Gaming + Standard Multimedia [$2,000 cap]

havilape

Distinguished
Jul 20, 2010
18
0
18,520
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Two weeks

BUDGET RANGE: ~$2,000 cap

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming > Standard multimedia tasks (iTunes, some ripping, movies, etc.)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, headset, and standard peripherals

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, but am willing to look elsewhere

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

Preface
I am extremely green to serious computing hardware and building computers and I appreciate your help. The only hardware installation I've done is introducing a new GPU to an existing prebuilt desktop. To hopefully save your sanity and time, I have spent the better part of a week reading up on Tom's, Newegg, and other sites, particularly feedback to dozens of threads in this forum; that said, be prepared for some possibly inane questions. My priorities are largely focused around using quality parts that will give my machine strong longevity with respectable performance. As such, you may notice that in areas such as the PSU, I opted for a more expensive component when a cheaper one could have sufficed. The primary gaming I will be doing is FFXIV and Starcraft II with Diablo III perhaps when released. Please shelve the MMO comments as they seem to be inevitable. I work 80 hours a week and lead an active life with friends; I do not live in my mom's basement with a chinchilla and a wasteland of empty Mountain Dew cans.

Feedback of all forms is welcome of course, but some things I could really use help with are:
A) Compatibility of components - Mobo with chip and RAM, mobo with case, all components fitting in case, etc.
B) Other things I will need to have an up and running computer - Go ahead and toss out relatively stupid reminders like an ethernet cable as there is a good chance I haven't thought of it, but mainly any weird wires or such

I have read a number of solid building guides and I believe I will be alright in that process, I just want to make sure that everything works together and I have all the things I need to build it. Last note: I do not want to use an SLI / Crossfire set. I realize 2x 460's can be powerful, but my primary upcoming game does not effectively use a crossfire setup (FFXIV). I don't know why, but the benchmark tests conclusively show it. I've looked at a number of Newegg combo deals, and will reevaluate them before purchasing. So here we go:

CPU: Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930 ($289.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard ($199.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128423

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100281-3SR Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity ($399.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102883

Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX6GX3M3C1600C7 ($174.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286

PSU: CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply ($139.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ($74.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Cheap Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM ($23.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Case: Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case ($169.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

Monitor: ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor ($189.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

CPU Cooler: Scythe SCMG-2100 Sleeve CPU Cooler ($34.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

Optional Case Fans: 2x Scythe S-Flex SFF21G 120mm Case Fan ($29.98)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185065

Thermal Spread: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM ($9.99) How often, if ever, do I have to reapply this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM ($99.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

TOTAL: $1838.86

I thank you guys ahead of time for reviewing this overly lengthy post. All feedback appreciated!
 
Solution
+1 for mark health's suggestions, the antec 1200 isn't as roomier as the haf 922 it's just taller.

here is an intel i7 build for $1,824.88 before revbates and includes a 128gb ssd

cpu+mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437357

gpu+psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.448428 (this psu's quality=corsair 750hx)

case+os: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437504.11-119-197

ssd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820250002

hsf: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118059 (a better heatsink with the option to add another fan)

ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335...

Mark Heath

Distinguished
Apr 28, 2010
837
0
19,010
Welcome to the wonderful world of computers and Tom's :)

For a gaming build, you can save quite a bit of money on a lesser CPU such as an i5 750 or Phenom 955. That said, a 930 will be better outside of gaming.

You could save some money on a cheaper case. The HAF 922 is a large mid-tower case, so it's a little bit smaller, but the quality and cooling are still great. The Antec 1200 is also good if you prefer it, it's just a tad more expensive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=haf_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

If you never plan to crossfire, then 650W should be enough for you:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012&Tpk=corsair%20hx-650

Your other stuff looks pretty good. To the best of my knowledge, if you apply thermal paste correctly the first time, you shouldn't have to apply it ever again, but other guys, if you think I'm wrong say so.

All the best with the build :)
 

havilape

Distinguished
Jul 20, 2010
18
0
18,520
Appreciate the feedback. I'll likely stick with the 750W PSU just because it's only $20 more and gives some additional flexibility going forward, but the case suggestion is definitely something I'd consider. I just went for the full tower out of fears that everything would not fit in the case.

My primary concern prior to ordering is the compatibility of the components. I will likely be making an order in the next day or so. If anyone else has any compatibility or fit concerns, please let me know, especially with respect to RAM + GPU + mobo. Also, the CPU cooler seemed to be a good choice and value for a light overclocker, but let me know if a Megahalems + fan or another premium set should be a priority.
 

mrhoshos96

Distinguished
Jan 16, 2010
779
0
19,160
+1 for mark health's suggestions, the antec 1200 isn't as roomier as the haf 922 it's just taller.

here is an intel i7 build for $1,824.88 before revbates and includes a 128gb ssd

cpu+mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437357

gpu+psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.448428 (this psu's quality=corsair 750hx)

case+os: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437504.11-119-197

ssd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820250002

hsf: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118059 (a better heatsink with the option to add another fan)

ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

hdd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

odd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136180

and here is an amd build with the 5970 and the ssd for $1,962.87 before rebates

cpu+mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.430434 (this mobo can do cf at x16 x16)

case+os: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437504.11-119-197

ssd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820250002

hsf: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118059

ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207001

gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102887

monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

hdd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

odd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136180

if u ditch the ssd in this build the subtotal will be $1,762.88 before rebates
 
Solution

havilape

Distinguished
Jul 20, 2010
18
0
18,520
Very helpful mrhoshos; heeded a number of your suggestions including the PSU swap. I ended up at $1,842 before rebates primarily because I opted for a slightly nicer SSD and went a different way with a few other things. I guess the last question I have once again falls to making sure everything fits in the case. Both the Scythe and Zalman HSFs seem to be quite large and a number of reviewers state that they had to buy new cases to fit them in. The 5870 is also rather large. My 3D mapping of the case interior is quite poor as I have not built a PC before.

Other than that, I believe I am good to go, thanks again and I will update after I purchase and go through the building process.

On another note, my "Grand Total" in my cart including shipping is $1,874.99 yet in the upper right corner of the Newegg website it says "15 items ($1928.79)" in the cart area. Does anyone know what the discrepancy is? I do not live in TN, CA, etc. where tax is tagged on.