[New Build] 1800 Gaming build from scratch

[swh127]

I have been reading all I could for the past week or so and finally have decided I am in way over my head. I have built my last two systems but the last was over 8 years ago. Technology has definitely changed, along with the price of a good gaming system. I switched to laptop gaming for a bit due to traveling for work and convenience but I am ready to get back into the desktop gaming world.

Approximate Purchase Date: next few weeks once my tax return comes in.

Budget Range: 1800 including monitors. (can go up to 2000 but would rather not) As suggested, I would like to do 1300 for the system and 500 for the monitors. I am looking for suggestions for it all.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Web development and other software development (this includes running virtual machines), internet of course.

Parts Not Required: looking for a from scratch; I have nothing I want to reuse since everything is almost 10 years old.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: any well rated sites (newegg, amazon, tiger direct/circuit city)

Country of Origin: US

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: after all my research I would like to go with a SandyBridge processor.

Overclocking: No to start, but would like to try it.

SLI or Crossfire: If it fits in the budget yes, but willing to wait a year or so to do it.

Monitor Resolution: (1920x1080 or 1920x1200)

Additional Comments: Minimum of two monitors or 3 for Eyefinity. would also consider using a 32-37 LCD TV as a monitor if that is the suggestion.

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[genghiskron]

i would pick the monitors out yourself and then come back with the rest of your budget. otherwise its just a guessing game. at least decide what fraction of it you want to spend on monitors. monitor quality is extremely subjective, some people are perfectly happy with a single 19" 8ms, some people demand 3 name brand IPS panels with perfect color matching.

 

[swh127]

I know nothing about monitors for gaming. I would be willing to say devote 1300 for the build and 500 for the monitors. I am looking for suggestions for it all though. At least a starting point so I don't wonder around newegg aimlessly for the next few weeks. I will update my original post.

Thanks.

 

[genghiskron]

Heres a start:

Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118039
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$20.99


COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119233
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$59.99


ASUS VW246H Glossy Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor
Item #: N82E16824236049
Return Policy: Monitor Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$30.00 Instant
$459.98
$399.98
($199.99 each)
2

Rosewill RMS-MF2720 Monitor Mounting Kit
Item #: N82E16882021074
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
-$34.99 Saving
$99.98
$0.00
($0.00 each)


MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video ...
Item #: N82E16814127565
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$5.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$249.99
$244.99
1

MSI Gift Coupon - Futuremark 3DMark 11
Item #: N82E16800127008
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$19.99 Saving
$19.99
$0.00


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1-Pack - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116986
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
$99.99


MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video ...
Item #: N82E16814127565
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Item #: N82E16819115072
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$5.00 Instant
-$10.00 Combo
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$474.98
$459.98
1

MSI Gift Coupon - Futuremark 3DMark 11
Item #: N82E16800127008
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$19.99 Saving
$19.99
$0.00


Antec TruePower New TP-750 Blue 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ...
Item #: N82E16817371022
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152185
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$15.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$209.98
$174.98


ASUS P8P67 PRO (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131703
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM
Item #: N82E16820231445
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
-$40.00 Combo
$314.98
$269.98
Subtotal: $1,730.88
Calculate Shipping
Zip Code: GO
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Shipping: $15.94


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Grand Total: $1,716.82

 

[nd_hunter]

It would be hard to suggest 3 monitors for under $500. How about $540? Are you going to be gaming across all three? If so, that will require two higher-end GPUs. I would go with two 2GB HD 6950s. You're looking at $550 for that.

You want a Sandy Bridge CPU, but that's easy: 2500k. So let's base a build around those parts:

3x ASUS V238H 23" LED 1080p monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236117
$540 ($530 after rebate)

Intel Core i5-2500k combo w/ Cooler Master Hyper 212+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.625350
$252

ASUS P8P67 PRO combo w/ 8GB (2x4GB) Ripjaws X 1.5v 1600 CAS 8 RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.633314
$270 ($240 w/ promo code EMCKFHH34 ($30 off memory))

Cooler Master HAF 922 Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197
$100 ($90 w/ rebate)

2x MSI R6950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127555
$550 ($525 w/ rebate)

Antec TruePower 750w PSU combo w/ Samsung F3 1TB HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.627767
$175

Win 7 Home Premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
$100

LG DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136236
$21 (free shipping w/ promo code EMCKFHH39

The total in my newegg cart ATM is $2095.26 with shipping. After rebates ($45) you're looking at $2045.26 shipped.

If you only want to game on the TV and use the other two monitors for other things, subtract $180 for one monitor for a total of $1915.27 before rebates, $1870.27 after.

 

[Why_Me]

This build includes Cooler Masters new Storm Enforcer case (just came out on the market yesterday), Windows 7 Professional 64 bit oem, dual LED 2ms full HD 1920 x1080 gaming monitors, after market cpu h/s (thermal paste included), dual MSI 6950's 2GB in Crossfire, 8 GB (2x4gb) of low voltage RAM, etc....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WK3KKQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $89.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Storm Enforcer USB 3.0 Mid Tower ATX Case with Window and Black Interior (SGC-1000-KWN1)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240 <---- That's the same case on newegg + shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049 $109.99 - $94.99 after mail-in rebate
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.633274 $234.98 FREE SHIPPING Limited time Shell Shocker® deal
ASUS P8P67 PRO (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.634958 $346.98 FREE SHIPPING
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit 1-Pack - OEM
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1303777065&sr=1-1 $28.67 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127562 $289.99 - $264.99 after mail-in rebate
MSI R6950 Twin Frozr II OC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127562 $289.99 - $264.99 after mail-in rebate
MSI R6950 Twin Frozr II OC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-3-5-Inch-Internal-HD103SJ/dp/B002MQC0P8/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1303776983&sr=1-1 $59.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Samsung Desktop Class Spinpoint F3 1 TB SATA 3.0 Gb-s 32 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare-OEM Drives, HD103SJ

http://www.amazon.com/Lite--LightScribe-Layer-Drive-IHAS424-98/dp/B002SIMPXM/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1303785852&sr=1-1 $24.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Lite-On LightScribe 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive IHAS424-98 - Retail (Black)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824113023 $139.99 FREE SHIPPING
Gateway FHX2152Lbd Black 21.5" 1920x1080 2ms Full HD LED BackLight LCD Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 1000:1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824113023 $139.99 FREE SHIPPING
Gateway FHX2152Lbd Black 21.5" 1920x1080 2ms Full HD LED BackLight LCD Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 1000:1

Total: $1,695.56 *not including shipping, mail in rebates, etc...

http://www.guru3d.com/article/msi-r6950-twin-frozr-ii-oc-review/1 <----- Review/benchmarks of that MSI 6950 2GB

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/gpu_displays/msi_r6950_twin_frozr_ii_review/1 <---- Another review of that card

 

[genghiskron]

i dont know what i was thinking. i completely agree with nh_hunter and why_me on the 2gb 6950. it is the clear choice at the high resolutions you will be dealing with.

 

[swh127]

It would be hard to suggest 3 monitors for under $500. How about $540? Are you going to be gaming across all three? If so, that will require two higher-end GPUs. I would go with two 2GB HD 6950s. You're looking at $550 for that.

You want a Sandy Bridge CPU, but that's easy: 2500k. So let's base a build around those parts:

3x ASUS V238H 23" LED 1080p monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236117
$540 ($530 after rebate)

Thanks for the suggestion. However I might want to run them in portrait mode and I think the lower bezel will be too large to do this.

 

[nd_hunter]

Thanks for the suggestion. However I might want to run them in portrait mode and I think the lower bezel will be too large to do this.

Agreed. Have you looked into IPS panels? They are more spendy but offer superior picture quality and the Dell's have very slim bezels.
http://www.amazon.com/Dell-UltraSharp-U2311H-Widescreen-DisplayPort/dp/B003QTKV9W/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1303917559&sr=8-13

LG has one out that has a little bigger bezel than the Dell above, but is less expensive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005234

 

[swh127]

I was concerned that the IPS panels 6ms response time was going to be too slow for gaming.

 

[nd_hunter]

I don't think so. I think the monitors that boast a 2ms response time (gray to gray) usually have a true 5ms response (on/off). From what I have picked up (and I could be wrong) the 2ms (gtg) seems like a bit of marketing hype. Maybe someone else can comment on this. My previous monitor was a 1680x1050 with 5ms response, and I didn't notice any difference other than the resolution when I switched to my current one (2ms gtg, 1080p).

 

[swh127]

Best answer selected by swh127.