$1200 Gaming PC

[Tannequy]

Hi,

I'm gonna be building a new system soon and I just wanted to hear your opinions on the different parts I've chosen.
Any advice on how to save $$ or optimize performance would be greatly appreciated.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: probably in a couple of months

BUDGET RANGE: 1000 - 1200$ (but lets not worry about that too much, shall we... )

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, watching movies, surfing the internet

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, PSU (Chieftec APS-650C 650W), videocard (Geforce GTS250 1GB), Hard Drives

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like to use an Intel CPU

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe (it kinda scares me...)

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (later in the future when I upgrade my videocard)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: A quiet PC would be nice...


Here are the parts I selected myself (this is the part I need help with):

Case: Coolermaster Haf 922 Mid Tower ATX Case Black 5X5.25 5X3.5INT

Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12P SE2 120mm SSO CPU Cooler (I'd MAYBE like to O/C the CPU)

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH
(For now, I only have Win7 32bit so more ram would be pointless at this point...Right?)

Any advice on this configuration? Is there anything I should switch for a better performing/cheaper alternative?
Does anyone have any experience with these components they might want to share?
Is there anything I missed?

Thank you all for your support.

 

[Lmeow]

A few recommendations

1. You'll need a triple channel kit, so amount of sticks in multiples of three such as 3 x 1 GB, 3 x 2 GB etc. Best to upgrade to 64-bit W7 while you're at it.

2. The i7 950 is badly overpriced, go for the i7 930 which costs $250 less and performs nearly as well, once you overclock it there's virtually no difference.

3. The P6X58D-E will save you some money, and there are like no differences between the E and Premium versions.

 

[Tannequy]

Thanks for the info, I think I'll opt for the I7 930 and the P6X58D-E as you recommended.

As for the RAM, I'm now thinking of getting the Corsair XMS3 CMP6GX3M3A1600C8 6GB 3X2GB DDR3 DDR3-1600 PC3-12800 CL 8-8-8-24.

To be perfectly honest, I've had some bad experiences with Corsair RAM in the past, but I'm hoping it won't be the case this time.

But just in case, do you have any tips/advice/suggestions concerning Corsair RAM or any info regarding Corsair RAM compatibility issues with Asus Motherboards (specifically the P6X58D-E)?

Thanks

 

[Mark Heath]

As far as I know apart from usually being expensive, Corsair RAM's good. If you're looking at that kit, mb switch to this:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145286&cm_re=corsair_6GB_DDR3-_-20-145-286-_-Product

G.Skill alternative, but I'd go for the Corsair if you don't mind the MIR
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231304&cm_re=g.skill_6GB_DDR3-_-20-231-304-_-Product

 

[Tannequy]

Great, thanks. I think I'll give G.Skill a try.
BTW...you guys ROCK... thanks for all the great advice.
Just let me know if you have anything to add concerning my little project...