- Apr 13, 2010
- 26
- 0
- 18,530
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 7/15/10 BUDGET RANGE: $1500-$2500 Before Rebates
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, networked-to-PS3 media center, surfing, streaming to phone
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: OS, Mouse
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon, Newegg COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, Intel SSD, otherwise *shrug*
OVERCLOCKING: Minimal. I plan on overclocking the CPU a bit, but I want a small case, so I'm concerned about heat. I don't know anything about overclocking memory or GPU. SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe. I'd probably prefer to stick to a single card to limit weight, but I'm not against it.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200. Something big if possible.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'd like something small. My last 2 computers have been monster-sized 9000lb full-tower rigs, and I'd like something that can game and that I can carry around. I'm also not big on lights. I would like a pretty case though, something sleek. I'd kind of like to go with a Micro ATX board if it's doable, but I'm not married to that idea at all.
Additionally, I'm getting my Intel products locally slightly used at around half of retail, so note the discounted prices on those my item list below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - $0 (MSDN)
CPU:
i7-930 - Discounted at $142
or
i7-980X - Discounted at $495
I know everybody says the i7-980 isn't worth a grand, but is it worth $500? Hell if I know.
CPU Cooling:
I was thinking the Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme - $62.99, but if I go micro ATX, I'd probably have to find something smaller.
Motherboard:
No idea here sadly. There are a few Micro ATX LGA 1366 boards on Newegg, but none of them have stellar reviews. Would I be better off just going with ATX and getting a smallish case for it? I'm also worried about massive video cards in my case selection.
Case:
Since this depends heavily on the type of motherboard I get, I haven't even considered cases yet. I've looked at a few of the mid/full-tower cases that are recommended here, and I'm cool with those. If I go with a Micro ATX board, I'll want something that's got very good airflow obviously if I end up overclocking.
GPU:
Ugh I'm so split here. I think I want to go single card... so I was thinking maybe a Radeon HD 5970. But that might be overkill for single monitor 1900x1080 gaming. So maybe the Radeon HD 5850? But then again, I kind of like 3d capability, so maybe a GTX 480? But then again, 3d limits my current monitor choices a LOT, so I may forgo that until my next build.
SSD:
Intel X25-M 160GB - Discounted at $245
HDD:
I want 4TB of storage (ISOs, movies, music, etc). This will primarily be for streaming to my PS3 and Nexus One, but I will need them at LANs and the like sometimes (most notably Quakecon). I originally planned to get a pair of 2TB internal drives, but I may end up going with external drives instead. What do you guys think? I'm stumped here.
RAM:
No idea here. I don't think there's any point in 12GB, so I figure 6GB of... something good? I was just going to list what was used in the last system builder marathon, but I figured I'd rather see if there was a gold standard, or if it really mattered.
Optical:
Don't care. I figure any Blu-ray combo drive around $100.
Monitor:
If 3d, then the Acer GD235HZbid - $369.99
otherwise, probably the Hanns·G HH-281HPB - $309.99
PSU:
Don't care. I was just going to buy something well-reviewed I was thinking about a CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX - $89.99
Keyboard:
G15? I use the macros on my current (slightly-broken) G15 rarely but would be fine with giving them up. Is there a better option worth the money?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know there's a lot of blank spots in there, so any input is appreciated. Opinions are helpful too. My budget is really flexible, as I have the money to buy whatever, but I'd like to not spend money just to be spending it and showing off my epeen (okay maybe a little).
Thanks in advance!
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, networked-to-PS3 media center, surfing, streaming to phone
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: OS, Mouse
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon, Newegg COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, Intel SSD, otherwise *shrug*
OVERCLOCKING: Minimal. I plan on overclocking the CPU a bit, but I want a small case, so I'm concerned about heat. I don't know anything about overclocking memory or GPU. SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe. I'd probably prefer to stick to a single card to limit weight, but I'm not against it.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200. Something big if possible.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'd like something small. My last 2 computers have been monster-sized 9000lb full-tower rigs, and I'd like something that can game and that I can carry around. I'm also not big on lights. I would like a pretty case though, something sleek. I'd kind of like to go with a Micro ATX board if it's doable, but I'm not married to that idea at all.
Additionally, I'm getting my Intel products locally slightly used at around half of retail, so note the discounted prices on those my item list below.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - $0 (MSDN)
CPU:
i7-930 - Discounted at $142
or
i7-980X - Discounted at $495
I know everybody says the i7-980 isn't worth a grand, but is it worth $500? Hell if I know.
CPU Cooling:
I was thinking the Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme - $62.99, but if I go micro ATX, I'd probably have to find something smaller.
Motherboard:
No idea here sadly. There are a few Micro ATX LGA 1366 boards on Newegg, but none of them have stellar reviews. Would I be better off just going with ATX and getting a smallish case for it? I'm also worried about massive video cards in my case selection.
Case:
Since this depends heavily on the type of motherboard I get, I haven't even considered cases yet. I've looked at a few of the mid/full-tower cases that are recommended here, and I'm cool with those. If I go with a Micro ATX board, I'll want something that's got very good airflow obviously if I end up overclocking.
GPU:
Ugh I'm so split here. I think I want to go single card... so I was thinking maybe a Radeon HD 5970. But that might be overkill for single monitor 1900x1080 gaming. So maybe the Radeon HD 5850? But then again, I kind of like 3d capability, so maybe a GTX 480? But then again, 3d limits my current monitor choices a LOT, so I may forgo that until my next build.
SSD:
Intel X25-M 160GB - Discounted at $245
HDD:
I want 4TB of storage (ISOs, movies, music, etc). This will primarily be for streaming to my PS3 and Nexus One, but I will need them at LANs and the like sometimes (most notably Quakecon). I originally planned to get a pair of 2TB internal drives, but I may end up going with external drives instead. What do you guys think? I'm stumped here.
RAM:
No idea here. I don't think there's any point in 12GB, so I figure 6GB of... something good? I was just going to list what was used in the last system builder marathon, but I figured I'd rather see if there was a gold standard, or if it really mattered.
Optical:
Don't care. I figure any Blu-ray combo drive around $100.
Monitor:
If 3d, then the Acer GD235HZbid - $369.99
otherwise, probably the Hanns·G HH-281HPB - $309.99
PSU:
Don't care. I was just going to buy something well-reviewed I was thinking about a CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX - $89.99
Keyboard:
G15? I use the macros on my current (slightly-broken) G15 rarely but would be fine with giving them up. Is there a better option worth the money?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know there's a lot of blank spots in there, so any input is appreciated. Opinions are helpful too. My budget is really flexible, as I have the money to buy whatever, but I'd like to not spend money just to be spending it and showing off my epeen (okay maybe a little).
Thanks in advance!
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