so went with the 5770 as well. But if yours isn't, I'd suggest doing so.

yes I am definitely considering the 5850, and once my paycheck comes in, I'll see if I can squeeze it in my budget... and do you think XFX is the best manufacturer to get it from? (I haven't done a lot of research on manufacturers and GPUs, so I have no idea which one to go for...)

 

[buddafucofibas]

yes I am definitely considering the 5850, and once my paycheck comes in, I'll see if I can squeeze it in my budget... and do you think XFX is the best manufacturer to get it from? (I haven't done a lot of research on manufacturers and GPUs, so I have no idea which one to go for...)

I couldn't tell you friendo, I'm new to all this. But I just placed my order yesterday morning and I went with xfx for my 5770, I'm crossing my fingers :-/ I had a hard time finding info on manufacturer quality...especially for graphics cards...and its hard to get anything definite from reviews...one thing is certain about xfx though, they tend to have lower prices...but that does make me a little suspicious

 

[fastx21]

Sapphire is good, HIs is ok too. I went for a XFX 5850 because of the lifetime warranty. So far no problems with my vid card.


edit: And whatever you do don't pay $60 for the 212 Plus from newegg. They're seriously dilusional if they think people will pay so much for it, google for other places.

edit2:

If you want better gaming performance, it would be a good idea to get an AMD 955/965 (the 965 125W version if you're into heavy overclocking). The cheaper CPU and motherboard will enable you to get a better graphics card (the 5830 for example),while delivering absolutely identical gaming CPU performance.

This statement is not true, the 955 is the samething compared to the 965. It's just a factory raised clock multiplier to 17.00x. Which you can certainly do yourself and save $25. Yes I know people get it because they assume the higher number means higher speed or what not.

 

[PanickerA]

edit: And whatever you do don't pay $60 for the 212 Plus from newegg. They're seriously dilusional if they think people will pay so much for it, google for other places.

haha thanks for letting me know, I just found it on Provantage for about $20... I wonder why it's so darn expensive??

anyone have any suggestions for a decent cd drive or monitor?

 

[PanickerA]

Best answer selected by PanickerA.