$1300 Gaming System

[EmoPopsicle]

So, finally, I have decided my build...kind of. I need help on whether these are all compatible.

Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $199.99

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ12GX3M3A1600C9 $74.99

Processor: 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 Desktop Processor BX80623I72600K $314.99

CPU Fan: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 $25.99

Case: Antec DF-85 Black ATX Full Tower Computer Case $154.99

PSU: Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply $114.99

GFX: EVGA 02G-P3-1568-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $279.99

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $69.99

DVD Drive: Suggestions? I don't want a Blu-ray drive.

The total here comes out to be $1235.92 not including shipping or rebates. I'm keeping it below $1300.
I will not be needing an OS, a keyboard, a mouse, or speakers.
I'm also paranoid about the CPU Fan because I've heard it was pretty big and so I may not be able to fit in all my RAM sticks.

 

[aznshinobi]

Check out the $1000 or $850 build I have here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
You'll get more performance out of the CPU for less (Since in gaming it doesn't matter.

Plus in your current build, you have the wrong motherboard and LGA 1155 isn't Triple channel. It's dual. Also in Gaming the 2500K Vs 2600K has virtually NO difference at all. Also, the RAM 12 to 8GB makes very tiny difference.

 

[eric8705]

i agree with aznshinobi.
i repeat, the Sabertooth is NOT triple channel.
and for gaming 8GB really does its job.

and even with the CPU too, i7 can become an overkill. especially if you dont have beefy gears to back it with. a friend of my mine settle for an i5 and his rig runs like no other.

you can seriously spend a lot less and still get the same result from a lot less inexpensive parts.


this is kinda random, but im mentioning this because i have recenly been blow away by how much a different a sound card makes in your gaming experience... lol
so if you have spare change, i highly recommend you investing in one!!

i got the ASUS XONAR STX and i mind will never be the same, ever again...
http://www.eio.com/p-9740-asus-xonar-essence-stx-virtual-71-channels-24-bit-192khz-pci-express-interface-124-db-snr-headphone-amp-card-retail.aspx

 

[aznshinobi]

Sound cards are not worth the value unless you have excess money. The money is better spent on the GPU.

 

[EmoPopsicle]

Check out the $1000 or $850 build I have here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
You'll get more performance out of the CPU for less (Since in gaming it doesn't matter.

Plus in your current build, you have the wrong motherboard and LGA 1155 isn't Triple channel. It's dual. Also in Gaming the 2500K Vs 2600K has virtually NO difference at all. Also, the RAM 12 to 8GB makes very tiny difference.

I believe the Sabertooth is Triple Channel...I just checked and it says LGA 1366 and that it supports triple channel. I was also reading the feedback and someone posted their mobo as sabertooth x58, so I believe the RAM is compatible.

For the processor, you're saying I should get the i5? Will it be able to handle games approximately the same as i7?

 

[dish_moose]

What's being said is - x58 is for older style i7-920,950... not i5-2500k,i7-2600k Sandy Bridge. You need a P67 or z68 mobo for Sandy Bridge.
-Bruce

 

[envymert]

What's being said is - x58 is for older style i7-920,950... not i5-2500k,i7-2600k Sandy Bridge. You need a P67 or z68 mobo for Sandy Bridge.
-Bruce

I have the ASUS Sabretooth and it is NOT triple channel. Go with 4x 4Gb ram and 1600 is great as even with my 2133 that I got on sale there is little to no difference in performance.

Like others stated go with the I52500k OC it to 4.5-4.6 and save yourself $100 for something better, I personally love EVGA but the MSI cyclone 560 ti has some of the best reviews/performance. And if you are saving the cash look into the Sapphire Toxic Edition 6950-6970. But if you want to stick with Nvidia the Ti is a nice card.

 

[aznshinobi]

No you're not getting what I'm saying.

You chose a board that is X58. The Sandy Bridge Platform is LGA 1155, NOT X58 or 1366. And yes, go with the i5 2500K with the motherboard I listed in the build guide.

Envy, the X58 Sabertooth IS Triple channel, the Sandy Bridge Sabertooth IS NOT TRiple Channel.

 

[megamanx00]

*sigh*

X58 boards use LGA1366 so they need LGA1366 CPUs. Sandy bridge CPUs like the 2600k are LGA 1155 CPUS, which is 211 less pins. The pins that are there are also mapped different, so all you would do by trying to put the 2600k in an X58 board is fry stuff. If you want a 2600k get an LGA 1155 board.

If you want something more then wait for the X79 boards and their corresponding CPUs. They have a quad, yes quad channel setup. Early reports show they are faster, though I'm not sure how much of it is due to that extra memory bandwidth. For games I'm guessing not much but we'll see.

 

[EmoPopsicle]

Best answer selected by EmoPopsicle.

 

[aznshinobi]

Lol Envy got the BA but his advice/facts were wrong. Interesting, not completely wrong, but partially. (Sabertooth part) The 4x4gb was is a pretty bad advice too. That means that's 16GB of ram, you really only need 8GB, 16GB is just a waste of money.