joonkimdmd

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Mar 12, 2010
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Hi guys, this is my first time building it.
I haven't gotten any of the parts yet.
This is mainly for gaming.

I don't know what parts are better or what to look at when choosing each item so please direct me to the right path.

So far, all I know is that I want to get 2500K with 1920x resolution monitor.
My budget is about $1300 but lower is always better. But that doesn't mean I want cheap and BAD parts.
I want cheap, affordable and decent parts.

CPU = 2500K at microcenter = $180
I think this is the cheapest deal I could find.

Ram = all I know is that I want 2x2GB = 4GB but don't know anything about their timing such as 9-9-9-24 or whatever these numbers are. I think it refers to the speed. could you find a decent one for me?

GPU = either 6870 or 560. I am not a fan of using SLI or CROSSFIRE

Motherboard = all the motherboard that says P instead of H so P67 should be able to OC my 2500K right? but there are sooooo many variety when it comes to motherboard and prices different so much.
I want to OC my 2500K to probably around 4.2Ghz. And I don't need SLI or Crossfire. ANd I don't want a motherboard that explodes 5 min after OC CPU, haha. Which one should I get?

PSU = I am not sure what wattage PSU I need or what brand is good. I need a recommendation.

case = I had my eyes on SilverStone Raven 02 only for about $159 + freeshipping + $20 rebate = 140 on amazon.com. Do you think this is what I should get or is it overkill for non-SLI person? I am still going to OC my CPU though. I like the idea that air ventilation goes upward instead of to the back of the case and it comes with filter, fans...etc. But I have carpet floor so if it sucks air from carpet, I don't know if that's good.

ODD = I don't really use DVD rom much except when I install windows or games. But I read that ASUS products are bad and LG are better but not sure. I need some recommendation.

HDD = I am debating between HDD and SSD. Maybe SSD is luxurious item that I don't need yet :)
if I decide to get HDD, which one do you recommend? All I need is like 120GB that's all and decent one.

Monitor = I think Samsung syncmaster or HP are usually good. I want about 22~24 inch with 1920x resolution. Which one do you recommand?
 
If a gaming comp at 1920x1080 or above, 6950 (reflashable to 6970!) or GTX570 is a solid upper/mid-range choice...

Most of the P67 MBs have received positive reviews....; hard to go wrong with Asus.

PSU...choose name brand, 650 watts is always a nice start....
 
Here are some suggestions
Mobo -
ASUS P8P67 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 - A good overclocking board with nice features
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131681
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1500/16/

RAM - This would be good and generally lower the timings(latency) the better, and higher the speed - Mhz the better...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303

PSU - For a single card setup and with overclocking, this would be a good option
Seasonic 620W
http://www.amazon.com/Seasonic-80Plus-M12II-620-BRONZE/dp/B003HE260I

GPU -
HD 6870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.578041

Or HD 6950 -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.578049
Would better suit for 1080p as you will be sticking with a single card
And check this out, but do it at your own risk,... ;)
http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/159

HDD - Samsung F3 1TB
$15 off with promo code HARDOCP112C, ends 1/19
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

CASE - It is also one of my favorite cases, but for a single card setup, the Raven in not required,...
But if you really like the cases apart from the cooling aspect, and dont mind spending the extra, then go for it, it has got very nice features and unique design, also anyways you can reuse the case for more than 1 build,...

SSDs are nice a 60GB SSD for just the OS, apps and games would be very good, but if it is a luxury or a not depends on how you see it,...

Monitor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001378
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005196
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001439
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236048
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059
 

joonkimdmd

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Mar 12, 2010
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I will buy the Mobo, Ram, PSU that you recommended plus raven 2.
When it comes to Mobo, I noticed that it has 2 PCI-X16. I don't use SLI so don't you think there is a way to save more money by picking one with 1 PCI-X16?

When it comes to GPU, I was actually thinking about heat generation and power consumption.
I heard that 6900 and 570, 580series generates too much heat and consumes tons of power.
That's why I was trying to stay away from it and thought about getting either 6870 or 560.
Do you think 6870 and 560 are not enough for 1920 resolution monitors?
My game choices are starcraft2, diablo3, Crysis 2, Bioshock3...etc.

The HHD you recommended had many bad feedbacks. I don't know if I can trust 11% of 1 egg in newegg.

If I install windows 7, Microsoft word +powerpoint, graphic card and sound drivers, and about 6 games, do you think about 100GB is enough?
I don't know exactly what kind of improvement SSD can bring that's why I wasn't thinking about getting one but I really don't need like over 200GB so that's also a waste if I get HDD.
If I do decide to get SSD, which one should I get? I think I am gonna need between 100gb ~120gb, but not sure. whether it's HDD or SSD, I think I see a lot of people saying theirs failed in 1 month or so so it's hard to choose.

Same goes to monitors. I don't know if I should just read feedback or if I should actually walk into the store and see it with my own eyes. I guess there is no product that makes everyone happy :D
 
^^ Mobo - You do get cheaper ones such as ASUS P8P67 LE and Gigabyte P67A-UD3, but they might not have such good overclocking features as these, but my guess is that it should allow for an overclock of atleast 4GHz given the previous versions of these boards and the i5 2500K's overclocking ability... So its upto you to decide,...

HDD - Well if you compare with any other 1TB 7200RPM drive, it has got one of the best ratings,... Also the F3 has got so many good reviews,... but if you dont want much space and are fine with the premium that the SSDs command, then here are a few,...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227590
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227593
As for their performance, some reviews...Mainly check the windows startup & shutdonw, real world benchmarks,...
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/ocz_vertex2_120gb/
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/3299/ocz_vertex_2_e_series_120gb_solid_state_drive_exclusive_review/index.html