New *first* Build! ~$1300

[XXF]

Approximate Purchase Date: February 13th maybe as late as the 20th (earlier if there’s a great deal to be had, but I will probably assemble it February 26th)

Budget Range: $1300-1450 (the lower the better as long as it doesn’t hurt performance or future upgradeability too much)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Web Surfing and Streaming, DVD Read/Write/Rip, Gaming, I’m curious about TV Tuners (Recording and watching live television) but this isn’t as important right now.

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg unless better prices can be found elsewhere

Country of Origin: United States (Also, lol @ Grand Fenwick)

Parts Preferences:

OS: Windows 7 Professional 64 bit 64.95

Case: Full tower, I like the reputation of Cooler Master, but if there are other good ones out there that cost less I’d be happy to be flexible.
Cooler Master 139.98

Processor: Intel Sandy Bridge Unlocked Version. I’m currently planning on the i7 2600k, but if I can’t cut a few dollars off anywhere else I’ll use the i5 2500k.
i7 2600k 329.99 (i5 2500k 224.99)

Mother Board: Definitely p67. Probably ASUS. I’m having trouble choosing between PRO, EVO, and DELUX models though.
PRO/EVO/DELUX Comparison 189.99/209.99/239.99

GPU: I like the idea of the GTX 570, it should give me all the performance I need in the short run and the option to SLI as an upgrade in the future. The EVGA brand was recommended to me. I’m open to suggestions or comments on my thinking about this though.
EVGA GTX 570 349.99

RAM: 8 GB (2x4GB) with the idea that it would invite easy upgrade in the future should moving to 16GB provide a suitable performance boost. Assuming the G.Skill Ripjaws X Series is of suitable quality I’m leaning toward these because of the 8 (rather than 9) timings and because I’ve read 1.5 volt 1600 works well with the Sandy Bridge.
8 GB, (2x4GB) G.Skill Ripjaws X 134.99

The following I’m not really attached to at all, but they were recommended and I think they would work in the build, but if there is better quality or prices to be had feel free to suggest them:

PSU: XFX XPS-850W-BES 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply 149.99

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5” Internal Hard Drive – Bare Drive 54.99

Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper N 520 RR-920-N520-GP 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Intel Core i7 compatible 34.99

Current Total: 1499.86 (with Delux MOBO and 2600k processor)

Overclocking: CPU, Yes; RAM/GPU Probably Not

SLI: As a possible future upgrade

Monitor Resolution: 2 monitors at 1920 x1080

Additional Comments: This will be my first build, so all the advice you can give me is helpful. I’m also interested in having an SSD boot drive, and have read both massively positive reviews for the idea, as well as very negative reviews concerned about the lifespan of SSD boot drives, so comments regarding that are also welcome.

 

[Why_Me]

This build includes dual gtx 560's in SLI, after market h/s (w/thermal included), and and an o/s. Also that case down there is called a "mid tower" by Cooler Master, but it's larger than a lot of so called "full tower" cases made by other manufacturers. Check out the dimensions on it.

http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/gigabyte_geforce_gtx_560_ti_soc.html <--- review/benchmarks gtx 560

http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6606 <--- more info on the CM HAF 922

http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/1000116/ASRock-P67-Extreme4-Motherboard-Review/0 <--- Fairly recent review of the ASRock P67 Extreme4 with some o/c tips and great screenies.

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1098/pg10/asrock-extreme4-p67-and-fatal1ty-professional-p67-vs-x58-with-core-i7-950-review-overclocking.html <--- Recent yet not so in depth review of that same board.

http://www.asrock.com/MB/download.asp?Model=P67%20Extreme4 <---- make sure you update to the latest bios

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=N82E16817139006 $109.99 - $89.99 after mail-in rebate FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 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.584425 Combo Price: $238.98
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428 $109.99 FREE SHIPPING
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.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125363 $249.99
GIGABYTE GV-N560OC-1GI GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125363 $249.99
GIGABYTE GV-N560OC-1GI GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039 $16.99 FREE SHIPPING
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X 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 - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 $54.99 FREE SHIPPING
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/windows/buynow/default.aspx $64.95
Windows 7 Professional 64bit (Student only version)

Total: $1,348.88 *not including shipping, rebates, etc...

*Down below is an SSD worth looking at imo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227528 $119.99 FREE SHIPPING
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX50G 2.5" 50GB 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

 

[dalauder]

That looks like good parts--but you probably don't need any better than this for RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144&cm_re=corsair_vengeance-_-20-233-144-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Chances are the Antec Earthwatts 750W PSU (like $70 cheaper) will do the job for you. I love that HDD. I RAID them. The Pro Motherboard probably does everything you want (PCI-e 2 x8 should be fine for SLI). I'd get a cheaper case because so long as it has good air flow and enough space, it gets the job done (I love my Azza Solano 1000R for $80). I'd get a 2GB Radeon HD 6950--mostly because I'd enjoy unlocking it to a 6970. But also because it saves $50 that I'd put towards an SSD in a few months.

Windows 7 Pro is best (because Ultimate only has useless junk). Home Premium actually has most of the stuff you'll use.

 

[dalauder]

I had no idea Why_Me had already made a better post. An i5 gets the job done with plenty leftover, but it lacks the bragging rights of flaunting that money is no object. Still--Why_Me's posts are always what people should build. It's like he's trolling the forums with a build for each price range on his clip board.

 

[Why_Me]

I had no idea Why_Me had already made a better post. An i5 gets the job done with plenty leftover, but it lacks the bragging rights of flaunting that money is no object. Still--Why_Me's posts are always what people should build. It's like he's trolling the forums with a build for each price range on his clip board.

Most of it is "copy & paste" from other builds Iv'e posted on here...I'm layed off and bored so this helps pass the time. But do you have any idea how many threads I see on this forum where the OP wants a gaming build, has a budget of ..example $1,100 - $1,500 for a build that's going to do nothing more than play COD, Crysis, etc... and I see these nubs want a 2600K, $150+ cases, SSD's, $250+ mobo's, $130+ RAM (and RAM doesn't mean crap in regards to o/c these 1155's), 1000w psu's, $70+ cpu coolers, etc, etc,.. and then the nubs get a crap video card for a so called "gaming build" All because their clan mate Johny e-penis told them that's what they need because he read it somewhere... And a lot of them you can't explain to them that they are making a big mistake...it's like they have the IQ of a turnip and ask to be hosed. Sheep is what I call them. I mean honestly if you have a "gaming rig" and your a so called "gamer"...what's more important....loading windows a few seconds faster or having more FPS in the game so you don't stutter and lag ? It seems like a no brainer to me.

@ the OP...sorry for spamming your thread with my venting.

 

[XXF]

Thanks for your posts guys,

dalauder, that gif cracks me up.

Why_Me, no worries about the venting, but be assured I asked for opinions because I'm fairly novice at this and intend to take your ideas to heart. I tried to briefly explain my thinking behind the parts I had 'decided' on (although I use that term loosely as none of the parts are set in stone).

I would descirbe what I'm trying to build as more of an enthusiast build than a gaming build. The game i currently play most frequently is Alpha Centauri, and the most recent game I've been interested in trying, but was unable to on my old laptop, was Civ V.

A couple of questions about some of your suggestions, first with the RAM, how much affect do the timings of RAM have on the performance? I read that timings are more important to performance than frequency which was why I originally leaned toward the $135 RAM I originally listed.

Second, I would not intend to use an SSD as a primary drive, even just to store games, but I am curious about your opinion on them as purely a boot drive (like a 40 gig SSD with Windows 7, MS Office, and Chrome and Firefox on it and nothing else). Would I need to be worried about replacing it every year?

Finally, how long are combos available on NewEgg? Would I risk losing out on some of the combo deals you listed if I put off buying it for a few weeks or are they somewhat permanent (obviously changing with new or phased out technology)?

Thanks again for the replies, guys.

 

[Why_Me]

Those combo's come and go...some of them for a week or two, and some for months on end. As far as the memory goes...RAM timings meant a lot in regards to over clocking...move up the FSB and it was off to the races...that was until these 1155's where RAM timings mean ZERO in regards to over clocking...which is a big YAY seeing how peeps don't have to sell the farm these days in order to get a decent over clock. Technology is finally paying off.

Down below is a pretty decent deal on a SSD.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227528 $119.99 FREE SHIPPING
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX50G 2.5" 50GB 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

 

[dalauder]

Most of it is "copy & paste" from other builds Iv'e posted on here...I'm layed off and bored so this helps pass the time. But do you have any idea how many threads I see on this forum where the OP wants a gaming build, has a budget of ..example $1,100 - $1,500 for a build that's going to do nothing more than play COD, Crysis, etc... and I see these nubs want a 2600K, $150+ cases, SSD's, $250+ mobo's, $130+ RAM (and RAM doesn't mean crap in regards to o/c these 1155's), 1000w psu's, $70+ cpu coolers, etc, etc,.. and then the nubs get a crap video card for a so called "gaming build" All because their clan mate Johny e-penis told them that's what they need because he read it somewhere... And a lot of them you can't explain to them that they are making a big mistake...it's like they have the IQ of a turnip and ask to be hosed. Sheep is what I call them. I mean honestly if you have a "gaming rig" and your a so called "gamer"...what's more important....loading windows a few seconds faster or having more FPS in the game so you don't stutter and lag ? It seems like a no brainer to me.

@ the OP...sorry for spamming your thread with my venting.

I totally missed that message. Yeah, I totally agree with you. I'm actually shocked how many posters on this site recommend builds that don't focus on graphics. I'm also shocked how many people a day can start a thread requesting a $1000 Build. All they have to do is search and there are 6 threads started today. The really exceptional threads are where people ask for a $3K build. I did one of those a couple weeks back and recommended dual 5970's--haha. I hope he listened to my initial suggestion to wait for the X68 though--or he got a $3K build with recall parts.