Gaming Rig, skimping as much as possible!

[therealleeroy]

Approximate Purchase Date: End of the month

Budget Range: If I had to put one, 1000$. Trying to keep it as low as possible however. Would LOVE to keep it under 700-800 not including the monitor.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Movies
Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, OS, speakers
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, amazon.com, ncix.com
Country of Origin: U.S. (California)

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: No preference.
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Yes, if it's cheaper, other wise no

Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080, 120hz please!

Additional Comments: I don't really care about aesthetics than I do performance. I want to be able to max out at least on TF2, SC2 and the CoD series (Steam games in general), as well as the upcoming D3 and MW3. If I'm interested in other games I will edit them in. I'm willing to cut corners on say, the CPU, motherboard, or RAM in order to upgrade my GPU if it's necessary. I would also prefer a microATX or microITX oriented build if it's possible, as I will probably be moving the computer around a lot and also to save space. Again, please keep low as possible!

Some parts I have in mind:
Intel i5-2500k
Sapphire HD5870 1GB (How does this perform vs a 5770?)
Gigabyte GTX 560

Still clueless on the ideal monitor/RAM/mobo/case/PSU! Will edit in more parts later. Can I possibly fit in a SSD somewhere in there?
Thanks for all the help!

 

[Why_Me]

This gives you a basic idea of what your looking at. A lot of these components if not all can be found on Amazon thus saving you from paying taxes.

http://www.amazon.com/PC-Components-Computer-Add-Ons-Computers/b/ref=sa_menu_components10?ie=UTF8&node=193870011 <----- It's all right there.

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/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.730392 $147.98 - $10.00 Mail In Rebates FREE SHIPPING
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/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502 $121.99 FREE SHIPPING
GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard Virtu, Touch BIOS, Smart Response SSD, 2-Way SLI, HDMI

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.717978 $448.98 - $20.00 Mail In Rebates 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/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.amazon.com/ML228H-22-Inch-Ultra-Slim-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B00413PHEQ $148.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Asus ML228H 21.5" 1920X1080 2ms Full HD LED BackLight LED Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 10,000,000 :1 (ASCR)

Total: $999.41 *not including shipping and rebates

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.amazon.com/MSI-PCI-Express-N560GTX-TWIN-FROZR/dp/B004JLNZXU/ref=pd_cp_e_4 $244.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
MSI GeForce GTX560 1 GB DDR5 2DVI/Mini HDMI PCI-Express Video Card N560GTX TI TWIN FROZR II OC

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L01QVM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $233.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB 1204 MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 2DVI/Mini-HDMI SLI Ready Graphics Card, 01G-P3-1561-KR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121424 $244.99 - $224.99 after mail-in rebate card 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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148419 $29.99 FREE SHIPPING
Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664BA160A

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=pd_cp_e_1 $29.19 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-3-5-Inch-Internal-HD103SJ/dp/B002MQC0P8/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1316137656&sr=1-1 $59.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Samsung Desktop Class Spinpoint F3 1 TB SATA 3.0 Gb-s 16 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare-OEM Drives, HD103SJ

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049 $99.99 - $74.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
OCZ ZS Series OCZ-ZS750W 750W ATX12V v2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Performance Power Supply

 

[therealleeroy]

I definitely will keep that case in mind I have a couple questions though. Do I really need an i5-2500k or a GPU like the 560 Ti? My friend is telling me that the cpu is already overkill alone, and that his 5770 maxes out on CoD MW2 and Black Ops and that those games are harder on graphics than pretty much all Steam games. This is what I mean by skimping haha. If I can cut on the cpu/gpu, maybe I can get a better monitor? Something like that. I'm okay with using older gen. parts if I can save. Also, isn't 750W a bit much?

And finally, how can I tell if a monitor supports a 120hz refresh rate or not? I couldn't find info on it in the technical section.

 

[jonnycatz1990]

An Intel i5 2400 is a great CPU and can be OC'ed by 400MHz. Also an Intel i3 2120, but its a dual core with Hyperthread "not as good as a true quad core". A Nvidia 560Ti or an AMD 6870 or higher will do the job. Always try to get a 120GB SSD or bigger if you can. Crucial is owning these days in this area.

 

[Why_Me]

I definitely will keep that case in mind I have a couple questions though. Do I really need an i5-2500k or a GPU like the 560 Ti? My friend is telling me that the cpu is already overkill alone, and that his 5770 maxes out on CoD MW2 and Black Ops and that those games are harder on graphics than pretty much all Steam games. This is what I mean by skimping haha. If I can cut on the cpu/gpu, maybe I can get a better monitor? Something like that. I'm okay with using older gen. parts if I can save. Also, isn't 750W a bit much?

And finally, how can I tell if a monitor supports a 120hz refresh rate or not? I couldn't find info on it in the technical section.

Tell your friend to stick to CoD which is on an engine older than dirt because he's not going to max anything else out but games on old engines.

If you plan on o/c then the 2500K is the wise choice ...google the benchmarks. As far as an SSD...pick one up at holiday season when the prices drop and there's deals to be had. What's more important? Loading up a game in nano second to get your arse kicked for the fact your struggling on frame rates, or holding off on that SSD so you have a build that plays the higher end games like BF3 that's due out next month? If this is a gaming build than it's pretty much a no brainer imo.

 

[Why_Me]

An Intel i5 2400 is a great CPU and can be OC'ed by 400MHz. Also an Intel i3 2120, but its a dual core with Hyperthread "not as good as a true quad core". A Nvidia 560Ti or an AMD 6870 or higher will do the job. Always try to get a 120GB SSD or bigger if you can. Crucial is owning these days in this area.

The OP stated he wanted to o/c and those cpu's you listed don't o/c seeing how they are locked. As far as a 120GB SSD when your on a $1,000 budget that includes a monitor...

 

[thesnappyfingers]

you don't need to get a ssd at the moment, you could always buy one latter. the prices have no where to go but down

 

[therealleeroy]

Okay, I'll scrap the SSD idea. How about the GPU and RAM? Do different RAM/GPU companies perform better than others or are the differences minimal?

 

[Why_Me]

Okay, I'll scrap the SSD idea. How about the GPU and RAM? Do different RAM/GPU companies perform better than others or are the differences minimal?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-560-amp-edition-gtx-560-directcu-ii-top,2944.html <----- these are the three cards in your price range.

dual 6870's create more heat (AMD card) but they use less juice. A 620w-650w will easily push two of those card

gtx 560/560ti's in SLI need a 750w psu but they o/c a lot more than the 6870. O/C is where those cards shine the most...that and Nvidia drivers.

 

[therealleeroy]

How about a single 560ti/6870? I mean I thought these cards were already pretty powerful?

 

[Why_Me]

How about a single 560ti/6870? I mean I thought these cards were already pretty powerful?

Ya...you get one card now, and if and when you feel the need you add another one later on for a dual card set up. Personally I would go with the 560ti for obvious reasons.