$1200 Gaming Build

[aphelion8105]

Hello all, I have been perusing the forums for months now trying to figure out my first build. I hope you guys can help me out. My laptop of 4+ years died on me a few months ago, and I have been computer-less ever since (It's been horrible). instead of buying yet another crappy stopgap, I have decided to take the plunge into building my own dream machine.

Approximate Purchase Date: Nowish-Cyber Monday


Budget Range: $1300 delivered to my door

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (WoW, Total Wars, RPG's) Excel, Web, possibly Music recording/editing(pipe dream)


Parts Not Required: OS, Mouse


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Microcenter


Country of Origin: United States


Parts Preferences: none really (basing build off i5-760 from micro)


Overclocking: Yes


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe


Monitor Resolution: Plan to run 2x 1920 x 1080 .... eventually (no eyefinity)


Additional Comments: This may sound trite, but no red LED lights (mouse is blue and the clash will aggravate me to no end.)
I would also like a SSD, I know the next generation is supposed to come out soon, but I can't really wait much longer and would prefer to get everything in place during the initial install (not terribly tech savvy).

PARTS: (INCOMPLETE) This is a current list of parts i feel comfortable with and would like to use. Feel free to make suggestions on these.

PROCESSOR:
Core i5 760 Processor

RAM
G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)(low profile)

OPTICAL
ASUS DVD-E818A4/BLK/B/GEN Black 18X IDE DVD-ROM Drive

STORAGE
Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

COOLER
Hyper 212 Plus Universal CPU Cooler

MONITOR
ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD

 

[gkay09]

Nice selection of parts,...
As for the rest of them,
1. Mobo - If you want SLI/ Crossfire, USB3.0 and SATA 6GB/s then this board would better suit...
ASUS P7P55D-E PRO
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0325863

2. CASE - Check this one -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146062
With a good RAM combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.548503
Other options -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.548329
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.548334

3. PSU -
10% off with promo code Apsu10, ends 11/11
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371021
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207007

4. Video card-
HD 6870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161349

5. SSD for boot
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227542

 

[aphelion8105]

Thanks for the reply. I really like that nzxt case. I am a little worried about the RAM however, It doesn't have the best reviews and I need to make sure the head spreaders are not too tall for my heat sink. Also, is there any downside to having RAM at 1.65 volts as opposed to 1.35?

If I get a mobo, that is SATA III, would it be worth it to get a C300 SSD as opposed to the vertex?

On a side note, It appears that there is very little in the way of combo deals at this time, disappointing.

 

[gkay09]

^ RAM - If you get the settings right, then I doubt you would get any issues...
But if you are still skeptical, then get this RAM - $10 off w/ promo code EMCZZYX22, ends 11/15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
As for the voltage, I doubt there are any downsides running the RAM at 1.65V compared to the 1.35V...

SATA 6GB/s - Crucial is also a very good option...If you dont mind rebates, then get the Crucial, but with rebates that OCZ is a better buy...

 

[mosox]

Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236079
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

 

[Boogie Woogie]

Exact same monitor mosox just listed... but it's $25 cheaper! + no shipping if you order it from Buy.com ( I ordered it last week for my build). (You can get it for $144.99 flat. Buy.com currently has a $5 off of $100 dollars coupon for new customers.)

http://www.buy.com/prod/asus-vh236h-23-widescreen-hd-lcd-monitor-1920x1080-20000-1-2ms-hdmi/q/loc/101/210917291.html

 

[Yargnit]

Somewhat trivial, but you might as well spend the extra $1 and get a DVD burner as opposed to DVD ROM, for $1 you it's worth having just in case, even if you never see yourself using at. Also, get a SATA model as opposed to IDE. Your choice of brand off newegg for $19.99 usually.

 

[gkay09]

^ Nice catch...
And its actually cheaper -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

 

[aphelion8105]

Thanks for all of the replies. That monitor from buy.com is really tempting. I am now looking closely at the GPU's, and ideally I would like to get that Asus DirectCU 6850, but they are out of stock. I am not really sold on the 6870, due to it's apparently poor overclocking ability and it being available only in reference designs. I am also very partial to the 460gtx, I should have snagged one when they were cheaper.

 

[aphelion8105]

Now i am really tempted to bump up to an i7 platform with the 950 @ 200 bucks.

 

[aphelion8105]

Tentative build if I were to purchase right now,

CPU
Core i5 760 Processor Boxed

Motherboard
P7P55D-E PRO LGA 1156 P55 ATX Motherboard

GPU
ASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU/2DI/1GD5 GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB

RAM
G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

HDD
Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB

SSD
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE90G 2.5" 90GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Optical
LITE-ON Black

Cooler
Hyper 212 Plus Universal CPU Cooler

Case
Nine Hundred Two Mid Tower Gaming Case

Monitor
ASUS VH236H Widescreen LCD Monitor


this my current i5 build. I may switch to an i7. Also, i am debating whether to go for a crossfire/sli compatible motherboard, or go for a cheaper single slot solution.

 

[gkay09]

GPU - IMO this is a better deal -
MSI Cyclone
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127510

CASE - Another option -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.411712

Also as for i7, you should know that for gaming, it wont offer any significant advantage over the i5
And if going with a single powerful solution for graphics, then again the i7 would be of no use...

 

[Boogie Woogie]

Not to mention mobos and memory get expensive with the i7...

If you stay with the i5, take a look at this memory, slightly higher voltage, but you shouldn't see a performance difference. Mushkin is as reputable as G.Skills. $13 cheaper though. (I am currently building a machine very similar to your current build with 2 gtx 460's)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226103

 

[aphelion8105]

Thanks for all the advice, here is yet another revision.

CPU
Core i5 760 Processor Boxed

Motherboard
ASUS P7P55D-E LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

GPU combo with mobo
ASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU/2DI/1GD5 GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB

PSU may get a bigger one.
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

RAM
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

Case
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Optical combo with case
LITE-ON Black DVD Writer

HDD
Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB

SSD
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD3-2VTX90G 3.5" 90GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD

Cooler
Hyper 212 Plus Universal CPU Cooler

Monitor on sale for $188
Dell UltraSharp U2211H 21.5"W

Keyboard

???????????????

 

[aphelion8105]

Thinking about springing on the Monitor and GPU + Mobo tonight, so if anyone has any advice, that would be super.

 

[gkay09]

^^ Some suggestions -
CASE + PSU
CM HAF 912 + CM Silent PRO 600W(This can even handle GTX 580)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.558731

Or a Mix of these parts in combos
HAF 912 + Samsung F3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.543371

PSU + RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.549138