Long, long overdue gaming beauty required ~$2000

[QuickSilver402]

Hey everyone,

I've been building custom pc's for quite some time now, but I've been completely out of the hardware loop, so I turn to you guys for your advice.

I was looking through similar requests. There's a lot of info, but I see that they all differ slightly in their requests, so I will make me own here. I appreciate any input, since any solid recommendations here will translate into purchases for myself.

Basically, I'm looking for a solid gaming desktop pc. I built my first computer for HL2 with a nice Lian-Li case and the thing is still kicking and working better now than when I first built it (I'm using it right now). I'd like to repeat that success with a smart build.

Purpose: Gaming/Internet
Budget: About $2000 (Canadian) - I can go ~$200 over for shipping/tax/monitor
Websites: I like to ship from one place, unless you guys know some good combo deals. That being said, newegg.ca or tigerdirect.ca should cover it.
Country: Canada
Sidenote: Doesn't have to physically look nice. I just want it to be practical (i.e. cooling) when it comes to case features and the like.
Additional: I will require a monitor and a keyboard. Monitor-wise I'm thinking at least 23'' with a good resolution.

So, I'm looking for suggestions on the following parts:
CPU (I'm thinking i7? Intel vs AMD? What's good re: GPU?)
GPU (single or SLI'd?)
Mobo
PSU
Memory
HDD
Case
After-market cooling (not water - probably will only do light/safe oc'ing with some nice heatsinks)
Optical Drives
Monitor
Keyboard


Not that you guys care but I'm a hardcore gaming enthusiast (I used to work on a lot of mods back in the HL days) and I've really had to scale back my gaming in recent years. I've been waiting for this computer for, literally, years, and I want this to be a gaming-induced wet dream. If you guys can help me make it happen with your advice, I'd be extremely grateful.

 

[banthracis]

Fill out the form in sticky, link in my sig.

For ex, whether or not you need 2 GPU's depends on resolution.
Mobo choice would depend on whether you would make use of quick synch or not.
CPU wise, pretty much SB is the best choice with your budget.

 

[raptorjesus]

With a fat budget like that, I'd build a i7-2600k, P67 board, 2x 2GB 6950s, a 2560x1600 monitor, 8GB (4x2GB) CAS7 1600Mhz RAM and the associated parts to power it. That or 2x 560 Ti's if you step down to 1920x1080.

Edit: Never mind about the 2560x1600 monitor, way out of the budget. Sitck with 23-24" 1920x1080 monitors.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

i5 2500k, asrock p67 extreme 4 motherboard, 2x6970's, 8gb 1600mhz ram (gskill), 850w psu, 1-vertex 2 120gb ssd or new intel 120gb ssd, this case is really nice- http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Graphite-Mid-Tower-Gaming-CC600T/dp/B003Y0R1GO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305594519&sr=8-1 , psu- http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7195039&CatId=2534 , this is a really good cpu cooler you could downggrade to a thermaltake frio hyper 212 plus or scthe mugen 2 if you wanted thought- http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5592441&CatId=493 , HDD- http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6448061&CatId=2459, keyboard logitech g110- http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5290436 , dvd drive- http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6078414&CatId=1624, monitor- http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4942567&Sku=A466-2406 . the 6970 in crossfire will be overboard for this monitor should really go with dual 6950's 2gb

 

[aznshinobi]

Nothing can be recommended if unless certain things are listed. For instance if you want to CF or not, or if what your resolution is. Mjmjpfaff's build is OK, I'm not to fond of CF 6970 or 570 when the 560 Ti and 6950 can perform about the same in dual card.

Anyway back to filling out the form, if you have 1280x1024 and your using a 570, you're going to bottleneck yourself and instead of getting more frames, you're getting less frames because your GPU is basically getting restricted.

So fill that form out in banth's sig or go here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

There are a few presets that can be modified to your needs in my siggy, check them out and save a bunch of money. Honestly 2000$ is a lot for a computer now.

 

[nd_hunter]

If you're going to spend $2000, I would suggest spending $1450 on the computer (2500k, decent cooler, 6950s in CF, no SSD for now) and about $550 on three 1920x1080 monitors to game in Eyefinity. Otherwise your hardware isn't going to be used to its full potential and you might as well just do a $1000 build.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

Nothing can be recommended if unless certain things are listed. For instance if you want to CF or not, or if what your resolution is. Mjmjpfaff's build is OK, I'm not to fond of CF 6970 or 570 when the 560 Ti and 6950 can perform about the same in dual card.

Anyway back to filling out the form, if you have 1280x1024 and your using a 570, you're going to bottleneck yourself and instead of getting more frames, you're getting less frames because your GPU is basically getting restricted.

So fill that form out in banth's sig or go here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

There are a few presets that can be modified to your needs in my siggy, check them out and save a bunch of money. Honestly 2000$ is a lot for a computer now.

i did say that 6950 cf was the way to go at the end of my post. also what else is wrong with my build?

 

[aznshinobi]

The 600T is just way to expensive for what it is. A mid-tower that isn't made of Aluminum. For that price, better to just spend a little more and get the HAF X, or just get the HAF 932 updated with USB 3.0, or just get an Antec 902 V3. I also think that waiting for other companies to release their SF-2200 120GB SSDs is a better decision. OCZ is the only provider of the SATA III SSDs currently for the SF controller, that allows them to price the Vertex 3 120gb to what they want, but when Patriot or G.Skill or other companies come in, the SATA III SF-2200 controller SSDs will be much cheaper.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

ok i get it that is why the vertex 3's are so expensive, and i get your point on the case

 

[QuickSilver402]

Lots of info.. let me try to get through it. First off:

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP


Budget Range: $1500-$2000 CAD


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Internet, Work station (standard office applications)


Parts Not Required: Speakers, Mouse


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg/tigerdirect/ncix - whatever works for Canadians


Country of Origin: Canada


Parts Preferences: None - unsure of the current state of the nvidia vs. ati battle. Ditto for amd vs. intel.


Overclocking: Yes - safe/minimal


SLI or Crossfire: Don't know the difference. Whatever works performance wise.


Monitor Resolution: Looks like for the price it will have to be at 1920x1080.


Additional Comments: Aesthetics are unimportant. Performance is #1. Preferably quieter though.

------------------------------

Regarding the resolution. I'm not sure whether to go 1080 or 1200? What would you guys suggest? The price difference doesn't seem that bad with the ASUS models. I kind of like the idea of the three monitors. Never thought of gaming like that before. What's the drawbacks of using that kind of a setup? Is it better to invest in more hardware or more displays?

Regarding the GPU. I see that a lot of you are mentioning comparable AMD/Nvidia cards in a dual setup. Does it make more sense to get two of those now, and upgrade with two similar ones in the future? Also, which one works better with the proposed CPU?

Regarding CPU: is the i7 too much overkill for a system like this?

HDD: I think I will hold off on SSD for now. I was thinking of opting for the WD Black drives. Is the samsung one posted above similar reliability but cheaper?

 

[QuickSilver402]

Just went through your higher end build Azn... is that all that it takes now? Are the GPU offerings not a bit skimpy?

 

[aznshinobi]

Not skimpy at all, you can add another 6950/560 Ti if you feel it isn't enough.

An i7 2600K vs 2500K has virtually 0 difference. The 2500K will perform 99% to the 2600K's 100%. Gaming doesn't need HT so the 2600K is a useless 100$ spent.

Samsung's have been known to be the best for the buck. Because all HDD's are mechanical hard drives, you just need the best of the moderate. Doesn't sound that good of a saying but I'll explain. Moderate meaning SATA II (I say moderate instead of worse because HDD's do not make use of SATA III yet), and the Samsung F3 was the cream of the crop from the SATA II HDDs. As long as we're talking about mechanical harddrives there is virtually 0 difference in performance that is noticeable. That doesn't justify the extra 30-40$ WD charges customers for their Black series HDDs when they're louder and the same speed as the Samsung F3.

Regarding to your 2nd about the GPUs. Getting 2 now would defiantly last you, but one is fine. The 6850 I put in there because 2 of those is greater than a single 570 which costs the same. So that's why.

Going 1920x1200 I defiantly recommend going CF/SLI it's not that the 6950 or 560 can't handle it, just you won't get that eyecandy. Though I recommend 1920x1080 because it is cheaper, but that's just me.

More displays = more need for graphical power during gaming. Eyefinity (AMD's mulit-monitor support) is the best bet for 3 or more monitors. Nvidia cards can work with 2 but so can AMD's. I personally like Eyefinity, but keep in mind it'll require much graphical power.

 

[QuickSilver402]

Alright, I understand the 2500K - makes sense. I think I will stick with that.

Your suggestion on the HDD also makes sense to me. I think I may go with one or two of those.

As for the GPUs - if I went for the eyefinity, what would you recommend. If not, what else would you suggest?



Also, 1080 seems to make better sense. It's a relatively small difference for a huge leap in price.

 

[aznshinobi]

I'd go for it, Eyefinity is a pretty sweet thing to have. I personally think dual-monitor is useless unless you use more than 2 (IE 3). Eyefinity allows that and more. With that said, go for 2 6950 2GB, that should supply you with a hefty amount of power for future additions for monitors.

 

[flong]

Hi:

I have an HP 2475 1920 x 1200 monitor and one ATI 6950 is enough. Your bottleneck won't be the monitor it will be the game requirements and so crossfire of two 6950s probably gets you the most bang for your buck. If you play something like Metro 2033 then the crossfire setup (or SLI if you like GTX) is the way to go.

I would recommend looking at the HP ZR24W monitor, the Dell U2410 and the HP 2475 if you watch movies and want to game. If gaming is the central focus and is more important then look at the Asus Tn panel monitors because they are the fastest LCD monitors. However, the TN panel monitors do not have the best picture, the IPS monitors (which are slower) have the best picture quality. Professional reviewers said that the above IPS monitors are fast enough to game with unless you are doing "fast twitch" gaming - then you will need a TN monitor. Cnet.com recommends this Asus monitor: http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/asus-vh236h/4505-3174_7-33615002.html (note it is 23" and 1920 x 1080) but it is cheap and fast. TFT Central is a good monitor review site

While the comments about the 2500K vs the 2600K are correct as far as gaming, I still like the 2600K - for gaming only it is kind of wasting a $100 but I still like it

For a mobo, there is a great article in Tom's Hardware right now on Z68 boards. As a gamer you may not want the Z68 platform and may just want the P67. The Asus PRO 67 or the Asus Deluxe P67 are both good boards and are highly rated. A lot of people like Gigabyte and Asrock also.

For your budget two 6950s in crossfire would definitely give you a mean gaming machine that could play any game. This is probably your best bang for the buck setup and you could run eyefinity off of it to three screens if you wanted.

PSU: the Corsair 850 HX may be the best bang for your buck. It has a 7 year warranty and has won several editor choice awards. It was on sale last weekend on newegg for $119.00. It went back up to $149.00. Professional reviewers found it could put out over 1000 W and remain stable and efficient. It is also modular which is convenient.

Case: the Silverstone Fortress is the best air cooling case and it is very high quality. The Cooler Master HAF X 942 is also good at cooling but it is huge. Both are quiet and well made. The Fortress doesn't have USB 3.0 yet.

The newegg links are here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163161&cm_re=silverston_fortress-_-11-163-161-_-Product
and here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225&cm_re=cm_haf_942-_-11-119-225-_-Product

For cooling the Noctua NH-D14 may be the best out there but it is fairly expensive at $90.00. Every review raves about it and is has a 90% 5-egg rating on newegg, which is something you don't see every day. It is also huge - make sure it will fit in your case. Reviewers rave about its high quality and it comes with its own cpu paste. It is quiet and its cooling is second to none.

The Noctua NH-D14 link is here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018&cm_re=noctua_cpu_cooler-_-35-608-018-_-Product

Memory: 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600 or 1866 CL8 or CL9 is the price vs performance sweet spot for memory on the Sandy Bridge platform. You don't gain a lot of performance benefit over 1866 and 8 GB. If you want to over clock the memory you may want to go a CL7 but it costs twice as much. The 2133 memory just did beat the 1866 or 1600 memory that much to be worth the extra cost. Tom's Hardware has an excellent article on memory.

Good luck with your build

 

[flong]

Correction: sorry, it should read above that the 2133 memory did NOT beat the 1866 and 1600 memory by that much to be worth the extra cost.

 

[flong]

If you are doing detail work with fine print or CAD or you want better resolution for your games, the 1920 x 1200 resolution is better. It is also more expensive. The quality of the fine detail difference is huge.

 

[QuickSilver402]

Excellent post flong, thanks a lot.

It seems, oddly to me, that my choices hinge on which monitor display setup I wish to go with.

I can go for one of the IPS ones, priced at about ~$650, or I can go for a triple display at 1080p for the same price.

I like the idea of 1200 res better. And the colour accuracy of the IPS monitors is more appealing to me than the responsiveness of a tn machine. I've been 'gaming' on a 17 inch laptop for 4 years... I think upgrading to a 24inch high quality display will be a pleasing and sufficient change.

That being said, I can only really afford one of those on my budget. I'm really not sure what to choose out of the monitors you mentioned. I've read through the reviews on the site that you mentioned except that the ones for the Dell and the HP2475w are quite outdated, and I'm not sure what kind of hardware upgrades they would have seen since.

I will post responses to the other components once I get to it. (Ongoing)

 

[QuickSilver402]

Ok here is what I have so far:

Monitor: ??? ~$600
Unknown. See above post. High quality 1920x1200. Whatever fits the bill. Still unsure of the relative difference between the ZR24W and the LP2475W.

CPU: $220
The 2500K

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072&cm_re=2500k-_-19-115-072-_-Product
Mobo:

GPU: x 2 - $500
I've always gone with nVidia before. No reason really, it was just a superior card when I first bought from them and I've stuck with it ever since. I have no preference. If ATi does better with the Sandy Bridge setup, then I can go with that too. I remember there being a bit of a performance boost for nVidia on intel builds. Is that still the case?
Also: Can anyone advise as to *which* card? (i.e. which manufacturer?)

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=6950&x=0&y=0

PSU: $200
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011&Tpk=corsair%20850hx

Ram: $125
Is this sufficient?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-220-562&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo

Air cooler: $100
Will this fit in a HAF X ?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018&Tpk=Noctua%20NH-D14

HDD: x2 - $140
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6448061&CatId=2459

DVD Drive: $20
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6078414&CatId=1624

Case: $190
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225&cm_re=haf_x_942-_-11-119-225-_-Product

Keyboard: $60
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5290436

 

[raptorjesus]

Ok here is what I have so far:Air cooler: $100
Will this fit in a HAF X ?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018&Tpk=Noctua%20NH-D14

Anything will fit in a HAF X, that case is enormous.

 

[QuickSilver402]

Raptor, what was your reasoning for going for a single 570 vs. sli'ing lower end cards?

 

[nd_hunter]

How about a build with free shipping and better prices through directcanada.com?

CPU: Core i5-2500k
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD1527&vpn=BX80623I52500K&manufacture=INTEL
$220.20

CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Frio
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14660AC7712&vpn=CLP0564&manufacture=THERMALTAKE
$55.08

Motherboard: ASRock P67 Extreme4
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950BD6214&vpn=P67 Extreme4 (B3)&manufacture=Others
$171.72

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 CL9 1.5v
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15380BD5211&vpn=F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL&manufacture=G.SKILL
$80.62

GPU: 2x XFX HD 6950 2GB
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950BD8514&vpn=HD695XCNFC&manufacture=Others
$540.42

HDD: WD Black 1TB
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=25350DR0783&vpn=WD1002FAEX&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD
$84.69

Optical: ASUS 24x DVD Writer
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10530DR5213&vpn=DRW-24B1ST%20Bulk&manufacture=ASUS
$21.32

PSU: Corsair 750HX
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180AC5235&vpn=CMPSU-750HX&manufacture=CORSAIR
$135.49

Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11130AC0874&vpn=RC-932-KKN5-GP&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
$159.85

Monitor: 3x ASUS VE247H
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10530MN1186&vpn=VE247H&manufacture=ASUS
$539.07 ($10 MIR available, not sure if you can use this on all threeor if it is limited to only one)

-----

Total: $2008.12 shipped before monitor rebate(s)

-----

A couple notes...

- Crossfire scales better than SLI (current generation cards)
- A quality 750 watt PSU is more than enough for a system overclock and dual cards, whether they be 560s or 6950s
- $10 shipping per item (Newegg) will add up!
- There's really no reason to go dual GPUs right now unless you are doing a multiple-monitor setup or 30" 2560x1600 display.

 

[raptorjesus]

Raptor, what was your reasoning for going for a single 570 vs. sli'ing lower end cards?

Budget, and the fact that I'm adding another 570 in about a month or so. I couldn't swing both cards at the same time, so I got the best card I could afford which was 1 570 @ $310 at the store. I know I probably should have gotten a 6950 instead but what can I say, PhysX and the nVidia drivers lured me. The second 570 will put me at the kind of max performance that will last me hopefully for 2-3 years when I'll upgrade to that generations cards. I also didn't consider the 6970/6950 because while 2GB vram is nice, my gaming will all be done at 1920x1080 where it's not as apparent. If I had a 2560x1600 screen they would have been my choice, as a CF 6970 system is pretty close in performance to SLI 580s while being WAY cheaper. Arguments could have been made for a way overclocked 560 Ti, but I figure that a mild OC on a 570 is worth the difference between a 250 dollar 560 Ti, and a 310 dollar 570.

 

[raptorjesus]

I would also suggest NCIX for Canadian shopping.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

To give you a little ground work on helping you select the board for your build.
-H67 chipset based board if you are a gamer unless you have a fairly low budget you should avoid these boards because they won’t provide a lot the higher end features that you might be looking for. Also you can’t overclock the core clock speed of the processor on the H67 board.
-P67 chipset based board these are the main gaming boards today and there are a number of very good ones out that can fit your needs well with. Take a look at the Asus P8P67 Pro boards. The only real draw back on these boards is that you can’t take advantage of the IGP (intergraded graphics processor) at all with a P67 board.
-Z68 these new boards have only be released for a week now and they are being heavily tested all over the place now. There are a couple features on the Z68 that are not available on the P67 or H67 chipset boards. First the Z68 has support for SSD caching that can give you SSD like performance off from a smaller sized SSD. The other feature that a look of people look for in these board is support for Lucidlogix Virtu software that can switch between the dedicated video card and the Intel HD 3000 graphics and the Intel QuickSync technology for digital encoding to get you the best performance for the software that you are running. If you go with a Z68 board make sure that the board that you selected a board that has both graphics ports and the Lucidlogix Virtu software on it.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team