jeffmc511

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Oct 8, 2011
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18,510
Hi guys, I'm looking to start my first build. I'd appreciate any suggestions/opinions on my build before I start ordering parts.

Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 weeks

Budget Range: $1200 Max Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, any other reputable US sites

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: open to all suggestions

Overclocking: Maybe - I haven't really done any in-depth research into this option.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in the future

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I want a future proof pc. This will be my 1st ever build.

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Here's what I've come up with so far:

Case:
Cooler Master HAF 922 $90 shipped

PSU:
Corsair TX750M $136 shipped
* I chose this PSU so I can add another 6950 in the future.

MoBo:
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $133 shipped

CPU:
Intel Core i5-2500k $220 shipped

HSF
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO $35 shipped
*just in case I decide to try my hand at OC'ing*

[strike]Thermal Compound
MASSCOOL G751 Shin-Etsu $5 shipped[/strike]

HDD
Seagate Barracuda 1 TB $55 shipped
or
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB $60 shipped

RAM
G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3 1333 $47 shipped

DVD Burner
ASUS 24x DVD Burner $26 shipped

GPU
MSI Twin Frozr II OC 6950 2GB $298 shipped

OS
[strike]Windows 7 Pro $140 shipped[/strike]
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $100 shipped

Total: $1145 shipped

Suggestions/changes? Any other items I'll need to complete this build?

I used all newegg links because that was easiest, and in my limited search the prices were equal/cheaper than other sites. I'm open to other reputable websites if the price is right. Upgradability is important - I've had my current computer for nearly 8 years...

Thanks
 
Solution
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127588 $279.99 - $244.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
MSI R6950 Twin Frozr II Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Certified-Performance-CP-9020003-NA/dp/B005E98FVS/ref=sr_1_13?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1318266457&sr=1-13 $114.49 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 750-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular Power Supply CP-9020003-NA

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Computer-Cooling-R4-LUS-07AR-GP/dp/B002LE8BJA/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1318266565&sr=1-9 $15.59 & eligible for FREE Super...

mauler184

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Jun 11, 2011
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You dont need thermal paste as the cm 212 comes with a mini tube of plenty of the stuff. Do you reall need W7 pro? The 40 you save could be used to get a better gpu like the gtx 570. Go with the seagte dirve its cheaper and has SATA 6gbps
 

jeffmc511

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Oct 8, 2011
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Need? No, but I would like some of the additional features, i.e. XP Mode, Remote Desktop, & Domain Join. They wouldn't be used much, however, so if it's a good enough bang for the buck upgrade, I'm completely open to dropping down to Home Premium and upgrading something else...
 

jeffmc511

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Oct 8, 2011
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I am not planning on going with any sort of multi-monitor setup, I chose the 2gb purely for future proofing. I realize no current games utilize more than 1gb of vram, but they may in the future, right? When 1 6950 starts to struggle at max settings, I'll be looking at crossfiring with another, and that setup will stay until it absolutely has to be replaced... Am I crazy for having that thought process?

If I'm planning on running them until they just can't cut it anymore, would you still drop down to the 1gb card? I guess it's one of those "I'd rather have it and not need it than not have it and wish I did" situations. The question is, is it worth the $38 difference? I'll have to think about that one for a while.
 

jeffmc511

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Oct 8, 2011
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18,510
After thinking on it for a while, I downgraded from Win7 Pro to Home. I'm at home, not work. I don't need to be working...

Regarding the HDD - Does one stand out over the other?

RAM - For $5 more I can up from 1333 to 1600. Is that worth it/noticeable?

Is there anything that I missed that I'll need to complete the build?

Still unsure on the 1gb vs 2gb GPU. I've read arguments going both ways...I'm leaning towards 2gb because of the possibility of Crossfiring in the future.
 

Hafheim

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Oct 9, 2011
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18,510
for harddrive and memory deals, I would suggest "http://slickdeals.net/". They don't actually sell products, but rather is a site where people share deals they find elsewhere (such as newegg, amazon, best buy, and others). I often see links to HDDs, Memory, and GPUs at good deals on this site. =)
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127588 $279.99 - $244.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
MSI R6950 Twin Frozr II Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Certified-Performance-CP-9020003-NA/dp/B005E98FVS/ref=sr_1_13?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1318266457&sr=1-13 $114.49 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 750-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular Power Supply CP-9020003-NA

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Computer-Cooling-R4-LUS-07AR-GP/dp/B002LE8BJA/ref=sr_1_9?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1318266565&sr=1-9 $15.59 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Cooler Master Computer Case Cooling R4-LUS-07AR-GP Red LED Case Fan

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006050%20600006069%20600006127%20600006157%20600000261&IsNodeId=1&name=1.5V <----- Any of these sets of RAM

Probably the Samsung h/d over the Seagate for speed.
 
Solution

theundead

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Oct 13, 2011
15
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18,510
I have a very similar build that i was just about to buy the parts from newegg i was just wondering on two things is the twin better than the His iceq 6950 and if i wasnt going to crossfire is Antec high current 620 w good enough for the gpu