$1500 Gaming Build - want to check out before purchasing

[quad3388554]

Hi, I'm planning to build a system for the first time, and I wanted to run this setup by everyone. I've been looking over this forum for several weeks now, and this is what I've pieced together as being a good setup. Please let me know if you see any compatibility issues, have any suggestions, etc. Thanks!

Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 weeks


Budget Range: want to keep it under $1500


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Primarily gaming, but would like it to be able to handle most anything


Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: no preference


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: Intel


Overclocking: Probably not


SLI or Crossfire: Yes


Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


Additional Comments: Looking for a quality gaming rig, and I'm willing to spend a little extra to see that it can handle things for a few years to come. One note - I only have one GTX 460 listed, and a strong PSU as well. I plan to one day add a second GTX 460, just not right now.

Here's the part list so far:

CPU: Intel Core i7-950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211

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

HARD DRIVE: Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340562

GRAPHICS: MSI N460GTX CYCLONE 1GD5/OC GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127510

MEMORY: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
POWER SUPPLY: XFX Black Edition XPS-850W-BES
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492791

CASE: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437505.11-129-021

DVD DRIVE: ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X...DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

MONITOR: ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

 

[spentshells]

I think your case is ugly and your graphics a little underpowered for your system
but those are personal choices.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125318&cm_re=5850-_-14-125-318-_-Product

better card ...as long as you are staying with one card if not you may want to keep you graphics card choice

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127518&Tpk=msi%20hawk

This looks promising you get two games it is more expensive but two games and a much better overclocker (apparently) Never count ON MIR
but coupons are always valid because they show up with the card

 

[wielander]

It all looks good, familiar. I definitely would go with a cheaper/better valued set of memory if that PSU combo doesn't last.


i7-950 & UD3R combo will save you $15:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.501338

 

[eloric]

I think you could have that second GTX 460 cross fire if you go with a an i5-750, LGA 1156. The i7 950 is really powerful, but since you're not going to overclock or do video editing, it does not add materially to your gaming experience. A second video card, however, would make a huge difference.

Consider these choices:

Same case with Windows Home Premium: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.437504.11-129-021 Nice case at a good price btw. Home Premium probably has all the same features you will need. If you do not really need to remote control your PC save yourself $40 here. Even if you don't get the i5 750, you should make this change.

Mobo: Same level of Gigabyte board - GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3P for $60 less becasue it is LGA 1156.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128417

CPU: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz for $105 savings.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product

Same PSU with 4GB of RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492820 Savings of $90. Probalby could upgrade this choice if you wanted, and still have enough to buy that second card.

 

[quad3388554]

Well, I'm not overly concerned with the case's looks. I just want one with good airflow and enough room for components, particularly a 2nd GTX 460.

Thanks for the heads-up on the combo, wielander.

I think I'll stick with the i7. Yes, this is mostly for gaming, but I also want to build something with enough power to multitask and deal with whatever I throw at it. I don't have a problem paying out a bit more for that. I chose to get Windows 7 Pro over Home mainly for XP Mode.

 

[eloric]

Go for it, quad! You have a decent mid-range board, Nice timing on the fast memory. Get a heat sink and overclock that machine. It is made for it: Here is a Zalman, highly rated, powerful enough to handle all the heat of an OC'd 950 for only $50. I bet you can get over 4Ghz out of it, easy.