Gaming PC for first time builder

[nodavesclub]

Approximate Purchase Date: soon as possible


Budget Range: prefer to keep under $1000 including monitor


System Usage from Most to Least Important: GAMING, web-surfing


Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, gamepad


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: tigerdirect.com or newegg.com


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: I'd like to use an intel processor and an NVIDIA graphics card


Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: No


Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050 or higher


Additional Comments: I've never built a PC so I'd like a case / parts that are newbie-friendly if at all possible.

I'd like a machine capable of running one of the following graphics cards: GTX 560, 570, or a 580.


Edit: OP updated to reflect suggestions

 

[BlazenDemon]

May i suggest at least a 1680x1050 resolution if not a 1920x1080 if you're planning on using those higher end cards you mentioned. As for processor i recommend you dump the processor you desire and get:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115076&cm_re=Sandy_Bridge-_-19-115-076-_-Product if you still desire to have that CPU under $200.

The new 32nm architecture will generate a lot less heat and the CPU is a great bang for the buck and will smash the AMD cpu you desire. The only problem is you will have to wait for the LGA 1155 Motherboards because they were recalled due to a bug and will most likely be released again in March or April if you can hold out till then.

For GPU i urge you to stay away from the GTX 470 and especially the 480 because of the massive power consumption. Get the 570 but if budget overshoots then you can drop to the 560 you cant miss both are fantastic powerful cards.

 

[batuchka]

If you do not need CUDA : CF on a USB/SATA 3.0 platform?

$733AR

$95 OS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754
23" LCD $150 Free Ship

$978AR total

HD6950 CF Toms
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6970-radeon-hd-6950-cayman,2818-22.html

But wait, there’s more. What about the Radeon HD 6900s in CrossFire? After all, AMD claims to have made some notable improvements to its scaling.
You’re only going to buy two high-end graphics cards if you’re running at the top resolutions with visual details maxed out. That’s where the 2 GB frame buffers featured on both 6900-series cards come in handy. In many cases, two $300 Radeon HD 6950s outperform a pair of $350 GeForce GTX 570s, saving you $100 total for better frame rates.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009266&cm_re=aCER_23%22-_-24-009-266-_-Product

 

[nodavesclub]

May i suggest at least a 1680x1050 resolution if not a 1920x1080 if you're planning on using those higher end cards you mentioned. As for processor i recommend you dump the processor you desire and get:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115076&cm_re=Sandy_Bridge-_-19-115-076-_-Product if you still desire to have that CPU under $200.

The new 32nm architecture will generate a lot less heat and the CPU is a great bang for the buck and will smash the AMD cpu you desire. The only problem is you will have to wait for the LGA 1155 Motherboards because they were recalled due to a bug and will most likely be released again in March or April if you can hold out till then.

For GPU i urge you to stay away from the GTX 470 and especially the 480 because of the massive power consumption. Get the 570 but if budget overshoots then you can drop to the 560 you cant miss both are fantastic powerful cards.

Thank you for the suggestions! I definitely want to keep heat and power consumption down. Could you recommend a build for me with the Intel Core i5-2300 and a GTX 570? I think I can hold out til March or April for the motherboard if I have to but would like to start estimating the total cost so I can focus on learning how to put it all together

 

[omac1a]

May i suggest at least a 1680x1050 resolution if not a 1920x1080 if you're planning on using those higher end cards you mentioned. As for processor i recommend you dump the processor you desire and get:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115076&cm_re=Sandy_Bridge-_-19-115-076-_-Product if you still desire to have that CPU under $200.

The new 32nm architecture will generate a lot less heat and the CPU is a great bang for the buck and will smash the AMD cpu you desire. The only problem is you will have to wait for the LGA 1155 Motherboards because they were recalled due to a bug and will most likely be released again in March or April if you can hold out till then.

For GPU i urge you to stay away from the GTX 470 and especially the 480 because of the massive power consumption. Get the 570 but if budget overshoots then you can drop to the 560 you cant miss both are fantastic powerful cards.

Definitely follow Blazedemons advice regarding the monitor. Don't go for anything less than 1680 X 1050. You will be sorry if you do. There are plenty of deals to be had on monitors these days.

Also, don't skimp on the power supply. By that I mean don't go for a cheap off-brand. Go for a name brand if at all possible. If you are near a Micro Center or Fry's Electronics you can go in and check out their lineup of cases before you buy, and sometimes you can get a good deal at both of those places.

 

[nodavesclub]

Definitely follow Blazedemons advice regarding the monitor. Don't go for anything less than 1680 X 1050. You will be sorry if you do. There are plenty of deals to be had on monitors these days.

Also, don't skimp on the power supply. By that I mean don't go for a cheap off-brand. Go for a name brand if at all possible. If you are near a Micro Center or Fry's Electronics you can go in and check out their lineup of cases before you buy, and sometimes you can get a good deal at both of those places.

Thanks. What are some good brands for a PSU? I've heard Corsair is one of the best. I definitely do not want to get any junk parts.

 

[BlazenDemon]

Yeah Corsair is a good bet you cant miss depending on your rig setup anywhere from 650 750 or 850 watts will do you good probably the 750 watt if you dont plan to SLI

 

[zonemods]

Crosshair thermaltake, antec coolmasters are all good brands if you find a brand you don't know about we'll see if it decent or not