Need help with gaming build!

[TheRandomWookie]

I'm building a gaming PC (right now I'm using a laptop that lags on WoW) and I need help finding the best parts.
Here is what I have so far:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128500

I don't know what the best components are for the rest of the build. (If you have a suggestion to change one of the items I already have please say so)

I'm aiming for $1000 budget and no keyboard, mouse, monitor, or OS are needed. I don't plan on overclocking, but would a after-market CPU cooler still be a good investment? Also, I'm not sure if I will SLI or Crossfire, but if you really recommend it I will listen.

Finally, check out this awesome article about GPUs: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2964-7.html

 

[jeremy1183]

You need to fill this out...

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

Yes and aftermarket CPU cooler would still be a good investment cause the day might come when you may want/need to OC and get some extra performance out of your system. You can get the CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ from amazon.com for around $30. Even if you don't OC its gonna give you better temps than that stock cooler...so either way it's good

Also look for atleast 4GB of RAM and no more than 8GB if you are interested in gaming.
G.Skill usually has some good prices. Look for some at 1600 even though I have been told there is really no real world difference between 1333mhz and 1600mhz. Newegg has some 1600mhz for around $74 4GBx2

 

[browsingtheworld]

Assuming you're using a single display, get two of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500206
GTX 560 non-Ti for $170 before rebates while it's on sale.

This PSU should be more than sufficient:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031

RAM:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314
Notice the promo code.

 

[coleam45]

For a GPU, I'd go with a 6950 or a 560 Ti. The 6950 is a bit more expensive, but you can turn it into a 6970 (if you get the 2GB version) with the flip of a switch. EVGA is by far the best Nvidia manufacturer. Get a card with the AR tag at the end for a lifetime warranty. For AMD cards, Sapphire has been getting better, and XFX is a perennial favorite.

For RAM, get an 8GB (2x4GB) kit at DDR-1333 or DDR-1600. You won't be able to tell the difference higher than that.

You'll want at least a 550W PSU, but I'd go for a 650 for a bit of breathing room. This one is about as good as they get, but you can get quality ones from Corsair, XFX, and Antec for under $100 if you need some space in your budget.

Only other things left are the case and optical drive. The case is a natter of personal preference. Just find something you like that has a few fans and can fit an ATX motherboard. For the optical drive, just go for the cheapest DVD burner you can find on Newegg. They're all basically the same.

And remember, Newegg combo deals are your friends. Shop around for a bit and you can save a lot.

 

[browsingtheworld]

GTX 560s in SLi for $340 will destroy any other setup for the price.

 

[genghiskron]

RAM+MOBO combo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.689147

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $59.45 FREE SHIPPING
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371047 $54.99 FREE SHIPPING 10% off with promo code Julsv10, ends 7/31
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-520 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236 $74.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662289 $431.98 $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $411.98 FREE SHIPPING $10 off with promo code EMCKCJH26, ends 7/18
Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400
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.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426 $64.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-3-5-Inch-Internal-HD103SJ/dp/B002MQC0P8/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1309660529&sr=1-1 $54.99 & 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.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039 $18.99 FREE SHIPPING
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM

Total: $760.38 *not including promo codes and mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 $94.99 FREE SHIPPING $15 off w/ promo code EMCKCJE83, ends 7/17
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236099 $149.99 - $134.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
Asus ML228H 21.5" 1920X1080 2ms Full HD LED BackLight LED Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 10,000,000 :1 (ASCR)

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/01/27/msi-geforce-gtx-560-ti-1gb-review/1 <------ MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC Review / Benchmarks

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=H61M/U3S3 <------ ASRock H61M/U3S3

 

[browsingtheworld]

The GTX 560s in SLi destroy the GTX 560 Ti by like 70% and costs only 50% more (before rebates):
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-sli-review/11

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500206

Overkill for WOW but so is the just about everything.

 

[Why_Me]

This build allows you to add another one of those factory over clocked gtx 560 ti's later on for SLI.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Enforcer-Interior-SGC-1000-KWN1/dp/B004WK3KKQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1309650281&sr=1-6 $79.99 & 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=N82E16817371049 $94.99 - $69.99 after mail-in rebate FREE SHIPPING
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/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.689147 $174.98 save: $35.00
GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662487 $454.98 $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $434.98 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
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.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233082 $29.99 FREE SHIPPING
XIGMATEK Gaia SD1283 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler bracket included I7 i5 775 1155 AMD and dual fan push pull compatible

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-3-5-Inch-Internal-HD103SJ/dp/B002MQC0P8/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1309660529&sr=1-1 $54.99 & 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.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039 $18.99 FREE SHIPPING
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM

Total: $909.91 *not including shipping, mail in rebates

Here's an additional case fan for the top of that case.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Computer-Cooling-R4-LUS-07AR-GP/dp/B002LE8BJA/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b $14.31 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Cooler Master Computer Case Cooling R4-LUS-07AR-GP 200mm Red LED Case Fan

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=19&product_id=3038 <----- CM Storm Enforcer w/pics, specs, and professional reviews

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/01/27/msi-geforce-gtx-560-ti-1gb-review/1 <------ MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC Review / Benchmarks

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3852#ov <----- GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3

 

[browsingtheworld]

560s in SLi aren't too off from 560 Tis in SLi. He can overclock the 560s himself since it's rather easy compared to overclocking a CPU. It's just a whole lot cheaper to get the 560s now compared to if he adds a second card later.

The 560s in SLi destroy a 580 which is already very fast. The 560 Tis in SLi is even more unnecessary and much more costly.

 

[wenqi]

please bear in mind that a 560ti reaches 570 when OCed (well good factory OC does anyway). its like saying a 6850 unlocks to a 6870 at stock, the "at stock" part is where the whole statement falls apart. go with why_me's build but with a cooler master hyper 212 (a good solid budget cooler) and this PSU @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194093&cm_re=lepa-_-17-194-093-_-Product i know people are always doom and gloom when you stray from antec corsair etc. but they usually also forget there is something called REBRANDING. even some corsair PSUs are rebranded and if you can find a good review (in depth 5+ pages) on a certain PSU then go for it. XFX is a typical company that has a lot of rebranded PSUs, here is another nice one but it is more expensive but 850w... @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011 but IDK if it is modular or not. hope this helps!

 

[coleam45]

browsingtheworld: We get that 2 regular 560s will be better. You don't need to re-post it every time someone makes a suggestion. It's just that some people (myself included) prefer to build an initial system with no SLi/crossfire. It will have lower temps and leaves you open for a relatively inexpensive upgrade down the line when you find that your original card isn't up to the task. I know it's hard to imagine, but eventually, there will be games that will tax even a dual 560 setup, and at that point, second Ti for cheap might have just enough of an edge to keep you gaming for another year rather than forcing you to buy a brand new graphics card. It's also less expensive. I know he said he has a $1000 budget, but if he doesn't need the performance of a pair of 560s, why pay for it? I'm all for going under budget whenever possible.

For PSUs, hardwaresecrets.com is a good place to look. They tell you what the rebranding on the PSU is and do an in-depth review. XFX, for example, uses Seasonic as an OEM for their XXX and Pro series PSUs, which is good.

 

[wenqi]

Jonnyguru is also a good place to look at PSUs, IMO look for an in depth review and see if they justify reasons to why it is good (or bad).