$1000: i5-750 gaming first build!

joolz

Distinguished
Nov 6, 2010
14
0
18,510
UPDATED BUILD after getting more advice. Original build is in the quote below.

CPU: i5-750
$200 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

Graphics: 2x EVGA GTX-460 768MB in SLI
2x $145 (MIR) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130562

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4GB (2 x 2GB)
$75 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Motherboard: ASRock P55
$145 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157206

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212
$27 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
$75 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

SSD: Kingston 64GB SSD
$105 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139132

PSU: XFX 750W
$110 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003

Case: Antec 300
$60 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

CD/DVD: Asus Black
$19 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Total: after rebates
$1106, this does NOT include newegg black november promo codes (for example i'm saving $34 on the graphics cards from those)

Hey all, first build ever here. I've got about a $1000 budget for the purposes of a gaming PC. Doesn't need to be able to run the next Crysis or whatever at max settings, but definitely needs to handle games like starcraft 2 at 60fps on high (not max) graphics settings at 1080p resolution.

I have no existing parts aside from peripherals and software (monitor, mouse, keyboard, OS) and all prices are based on newegg.

CPU: i5-750
$200 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215
Q: is it worth going for the i5-760? been told I won't really notice the difference if I'm just going for gaming.

Graphics: 2x EVGA GTX-460 768MB in SLI
2x $145 (MIR) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130562

Mobo: MSI P55
$140 (MIR) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130239
Q: I really have no idea if this is a good choice, but it was the first thing recommended to me. I notice it's significantly cheaper than other i5/SLI capable motherboards... could really use some advice on this one

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4GB (2 x 2GB)
$75 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
Q: how much do I gain by going for the 6GB? worth it? $110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

PSU: Corsair 850W
$110 (MIR) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
Q: do I need 850W for this setup? can I get away with 750W?

HDD: WD caviar black 1TB
$90 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

Case: Antec 300
$60 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
Q: will everything fit in here?

CD/DVD: Asus Black
$19 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Other Questions:
1. Do I need to buy more case fans?
2. What cooling stuff do I need to buy for the CPU or other parts?
3. IS EVERYTHING COMPATIBLE?! I mean seriously I don't even know for sure if these parts all work together... that's how big of a noob I am at this.

Total after rebate: $984 (not including shipping, which was free for almost all these parts)

I can go up to $1100 on this build so if there is a great upgrade opportunity I'm missing out on, let me know!!!

Planning to purchase everything during the Black Friday to Cyber Monday period.
 

vindictive

Distinguished
Oct 27, 2010
986
0
19,010


1. I would just get the 750 and OC it. Even if you got the 760 you should OC it anyway, so theres not really a benefit of getting the 760.

2. It's a good mobo, so you should be good there.

3. No you don't want to use the $ on 6GB, few games barely utilise the full 4GB. The only reason you would need more is for video encoding, photo editing, etc.. or for an lga 1336 build for triple channel.

4. Yes you can get by with an 750W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003 $110 after MIR, same price yes but this one is modular, which is just so much easier to work with and provides better airflow and cable management.

5. This Hardrive is faster and better http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003

6. I don't believe you will need more fans. and it will all fit in there. And everything is compatible.

7. you will need a CPU cooler in order to do a good OC. Cooler Master Hyper 212 is the best bang for the buck HSF for $30. This is also a much better cooler if you can fit it in the budget. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11423/cpu-spi-28/Spire_TherMax_Eclipse_II_Five_DT_Heatpipe_Universal_CPU_Cooler_SP984B1-V2_-_Sockets_775_1156_1366_939_AM2_AM2_AM3.html?tl=g40 (can someone verify this will fit in the antec 300?)
 

joolz

Distinguished
Nov 6, 2010
14
0
18,510
Awesome! thanks vindictive.

i'll look into the 750W PSU

i think you mis-linked the HDD. it's the same link as the PSU :p

thanks for the advice on the cooler, that's the area i know least about. i'll check out the one you recommended
 

vindictive

Distinguished
Oct 27, 2010
986
0
19,010
ahaha that was the HDD i meant to recommend bus mislinked xD we all recommend the spinpoint f3's. (my suggestion was the 1tb one). Samsung should pay us some money since we always point people towards there HDD i'd take 5%.
 

vindictive

Distinguished
Oct 27, 2010
986
0
19,010


disagree. the OP is on a 1k budget I wouldn't use $130 of it on a case.
I'm doing a 1.6k budget build and am only using a haf 922 myself.
 

joolz

Distinguished
Nov 6, 2010
14
0
18,510
thanks for the HDD suggestion, i think i'll go with that one. i just originally defaulted to the WD since i've owned WDs in the past and they're fine.



yeah i'm aware. check out these benchmarks: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/292835-33-benchmarks-beating-nvidia

even in SLI, the 768MB version is like 5fps below the 1GB version, and i'm saving enough money from that to afford upgrades on the other parts. i also NEVER crank up the AA in any games (i've never noticed it) so thats moot. if there is some massive price drop on the 1GB 460s then i might just get those instead, but doesnt seem likely and the 768MB 460s are ridiculously cheap as it is.


as for a larger case, i dunno. if the prices drop on some of the parts then i don't mind spending a little extra on a better case (better = airflow and stuff. don't care about pretty blinking lights or transparent sides or any of that nonsense).
 

joolz

Distinguished
Nov 6, 2010
14
0
18,510
UPDATE!

it looks like i'm saving enough money now that i can afford an SSD, which is something i really wanted to get. either a 32 or 64GB SSD, depending on what the hell newegg decides to put on sale.

so far i've had this one recommended to me:

$105 (MIR) - Kingston 64GB SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139132


now the problem is i don't think my original motherboard choice supports this SSD connection, but i'm not sure.

a friend of mine is getting this mobo:
$145 - ASRock P55: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157206

basically the same price as my current selection, and it also supports the i5 and SLI, and it seems to support the SSD as well. any advice?
 
The Asrock is OK - either will support an SSD. There's no difference in the SATA connection for SSD/HD at this point/price.

The problem with a 64GB "boot drive" is that its pretty much just a boot drive.

Re the 460s: Yup, just wanted to make sure that was your rationale. My only concern was that the *minimum* gaming FPS you might see on 2x460 (768mb) might be less than on an equivalently priced 470. The average and max would certainly be higher. But I can't find data . . . you seem to be a pioneer :)