$1100 Gaming Build

RedScar

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May 7, 2011
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So my current setup has just about run its course, its 6 years old at heart minus an MOBO & GPU replacement after my ASUS bios chip and old 8800 GTS died 2 years ago. As such I'm looking to build a new rig that is gonna last me for probably another for another 3-5 year stint. I know that is a stretch but I don't need to be running on max settings now let alone in the future so I will make due if it starts to fall short after 3 years.

Approximate Purchase Date
Within 2 months, some parts may be purchased now, but everything might not be finally purchased till possibly the end of June.

Budget Range
$1100-$1200 (Canadian) before shipping/mail in rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important
-Gaming
-CFD calculations
-Internet
-General PC usage (Word, videos, etc)


Parts Not Required
- Keyboard and Mouse are staying
- New Samsung E2320X recently purchased
- Storage HDD

Preferred Website(s) for Parts
Directcanada
Bestdirect
Canada Computers (1 local store within driving distance)
Newegg Canada


Country of Origin
Canada, eh?


Parts Preferences
No real preference between the better quality brands

Overclocking
Maybe, not looking to straight off on this build but it may come about.


SLI or Crossfire
Not really sold on the two card system, but I don't wanna hurt myself should it work out later down the road.

Monitor Resolution
1920x1080

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So far this is what I have, based on some of my own research and some other builds here.

CASE
Lain-Li Lancool PC-K62B Black ATX Mid Tower ($99.99)
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_112&item_id=026529

PSU
PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 750W SLI Certified ATX Power Supply 80 Plus Silver ($130.92, $25 MIR)
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950AC1632&vpn=PPCMK2S750&manufacture=Others

MOBO
Gigabyte P67X-UD3-B3 ATX LGA1155 P67 DDR3 3PCI-E1 2PCI 2PCI-E16 CrossFireX SATA3 USB3.0 ($153.19)
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950BD9488&vpn=GA-P67X-UD3-B3&manufacture=Others

CPU
Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB ($214.59)
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232639/BX80623I52500K/Intel/

CPU Cooler
Coolermaster Hyper 101I Direct Contact 2 Heatpipe CPU Heatsink LGA1155 LGA1156 775 80MM ($14.92)
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11130AC0835&vpn=RR-H101-22FK-RI&manufacture=COOLERMASTER

RAM
Corsair Vengeance 12GB 3X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 XMP Triple Channel ($133.77)
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180BD2695&vpn=CMZ12GX3M3A1600C9&manufacture=CORSAIR

GPU
MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr OC 880MHZ 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini-HDMI DX11 PCI-E ($237.88, $20 MIR)
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12980BD8066&vpn=N560GTX-TI%20Twin%20Frozr%20II/OC&manufacture=MSI

HDD
Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Dual Proc SATA 3.5IN Hard Drive ($56.10)
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/190109/WD5001AALS/Western%20Digital/

CD/DVD Writer (2x)
ASUS DRW-24B1ST 24X SATA DVD Writer ($21.32x2 = $42.64)
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10530DR5213&vpn=DRW-24B1ST%20Bulk&manufacture=ASUS

OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Edition 64BIT DVD OEM ($137.80)
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/222084/FQC-00765/MICROSOFT/

Total (Before MIR)
$1221.83
Total (After MIR)
$1176.83

Additional Comments:
Its kinda stretching the budget as I wanted to try and aim for the lower end of $1100, the only place I'm not to happy with is the RAM. Correct me if I'm wrong but you aren't taking advantage of triple channel if you run 8GB (2x4gb), then you only running it on dual channel? Any input on reducing the costs toward the $1100 without taking a large performance hit? I can live with it as it is but any price reduction is a benefit.

OR

The other big question is, do I go through with it? I know AMD's BD is due out in Q2 so I'm still on the fence if I wanna wait and see what happens when it hits the market. I'm not currently pushing my old rig in terms of games cause there is nothing out to play that it can't run for me already. I am foaming at the mouth to see/play Battlefield 3, which is what started my PC pricing.


Self update
I guess I could take the hit on the GPU and drop to a
ASUS Radeon HD 6870 DirectCU 913MHZ 1GB 4.2GHZ GDDR5 2XDVI 2XMINI DisplayPort HDMI PCI-E ($202.80, $20 MIR)
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10530BD9927&vpn=EAH6870%20DC/2DI2S/1GD5&manufacture=ASUS

This would drop the totals to
Total (Before MIR)
1186.75
Total (After MIR)
1121.75
 

gametstr

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May 7, 2011
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I dont think u 'll need 12GB of RAM
take a look at triple channel 6GB kits instead.

I 'd definitely wait for Bulldozer since its just a month or so.
Even if u dont get it. Expect some price cuts in the currently available lineups.

if that takes u under budget or u end up saving some more money by then get a better GPU. a 6950 2GB or 6970. Should last u longer than 560Ti or 6870.
 

RedScar

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May 7, 2011
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Ya Why_Me, your build was almost in line with what I had minus the case, HDD, and RAM. Only reason why I was leaning towards the 3x4GB sticks is because I may end up doing some CFD calculations, which are very memory intensive and I've seen the difference between 8GB and 12GB for solution times. Does anyone know if what I had stated about RAM before true? I feel like its correct but its been oh so long since I upgraded my rig.

I didn't realize that BD was due out in the next month, I was just guessing it would be the end of Q2 (March). I think I will play it safe and wait and see what the BD does for AMD and prices overall. Current rig does everything I need from it right now, BF3 isn't out for a bit. I'm just worried that the Intel prices aren't gonna drop all the much and the i5-2500 is gonna be sold out (selling like hotcakes right now).

I need a crystal ball

 
Socket 1155 motherboards use DOUBLE channel RAM . For gaming a 2 x2 gig kit will be fine

The samsung F3 500 gig drive is faster

Probably not worth spending money on that cpu cooler . Its probably not going to be much , if any, better than the stock cooler

Why do you need the Pro version of Windows?
 
G

Guest

Guest
I would recommend 2x4gb ram.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

you should also get this hdd. samsung is faster than wd/.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

if your getting 560 ti I recommend the gigabyte soc version. its cooler and faster.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125362

this psu should meet your needs plus its reliable.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

Also, if you're getting the p67x mbd. you should try finding it at microcenter.
normally cpu + mbd @ newegg is over $370.
you can get it with a combo @ microcenter for just $300-shipping.
its a great deal.