Gaming rig-Budget of 1500-2000

[jboy7789]

Approximate Purchase Date: This week (am willing to wait for potential upgrades if it is necessary/better)

Budget Range: 1500-2000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Work, Home use, surfing the internet.

Parts Not Required: Monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: no preference-I am pretty much retarded when it comes to putting together a PC, though.

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: Whatever is best.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Whichever is better

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 (monitor owned outputs as such already.

Additional Comments: Would like a quiet PC, and one that is well cooled.

Parts already owned: ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms Full HD Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ Speakers 300 cd/m2 20000 :1 (ASCR). http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059&Tpk=vh236

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

Since gaming is going to be your primary area of use, let’s get you the best processor to build around. The Intel® Core™ I5-2500K is just about the best gaming processor you can get your hands on at this time. Matching the Intel Core I5-2500K up with a nice P67 board will give you some good points at which do build from. If you are going to overclock the processor than, you need to get a good HSF to replace the stock heatsink with this processor.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[nd_hunter]

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
$224.99, free shipping, $10 off with promo code HARDOCPX5X4B, ends 5/10

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212+
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1304916142&sr=8-1
$29.95, free shipping

Motherboard: ASRock P67 Extreme4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229
$159.99, $8.50 shipping

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws X 8GB (2x4GB) 1333 CL7 1.5v
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231440
$104.99, free shipping, $20 off w/ promo code EMCKEKG32, ends 5/9

GPU: 2x MSI R6950 Twin Frozr II/OC
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-DisplayPort-R6950-TWIN-FROZR/dp/B004MPR1WO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1304970717&sr=8-1
$579.98, free shipping, $25 MIR available (one card only)

SSD: Intel 510 120GB SATA III
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167042
$284.99, free shipping

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-Cache-Desktop-HD103SJ/dp/B001U3S5S0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1304970804&sr=1-1
$61.75, free shipping

Optical: Lite-On 24x DVD Writer OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
$21.99, free shipping

PSU: Corsair 750HX
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMPSU-750HX-Professional-Certified-compatible/dp/B0029F21LK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1304970867&sr=1-1
$139.99, free shipping, $10 MIR available

Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Advanced-Tower-SuperSpeed/dp/B001EPUQAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1304916372&sr=1-1
$159.44, free shipping

OS: Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
$99.99, free shipping

-----

Total: $1876.55 shipped, before promo codes and rebates

 

[jboy7789]

I have seen the guides for putting together a PC, and I will ask-is it very difficult to do (like does it require a lot of tools to do the work), or is it a simple process?

 

[mjmjpfaff]

i just built a i5 2500k build w/ an extreme4 motherboard and the hardest part was installing the cpu cooler. i was just being an idiot though because i thought you couldn't move the screw positions for the hyper 212 + (you can). also all you will need is a phillips head screw driver

what state r u in because taxes make a big difference in price for large purchases!!!

also change that ssd to a 120gb vertex 2 or 3 the sandforce contollers i think are better, but it seems your budget might not handle that just get a 50gb vertex 2 on amazon.

go with a single gtx 570 or 580 even though you will get very high fps with crossfire (u get high fps with 570 & 580's too) their drivers have holes in them and you will notice their lows in fps where as a 570 or 580 will have a higher minimum fps

get a 850w xfx psu on tiger direct it is 99$ with rebate and will handle 570s in sli if you want to upgrade later since a single 570 is good enough now (it is easy to overclock too so you can get nearly 580 performance with a good oc and voltage tweak with msi afterburner which you should download)

as for ram get this 65$ after rebates and you can oc it to 1600mhz also super easy on that mobo.:
http://www.amazon.com/PNY-PC3-10666-1333MHz-Desktop-MD8192KD3-1333/dp/B004DHNAGM/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1304998919&sr=1-2

also you dont kneed a full tower case but they are nice if you really want one here is another good option:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Advance-Mid-Tower-RC-692-KKN2/dp/B00336EM0W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304998485&sr=8-1
you might want to get another fan for it too (it already has 3): http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-120mm-Blue-Case/dp/B0026ZPFCK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1304998550&sr=1-2

with the money you saved you can spend that money on more games
p.s. you can oc your i5 2500k to 4.4ghz by just turning up the cpu multiplier to 44

 

[jboy7789]

I am in New York, so taxes are a bit high here.

Thankfully, the guides here are very good, and my stepfather has put computers together before. Also, I forgot to mention that I'll be needed wireless internet capabilities as well.

I am also willing to look into liquid cooling if it is better/more efficient in terms of heating.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

k then you should really only look for computer parts on amazon and tigerdirect (they usually have the best prices anyways). also the hyper 212+ is perfect for oc's up to 5.0ghz anything above go scythe mungen or liquid cooling. i use the hyper 212+ and it is really fine ive got my 2500k running at 4.8ghz no problem. the temps are actually really good

 

[mjmjpfaff]

sorry it is called the scyth mugen 2

 

[Why_Me]

This build includes dual factory over clocked gtx 560's in SLI, Cooler Master Storm Enforcer (large mid tower that just came out last week), modular 750w 80+ Silver Certified Corsair psu, after market cpu h/s (thermal paste included), gaming router (450Mbps), 450Mbps wireless gaming adapter for your PC (also new on the market), Windows 7, top of the line Logitech gaming keyboard and mouse, and the best part of this build imo ...that Sennhieser gaming headset (I own that particular model and it's heaven). I didn't include speakers for the fact I figured you would be using that headset, but if you want me to throw a pair of Logitech THX certified speakers in here let me know. If you get anything out of this build...that headset and router for sure...but this entire build is quality that will last you for awhile.

*** Most of this build is from Amazon so you don't eat the sales tax.

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.amazon.com/Corsair-CMPSU-750HX-Professional-Certified-compatible/dp/B0029F21LK/ref=sr_1_7?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1305088739&sr=1-7 $139.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.637592 $224.98 FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
GIGABYTE GA-P67X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Processor-i5-2500K-LGA1155-BOX80623I52500K/dp/B004EBUXHQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1305090555&sr=1-2 $224.35 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Intel Core i5 Processor i5-2500K 3.3GHz 6MB LGA1155 CPU BOX80623I52500K

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $29.51 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-3-5-Inch-Internal-HD103SJ/dp/B002MQC0P8/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1304659892&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/gp/product/B002SIMPXM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $25.99 Free Standard Shipping (3-5 days)
Lite-On LightScribe 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive IHAS424-98 - Retail (Black)

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-PCI-Express-N560GTX-TWIN-FROZR/dp/B004JLNZXU $249.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
MSI GeForce GTX560 1 GB DDR5 2DVI/Mini HDMI PCI-Express Video Card N560GTX TI TWIN FROZR II OC

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-PCI-Express-N560GTX-TWIN-FROZR/dp/B004JLNZXU $249.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
MSI GeForce GTX560 1 GB DDR5 2DVI/Mini HDMI PCI-Express Video Card N560GTX TI TWIN FROZR II OC

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1305087935&sr=8-2 $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) OEM System Builder DVD 1 Pack

http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Wireless-Gaming-Adapter-TEW-687GA/dp/B004LA8BVU/ref=lh_ni_t $89.44
TRENDnet 450 Mbps Wireless N Gaming Adapter TEW-687GA (Black)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OAGOYE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $100.16 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
TRENDnet 450 Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Router TEW-691GR (Piano Black)

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-920-002232-Gaming-Keyboard-G110/dp/B002RRLQIO/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1303611258&sr=1-1 $61.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Logitech G110 Gaming Keyboard

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002J9GDXI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $54.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Logitech G500 Programmable Gaming Mouse

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PC-350-Collapsible-Microphone/dp/B0012XFDWO/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1303612524&sr=1-3 $176.25 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Sennheiser PC 350 Collapsible Gaming Headset with Vol Control & Microphone Mute

Total: $1,877.60

http://www.techwarelabs.com/trendnet-tew-691gr-wireless-450mbps-gigabit-router/ <----- Review of that router

http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/1000135#axzz1M1s8wzFQ <----- review of that wireless adapter

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/768/pg1/sennheiser-pc-350-gaming-headset-introduction.html <----- Review of that Sennheiser gaming headset

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3815#ov <------ more info, specs, and pics of that Gigabyte board

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=19&product_id=3038 <----- more pics, specs, and professional reviews of that Cooler Master Storm Enforcer case

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/775/1 <----- Review of that Corsair psu

http://www.guru3d.com/article/msi-n560gtx-ti-twin-frozer-ii-review/ <----- review of that MSI gtx 560

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/01/27/msi-geforce-gtx-560-ti-1gb-review/1 <----- review of that MSI gtx 560

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/msi_gtx560_twinfrozr_2/ <----- review of that MSI gtx 560

http://event.msi.com/vga/afterburner/download.htm <----- MSI Afterburner proggy

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard/devices/5902 <---- more info, specs, and pics of that keyboard

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice-pointers/mice/devices/5750 <---- more info, specs, and pics of that mouse

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/noise-cancelling-headset-computer-gamer-headset-skype-voip_502141 <----- more info, specs, and pics of that headset

 

[mjmjpfaff]

great build yes but out of his budget

 

[Why_Me]

great build yes but out of his budget

? The OP's budget is $1,500 - $2,000. At least that's what the title to this thread said.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

oh sorry thought it said 1200$ haha

 

[mjmjpfaff]

get win7 from amazon though same price no shipp. and no tax. also i would atill get the i5 2500k 225$ from amazon and the asrock p67 extreme4 from here:
http://www.outletpc.com/fb8531.html - total price for mobo= $176.96
and this dvd drive: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002QGDWLK/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1305084106&sr=1-2&condition=new
and i would take this psu: http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Certified-compatible-platforms/dp/B004MYFODI/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1305084213&sr=1-3

also no ssd maybe skimp out on the headset to a 75$ one and get a 50gb vertex 2 ssd at amazon for 100$ and put you favorite game(s), microsoft word if u have it and the os
this ram also: http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-240-Pin-Platforms-CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B004CRSM4I/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1305084444&sr=1-1 - no taxes haha!

 

[jboy7789]

I already have a speaker/surround sound system, so I'm good on that.

I'd probably go with another MX 518 mouse, as it has served me well in the past. My current one is running its course as it were.

Most of these look to be in the 1800-1900 range. Sounds like a buy to me. I'll give it a few more days before putting in any orders for some more suggestions. thanks to everyone so far!

 

[raptorjesus]

Skip the two 560's and get a 580 for the same price, and leave some room for later upgrade to SLI. With OC a single 580 will be more than enough to handle any game at 1920x1080, and is the single most powerful 1 gpu nvidia card out there.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

good point about the gpu. since you already have speakers i would get an ssd

 

[jboy7789]

In terms of the 580, when OC you say it will handle any game. Does that mean it will run at good FPS, or will I just be getting by?

 

[raptorjesus]

In terms of the 580, when OC you say it will handle any game. Does that mean it will run at good FPS, or will I just be getting by?

The most intensive game out right now is Metro 2033 with full setting enabled in DX11. Even at 2560x1600 the 580 at stock clock speeds runs it at a smurfs ass hair under 60 fps.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-580-gf110-geforce-gtx-480,2781-6.html


OCed it will be even faster, and when it comes to other games its just filthy overkill. The 580 as a stand alone card will be fine for years to come and with another in SLI can handle games for the next 3-4 years at least. At 1920x1080 its barely even breaking a sweat.

 

[Why_Me]

The most intensive game out right now is Metro 2033 with full setting enabled in DX11. Even at 2560x1600 the 580 at stock clock speeds runs it at a smurfs ass hair under 60 fps.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-580-gf110-geforce-gtx-480,2781-6.html


OCed it will be even faster, and when it comes to other games its just filthy overkill. The 580 as a stand alone card will be fine for years to come and with another in SLI can handle games for the next 3-4 years at least. At 1920x1080 its barely even breaking a sweat.

How many peeps add a second card 2 - 4 years down the road? Not many. Why is that ? Because in two - four years from now something better will be out on the market. Dual 560's in SLI are not only cheaper than a single 580, they mop the floor with it ...and when over clocked...and a 560 can be over clocked like no other card on the market today, well it gets even worse for the 580. Right now the 580 is the worst card on the market for price vs performance other than the 590 and the 6990. The 560's are on Nvidia's latest chipset and die. The are a smaller card that runs cool, and they aren't power hungry hogs like the 570's and 580's.

Either way though the OP can't miss. 580, dual 560's....

 

[raptorjesus]

How many peeps add a second card 2 - 4 years down the road? Not many. Why is that ? Because in two - four years from now something better will be out on the market. Dual 560's in SLI are not only cheaper than a single 580, they mop the floor with it ...and when over clocked...and a 560 can be over clocked like no other card on the market today, well it gets even worse for the 580. Right now the 580 is the worst card on the market for price vs performance other than the 590 and the 6990. The 560's are on Nvidia's latest chipset and die. The are a smaller card that runs cool, and they aren't power hungry hogs like the 570's and 580's.

Either way though the OP can't miss. 580, dual 560's....

No one adds a card 3 years down the line, but lets posit that maybe he can't swing two now, but after a few months can add another. In that case two 580's that you waited a few months to SLI is vastly superior to two 560s that you are stuck with for the next 3-4 years if you don't want to replace both again.

 

[nd_hunter]

No one adds a card 3 years down the line, but lets posit that maybe he can't swing two now, but after a few months can add another. In that case two 580's that you waited a few months to SLI is vastly superior to two 560s that you are stuck with for the next 3-4 years if you don't want to replace both again.

Dude, if he can't swing SLI 560s he can't swing a single 580...

 

[raptorjesus]

Dude, if he can't swing SLI 560s he can't swing a single 580...

I mean he can't swing two 580s at this time, but maybe in a few months he can add the second. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

 

[nd_hunter]

Long day...makes sense now though.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

yah i think dual 56o ti's are the way to go great oc'ing capabilities and you will get awesome fps on any game. plus the are cool and quiet unlike the 570 and 580. and when the next great thing comes around you don't need to worry about upgrading the thing you have now

 

[jboy7789]

It seems that dual oc'ed 560s are much more heavily suggested. Is there anything that has to go into setting up the sli, or is it simply just installing the two vid cards and profitting?

Also, I would much prefer the ssd to the headset in the build you recommended why_me (it seems as if your build comes closest to what I would like, with a few minor changes as recommended, of course).

I'll take a closer look and put the final build together for review. Thanks again for all the help guys!