$1200 Skyrim/BF3 Futureproof Rig

[Beahminator]

It's about that time of year... So many great PC titles coming out and I need a new build! So far this is what I have come up with. I have a single 22' monitor I use already so no need for anything but the parts. As the title states, I am looking to play BF3 and Skyrim on ultra, as well as future proofing all while remaining under 1.2k. Also, I was planning on OC the CPU to about 4.3ish, what else would I need to do this effectively? ( such as more coolers etc.) Also, is the Z68 MOBO worth the extra 20 or so dollars to upgrade? I think that's about it. lets get started shall we?


Buying Date: Before Christmas

Budget: $1-1.2k

System Use: Gaming

Website: Newegg/Amazon etc.

Country: USA



1. CASE IN WIN BUC Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ATX 12V, PSII
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108395
$84.99

2. PSU hec Zephyr MX 750 750W Peak Output ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339002
$69.99

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

4. GPU MSI R6970 Lightning Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127581
$386.99

5. CPU Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
$219.99

6. RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
$48.99

7. HD SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
$79.99

8. LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
$19.99

9. Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
$99.99

10. COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
$25.99

Subtotal (before rebates) $1,191.90

So there you have it. I am only in the planning phase now, so any suggestions or comments regarding this build would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank you
-Beahm

 

[lobstaman]

If you are looking for a future proof rig then i would recommend getting the z68 board. The cpu cooler you have chosen is fine for most overclocking, you can get a second fan for it, which i would recommend.

As for the ram I would suggest Corsair Vengeance, I believe you need the low profile version with that cooler (just doesnt have the fancy toothy looking things on the top).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

 

[boiler1990]

PSU hec Zephyr MX 750 750W Peak Output ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339002
$69.99

Eww, HEC. HEC PSUs are like ticking time bombs. You could get a 750W Antec/Corsair/XFX for about the same price with over 100% more reliability.

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

Get the Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 - basically the same board but cheaper.

4. GPU MSI R6970 Lightning Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127581
$386.99

You said you're gaming on a 22" monitor? What is your resolution? The 6970 isn't a great value until you get beyond 1920x1080. For anything 1920x1080 or less, I'd go with a GTX 560Ti or 6950 1GB.

Basically everything else you listed was ok/standard.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Maybe read this thread :

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/325564-31-build-1500-swtor-skyrim-gaming

I'm down on the OSU and down on the AsRock warranty

That HD is $100 more than it was last week. I'd try and find an ole HD from a existing box or one on a store shelf somewhere as I won't pay that much for a HD.....wait till the flooding problems in Thailand resolve themselves and normal production resumes. Here's what I'd buy w/ $1200 .... about 40% more fps than a 580 .....about 64% more fps than a 6970.

Case - $ 105 - Antec 902 V3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129097
PSU - $ 125 - Corsair TX850 V2 PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139022
MoBo - $ 190 - ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131792
CPU - $ 204 - 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=N82E16835103065
RAM - $ 50 - (2 x 4GB) Corsair CAS 9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233196
GFX - $ 225 - Asus GTX 560 Ti 900 Mhz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121425
GFX - $ 225 - Same
DVD Writer - $ 19 - Asus 24X http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

 

[DelroyMonjo]

Stay far, far away from that hec PSU.
I've had an ASRock Z68 Extreme3Gen 3 for aboout a month and it's good so far. Didn't come with standoffs and screws for mounting and only 1 SATA cable.
That case looks interesting. Hot swap drive bays would be very good.