New Gaming Build $900-$1000

BC2

Distinguished
Oct 28, 2011
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18,510
Hi! I am looking to build a new rig with the potential to run new and upcoming games on High/Ultra/Max settings with solid FPS rates (BF3, Skyrim, SWToR, Diablo 3, GW2, etc.), 3D modeling (Solidworks, Pro-E, AutoCAD, etc.) and Graphic Design (Adobe Suite)


Approximate Purchase Date: 1 week~

Budget Range: $900-$1000 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, 3D modeling, Graphic Design

Parts Not Required: Peripherals, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com or other reputable site

Country of Origin: United States

Parts Preferences: Whatever provides the best price to performance ratio

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Quiet is a major plus. May add an SSD and Blu-ray drive later. May upgrade to 16GB RAM.

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Case
NZXT GAMMA Classic
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061
$36

CPU
Intel Core i5-2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
$215

CPU Cooler
Corsair CAFA70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181011
$43 (-$15 MIR)

Mobo
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
$125

RAM
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (DDR3 1600)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
$47

PSU
OCZ ZS Series 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049
$100 (-$25 MIR)

HDD
Samsung Spinpoint F3R 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152238
$100

ODD
Samsung CD/DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151243
$20

GPU
XFX Radeon HD 6950 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150549
$280 (-$30 MIR)

Total: $966 (before Tax + Shipping - Rebates)
$896 (before Tax + Shipping, after Rebates)

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With this parts list I should have a decent amount of room to overclock. Is there anything that I should change?

Thank you for your input in advance.

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Edit: Updated parts list.
 

vx53c

Distinguished
Aug 25, 2009
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Agreed on gfx card and ram. Prices change daily so something that was cheaper yesterday might not be today. Also the difference between 1gb and 2gb on the gfx card count for nothing. You only need the 2gb if you are planning on flashing your card to 6970. That being said, an overclocked 1gb will outperform a flashed 2gb any day.
I disagree on the cooler strongly. CM hyper 212 might be the best performance per buck but that performance aint nearly close to the A70. CM 212 is noisier, has one fan, inferior to the A70 in regards of cooling. If you consider $ per delta of cooling and add the rest advantages of the A70 plus it's easier mounting system, i'd pick a70 any time. It is true that the 2500k won't need more cooling than the 212, still i'd rather my 2500k 5 degrees cooler for the extra 8$ or the ability to squeeze the extra 100mhz out of it.
In regard of the PSU, the recommendations are excellent and i absolutely love the Lepa. If you won't CF though it is some extra money sitting at the back of your case.
 

BC2

Distinguished
Oct 28, 2011
8
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18,510
Alright, the 1.5V RAM will probably be a better deal, and the OCZ PSU looks more promising than the LEPA (single 12V rail.)

As far as GFX cards, I was thinking XFX due to known quality, lifetime warranty, and complementary Dirt 3 game (as opposed to an AMD comic book.) If cooling looks to be an issue, I can switch to this card ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150549 ) which has 2 fans, and can OC it myself. The original card I had picked out is factory OC'd slightly.

I would rather get a 2GB model to help support the occasional resolution higher than 1920x1080 (HDTV use, etc.)

Updated parts list:
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GPU
XFX Radeon HD 6950 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150549
$280 (-$30 MIR)

PSU
OCZ ZS Series 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049
$100 (-$25 MIR)

RAM
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (DDR3 1600)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
$47

Total: $966 (before Tax + Shipping - Rebates)
$896 (before Tax + Shipping, after Rebates)