Need Help Building Gaming Rig

[njboyan]

Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as I'm pleased with a build

Budget Range: $1000 USD After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Movies, School Work

Parts Not Required: Monitor, OS, Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers. Basically just looking to buy the gutty-works of the PC

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or tigerdirect.com work for me

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: I'd prefer to use AMD over Intel. I'd also prefer 8gb of RAM and at least a 1TB hard drive. (lots of music/movies)

Overclocking: I wouldn't mind it, but I'd prefer to not have to rely on it.

SLI or Crossfire: I'm not sure what this means. Any guidance would be helpful.

Monitor Resolution: I'll be using a 32inch television. Not sure the specs on it.

Additional Comments: I don't play very intense games. I like a lot of Valve's games. (TF2, L4D, CS:S, etc) I plan to play Battlefield 3 when it's released and I'd like to be able to run it on relatively high settings.

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Thanks in advance, guys.

 

[striker410]

Hi Njboyan,
I've got a build in mind, but first let's talk about some of the stuff you have in your form.

First thing I notice is AMD over Intel. Why? Right now, Intel has a very distinct advantage with their Sandy Bridge line, they absolutely destroy the Phenom II x4 and x6's from AMD. With $1,000 you could easily go 2500k, which outperforms every Phenom II processor in almost every class.

Next, why 8GB of ram? This is a popular option, but you don't even use 4GB while gaming. 8GB is really only used for serious video editors, since you will never take advantage of it otherwise.
However, it's a good futureproofing option. I think we can pull it off, I just wanted to make sure you were educated.

-1TB HDD is not an issue, that's usually the minimum we put in around here.

-Please grab the specs on the TV. It's helpful to know if it's 720p or 1080p. That's all we really need.

So with that being said, I'd like you to do some research and come back to us with at least an idea of a build. Look for P67 motherboard and i5-2500k processor

 

[njboyan]

Here's a link to my television:

http://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-FLAT-SCREEN-Model-SK-32H635S/dp/B004TIL27Y/ref=sr_1_8?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1306941114&sr=1-8

A few people I've spoken with have said that AMD is better for the price. I'm just worried about a quarter of my budget going into one component. However, if we can budget it out to where it fits, I'm definitely not objecting to it.

As for the 8GB of RAM, I'm not set in stone about it. I don't have a huge need for it. I do some video editing and a slight amount of music mixing, but my roommate has a computer he built for those things so if 4GB will make room in the budget, I don't have an issue with that either.


Now I'd like to mention that I have very little knowledge on what brands are going to be better for certain components.

Looking at CPUs/MBs, you suggested the i5 2500k and I found it here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

For the MB, I'm leaning toward ASRock P67 EXTREME4. Again, I'd like to emphasize that I have no experience with building PC's, so if you have a suggestion please let me know.

I've decided on a Samsung HDD and am looking at G. SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB for RAM.

These are just preliminary ideas and are obviously open to critique.

 

[njboyan]

OK, I've done some more browsing and this is what I'm speculating:

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

MB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231310

Hard Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

CD/DVD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136238

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Total comes to just about $900. I'm not sure about the PSU, I feel as though 750w may be a bit high.

 

[striker410]

Not bad. I would like to point out you forgot RAM and a GPU, which is kinda essential

A good GPU is about $200, and ram is $40. This easily puts us over budget.

Let's talk about the 2500k. It's a total beast yes, but only when overclocked. Do you want to invest in overclocking? If yes, this could be a bit tough. We could fit it all in if we drop to H67 and 2400 (same setup minus overclock capability) and get a 560 ti or so.

 

[njboyan]

Memory = Ram, no?

And my bad about the GPU, I had it included in the price, just forgot to include the link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568

I'd like guidance on that aspect. So any help would be great.

 

[ms5555]

I agree with striker, 2500k is only worth it over the 2400 if you overclock. But they will have great performance stock.

As far as amd being better for the money, it's not. It's simply cheaper. But performance per dollar the sandybridge intels blow amd out of the water. It's worth spending 80$ more and doubling your performance value imo.

Why would you spend $220 on a two year old video card model? That small overclock is not worth it, if you want a gtx 460 check out this evga one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130570

It's slightly less oc'd, it's $60 less plus there's a $40 rebate on it on top of that! For $220 you should get an ati 6870 for sure. Or go in the $250 range and get a gtx 560 ti.

With ram I think you want 2x2gb not one 4gb stick so it can use the dual channel feature. Might be wrong on this.

Also you don't need a 750w psu like you said unless you want to run crossfire or sli. Just go a step down to 650 same model as the one you picked http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Actually 600w is probably enough even.

 

[striker410]

Memory = Ram, no?

And my bad about the GPU, I had it included in the price, just forgot to include the link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568

I'd like guidance on that aspect. So any help would be great.

Haha my bad, that's what I get for skimming >.>
Grab a set of 2x2 1600mhz ram, like this stuff: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231427&cm_re=g.skill-_-20-231-427-_-Product Very good ram, good price.

Anyway, you have a very capable system. As ms said, change that video card to either a 6950 or 560 ti. I would go with the 560 ti as it can be had for $189 after rebate, but only if you intend to overclock. A stock 6950 usually beats a stock 560 ti, but are more money.

Here's a nice, cheap 560 ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162074 $229, and there's a $40 rebate!