First Build - $1000 gaming pc

[Xfactor56]

After a rather disappointing search for a new gaming pc that wasn't overpriced, I decided to try my own build. I have already purchased the parts (should be delivered Tue or Wed), but I would be interested in some feedback, suggestions, advice etc. My goal is to build a reasonably priced rig that will hopefully last for more than a few months. I took advantage of a combo discount with newegg that restricted a couple of options...

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans

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

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

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

EVGA 01G-P3-1372-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

ASUS 24X DVD Burner

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit

 

[michxymi]

I would get this case instead

LIAN LI Lancool PC-K58W Black 0.8 mm SECC, Plastic + Mesh ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112238

Along with this high quality PSU from Corsair

CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 (CMPSU-650HX) 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

And this motherboard (around same specs with your Gigabyte choice, but I prefer it for it's higher quality components)

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

A Mushkin Silverline Kit because everyone loves black and silver skin

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 996770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095

Intel SSD for caching

Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CT040G3B5 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167045

A better and more reliable HDD

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=samsung%20spinpoint%20f3

6870 offers better temperatures and perfomance for the same price

XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

And a serious heatsink for O/C

Scythe SCMG-3000 120mm Heat Pipe CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185168

 

[zero888]

He just said he already purchased part!!! Read the whole post man.

 

[zero888]

My suggestions would be,

-cable management=good airflow
-download drivers from the websites not from the installation disks they give you
-take your time

 

[51500]

Should of asked for advice first, then purchased..imo

 

[Why_Me]

After a rather disappointing search for a new gaming pc that wasn't overpriced, I decided to try my own build. I have already purchased the parts (should be delivered Tue or Wed), but I would be interested in some feedback, suggestions, advice etc. My goal is to build a reasonably priced rig that will hopefully last for more than a few months. I took advantage of a combo discount with newegg that restricted a couple of options...

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans

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

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

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

EVGA 01G-P3-1372-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

ASUS 24X DVD Burner

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit

Iv'e always wondered why some peeps post their build on here "after they have purchased said parts".

That build isn't a good build from a gaming stand point for the fact you should have ditched that SSD and stepped up to a 560ti along with a 750w psu, and CM 212+ h/s. You could have picked up that SSD later on down the road and for cheaper. Now what you have is a build that boots up really fast so that you can get into the game that much quicker and get lower FPS. It's like getting to the battle front first with a semi auto when most peeps are using fully automatic weapons. In other words you shorted yourself in the area it's going to hurt you most...the gpu.

 

[zero888]

i know right. Its kinda a redundant asking for suggestions but already purchased parts. I for one always try to see others opinions and comments before making a decision on what components to buy.

 

[ilysaml]

you all got the guy disappointed before he could even use his rig

 

[madchemist83]

@Why_me
actually i'd take semi-auto before full, cause when u start shooting that thing on auto 90% of ur bulltets will go anywhere but targets (i.e. zombies), semi is more precise


But I agree with whole buying and then asking what's up

 

[Xfactor56]

I completely agree that I should have pitched the idea before the purchase. I was familiar with the reviews and articles on tom's, and I had read some posts about specific parts of computers on the forums, but I didn't realize they had a new build forum until after I purchased.
Parts are returnable, so I can still take advantage of advice from well educated contributors

 

[ilysaml]

just swap the GPU for a 560ti and the PSU to Antec High Current Game 750W
Case : Cooler Master Haf 912 advanced

 

[Xfactor56]

What brand do you suggest for 560 ti? Looks like Gigabyte, MSI and ASUS may be the best options?

Also, I was interested in the HAF 912, but I wanted an eSATA connection on the front of the case for an external hard drive. The Challenger seemed well reviewed...

 

[ilysaml]

the HAF 912 does have an Esata port on the front and USB3 as well, MSI twin frozer 2 seems to be good, or you can get the overclocked version from any brand.... they all seem to be good

 

[Xfactor56]

My first choice for a PSU would be a Corsair, but I can get the Antec I listed at no cost to me. It seemed to be a decent PSU, but if you suggest that it isn't, I would rather not ruin my computer with a substandard psu.
Another question is Mich suggests an HX650, but why_me and ily both suggest a 750W. Does this build need a 750W?

 

[ilysaml]

i'll speak for myself... i recommend a 750W PSU for your future needs, a 650W or Even good 600W will handle your system but if you want to be on a safe side just grab the 750W in case you hook up more fans, more PCI cards, got a second card for SLi or CF / upgraded the GPU after a year or 2...........
and another thing... get the HX 650 instead of that Antec, Antec is superb only in some special categories .....

 

[Xfactor56]

Great, thanks for the input.

 

[Why_Me]

If I was going to do a build today for under a $1,000 that included Windows 7 it would look something like this down below. Come xmas time I would pick up a few more fans and a 120/128GB SATA 3 SSD all for under $200.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Tower-Case-RC-912-KKN1/dp/B003ZM7YTA $59.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower ATX Case (RC-912-KKN1)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 $124.99 $10 off w/ promo code EMCKAKA32, ends 9/15
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.730392 $147.98 FREE SHIPPING 10% off w/ promo code EMCKAKA24, ends 9/15
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.723046 $304.98 FREE SHIPPING $15 off with promo code EMCKAJG23,ends 9/14
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065 $29.99 FREE SHIPPING
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.696126 $71.48
LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121424 $244.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASUS ENGTX560 TI DCII/2DI/1GD5 GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Total: $984.40 *not including shipping, rebates, and promo codes