My under $1,100 pc build

Banisher97

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Sep 18, 2011
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I want to know which one of my builds is best for the money please!

First Build
RAIDMAX Helios ATX-819WB Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$79.99
ASUS P8P67 LE (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$124.99
RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-630SS 630W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Modular LED Power Supply
$49.99
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
$219.99
CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory
$49.99
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$54.99
LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
$24.99
Galaxy 58NLH5HS3PXZ GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$464.99
Total: 1014.99

Second Build
Galaxy 57NKH3HS4GXK GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$329.99
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
$79.99
GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$121.99
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
$219.99
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
$19.99
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$54.99
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
$84.99
Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$169.99
Total: $1045.42
 

Zenthar

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I think the 2nd build is WAY better in term of quality, even if the GPU is less powerful. What resolution will you be gaming at, maybe a GTX 580 is overkill anyway.

Also note that the 600T casing is a beast, it's a full tower size (basically the same size as the HAF X). I'm just saying because some people get deceived by the "medium tower" classification it is often attributed. Other than that it's a GREAT case, probably one of the best price/value/quality you can find.
 

genghiskron

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Mar 15, 2011
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wow i didnt notice this was an $1100 build. in regards to the 600T, its an great looking, high quality case, but its not a great value. its not. there are plenty of sub $100 cases that will do the trick. i cant make the decision for you, either you buy an expensive case and a gtx 570, or a cheaper case and a gtx 580.

i think your first build is great with the exception of the psu, and you can afford a better one.

some combos you might like:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.729081
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.730385

some great sub $100 cases, for example the new corsair 400r:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240&Tpk=storm%20enforcer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119224
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

 

Banisher97

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Sep 18, 2011
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Ugh I still can't decide what case I want my final build without the case is:

Galaxy GeForce GTX 570
RAIDMAX HYBRID SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Modular LED Power Supply
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model
GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 5900 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

Total: $891.43 (they are mostly combos)
 

Zenthar

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He wasn't referring to the power of the PSU, but the overall quality. If you can, try to stay with a know good brand like (in no specific order):
■Antec
■SeaSonic
■Corsair
■CoolerMaster
■PC Power & Cooling
■Silverstone
 

008Rohit

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Aug 1, 2011
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CoolerMaster GX and Extreme Power Plus PSUs suck!

Processor : Intel Core i5 2500K - $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

HeatSink : CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ - $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

Motherboard : ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&Tpk=asrock%20extreme3%20gen3%20z68

RAM : Gskill Ripjaws X Series 8(2x4GB) DDR3 1600 - $52
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Graphics : XFX HD-697A-CNFC Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 - $320
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150517

Power Supply : XFX Core Edition Pro 850W - $90
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011

Hard Disk : SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=Samsung%20Spinpoint%20F3%201TB

SSD : OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725

Case : COOLER MASTER HAF 922 BLUE RC-922M-KWN2-GP Black ATX Mid Tower - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119224

Optical Drive : LG CD/DVD Burner 22X DVD - $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136238&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=9237zpvk9pny

Total : $1094 after rebates
 

Banisher97

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I only have two questions about this build.
1. Why did you change the motherboard from what I had?
2. Is that Radeon 6970 better then the GTX 570 that I had in my build?

 

genghiskron

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the mobo he chose has x8/x8 pci-e lanes, which is what you want for sli/crossfire. The p8p67 le does not, so you will suffer a performance loss in SLI/crossfire. the gigabyte d3h has x8/x8 pci-e lanes too, though. The asrock extreme3 is a better overclocker, and far cooler looking (imo) than the d3h, but it does have a shorter warranty.

2x hd6970's are better than 2x gtx 570's. In a single card setup, however, the gtx 570 and hd6970 perform almost identically, making the cheaper gtx 570 the better choice.
 

Banisher97

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Ok so I am now changing only the power supply, heatsink, and adding a case:

Galaxy GeForce GTX 570
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model
GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 5900 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
COOLER MASTER Silent Pro RS850-AMBAJ3-US 850W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 BLUE RC-922M-KWN2-GP Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Side window
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler

Total: $1,078.40
 

008Rohit

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The motherboard I listed features the next gen. PCIe 3.0 slots, able to SLI/CF at x8/x8. That also overclocks better, features solid capacitors in the important areas and upgradibility to Ivy Bridge in future.

You're going to get in troubles by getting a 5900rpm drive and no SSD. Your PC will feel slow. Get a 7200rpm 1TB drive.

I've seen many benchmarks where HD 6970 beats GTX 570 atleast by a small margin.

I dont really like CoolerMaster PSUs though their Silent Pro series isn't that bad. I still recommend a Seasonic, CWT or Enermax made one.

Why populate all 4 RAM slots with 4x2GB RAM? get 2x4GB.
 

Banisher97

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How about this RAM:
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory
And this Drive:
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Also, I will be keeping the PSU, and if I did want to switch to the Radeon 6970 would I need to change any other parts?
 

008Rohit

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Corsair XMS3 is good, make sure you take the DDR3 1600 version for better performance.
Seagate Barracuda is a good drive. No complaints against it, I own one myself.
Keep what PSU?
No, switching to Radeon HD 6970 won't require you to change other parts.