Building a beastly gaming PC

[zontog]

Hi. I am planning on building a super gaming rig. The only parts I am set on are an i5 760 and dual geforce 460s in SLI (unless anyone would recommend a better combo based on my budget). I would really appreciate any help you guys could throw my way in terms of choosing parts. Thanks!

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: As soon as possible
BUDGET RANGE: 1500
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, HD movie watching, internet
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: U
SA
PARTS PREFERENCES: The only parts I am set on are the i5 760 with dual Geforce 460s in SLI
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Is an SSD worth it for performance?

 

[NeoElemental]

With this setup, 1500 is a good amount more than what you need. You could pocket that money, or you could sink it into some of the more "nice to have" type things. I would place SSD firmly in this category.

i5 760: 210
2x460 1GB's: 460-500 depending on if you get stock oc'ed cards and whatnot

Most people will recommend the following parts for this type of build:

Mobo: ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - 180

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131621&cm_re=p7p55d-e-_-13-131-621-_-Product

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory - 103

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&cm_re=g.skill_ripjaws_series_4gb_%282_x_2gb%29_240-pin_ddr3-_-20-231-303-_-Product

Case + PSU: Lancool PC-K62, XFX 750w Modular Power Supply - 190

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.466882

I differ from some other people here, but I love, love, LOVE the Lancool case. The toolless install, the great airflow layout, dampened hd rack. I got this same combo when it was 150 and it was awesome then. I still think its a solid deal @ 190.

Two other common PSU's:
Corsair 750w modular - 130

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010&cm_re=corsair_750w_power_supply-_-17-139-010-_-Product

Corsair 750w non-modular - 90

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=corsair_750w_power_supply-_-17-139-006-_-Product

Both of these currently have MIR on them, so they're a good buy currently.

Other popular cases: Antec 300 - 60, Antec 900 - 100, HAF 932 - 120

HDD: Samsung f3 Spinpoint 1TB - 75

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=samsung_spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-185-_-Product



TOTAL: $1143


Nice to haves:

SSD: Vertex 2 60GB - 150

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227550&cm_re=vertex_2_60gb-_-20-227-550-_-Product


New TOTAL: $1293

 

[Timop]

Thats a nice build, however:

CompUSA has the F3 for $70:
http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=6448061&sku=TSD-1000S2&srkey=Spinpoint%20F3

Heres a nice Combo for the Case + PSU + Mobo, $290.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.465810

And a CPU+RAM combo, $275AR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.458184

Remember if you live near a microcenter, they have the 750/760 for $150/170.

 

[sp12]

I would avoid the Case/PSU/mobo combo on grounds that the PSU is 650 watts, not even bronze efficiency, and nonmodular.

 

[Mr Pizza]

Im gonna get flamed.. but

get one gtx 480 and then add another one down the line, more performance in the long run.

 

[Timop]

I would avoid the Case/PSU/mobo combo on grounds that the PSU is 650 watts, not even bronze efficiency, and nonmodular.

The Antec Earthwatts 650W that is enough for dual 460s and an OCed 760.
Its not as ideal as the 750Ws you suggested, of course, but for the price its a viable solution with decent value. Finally, efficiency is not a key factor in PSU quality.

 

[zontog]

Best answer selected by zontog.

 

[zontog]

Thank you for all the replies. I have been looking to this site for advice for a years but finally signed up for help with this rig and am astounded again by how helpful this community is.

I hadn’t even thought of getting one 480 now and picking up a second later. Anyone else have an opinion on that? I would think power consumption in that setup would require a monster PSU, no?

How much life do two 460s have left in terms of playing the latest games on highest settings?

 

[Timop]

Thank you for all the replies. I have been looking to this site for advice for a years but finally signed up for help with this rig and am astounded again by how helpful this community is.

I hadn’t even thought of getting one 480 now and picking up a second later. Anyone else have an opinion on that? I would think power consumption in that setup would require a monster PSU, no?

How much life do two 460s have left in terms of playing the latest games on highest settings?

I wont spend the money on a GTX480, you pay more for less performance.
The GTX460 SLI has at least 3 years left still as a "high-end" card, and when you uprade, just sell the pair (or one) and get a new card. The fact is when you upgrade, there will probably be more energy efficient and powerful solutions available.