1500$ Gaming PC

[htownryguy]

Approximate Purchase Date: 1-4 weeks.


Budget Range: Before Rebates: 1500$


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming: Counter Strike: Source, Starcraft II, Battlefield 3, Call of Duty 3.


Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com


Country of Origin: California, USA


Parts Preferences:
I would like to use an Intel Processor, and I would like to have SLI/Xfire compatible motherboard with at least 4 240pin memory slots. Would like either one 2G or two 1G SLI/Xfire GPU's around possibly $350 price range. Ram - around 16gigsKeeping my system cool at an affordable price is important, which is why I chose a case with which I can tuck wires back, and improve airflow, also like the style of case. 8)


Overclocking:
Maybe, once I learn enough about it, would like to have the option.


SLI or Crossfire:
Yes, in the future this is something I would like to have the option of doing.


Monitor Resolution:
Currently 1440x900, would like to upgrade to 1920x1080 for streaming purposes. (The monitor will not be something I upgrade right away, and is not included in my 1500$ budget, however I will link the monitor I am currently thinking about for feedback.)


Additional Comments:
Performance and being upgradable are my primary goals in making my first PC. I would like to be able to play BF3 upon release and really appreciate the graphic quality. Also, I'm an avid SC2 player, and would like a system with which I can stream games with relative ease(minimal impact on in-game performance.)

Parts List:

Case:
Corsair Carbide Series 500R Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139009

Motherboard:
ASRock Z68 Extreme4 LGA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157250

Processor:
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Graphics Card:
HIS H697F2G2M Radeon HD 6970 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161356

Power:
Seasonic SS-850HT 850W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151100

Hard Drive:
Crucial M4 2.5" 64GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148447

Storage:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

CD/DVD:
ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

CPU Fan/Heatsink:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065


Notes: Debating on the Radeon HD 6970 2GB makes, would like recommendations on this specifically as well.

-This is my first build, criticism is encouraged and welcome. Thanks for your time, it is greatly appreciated! 8)

 

[htownryguy]

Minor Mistake forgetting memory -_-

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) (X2: for a total of 4 x 4GB)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

 

[BohleyK]

Here is what I would get with your wants and budget in mind. 2GB GPU's aren't neccesary for gaming rigs unless you want to run three monitors. If so, I'd suggest sticking with a 6970. Anyways, I've matched the colors for you so if you decide to go with this it will stay looking sick without sacrificing performance [:bohleyk:1]

Price: $1,518.90 ($20 over but who cares)
FREE SHIPPING!
-$90 in rebates

Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 650D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139006

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

HSF: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Mobo: ASRock Z68 PROFESSIONAL GEN3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157263

RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Redline 8GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226178

GPU: MSI GTX560ti Hawk 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127578

SSD: Corsair Force Series GT 120GB SATA III
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233191

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Optic: Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118067

PSU: CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX850W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139015

 

[JackNaylorPE]

-Upgraded Case and PSU (10.0 jonnyguru performance rating to AX's 9.5)
-Upgraded MoBo to GEN3 board w/ 3 year warranty
-Upgraded cooler (5-7C advantage over the 212)
-Upgraded GFX from 526 fps to 862 fps (Guru3D gaming test suite)
-Upgraded SSD to 120 GB
-Upgraded Optical to Blue Ray Player

Case - $ 155 - Antec DF-85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087
Case Fan - $ 15 - Antec Red 120 mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209013
PSU - $ 115 - Antec CP-850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024
MoBo - $ 220 - ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131790
CPU - $ 205 - Intel Core i5-2500K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
Cooler - $ 50 - Scythe Mugen 3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185168&Tpk=Mugen%203
TIM - $ 5 - Shin Etsu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080
RAM - $ 50 - (2 x 4GB) Corsair Vengeance http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186
GFX - $ 205 - Gigabyte GTX 560 (900MHz) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125363
GFX - $ 205 - Same
HD - $ 60 - Spinpoint F3 1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
SSD - Later - Corsair Force Series GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233191
DVD Writer - $ 59 - Asus 24X DRW-24B3L w/ LS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135247
Game Free Batman incl w/ GFX Card
OS - $ 100 - Win 7-64 Home Premium OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Total $1,444

I'd suggest getting the Asus versions of the card which add $25 each bringing the total to $1,494.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121425

I only went w/ CAS 9 RAM, but I wouldn't argue against CAS 7. If ya don't get the Asus GFX cards, ya could put the Mushkins back adding $44 for a new total of $1,488. or figure $1532 isn't so far over the $1,500 budget to worry about.

 

[htownryguy]

Hey bohleyk and JackNaylorPE, thank you both for taking the time to look over my build and suggest some possible upgrades.

I noticed you both upgraded the Mobo to the Z68 of both of the companies I was considering getting the Z68 from if I were to. Can you possibly explain why you liked either one more than the other? This is currently my biggest debate on the build, and can't seem to come to a conclusion. Elaboration would be appreciated.

Lastly, I said I'd link the monitor I was considering(separate from the PC build,) and only have two stipulations, must support 1080p video upload and resolution, and be around the $200 ballpark. Here's what I've come up with:
ASUS VS Series VS238H-P Black 23" 2ms HDMI LED Backlight Widescreen LCD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236175

 

[Andriko_08]

http://gamingrig.blogspot.com/

Here are some recommended builds for certain budgets, here is one for your budget: http://gamingrig.blogspot.com/2011/10/800-gaming-pc-october-2011.html

Also, replace the dual 2gb 6950s with 2 gigabyte 1gb 6950s, because "In theory, the Cayman GPU runs out of steam before 2 GB is needed. So, we're comparing five custom 1 GB cards to the 2 GB part to find out." (quoted Tom's Hardware), some proof is here: http://www.hwcompare.com/6216/radeon-hd-6950-vs-radeon-hd-6950-2gb/

and here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6950-1gb-benchmark,3041.html

I'd go for dual gigabyte 6950 1gb: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125385&Tpk=6950%201gb%20gigabyte


***If you are running more than 1 display you might want to go for the 2gb version***

 

[BohleyK]

Hey bohleyk and JackNaylorPE, thank you both for taking the time to look over my build and suggest some possible upgrades.

I noticed you both upgraded the Mobo to the Z68 of both of the companies I was considering getting the Z68 from if I were to. Can you possibly explain why you liked either one more than the other? This is currently my biggest debate on the build, and can't seem to come to a conclusion. Elaboration would be appreciated.

Z68 is an improved chipset and is currently the best Intel has to offer. I chose the ASRock Z68 PROFESSIONAL GEN3 because its one of the best motherboards out there. Its essentially an Asus ROG board without the Asus branding which makes it much more affordable. It has PCIe 3.0 and a load of other goodies that may not be available on the board you originally chose. Its an enthusiast board in short. You can run PCie 3.0 8x8x and also have a PhysX card if you so choose with more than enough connectivity for everything you have.

As for monitors, just pick whatever you like. LED's are obviously nicer but a bit more expensive. Asus is a nice monitor name so you shouldn't have any problems with the one you already chosen.

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Certified-Performance-CP-9020004-NA/dp/B005E98EI2/ref=sr_1_13?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1319176479&sr=1-13 $131.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 850-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular Power Supply CP-9020004-NA


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157265 $154.99
ASRock P67 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

 

[farsuka]

Get a hyper 212 evo, best price/performance cooler on the market.

 

[htownryguy]

Get a hyper 212 evo, best price/performance cooler on the market.

Yeah, I did some research and learned about the improved design of the copper tubes at the contact. I have swapped this for the previous version I had in the build originally once I noticed it in bohleyk's first post. 8)

 

[calguyhunk]

CPU: $330(?) Intel Core i7-2700K (Upcoming)

Motherboard: $125 ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3

RAM: $50 CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB

GPU: $480 EVGA SuperClocked GeForce GTX 580

HDD: $60 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB

ODD: $70 LG Black SATA Blue Ray burner Super Multi with LightScribe Support - OEM

PSU: $70 CORSAIR 650TX V2

Case: $100 Corsair Obsidian 650D

HSF: $35 COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO

Total: $1320+ shipping.

If you like the idea of a dual graphics card system right off the box, then get 2X6950 as suggested above. You'll need a 800Watt+ PSU in that case as has also been suggested.

 

[htownryguy]

Best answer selected by htownryguy.