I7 Gaming rig

[illinivb7]

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP


Budget Range: 1200ish - semi flexible, looking for most bang for my buck and to last 3+yrs even if its more power than needed atm


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming is probably the most taxing thing I do. Possibly some future CAD work but that would be light.


Parts Not Required: Keyboard/OS/250gb HDD/dvd drive, i also have a mouse/monitor but looking for suggestions for those.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: prefer newegg fine wherever if its cheapest and reputeable


Country of Origin: USA, illinois (for sales tax purposes)


Parts Preferences: Revised this to whatever people say is the best setup, haven't use an ati card since long ago i was told the drivers were bad but im sure they have come a long way from reviews.


Overclocking: Maybe - not super computer savvy but i hear some simple OC isnt too hard


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe - not really sure it ever seemed economical


Monitor Resolution: currently 1680 x 1050 Acer 2216lw - thinking of going to 1920 x 1080 monitor


Additional Comments: Im pretty flexible on everything just looking for most bang for my buck.

I currently have http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0331303 on order so thats 220$ of the build if that works into what people suggest.

Thanks for any help

 

[gkay09]

IMO for gaming and that too for a single card configuration, you wont need the i7 CPU, I would suggest you get the i5 760...
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0341729
Also as you will be overclocking, it would offer even better performance...

For rest of the parts -

Gigabyte P55A-UD3 + Gigabyte GTX 470 - This is one of the best 470s out there also is far better than the stock version in terms of power consumption, noise...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.533437

Mushkin 4GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226135

CPU Cooler -
CM Hyper 212+
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d1_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=15QE7DJKZH6KH31CS83A&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

CASE - If the 900 is in good shape, then I dont think you would need to replace it though...
But if you want one, then check this out -
CM HAF 922 + CM Silent PRO 600W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.523788

Monitor - Check these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

But this would be a very good deal -
$20 off w/ promo code EMCZYZR63, ends 10/20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236048

And as for the SSD, it does offer good performance and considerably reduces the boot and the load times...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231377
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148357

 

[illinivb7]

Few questions for you gkay if you dont mind :

Does the i7 make it more future proof and/or just plain worth it for 30$ and does the possibility of CAD change your recommendation also?

How does GIGABYTE card compare to EVGA in terms of performance/warranty?

If i keep my antec case whats your suggestion for a psu?

I know the CAD thing is sort of a large thing to add to the mix, so does that change any other recommendations also?

Thanks a ton

 

[gkay09]

It would depend on how often you do CAD work...
If it will be one of the main usage, then the i7 might be worth it, but for occasional CAD work, an overclocked i5 would still offer very good performance...

And Future-Proof ? I doubt,...All the current sockets LGA 1156, LGA 1366 and AM3 are being replaced next year...

Performance - Like I said it is the best of the current GTX 470s...
Warranty - If you will be using the card for more than 3 years, then EVGA might be a better option, else even Gigabyte is fine because they too have a good network of service centers because of the large mobo base...

 

[gkay09]

PSU - That CM Silent PRO is a very good option...And for that price, I couldnt find anything better...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036

 

[illinivb7]

Maybe future proof is the wrong word, basically I rather put a couple hundred more in now so that it is a solid comp for the next 3yrs or so compared to 2yrs from now dropping settings in games or feeling sluggish. Thats really i am trying to avoid with questions like should i get more ram or stick with the i7 as I know many video games, especially wow arent particularly taxing atm.

*edit*
Also is a sound card worth it or is onboard good enough?

 

[illinivb7]

Moving this back up as I did a edit of my main post. Been doing lots of reading and really just confusing myself as people claiming AMD is better for longer use ssince the intel chipset will be dead soon among other things so I changed out my parts preference and such to allow more freedom.

 

[reaper2794]

AMD is cheaper but not recommended for people who actually want to get a REAL system..

 

[gkay09]

^^ Games are GPU dependent than CPU dependent...
A Dual core like the E8400 from few years back, coupled with a current gen HD 58xx or GTX 4xx would still play games very good...
So a current-gen Quad would still hold on well...You would need a graphic card upgrade though later on...

AMD CPUs are very good for gaming and offer the best value for money IMO...
But even they are not good for longer use(in terms of socket life) as even AM3 socket will be replaced next year like the Intel...