Looking to build my 1st computer with the following points in mind:
Budget: around $1000 - max $1200 (JUST THE COMPUTER, the lower the better, open to making exceptions if some parts are absolutely worth getting)
Goals: High-end PC gaming, flexible overclockability potential + options, 3-monitor setup, future-proof/upgradability
I am specifically targeting to maxout on id's upcoming Rage. I think it shouldn't be a problem with some of the parts I have in mind, but just want to throw it out there in case anyone has additional input. Future-proof for Doom 4 would also be nice.
Also, I am interested in learning about unleashing the potential of a computer build and would like to do so via overclocking anything and everything I can without having to spend additional $$$ in the future. Hence, I want to select parts now that aren't necessarily more overclockable, but ones that can teach me the most about overclocking...does that make sense? Of course, it would be perfect if the most overclockable parts were also the most educational.
I am also interested in setting up 3-monitors in the future.
Finally, I want the build to be as future-proof as possible so I can save $$$, but more importantly learn more about tweaking computers by updating individual components.
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K
Mobo: P67 or Z68? LGA 1155 or better future-proof board with PCIe 3.0 support like LGA 1136 or X58?
-I read P67 had some initial Sandy Bridge design flaws. I know they were fixed, but could someone point out how I can tell which models have the flaws and how to tell which ones don't?
-Z68's built-in GPU overclock and SSD-caching extra features don't really seem worth it to me. However, I found that some of their prices are less than premium/high-end P67 boards. Is getting a medium-end Z68 > high-end P67 better or should I get a high-end P67?
-Is Z68 better future-proof than P67 for gaming/overclockability-learning purposes?
LCD: big size, HDMI support, excellent picture quality/good response time, built-in speakers (to hear sound from PS3)
Just looking to buy one at the moment. I want sizes between 20" - 30". Yeah, hella general since my research here is lacking at the moment, but any suggestions would be appreciated.
-My desk may not be large enough & I've seen monitors that hang from a pole or something. Any types of space-saving setups you can recommend?
-Is a single GPU card sufficient for 3-monitor setup? Also, I want all the monitors to be the same size + model in the future (for aesthetics purposes), but I'm worried about any compatibility or if-this-idea-is-just-dumb issues. Any LCDs that fit this bill?
-I want to play PS3 on my LCD, but sound requires built-in speakers on the LCD. Are there cheaper alternatives to solving this sound issue? If so, I'd rather take that route than busting extra $$$ on build-in speakers LCD.
GPU: ~$200 - max $250, Geforce GTX 560 or Geforce GTX 560 Ti? Or equivalent AMD card?
-SLI or Crossfire with less powerful cards worth getting over a single GPU card?
-Which brands are better?
Memory: 2x 2GB memory, need more?
-How to tell if memory will be compatible with my setup? Don't want to deal with a lot of memory issues I hear that comes from selecting incompatible memory or using 4 GB modules.
-Tri-channel vs. dual-channel, which one should I get?
SSD: ~120 GB (open to suggestions)
HDD: WD 1 TB Black Edition (open to suggestions)
Optical drive: regular DVD/CD reader/writer drive
PSU: enough wattage to support my current + future overclock power needs
Case: Cool, see-through case with mod-ability like lights and maybe space for liquid cooling or dual GPUs in the future...essentially enough space to budget-hack my comp in the future
CPU cooler: Necessary?
Fans: Necessary?
I realize my budget may be low, so feel free to throw whatever you think out there and I'll give it some food for thought. Muchos gracias in advance!
Budget: around $1000 - max $1200 (JUST THE COMPUTER, the lower the better, open to making exceptions if some parts are absolutely worth getting)
Goals: High-end PC gaming, flexible overclockability potential + options, 3-monitor setup, future-proof/upgradability
I am specifically targeting to maxout on id's upcoming Rage. I think it shouldn't be a problem with some of the parts I have in mind, but just want to throw it out there in case anyone has additional input. Future-proof for Doom 4 would also be nice.
Also, I am interested in learning about unleashing the potential of a computer build and would like to do so via overclocking anything and everything I can without having to spend additional $$$ in the future. Hence, I want to select parts now that aren't necessarily more overclockable, but ones that can teach me the most about overclocking...does that make sense? Of course, it would be perfect if the most overclockable parts were also the most educational.
I am also interested in setting up 3-monitors in the future.
Finally, I want the build to be as future-proof as possible so I can save $$$, but more importantly learn more about tweaking computers by updating individual components.
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K
Mobo: P67 or Z68? LGA 1155 or better future-proof board with PCIe 3.0 support like LGA 1136 or X58?
-I read P67 had some initial Sandy Bridge design flaws. I know they were fixed, but could someone point out how I can tell which models have the flaws and how to tell which ones don't?
-Z68's built-in GPU overclock and SSD-caching extra features don't really seem worth it to me. However, I found that some of their prices are less than premium/high-end P67 boards. Is getting a medium-end Z68 > high-end P67 better or should I get a high-end P67?
-Is Z68 better future-proof than P67 for gaming/overclockability-learning purposes?
LCD: big size, HDMI support, excellent picture quality/good response time, built-in speakers (to hear sound from PS3)
Just looking to buy one at the moment. I want sizes between 20" - 30". Yeah, hella general since my research here is lacking at the moment, but any suggestions would be appreciated.
-My desk may not be large enough & I've seen monitors that hang from a pole or something. Any types of space-saving setups you can recommend?
-Is a single GPU card sufficient for 3-monitor setup? Also, I want all the monitors to be the same size + model in the future (for aesthetics purposes), but I'm worried about any compatibility or if-this-idea-is-just-dumb issues. Any LCDs that fit this bill?
-I want to play PS3 on my LCD, but sound requires built-in speakers on the LCD. Are there cheaper alternatives to solving this sound issue? If so, I'd rather take that route than busting extra $$$ on build-in speakers LCD.
GPU: ~$200 - max $250, Geforce GTX 560 or Geforce GTX 560 Ti? Or equivalent AMD card?
-SLI or Crossfire with less powerful cards worth getting over a single GPU card?
-Which brands are better?
Memory: 2x 2GB memory, need more?
-How to tell if memory will be compatible with my setup? Don't want to deal with a lot of memory issues I hear that comes from selecting incompatible memory or using 4 GB modules.
-Tri-channel vs. dual-channel, which one should I get?
SSD: ~120 GB (open to suggestions)
HDD: WD 1 TB Black Edition (open to suggestions)
Optical drive: regular DVD/CD reader/writer drive
PSU: enough wattage to support my current + future overclock power needs
Case: Cool, see-through case with mod-ability like lights and maybe space for liquid cooling or dual GPUs in the future...essentially enough space to budget-hack my comp in the future
CPU cooler: Necessary?
Fans: Necessary?
I realize my budget may be low, so feel free to throw whatever you think out there and I'll give it some food for thought. Muchos gracias in advance!
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram