First Time (Gaming Build)

[samvel]

Approximate Purchase Date: within a week hopefully (seeing as i only need a graphics card at this point and some advice on the ram)

Budget Range: ~1100

System Usage from Most to Least Important: LONG hours of gaming a day (20-24 hrs/day)

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers,

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com/ Frys.com

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: None really besides my MOBO/CPU

Overclocking: Maybe(in the future)

SLI or Crossfire: Im pretty sure this isnt a possibility with my motherboard.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 23"

Additional Comments: Since it is a first time build i realize i might be distributing my money to the wrong places but im here for help

My current parts are: (MOBO/CPU came in a package deal for $400)

CPU ($247)
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core

MOBO ($163)
ASUS P8P67 EVO (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard


PSU ($70)
Antec Earthwatts EA-650 Green PSU 600w ATX Power Supply

Memory ($55)
DDR3 12GB (3x4GB) 1600MHz Viper II Sector 7 Series Patriot i also realize my MOBO isnt tripple lane buy the sticks were so cheap there was no reason to spend more and get 8gb, i was also wondering if i should build it with all 3 sticks or leave one completely out (frys emplyees seem to know less then i do -.-)

Case
Cooler Master HAF 912 Flagship Mid Tower just ordered this from frys going to pick it up tomorrow

~all parts were purchased from Frys it was just easier posting Newegg pages~

Interested in buying:

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black WD7502AAEX 750GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

GPU (~$200-250)
After some comments ive decided to drop my SSD and pick up either a
- gtx 560 ti
- radeon 6950
now to pick one

 

[radium69]

Get a 128gb crucial. 64gb is just too small.

 

[shaqxolotl]

How do you know a 64gb SSD is to small for him? A 64gb SSD will be perfect for booting windows and some other applications. Remember to delete your hibernation file off windows to save. It looks like a very promising build though.

Good luck!

 

[samvel]

Get a 128gb crucial. 64gb is just too small.

I have a laptop currently that i am still going to be using for pretty much everything else besides gaming i have about 100 gb used up on my laptop over the last 3 years so 64gb should be good for now untill i run into some more money to spend on a 1tb hard drive thanks for the suggestion though

 

[cutebeans]

Rather than getting an SSD, you should get a better GPU. The 550 ti is not a very good GPU. It'd be better if you get a 6870 or 6950. The CPU may be the best right now but the GPU pales in comparison.

Also, games need more GPU power than CPU power.

 

[samvel]

Rather than getting an SSD, you should get a better GPU. The 550 ti is not a very good GPU. It'd be better if you get a 6870 or 6950. The CPU may be the best right now but the GPU pales in comparison.

Also, games need more GPU power than CPU power.

i agree with getting a better graphics card (my wallet doesnt) but ive been told that using radeon, since it is amd based, with a intel processor isnt idle for maximal performance of the GPU

 

[cutebeans]

i agree with getting a better graphics card (my wallet doesnt) but ive been told that using radeon, since it is amd based, with a intel processor isnt idle for maximal performance of the GPU

There's no truth to that. Anyway, you will seriously regret getting that 550ti. It's one of the worst for price/performance.

Forget the SSD for now and get a 6870 and a 500gb HDD.

You can save 60 dollars that can go to a better GPU.

You might get pissed that a $500 dollar build would be getting better framerates than you because you chose to skimp on the GPU.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-ii-overclock-graphics-card,3032.html

 

[ARchamps]

The link you posted for the LE is $124.99 after rebate. You listed it as $163. Look at the P8P67 (not Pro, LE, or EVO). It has better OC features, USB 3.0 on board headers, and bluetooth. Definietly go for a better GPU, such as the 560 Ti. To run Battlefield 3 on High/Ultra, that's the recommended card.

The reviews on that case aren't very good. Great budget cases I found are either the Antec 300 or Cooler Master HAF 912.

Hope that helps!

 

[thesnappyfingers]

downgrade to a i5 2500k, upgrade to a gtx 560 ti or a radeon 6950. That cpu and gpu are far more balanced then your current setup. the 2500k is like the go to cpu for all gamers building intel, or any $700-$1500 gamin machine.

Never mind, I didn't see how cheap you got the i7 for, i would stick with that. Just keep in mind that the gpu will bottleneck the cpu.

You could always get a ssd later, and save some money as ssd typically go for $1 to $2.5 per gb.

+1 to archamps case recommendations

 

[samvel]

The link you posted for the LE is $124.99 after rebate. You listed it as $163. Look at the P8P67 (not Pro, LE, or EVO). It has better OC features, USB 3.0 on board headers, and bluetooth. Definietly go for a better GPU, such as the 560 Ti. To run Battlefield 3 on High/Ultra, that's the recommended card.

The reviews on that case aren't very good. Great budget cases I found are either the Antec 300 or Cooler Master HAF 912.

Hope that helps!

Oops ya my motherboard is EVO i edited the post going for the p8p67 would end up costing me about 50$ more since the CUP/MOBO is a package deal, also what are OC features??? the evo also has 3.0 usb headers and Bluetooth on board

thanks though im looking into dropping my SSD now and picking up a better gpu

 

[samvel]

downgrade to a i5 2500k, upgrade to a gtx 560 ti or a radeon 6950. That cpu and gpu are far more balanced then your current setup. the 2500k is like the go to cpu for all gamers building intel, or any $700-$1500 gamin machine.

Never mind, I didn't see how cheap you got the i7 for, i would stick with that. Just keep in mind that the gpu will bottleneck the cpu.

You could always get a ssd later, and save some money as ssd typically go for $1 to $2.5 per gb.

+1 to archamps case recommendations

Ya i think im going to take your advice, upgrading to a SSD would come cheaper then having to upgrade a shitty GPU, but in terms of gpu what specs should i be focusing on?

 

[FinneousPJ]

There are two models in the $200+ price range 6950 or 560 Ti that are worthwhile. According to Tom's 6950 is better.

 

[thesnappyfingers]

Here is a gtx 560 ti for 209.00 after MIR, 229.00 before MIR at NCIX

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=58303&vpn=N560GTX%2DTI%20Twin%20Frozr%20II%2FOC&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1115

It is available at newegg/amazon as well. That is the cheapest that I have been able to find that particular GPU. It is a good card and may meet your needs. Here are some benchmarks for the gtx 560 TI. Notice how the hd 6870 and the 6950 are also on this bench.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_560_Twin_Frozr_II/16.html

here is also the GTX 570 available for 250.00 after MIR, same website.
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57383&vpn=N570GTX%2DM2D12D5&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1115

both the benches are on metro 2033, a very gpu demanding game, but you can scroll through various games via the drop down menu at the bottom.

Newegg reviews on that particular gtx 570 are quite poor just to let you know.

the GPU you want (more like the performance you want) is also dependent upon how much you are willing to spend. So may we ask for a budget for your GPU?

but in the 200.00 range the gtx 560 ti from nxic would be my choice.

I am pretty sure that you can sli with that board, not sure if it is 8x/8x, 16/16, but someone else can most likely confirm this.

 

[samvel]

Here is a gtx 560 ti for 209.00 after MIR, 229.00 before MIR at NCIX

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=58303&vpn=N560GTX%2DTI%20Twin%20Frozr%20II%2FOC&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1115

It is available at newegg/amazon as well. That is the cheapest that I have been able to find that particular GPU. It is a good card and may meet your needs. Here are some benchmarks for the gtx 560 TI. Notice how the hd 6870 and the 6950 are also on this bench.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_560_Twin_Frozr_II/16.html

here is also the GTX 570 available for 250.00 after MIR, same website.
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57383&vpn=N570GTX%2DM2D12D5&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar&promoid=1115

both the benches are on metro 2033, a very gpu demanding game, but you can scroll through various games via the drop down menu at the bottom.

Newegg reviews on that particular gtx 570 are quite poor just to let you know.

the GPU you want (more like the performance you want) is also dependent upon how much you are willing to spend. So may we ask for a budget for your GPU?

but in the 200.00 range the gtx 560 ti from nxic would be my choice.

I am pretty sure that you can sli with that board, not sure if it is 8x/8x, 16/16, but someone else can most likely confirm this.

I think ima go with the msi gtx 560 ti just wondering if my power supply is enough

 

[elyo]

Would love some response on my post if anyone has time:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/322859-13-1500-gaming-need-advice

similar setup

 

[thesnappyfingers]

I am pretty sure that your psu is fine as the gtx 560 ti requires (nvidia suggest) a psu of at least 500w. considering yours is 600w i would say you are good to go.

600 watts is enough to run that card.

To SLI the cards, I dont think the psu would be capable, but i don't think that is your intent thus you are good to go.

Hope you got what you needed.

 

[samvel]

I am pretty sure that your psu is fine as the gtx 560 ti requires (nvidia suggest) a psu of at least 500w. considering yours is 600w i would say you are good to go.

600 watts is enough to run that card.

To SLI the cards, I dont think the psu would be capable, but i don't think that is your intent thus you are good to go.

Hope you got what you needed.

thanks so much bro i think i have everything set as of now just setting it up and the fans is whats left which is the fun part