1st Build. Gaming <$1000

alantwm

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Apr 6, 2011
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Hello. I hope you are all doing well. This is my first homebuilt gaming PC. I filled out the form:

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Approximate Purchase Date: This week or early next week

Budget Range: <$1000. Hoping to get the best value for money and appropriate to my needs.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Watching Movies

Parts Not Required: Monitor, Mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: no particular preference. I heard that newegg is a good website.

Country of Origin: Canada

Parts Preferences: No particular preference, but would like a nice upgrade path.

Overclocking: Maybe, if it is safe and not too difficult.

SLI or Crossfire: Not sure if I need it.

Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (i have a HDTV 1080p and would like to make full use of it)

Additional Comments: Would like to get the best value for money and keep under $1000 (approximately). I enjoy MMOs, and some FPS (crysis 2).
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I've done some research prior to posting and have come up with the following parts:

CPU:
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Motherboard
ASUS P8P67-M PRO (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131707

CPU Cooler
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Memory
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231430

GPU
XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150523

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Hard Disk
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Casing
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Anti-Static Wrist Strap
Rosewill RTK-001 Premium Anti-Static Wrist Strap
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261001

Keyboard (I like chiclet style keyboards, but the ones I've found are pretty expensive.)
Logitech K120 Black USB Wired Standard Keyboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126096


Total cost: CAD1080 before MIR, and about CAD1025 after MIR.
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Thoughts? Suggestions?
I have a few specific questions. Will everything fit and be compatible with each other?
To play with mid-max settings in a single 1920 x 1080 monitor, are these parts overkill or sufficient?
Will I ever need SLI/Crossfire if I only plan to use 1 monitor?
Is it a better idea to spend say $500 that'll last me a couple of years, or say $1000 that'll last me 4-5 years? Initially, I had only planned to spend a little over $500 for a budget gaming build, but after reading around and finding out how much I can get for just a little more ... whoa... suddenly I'm at $1000 :p

Thanks in advance for the help. Looking forward to hearing all of you experts' replies.





 
Solution
Hi! This build looks good. I personally like to build systems that will last a long time so the processor cooler etc are a good investment as well as the psu. For ram, it might be worth it to spend a little extra on 8gb (2x4gb) to allow some extra space for upgrading your ram in the future. Im not sure how far intel will support that socket since they seem to bring out a new socket every day hah. But that processor should be good to go for at least 5 years if not more if you get a significant OC out of it. The motherboard you selected is micro atx, whereas the case you selected is atx. i dont know if a micro atx mobo will fit properly in an atx case so you might check that out before purchasing. otherwise look for an atx mobo instead. I...

majin ssj eric

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Mar 2, 2011
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Thats a solid build. I would maybe make the jump to the HX750W PSU for the modular cable system. Its nice to leave out cables you are not going to use. Still, the TX is a great PSU. I had a P8P67-M Pro (pre-B3) and it was great. I RMA'd it for the Sabertooth just because I wanted a physically bigger board (and, geez, the Sabertooth has thermal armor!!!)....
 

Eviltwin17

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Feb 21, 2006
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Hi! This build looks good. I personally like to build systems that will last a long time so the processor cooler etc are a good investment as well as the psu. For ram, it might be worth it to spend a little extra on 8gb (2x4gb) to allow some extra space for upgrading your ram in the future. Im not sure how far intel will support that socket since they seem to bring out a new socket every day hah. But that processor should be good to go for at least 5 years if not more if you get a significant OC out of it. The motherboard you selected is micro atx, whereas the case you selected is atx. i dont know if a micro atx mobo will fit properly in an atx case so you might check that out before purchasing. otherwise look for an atx mobo instead. I have heard that some people were able to flash their 6950 to a 6970. Great selection on the gfx card, should chew through anything you throw at it.


Enjoy!
 
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