~$2000 High-End Gaming PC [[UPDATED: 08/12/11]]

Tea_bird · Aug 12, 2011

Hello every body! I just signed up here and I'm glad to be a part of this huge community!

I'm finally getting to the point where I want to build a new PC. My last build is about 3 years old, but it's starting to struggle on games (IE: The Witcher 2 on Ultra settings). I'd like a PC capable of maxing out games now and in the future. Obviously, no rig is going to be top-of-the-line forever, but I've accepted that a long time ago. I'm more of an Intel/Nvidia person, but I'm willing to venture over to the other side. My projected build includes an AMD processor (This is big!) but I'm willing to do Intel as well.

Approximate Purchase Date: Late September-Early October 2011
Budget Range: Around $2,000 but I don't mind if it goes over.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, photo editing, basic browsing, I do a little of everything. Gaming being the most important.
Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, OS, speakers, sound card, monitor
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Typically I order from Newegg, but I won't pass up a good deal!
Country of Origin: My country of origin? US
Parts Preferences: I'm not too picky. I'd like to stick to EVGA if it's an Nvidia card, but as stated above... I'm open to other options. Definite full-size tower though.
Overclocking: Not at the moment, possibly in the future.
SLI or Crossfire: Not at the moment, possibly in the future. (Unless someone here thinks it's best)
Monitor Resolution: Currently 1600x900, will probably eventually upgrade.

So, now that we have that out of the way... here's the parts! I don't have my heart set on any of them, so if you guys have a better idea let me know.

Updated configuration as of 08/12/11
I'm not saving money yet reading these forums (but I guess that's not what I'm after right now) Here's what I've got now.

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case - $189.99
Motherboard: ASUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard - $359.99
Video Card: EVGA 03G-P3-1584-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 3072MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 - $589.99
Power Supply: CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX850 (CMPSU-850AX) 850W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - $189.99
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K - $219.99
Boot Drive: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - $218.99
Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9 - $124.99
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"l - $154.99
Optical Drive: ASUS Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 8MB Cache SATA Blu-ray Burner BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS - $99.99

GRAND TOTAL: $2,154.90 + 2.5" to 3.5" bracket for SSD.

[strike]Case: COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case - $189.99
Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboardl - $189.99
Video Card: EVGA 03G-P3-1584-AR GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 3072MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 - $589.99
Power Supply: OCZ ZX Series 1000W Fully-Modular 80PLUS Goldl - $199.99
CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 3.3GHz - $194.99
Boot Drive: OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III - $219.99
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 - $169.99
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"l - $154.99
Optical Drive: ASUS Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 8MB Cache SATA Blu-ray Burner BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS - $99.99

GRAND TOTAL: $2,009.91[/strike]

Still thinking about a CPU cooler that would work well. What do you all think? Good?

Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any feedback!

Illumina · Aug 12, 2011

Nice build, though two things jumped out for me.

1) I use a Phenom X6 myself in a build assembled before Intel's Sandy Bridge CPUs hit the market. A good processor, but I recommend a Core i5 because it's basically a superior processor for any type of task.

2) OCZ SSDs use Sandforce controllers, which are plagued with stability issues right now. You'll want to go with Intel (better QA testing and lowest failure/return rate compared to any other manufacturer) or maybe Crucial.

Also: how much do you value quietness in your system? If it's a priority I can make other recommendations for your case and CPU cooler.

Edit: nice N7 shirt. This system will thoroughly rock ME3 when it comes out

.

lp231 · Aug 12, 2011

I believe Intel has a issue too? Something like having full capacity down to 8MB?

Tea_bird · Aug 12, 2011

Illumina :

The CPU you linked there looks quite amazing. I may just work that into the build instead. I'll need to select a different MoBo, though.

Thanks!

lp231 · Aug 12, 2011

Tea_bird · Aug 12, 2011

lp231, that config looks good; from what I've seen though, the 2600k doesn't offer a whole lot of gaming performance to the 2500k. Another thing is the Samsung harddrive. I've had pretty bad luck with them dying, personally. I'd like to stick with WD or Seagate on the storage drive, but I should have specified that in my OP.

Thanks for the suggestion!

lp231 · Aug 12, 2011

Go with WD as Seagate have just reduce their warranty
WD Black are nothing but hype, them dual processor don't work magic.
Got myself a black drive because of the hype and it doesn't perform as fast as my WD Blue and WD green drives!
For storage, since it's idle most of the time, you may want to opt for a Green drive. They run extremely quite and cool.

Replacing the Core i7 2600K with the Core i5 2500K
and changing the Samsung to WD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

subtotal: $1,863.89

Tea_bird · Aug 12, 2011

lp231 :

Something else I'll look into. I already have a 500GB WD Green to throw in there, but I'd really like to get a 2TB since I do a lot of photography. (Shooting RAW at 22MP eats up space quick)

chillin15 · Aug 12, 2011

Hi teabird, I configured a build for you for about 1900

COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case $189.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $59.99

MSI N580GTX Lightning Xtreme Edition GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 3072MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI $599.00

CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX850 (CMPSU-850AX) 850W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V $189.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) $59.99

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core $219.99

ASUS Black Blu-ray Burner SATA BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS - OEM $99.99

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $228.99

THERMALRIGHT SILVER ARROW DUAL14CM ROUND FAN HEATSINK $89.95
http://www.amazon.com/THERMALRIGHT-SILVER-ARROW-DUAL14CM-HEATSINK/dp/B003XRAKLQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313119444&sr=8-1

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD4 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel $209.99

Comes out to about $1947
Everything from newegg except your cpu cooler.

Some comments: Sandforce is having huge problems so I would stay away from ssds which use sandforce unless you want bsod probs. crucial m4 is a little slower but does not utilize the sandforce drivers so you get amazing reliablity

You only need about 8gb of ram rated at 1600mhz. That's the best price for performance standpoint. Any increase would be inconsequential.

Go intel as only those on a budget utilize amd.

the hard drive is I have is a better choice - faster and quieter. - same with the video card.

chillin15 · Aug 12, 2011

Also, with the mobo, cpu cooler I chose, and the i5 2500k, you can welcome yourself to 5ghz land : )

Tea_bird · Aug 12, 2011

I won't lie chillin, I may or may not be secretly competing with a co-worker who will be building a PC around the same time. 16GB of memory sounds pretty sexy to me, and that would future-proof, would it not?

I am starting to like the 2500k the more and more I look at it, and that's a very nice looking CPU cooler.

Thanks so much for your help.

Also, it was asked above, but silence isn't a big deal to me. I turn off my PC when I sleep.

chillin15 · Aug 12, 2011

no prob, that 580 is not silent by any means of the imagination. No 580 will be but the build I configured is quite deadly

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3

The article analyzed diff speeds and amounts of ddr3 memory and came to the conclusion that anything above 8gb 1600mhz really adds no value. But if this is a show-off contest, by all means go ahead.

Tea_bird · Aug 12, 2011

lp231 :

I didn't think to ask before. Was there a reason Corsair was underlined and bolded? I've liked OCZ in my past configs, but as stated above; I'm not terribly against switching brands.

lp231 · Aug 12, 2011

It's the site that's doing it, they're linking it to any articles associated with "Corsair".
Out of the PSU listed on this thread, I'll pick a Corsair because they're better built.
As for your friend's build, have any idea what they're getting?

bejabbers · Aug 12, 2011

since you *may* be in a competition with a co-worker, something like this may be able to give you that extra edge:

Cooler Master Haf X $189.99 - $10 MIR = $179.99
Silverstone ST1000 1000W PSU $184.99
Crucial M4 128GB SSD $218.99
2 x Patriot Viper Xtreme 8GB 2000HHz RAM 2 x ($99.99 - $20 MIR) = 2 x $79.99 = $159.98
COMBO: LG Blu-ray burner + 2TB Seagate Barracuda XT $192.48
COMBO: ASRock Z68 Professional (Fatal1ty) + Intel Core i5 2500K $454.98
ASUS Matrix GTX 580 $529.99
Thermalright Venomous X $74.99

Total: $1996.39

Some other options:
Maybe get a less expensive card if $2000 is your cieling and cool your CPU with this for $189.95 (difference of $114.96) instead of the Venomous X. OR if you have some budgetary room, instead of the Matrix, get this for $659.99 (difference in GPU cost of $130) and cool with the above mentioned XSPC RX360 kit. This would surely kick the ass of anything your co-worker would likely put together.

Total (with full water loop): $2241.35

chillin15 · Aug 12, 2011

bejabbers :

since you *may* be in a competition with a co-worker, something like this may be able to give you that extra edge:

Cooler Master Haf X $189.99 - $10 MIR - $179.99
Silverstone ST1000 1000W PSU $184.99
Crucial M4 128GB SSD $218.99
2 x Patriot Viper Xtreme 8GB 2000HHz RAM 2 x ($99.99 - $20 MIR) = 2 x $79.99 = $159.98
COMBO: LG Blu-ray burner + 2TB Seagate Barracuda XT $192.48
COMBO: ASRock Z68 Professional (Fatal1ty) + Intel Core i5 2500K $454.98
ASUS Matrix GTX 580 $529.99
Thermalright Venomous X $74.99

Total: $1996.39

Some other options:
Maybe get a less expensive card if $2000 is your cieling and cool your CPU with this for $189.95 (difference of $114.96) instead of the Venomous X. OR if you have some budgetary room, instead of the Matrix, get this for $659.99 (difference in GPU cost of $130) and cool with the above mentioned XSPC RX360 kit. This would surely kick the ass of anything your co-worker would likely put together.

Total (with full water loop): $2241.35

If you don't plan on sli'ing two 580s, 1000w is overkill.

bejabbers · Aug 12, 2011

chillin15 :

The PSU isn't tied to a combo, so it can be swapped out for anything she wants. I only chose a 1000W PSU since it's what she put in her initial build. With a single 580, she'd be more than covered with a 850W PSU (which is what I'm using).

chillin15 · Aug 12, 2011

Tea_bird :

These are the things that matter most for a performance standpoint

1) GPU and CPU ----> get the 580 and 2500k
2) Mobo - get one that will alllow high OCs
3) anything that relates to OC ability - cooler, case airflow, etc.

Tea_bird · Aug 12, 2011

Yeah, looking at it, 1000W IS overkill. I'll probably go 850. I've been updating my list as the thread continues, and I'll post the new one after work.

bejabbers · Aug 12, 2011

Tea_bird :

you could swap the 1000W Silverstone PSU with this Enermax Modu87+ 900W PSU for $139.99 after MIR (savings of $45 over the other PSU)

Tea_bird · Aug 12, 2011

bejabbers :

Reading your custom title after my last post was mildly amusing.

bejabbers · Aug 12, 2011

Tea_bird :

go big (within reason) or go home.. right? haha

lp231 · Aug 13, 2011

CPU: Core i5 2500K $219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
M/B: Asus P8Z68-V $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131729
RAM: Corasir Vengence 16GB DDR3 1600 $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233143
GPU: EVGA GTX 580 3GB $589.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130655
SSD: Crucial M4 128GB SATA 6Gb/s $218.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442
HDD: Western Digital Black 2TB $154.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136792
ODD: LG Blu-Ray writer $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136226
HSF: Corsair H60 $69.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181015
Case: CM HAF 932 w/Front USB 3.0 $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
PSU: Antec HCG 900w $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371050
Subtotal: $1,918.79

-HAF 932 is also a full tower case, this new revision comes with front USB 3
-RAM with Bart Simpson hair style will have problems with 3rd party coolers
due to clearance issues. A self-contain water cooling kit (H60) is added to
avoid this problem.
Now, THG has bolded/underlined Antec, LOL WTH?!

Tea_bird · Aug 13, 2011

I updated my original post with my new configuration, following many suggestions (not 100%) in this thread. I appreciate the help.

One person on Twitter commented I was going overboard on my GPU and RAM with the selected CPU. He also said 2x 470's would be better than a single 580 3GB.

lp231 · Aug 13, 2011

No need for 2.5" bracket, case already have it.
Many 3rd party cooler will have clearance issue with large heatsink rams.
You will have to either go water cooling or get ram without the tall heatsinks.

~$2000 High-End Gaming PC [[UPDATED: 08/12/11]]

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