First build advice needed, $1500 [Gaming]

[holyrebel]

Approximate Purchase Date: 2 weeks


Budget Range: The price ceiling is $1500


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mostly Gaming (Rift, Eve Online, Starcraft 2)


Parts Not Required: I already have a mouse/keyboard


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg


Country of Origin: USA


Overclocking:Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: Yes


Monitor: I'm curious as to whether I can use my TV screen as a monitor with an HDMI cable, if not I'll need a monitor as well


Additional Comments: This will be my first build but I am in no way worried about my ability to physically build it. I am however worried about getting the right parts that not only work together but will be of good quality. Technically I have 1600 to spend but I'll need that to spend on software. Any additional advice is always welcome!

 

[Why_Me]

Down below is dual factory over clocked gtx 560's in SLI.

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 same case @ 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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229 $159.99
ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.632379 $459.98 $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $439.98 FREE SHIPPING
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 Card
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565 $244.99 (Before $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) FREE SHIPPING
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 Card

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 $29.15 & 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=N82E16820231416 $69.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR

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=N82E16832116986 $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1-Pack - OEM

Total: $1,348.12 *not including monitor, shipping, and mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236117 $179.99 - $169.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
ASUS VH238H Black 23" Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250 cd/m2 ASCR 50,000,000:1

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

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/msi_gtx560_twinfrozr_2/11.htm <--- review/benchmarks of that MSI card

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/02/21/msi_n560gtx_ti_twin_frozr_ii_oc_sli_review/1 <--- review benchmarks of that MSI card in SLI

http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/1000116#axzz1EqpvWFEN <---Review on that Asrock motherboard after the latest bios update

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1098/pg2/asrock-extreme4-p67-and-fatal1ty-professional-p67-vs-x58-with-core-i7-950-review-asrock-p67-extreme4.html <---Review on that Asrock motherboard after the latest bios update

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4080/welcome-to-sandy-bridge-with-the-asrock-p67-extreme4 <--- Review before the latest bios...and it still smoked the Asus and Gigabyte boards in it's class

http://www.asrock.com/news/events/201102ex/warranty.html <---- Asrock two year warranty

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=P67%20Extreme4 <----- ASRock P67 Extreme4 Motherboard

 

[holyrebel]

I'll check it out, thanks for the quick reply

 

[holyrebel]

Is the case big enough for two video cards etc?

 

[Why_Me]

Is the case big enough for two video cards etc?

Yes it is.

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=19&product_id=3038 <---- That case with reviews.

 

[hyrule571]

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Gamer_Xtreme_5200/


Configure it and then click Add to Shopping Cart. Great deal breaker here.

 

[hyrule571]

Or this one..

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Gamer_Infinity_XLC/

If you really can drop $1795 this is a great deal and GOOD system. Price can drop to 1650ish if you select a GTX 580 instead of the already listed 590. No worries and fuss trying to put things together and waste time. Comes i think in a box and just pull it out connect your peripherals and your good to go =]

PLUS, when Ivy Bridge comes out, you can upgrade to a Ivy Bridge compatible motherboard and you'l be up to date easy. Drop an Ivy Bridge processor in the future and you'l be even more settled future proof. This PC i listed here is right of the get go just check it out no need to configure things just buy it how it is unless if GTX 590 is too much pick the 580.

 

[holyrebel]

Honestly I would hyrule but I've heard such bad things from companies like cyberpowerpc and ibuypower

 

[hyrule571]

Wow, really? Please tell me lol i honestly haven't but i need to know for myself too!

 

[holyrebel]

I've heard "mixed" reviews, even on this site, don't have a link but if you do some lookin I'm sure you can find some reviews. I'd be interested to hear what others would have to say about it, but from what I've gathered they like to cut corners to cut costs. When it comes to a computer like this I think I'd rather attempt building instead.

 

[hyrule571]

Ah... kk =/

 

[holyrebel]

One last question I'm a bit fuzzy on. What extra parts, or whatever, would I need to allow my desktop to connect wirelessly assuming I go with the build posted by Why_me

 

[hyrule571]

A wireless internet card that connects to a PCI slot or a PCI-E slot.

 

[Why_Me]

One last question I'm a bit fuzzy on. What extra parts, or whatever, would I need to allow my desktop to connect wirelessly assuming I go with the build posted by Why_me

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=31&name=Wireless-Adapters

 

[hyrule571]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320048&cm_re=Wireless_N_PCI_Express-_-33-320-048-_-Product

For PCI-Express WiFi card ^



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127219&cm_re=Wireless_N_PCI-_-33-127-219-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156054&cm_re=Wireless_N_PCI-_-33-156-054-_-Product

For PCI WiFi card ^ (one of two you can choose from on the PCI slot if you like, or if you want, PCI-Express WiFi card instead of the PCI ones).

All support wireless N.

 

[holyrebel]

Thanks guys, if I think of anything else I know who to come to!

 

[holyrebel]

Best answer selected by HolyRebel.

 

[trumpet_king]

Take a look at my post. I'm looking for the same thing and have gotten a few replies. My build is very similar to Why_Me's response. I included a SSD in my build and also include a different 1TB drive. I've seen posts on newegg and here complaining that the Spinpoint is a bit noisy. I would suggest looking around if you think this will be a problem for you.

 

[holyrebel]

I really like Why_Me's build but I'm willing to look into it

Edit: I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but whats the point of two hard drives? One TB is quite alot isnt it?

 

[trumpet_king]

I've included a SSD (Solid State Drive) not for extra capacity but for the advantages in speed. This drive will include my OS, games, and a few programs that I want to get the most out of in terms of speed. The 1TB will be used for mass storage of videos, music, and lesser programs.

I would highly suggest looking into a SSD, or at least getting more information on the benefits to see if it's right for you. Here is a post I found here that has a good discussion on SSD.