$1200 to $1500 Gaming System

[dmoran20]

Hi everyone, I"m getting ready for my first build but I have been waiting for bulldozer to come out and get a workout before starting so here I am now asking for advise on what direction I need to go.

What I am looking for -

AMD Gaming, I want to be able to play the newest games and watch Hi def movies. Possibly a little video editing but the main focus is on gaming. I usually only play FPS with other games like Fall Out New Vegas. I would like to set up Dual Monitors which I already have purchased, I just don't know what cards I will need to make this run on the new system

I need a system from the ground up with the exception of keyboards, speakers and mice. I'm looking for a case that's going to keep it cool. So where do I start? I have been through the forums and gone though the builds by usage but it hasn't been updated in a while which is why I am writing here.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next month

BUDGET RANGE: $1200 to $1500 With upgrades as I need them a few months later. Most likely picking up a part here and a part there as I can afford it.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming FPS . I would like to set a Multimedia center also for movies and such.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse, Keyboard, Monitors and Speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Tigerdirect or newegg. I am open to others though.

PARTS PREFERENCES: I want to run AMD

HDD's: I want to be able to run at least two SSD drives for gaming and two regular 500gb drives. Would like more as I consume an enormous amount of space due to my work, also I have many external drive which I have to access all the time. Is this the best way to go?

OVERCLOCKING: I want the option to Overclock if I need it. Right now I shouldn't need it thought.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I don't know what is the best please help me with this.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I’ve been doing some basic research and I just can't figure out where to start. I hear Asus is a great start for the MOBO but again I just don't know. Thanks in advance for any and all help, I do look forward to learning more as I undertake this build!

 

[Emelth]

Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147107

AMD FX-8120 Zambezi 3.1GHz 8MB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor - $219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103961

ASRock 890FX DELUXE5 AM3+ - $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157248

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

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 - $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233180

Crucial M4 128GB SSD - $202.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442

MSI R6950 Twin Frozr III PE/OC Radeon HD 6950 2GB - $299.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127575

Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

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

Total: $1425.93

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I don't see a case for an AMD build over $800

 

[Emelth]

I don't see a case for an AMD build over $800

Its what he wanted I can easily make it into a Intel build for the same price...

 

[roblaw42]

Go Intel i5 2500K with a corresponding mobo. It is much better than the AMD and is about the same price.
For HD, go for the Seagate Barracuda 1 TB on AMAZON because it is $74.95 instead of $139.99 like it is on newegg. All hd prices are flying up because of Thai flooding. Buy the hd ASAP.

 

[dmoran20]

Thanks for all the input.

The reasoning behind AMD is honestly I've always been told it's the best for gaming which is basically all I will be using it for. It also seems that intel tends to be harder to upgrade after a year or two.

Now don't rip my head off I'm new to the hardware scene and I may be way off in left field here which is why I am here. I"m more looking for the education ( well at least a few lessons ) in putting together the rig that is going to be perfect for me.

I know the 8 core isn't going to be tapped at the moment but the thought is down the road, with what seems to be something I will be able to run more GPU's on and Max out the ram and still have a system I can rock for quite a bit of time.

With the tower thought, is there one going to be coming out for a higher end system rather than a say budget one?

The 1200 to 1500 is a next month go, I will be able to drop maybe 1k more say 3 months down the road, after that I have to start building the wife's computer which will be my foray to the unknown. So all in all I do want to have a rig that is good for the start and great when I'm done.

So any idea's?

Thanks again for the idea's and honestly I didn't even think about Amazon and really didn't know the Thai flooding would cause a leap in price. That's why I'm here though... Thanks a bunch.

 

[Emelth]

For the case IMO is better for you to choose which type or style you like that way its more custom built to your tastes then another persons' who doesnt know you

 

[dmoran20]

For the case IMO is better for you to choose which type or style you like that way its more custom built to your tastes then another persons' who doesnt know you

You do have a point there. I guess I'm just trying to make sure I get a case with enough room for drives and GPU's without running into venting problems. I live in the DEEP South so it's always hot here and it stays about 75 in the house during summer otherwise I'd have to sell a kidney to pay the electric bill. So ventilation is a must, liquid cooling is good too but then I've never had my hands on it

I'd rather have something to my liking, though as I said I want to make sure there is enough space and so forth.....

What do you recommend?

 

[Emelth]

i dont know much about water cooling but now that I know you live in a hotter area you will need something possibly a littler stronger than a fan cooler

 

[Emelth]

Look at the HAF series on neweg see which ones you like they are mostly full tower builds

 

[mattyg_nz]

With the case, pick some you LIKE. Post them here, and we can give you feedback on how the airflow works out within them.
The fact you will have to see it for the length of you owning it means you should pick carefully!

I'd have to sell a kidney to pay the electric bill

Too true. This definitely means DON'T BUY AMD FX.
They run hot, at a higher TDW and have a lower IPC (calculations per clock). Get the i5 2500K or similar (i.e. non K versions).
With the cooling, an i5 with an aftermarket air cooler (look here:http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lga-1156-heatsink,2535-14.html - minus 20°C from lynnfield) should do fine. Sandy Bridge runs cool.

You said

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

Hmmmmm.... Not really a good idea if you are worried about temps. Those configs run hot in ANY case, for any cards.

If you go for the HD 6950, get the 1GB version. Here at toms, they proved you never use over 1GB in any workload (the GPU slows down first).
Make sure you get one with an aftermarket cooler, like the Gigabyte Windforce, MSI frozer, ASUS DCII and so on. The stock coolers SUCK.

In three months time there should be the HD7000 series, with the GTX 600 series around the corner.

The key with buying a computer is understanding what you want. After that, it's smooth sailing.

No computer is an easy upgrade in 3 years. AMD kids were like "wait for bulldozer, my PC will be ready" and bought Intel because it flopped. Intel changes socket because they can to force you to buy a new mobo. But hey, a new CPU+mobo in 3 years might be awesome, or not.