First Gaming RIG - Feedback Req.

[XxH34dshotxX]

Hello Everyone!
Been researching my parts for over a month now and I have my master list!

Approximate Purchase Date: Early Next Week

Budget Range: $1400-$1500

System Usage: The computers is made for gaming, recording game play (FRAPSing), and minor video editing (Sony Vegas, CS5, AAE)

Parts Not Required: Monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Canada Computers, TigerDirect, NCIX

Country of Origin: Canada


Parts Preferences: Intel CPU

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 20 inch, 1600 x 900 (For now)

Additional Comments: Personally I'm expecting my computer not to need any upgrades for at least 2-3 years however I may buy a SSD on Boxing day! I would appreciate if some of you could take a look at my parts and critique my choices where necessary - I am new to the whole computer parts market and thus I might have made some beginner mistakes!

Specifically, I am hoping someone could:

- Find a way I can save some $$ (Case, MOBO specifically)
- Make sure my selections aren't a failure

I am really having trouble deciding between the 2 PSU's posted since I have never worked with one before and I'm worried that the cables won't be suitable for my other parts & if my mother board is suitable for what I need.

Here is the list:

Processor – Intel I5-2500 - $208
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073

MOBO - GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $170
http://www.pccanada.com/viewitem.asp?id=33429

RAM - Kingston HyperX 8GB- $62
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104173

GPU – MSI Twin Frozer III - $300
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127575

HDD- Seagate Barracuda Hard Drive 1TB - $55
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=61389&csid=_21

PSU - $129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371050&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-
na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1cs2y7ehomftg

Case- Cooler Master HAF 932 - $150
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

Cooler – Thermaltake FRIO - $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1683510615

DVD Drive - ASUS 24X DVD Burner - $21
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&cm_sp=Pers_ProductSimilar-_-27-135-204_2_AG-_-27-118-039

HDMI Cable - 3ft High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet 10.2Gbps 28AWG Gold Plated – $5.50
http://www.mycablemart.com/store/cart.php?m=view

OS - Windows 7 Home Premium - $99
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5213932&CatId=4622

Thanks so much! All input is very welcomed!

 

[striker410]

Hi there, welcome to the forums. First things first, please fill in this form: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice It gives us the info we need to help you.

Next, don't shop at Newegg.ca unless you have to. The shipping charges are very high. Check these sites instead
NCIX.CA
Canadacomputers.com
directcanada.ca

All of which have free shipping.

Next, substitute the HAF 932 for the 912. Much smaller, but plenty big for your needs.
-Drop the Frio for the Hyper 212+.
-Look for a cheaper GPU
-get the 2500k for sure.

Hope it helps!

 

[XxH34dshotxX]

Next, don't shop at Newegg.ca unless you have to. The shipping charges are very high. Check these sites instead
NCIX.CA
Canadacomputers.com
directcanada.ca
All of which have free shipping.

Alright thanks for the websites - I had a feeling Newegg had some Canadian competitors.


Next, substitute the HAF 932 for the 912. Much smaller, but plenty big for your needs.
-Drop the Frio for the Hyper 212+.
-Look for a cheaper GPU
-get the 2500k for sure.

I think I'll stick with the 932 vs the 922/912 since it is large enough to upgrade in the future and has better airflow; also, the MSI Twin III is a massive card and I've ready it fit's nicely with he 932. I think I'll stick with the Twin III since it is very powerful, should maintain strong for a while (2GB of RAM) and comes factory overclocked. As for the 2500/2500k, I've read the 2500 can be OCed just under 4 GHz which is more then I will need however the K is designed for OCing... it will be a last min. decision

 

[striker410]

I suggest you at least drop to the HAF 922. I mean, have you seen the case? It's quite massive.

As for the TFIII, I agree it's quite nice. Also quite expensive. For that price, you could almost get a GTX 570 or 6970, which will smoke a 6950.

Lastly, the 2500 CANNOT overclock. If you are somehow able to get it to OC, you will only get it to about 3.4GHz, or 100MHz over stock. The $15 more 2500k can easily reach 5GHz on good cooling, 4.5-4.6 on something like the Hyper 212+.

 

[XxH34dshotxX]

Would the hyper 212+ cool better the FRIO since there is only a $10 difference :O

 

[striker410]

Oh, the frio would cool better. However for $30 (look at amazon) more, it's not worth it since you won't want the extra sound that comes with the Frio.

 

[XxH34dshotxX]

Hmm thats a interesting thought! Thanks! By any chance do you know fi the Hyper 212+ is smaller then the FRIO since I'm really concerned about my RAM not fitting :O

 

[striker410]

The Hyper is much smaller I believe. It fits with most ram anyway.

 

[XxH34dshotxX]

Thank you all! the RIG is built and running great!

 

[XxH34dshotxX]

Best answer selected by xxh34dshotxx.