Gaming-First Build

[bigprimo]

This will be my first build. I have read through some articles and others builds and went to Newegg to piece out what I want. I wanted some feedback on what you guys/gals thought and there are some pieces I'm not sure on and maybe you can give me some good advice on, also if I left anything out and/or If I will have any compatibility issues. Here goes what I have so far.

Use - Gaming,Music,Photos,DVD Burning/watching.

Budget - 900-1000. I don't want to go over 1000 at all.

CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128416
PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171053
Ram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190
HDD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
DVD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151176

Case - So I'm stuck between these 2 cases. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119212 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129056&cm_re=Skeleton-_-11-129-056-_-Product. I like the skeleton and would fit nice on the upper part of my desk out of the way of danger. If you guys know of a better case for new builders that still has that cool factor then I'm all ears.

GPU - Open to ideas
OS - I'm not sure which one I would actually need. Home or premium (34 or 64). Don't think I would need Ultimate.
Fans - Will I need extra fans with any of those cases?

That Puts me at about 791 bucks. I still need aVideo card, OS, Heat Sink. Speaking of Which what Heatsink should I get, if I do the skeleton build I know there is a Height limitation there.

If You can give me any ideas I would appreciate them, maybe even save on something to upgrade something else. If everything is compatible, etc.

BTW this build will happen this coming Friday 7/23/10.

Thanks!

 

[bigprimo]

Also My monitor is a 22inch HP with 1680 x 1050 resolution

I wont be doing any OCing either.

 

[WR2]

All good choices so far.

Your case choices are a bit on the expensive side for your overall budget.
That Antec Skeleton has a limitation on the size of the CPU cooler. The 125mm tall Zalman 9500 barely fit. That rules out the usual 120mm and even the 92mm fanned tall heatsinks. You'll need to look at the lower spec flower type coolers I think.
COOLER MASTER GeminII S $40 looks to be 124mm tall and should fit. CM GeminII SReview
For the HAF 932: Scythe "MUGEN-2 Rev.B" $35

For your monitor resolution a HD 5770 should work out excellent. A GTX 460 if you can squeeze it into your budget.
Sapphire HD 5770 $170 and $10 rebate
EVGA GTX 460 768MB $200

That HAF 932 case is one area you could cut back on (and not affect the overall performance) so you get a better video card.

 

[bigprimo]

Yeah I want to do the Skeleton for the WoW factor but I think getting a better GPU would be better for the money.

What If I went something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

What kind of GPU could I get then?

 

[WR2]

Combo deal: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W PSU $152 $20 discount and $20 rebate.
OCZ ModXStream Pro 600 W Power Supply Review

 

[bigprimo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196 Second link was bad.

 

[WR2]

I like the Haf 922 for its price, features and cooling.
Here is a NewEgg combo deal: CM Haf 922 and CM COOLER MASTER GX Series RS750W PSU $150 a $20 discount. And $150 is 15% of your budget which is about where a gaming case/PSU fit nicely in an overall budget plan.

 

[WR2]

Storm Scout is a nice case too.
CM Storm Scout and XFX 650 XXX 650W PSU $150 after $30 discount and plus $20 rebate.
Storm Scout review and XFX 650 XXX review

 

[bigprimo]

I like the Haf 922 for its price, features and cooling.
Here is a NewEgg combo deal: CM Haf 922 and CM COOLER MASTER GX Series RS750W PSU $150 a $20 discount. And $150 is 15% of your budget which is about where a gaming case/PSU fit nicely in an overall budget plan.

I think I will go with this combo. With the saved money where can I go with The GPU? That drops me to 641 with a little under 400bucks to get a OS and GPU.

 

[bigprimo]

I think I might just stick with the sapphire you posted

 

[WR2]

Just found a review of the Cooler Master GX 750 W Power Supply. I'd say its a bit lower quality than some others available it the same price range.
I was really liking that XFX 650XXX for it's performance and modular cables.

For a GPU: That GTX 460
Combo deal: EVGA GTX 460 and Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit $290 $10 discount.

Had you added the CPU cooler into the overall budget? Another popular cooler is the CM Hyper 212 Plus $50

 

[bigprimo]

Just found a review of the Cooler Master GX 750 W Power Supply. I'd say its a bit lower quality than some others available it the same price range.
I was really liking that XFX 650XXX for it's performance and modular cables.

For a GPU: That GTX 460
Combo deal: EVGA GTX 460 and Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit $290 $10 discount.

Had you added the CPU cooler into the overall budget? Another popular cooler is the CM Hyper 212 Plus $50

That only saves me 10 bucks If i buy the Sapphire 5770 and home64 separate.

I did add the Cooler and I'm at 800.93 without a Case and PSU.

 

[WR2]

Also a combo-deal: Sapphire HD 5770 and Win7 $260 before $15 rebate.

Lets look at other Haf 922 combo deals on Case/PSU

 

[bigprimo]

Also a combo-deal: Sapphire HD 5770 and Win7 $260 before $15 rebate.

Lets look at other Haf 922 combo deals on Case/PSU

Now we are talkin.

 

[WR2]

CM HAF 922 and CM Silent Pro M600 $170 A modular cable PSU with a good review: Cooler Master Silent Pro M 600
And since we know you're going with the HD 5770 we know the PSU is powerful enough for 2x 5770 Crossfire if you ever upgrade your monitor or want to add a 2nd video card in the future.

 

[WR2]

Combo deal: [strike]X4 955 and GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H 890GX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3 MB $275 $25 discount[/strike]
found a better option:
X4 955 and BIOSTAR TA890FXE 890FX MB $270 $30 discount.

 

[bigprimo]

That puts me at 970.97.

 

[WR2]

x4 955 and GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 870 SATA6 USB3 MB $247 combo saves a bit and still has an excellent feature set.

 

[WR2]

Here is a side by side comparison of the 870 and 890 motherboards
The biggest difference is CF operation. 870 does x8/x4 and 890 does x8/x8

 

[bigprimo]

I appreciate the help. This is gonna be a fun build. I'll PM you some pics after its done!
Hopefully as my first build all goes well!

 

[WR2]

Your welcome...... why not share a 'after-action-report' with the forum.
Let people know how the build went and maybe a picture or two.

 

[WR2]

A few things you can do to get started..... download the motherboard manual and start reading that.
Read the "System won't boot" checklist so you know what common mistakes not to make.
And Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC

 

[bigprimo]

Here is a side by side comparison of the 870 and 890 motherboards
The biggest difference is CF operation. 870 does x8/x4 and 890 does x8/x8

Ill stick with the 890. The only thing I'm hung up on is I still deep down want to do the Skeleton build. Maybe Ill just splurge the last bit and buy the Skeleton with the Cossair.

 

[bigprimo]

Your welcome...... why not share a 'after-action-report' with the forum.
Let people know how the build went and maybe a picture or two.

Mos Def.

 

[Kraze7]

A few things you can do to get started..... download the motherboard manual and start reading that.

Good advice =)

That's what I did for my MOBO and actually for most of my parts that need installation. Learning about their layout is important that way you spend more time building and less reading when you parts get there.