Need help building a gaming rig

[wukilla]

Approximate Purchase Date: Right now


Budget Range: ($2,000) Before Rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important: (gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies (blu-ray)


Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or any site you guys recommend


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: by brand or type, I would like to use an Intel CPU. Also, would like a mid tower case if possible


Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: Yes


Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080


Additional Comments: I would like a quiet PC, and a case that is easy to work with (inserting/removing drives)

===========================================
Here are the parts I liked from another post on this site.

SILVERSTONE RAVEN RV02-BW Matte black 0.8mm Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163154

ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614

XFX HD-585X-ZAFC Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity (x2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477

CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-850HX 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224

OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX100G 2.5" 100GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227529

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

LG WH10LS30 10X Blu-ray Burner - LightScribe Support - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.B CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835242001

Noctua NF-P12-1300 120mm CPU Cooler and Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608004

 

[ScrewySqrl]

no real reason to use the X6. A 2500K or 2600K Sandy Bridge offers similar performance for 1/3 to 1/4 the cost, with stronger overclocking

 

[nvidiafanboi]

Hi there. I'd say with that budget and no monitor needed, the world is your oyster my friend. i'm guessing you will be building it yourself.

All in all that is a nice set-up. I think you have it under controll.

 

[wukilla]

no real reason to use the X6. A 2500K or 2600K Sandy Bridge offers similar performance for 1/3 to 1/4 the cost, with stronger overclocking

I apologize but I'm not familiar with either of those do you happen to have a link that I could read? I haven't built a system in 4yrs. I work on them every day but they are prebuilt Dell/HP systems. I would like to educate myself so I can be a informed consumer and any help you guys can give would be incredible! I originally put this together in Dec of last year, I saw people talk about sandy bridge but wasn't sure what that ment to me. I love gaming and would like to finally have a top end or near it system at least once in my life . Even if it's only for a month before the next latest and greatest arrives. Thank you for taking the time to offer the assistance you have!

 

[ScrewySqrl]

Sandy Bridge is the new intell processor. They are blazingly fast chips.
read these two articles:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-efficienct-32-nm,2831.html

 

[Why_Me]

A $285 mobo, $180 case and you have plans to get a 5850

 

[cthunder067]

A $285 mobo, $180 case and you have plans to get a 5850

Well the 5850 isn't a bad start. But instead of How about recommending something. The title does say help me with my build.

 

[Why_Me]

Well the 5850 isn't a bad start. But instead of How about recommending something. The title does say help me with my build.

*Noted I'l post a build on here in a few minutes using most of the hardware you have listed.

 

[Why_Me]

This build includes dual gtx 580's, blu-ray burner, 2600K w/after market h/s (thermal paste is included), 8 gigs of RAM, etc...

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=gtx+580+sli+review&aq=0&aqi=g1g-m3&aql=&oq=gtx+580+sli+rev&fp=9809f9a75fc5a4aa <--- GTX 580 SLI Reviews

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=19&product_id=2919 <--- more info on that case (CM HAF 922)

http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/1000116/ASRock-P67-Extreme4-Motherboard-Review/1 <---review on that Asrock mobo

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1098/pg6/asrock-extreme4-p67-and-fatal1ty-professional-p67-vs-x58-with-core-i7-950-review-photoshop-cinebench-turbo.html <---another review on that mobo...and there's a good one on it done here on Toms...it's on the main page of this site.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197 $99.98 FREE SHIPPING
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256057 $184.99 - $164.99 after mail-in rebate
SILVERSTONE ST1000-P 1000W ATX 12V v2.3 & EPS 12V 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157217 $152.99
ASRock P67 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.584445 Combo Price: $341.98
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426 $84.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U3S5S0/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0WTZP6BVYETKEAAD5S00&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470939291&pf_rd_i=507846 $59.99 this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Samsung 1 TB Spinpoint 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.5 inch Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive HD103SJ

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106348 $109.99 FREE SHIPPING
LITE-ON 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 8MB Cache SATA Internal Blu-ray Burner with 3D PlaybackiHBS212 LightScribe

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587 $499.99
EVGA 015-P3-1580-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587 $499.99
EVGA 015-P3-1580-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754 $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

Total : $1,874.90 *not including shipping, rebates, etc...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227551 $219.99 - $199.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817997013 $4.99 FREE SHIPPING
Rosewill RX-C200P 2.5" SSD / HDD Plastic Mounting Kit for 3.5" Drive Bay

 

[NeoElemental]

Here's all you need to swap out:

CPU: 2500K or 2600K - $225 or $330
For gaming, these will be pretty equivalent. Again, you were looking at a 950 to begin with, so maybe you want the extra chippower.

MOBO: Asus P8P67 Pro (or Deluxe?) - $180 or $240
The Pro is great. The Deluxe is overkill IMO, but you do have the budget, so I leave it on there.

Note that both K chips (which are THE ONLY SANDY BRIDGE CHIPS unlocked for overclocking) are bundles with the Pro, but NOT the deluxe.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.575880
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.575884

Both these combos shave off an extra $20's, so that makes the price difference between the Pro and the Deluxe $80, not $60.


RAM: 2x2 GB or 2x4 GB 1600 CAS 7 - $65 or $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231431

Doesn't seem like the 8GB price point is quite worth it yet, as 4GB is really the upper limit for what's used in gaming. If you're running like huge RAM eating programs, maybe spring for the 8GB. Again, you have the budget, so those choices are up to you.

GFX: XFX AMD 6950 - $290
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150518

With the firmware unlock, this is equivalent to the 6970. Not enough power? Get 2! Basically shaved off $100 from SLI 6970's. I like the double warranty with XFX, though you may risk it if you firmware wipe. That being said, they have dual firmwares with a hardware toggle, so they're pretty much unbrickable.

PSU: Just step up to the 850AX. You have the budget for $20. - $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139015&Tpk

CASE:
I love the Silverstone. The 90 degree motherboard turn is brilliant, and it's the case I would get if I had the budget. Alternative in terms of ease of building and being a bit smaller: Lancool PC-K62. Great toolless install and a much nicer case than you'd think.

If you're overclocking:

CPU COOLER: Scythe Mugen 2100 - $40

Very highly recommended. Perfect price/performance ratio and definitely enough for almost any type of air overclock you'd do.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

 

[ScrewySqrl]

thats a pretty solid system.

I'd suggest a pair of 570s instead of the 580s, which saves you $310.

This 120 GB G.Skill Drive would be a nice addition for $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231378

the $70 left can buy a NICE set of speakers and a new mouse/keyboard.

The Haf-X is also an unbelievably *HUGE* case. you can probably get by with something a little smaller, I'm also leery of $200 cases, an Antec 900 at $99 will still be nice, but cases are very subjective.

 

[wukilla]

Thank you so much for the assist everyone!! I have a lot of reading to do tonight (mid-shift), believe me I will read it all. I looked at some of the replies, not in detail still have people here bugging me. I like what I've seen, the choices for parts was originally made in early december so things have changed.

 

[Why_Me]

thats a pretty solid system.

I'd suggest a pair of 570s instead of the 580s, which saves you $310.

This 120 GB G.Skill Drive would be a nice addition for $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231378

the $70 left can buy a NICE set of speakers and a new mouse/keyboard.

The Haf-X is also an unbelievably *HUGE* case. you can probably get by with something a little smaller, I'm also leery of $200 cases, an Antec 900 at $99 will still be nice, but cases are very subjective.

That case (HAF X) is spendy... If I was the OP, I would go with the CM HAF 922 (Killer case btw w/lots of room and cooling) but no way would I switch out the 580's for the 570's. Why would anyone switch up on those cards to gain a SSD and lose FPS at the same time on a gaming build ? If the OP switches cases, he saves $100 that means he only needs $100 more for that OCZ SSD I posted...and he can always pick one of those up later down the road.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I see some great parts in some of those builds but also mixed with "bargain brand" parts that frankly don't belong in a $2k build. And for your usage, I don't see the 1366 platform helping you any.

Case - $160 - Antec DF-85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087
Case Fan - Later - Antec Red 120 mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209013
PSU - $120 - Antec CP850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024

Alternate HAF-X w/ XFX Blaxk Edition 850 and CM Case fan.

Why - I have built with all of the top cases since the Xmas season and the DF-85 stands out with it's easily removable air filters, built in fan speed controls, hot swap exterior 2.5" bay and swappable storage bays .... no need to remove / replace cables when sticking in HD's /SSD's . The HAF-X is my 2nd choice mainly because I find the HAF series tooless features a bit flimsy. Both cases aesthetics are "ya like or ya don't like" so buy what you are comfy with. The HX850 is a great PSU, 10,0 performance rating on jonnyguru.com But that's the same score earned by the XFX Black Edition 850 and the Antec CP-850 which are way cheaper and the CP runs quieter and cooler than the other two. get the fan later when ya add 2nd GFX card


MoBo - $495 - ASUS P8P67 Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.575880
CPU - incl above - Intel Core i5-2600K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070

Why - The consensus favorite ... THG's overclock winner unless of course ya wanna move up to the Sabertooth (5 year warranty, mil spec components) or the WS Revolution (twin PCI_E slots are x16 x16 in SLI / Xfire as opposed to X8 x8 ....a 1-4 % GFX speed increase depending on what review ya read.)

Cooler - $62 - Prolimatech Megahalems http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835242001
TIM - $5 - Shin Etsu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080
CPU Fan - $11 - Scythe SY1225SL12LM-P http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10026/fan-639/Scythe_Slip_Stream_120mm_x_25mm_PWM_Mid_Speed_Fan_-_SY1225SL12LM-P.html?tl=g36c365s936
CPU Fan - $11 - Same
Fan Cable - $8 - Akasa PWM AK-CB002 http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10350/cab-183/Akasa_PWM_Splitter_-_Smart_Fan_Cable_AK-CB002.html

Why - The Mega is in the top 3 over at benchmarkreviews.com in tests on modern CPU's and it's the easiest , most fool proof installation I have come across. Shin Etsu is the No. 1 TIM and that AS5 ya liked takes over 200 hours to cure. If interested in best bang for the buck, substitute the SCMG 2100 Scythe Mugen 2 for $40 which comes with all the fans ya need.

RAM - $77 - (2 x 4GB) Mushkin CAS 9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095

Why - There's 20 sets out there w/ same stats, the price is great and it's a great company to deal with and has very low return rate.

GFX - $370 - EVGA GTX 570 Superclock http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130595

Why - A single 570 plays just about anything at max settings at your resolution. Grab another one come Xmas when prices drop. The 6970 is a solid alternate as a single card, even has a two fps edge (526 to 524) when summing up all the tests at Guru3D (tho HAWX isn't counted as ATI driver problem produced dismal results). However in SLI, the 570's jump to 873 to the X-fired 6970's 825.

HD - $65 - Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200 rpm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
SSD - $200 - OCZ Vertex 2 3.5" 120GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227590

Why - Well, if ya buying now, ya buying now....new Sandforce isn't expected till May if I recall correctly. The 7200.12 and new WD Black are reasonable alternates. No need for a 3.5" tray adapter since the DF-85 has built in 2.5" mounting bay.

DVD Writer - $80 - ASUS BR Model BC-08B1LT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135220

Why - I'd recommend a blue ray reader / DVD writer as BR media is still in the stratosphere price wise.

OS - $140 - Win 7-64 Pro OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Ability to connect to networks w/ more than 5 puters, XP mode for compatibility w/ older programs. I think $20 promo code still in effect on newegg.

$1804 Total

Might wanna grab new KB / Mouse w/ leftover money. The G510 is back up to $100 but yesterday was $79....prolly be back at that price in a week or so. G500 mouse is $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104318