$900 dollar First Build help?

[ATHELESTAN]

Hey guys I am building my 1st gaming computer and I'm hoping to stick in the $900 dollar range, but I still want to be able to play high end games with fairly high settings. This is what I have so far.

Motherboard:
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

Graphics Card:
EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604

Processor:
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

RAM:
Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory with heatshield Model PSD38G1600KH
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570

PSU:
COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power Plus RS700-PCAAE3-US 700W ATX 12V v2.3 Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171054

Optical Drive:
LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS70 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136236

Wireless:
Rosewill RNX-EasyN1 Wireless-N 4.0 Dongle (1T1R) IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Up to 150Mbps Data Rates WPA/WPA2 (AES, 64,128-WEP with shared-key authentication) WPS PIN, PBC (Hardware WPS Button) QoS-WMM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166041

If anybody has noticed, I haven't picked out a case yet. I also need help choosing a case. I want a case with decent room, I would like fans so I don't have to purchase any to put in the case, and also I would like dust filters. If there are any cases that fit that, please link them.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[ATHELESTAN]

Also I have around a $100 dollar budget on cases.

 

[michxymi]

monitor's resolution?

 

[ATHELESTAN]

im looking in to buying either a 1900x1080 or a 1920x1200 on black friday

 

[michxymi]

im looking in to buying either a 1900x1080 or a 1920x1200 on black friday

Change the PSU with a better one from Corsair, XFX, Seasonic

and instead of 560ti get a 6950 2GB. It will help with resolutions >1920x1080

 

[ATHELESTAN]

alright thanks ill look into that

i was only going with a geforce because I hear that most games favor NVIDIA and they run smoother. Is this true?

 

[michxymi]

alright thanks ill look into that

i was only going with a geforce because I hear that most games favor NVIDIA and they run smoother. Is this true?

Of course not...some games favor AMD some other Nvidia and other both

 

[ATHELESTAN]

ok. and also, is getting a 2gb really worth it? Because I was thinking about getting a 1gb to start off with then later on when it is really necessary, getting a better vid card with 2+ gigs, but that wouldnt be for a while

 

[ATHELESTAN]

my new psu:

CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 (CMPSU-650HX) 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

is this a good one? I was hoping for something cheaper, but I couldn't find that any with good reviews...

 

[michxymi]

my new psu:

CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 (CMPSU-650HX) 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

is this a good one? I was hoping for something cheaper, but I couldn't find that any with good reviews...

This one is great but it's expensive...check this...

XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013&Tpk=xfx%20550w

And 2GB is worth when you have a lot of textures and high resolution

 

[ATHELESTAN]

alright thanks I'll look into that. Also, will that psu support crossfirex? and more importantly, is 550W enough for my whole system?

 

[ATHELESTAN]

is there a certain brand of GPU that is better than the others? or will this one be just fine?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150530

 

[TechRoy]

alright thanks I'll look into that. Also, will that psu support crossfirex? and more importantly, is 550W enough for my whole system?

That looks like a pretty decent PSU. From what it says on newegg its both SLI ready and CrossFire ready. It will def support your sysem and it will also be able to handle a second video card.

If you are looking to game at high resolutions I would also recommend a 6950 2GB card. It offers great value for money and it can be unlocked to 6970 performance (some say). A friend of mine highly recommends it from his new build.
I had the same dilema, I went with 570 in the end because I preffer nvidia cards.

What are you thinking for your case?

 

[ATHELESTAN]

alright thanks, I'll go with those for now. Right now I'm looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112239

and the

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240

 

[TechRoy]

alright thanks, I'll go with those for now. Right now I'm looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112239

and the

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240

Those both look fine. I would read up a bit on the new coolermaster one. Also, take into consideration that the Lian Li does not have USB3 in the frontport, thats a deal-breaker for me personally.

I came across this case while searching for one myself: http://www.raidmax.com/chassis/seiran.html there isn't a review out and I never heard anything about it. From what I understand its going to hit shelves only in a week or so but I personally think it looks amazing and it has (reportedly) really great features for a very decent price tag.

 

[ATHELESTAN]

that sounds good and I like that one too, but after switching to the new graphics card you told me about, I have another problem: does the case have enough room for a giant GPU?

 

[rwayne]

Ok, I am preparing this with an estimated $1,000 budget ($900 + $100 for the case)

First the Case:
May want to consider the NZXT 410 Elite for $89:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146080

This video review of the case is impressive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUP8VpQfqWE

I would stay away from Cooler Master PSUs. They make good cases, but Corsair, Antec, & Seasonic make better PSUs.
May want to try a modular PSU like this Corsair 650: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

I STRONGLY don't recommend USB wireless connections. They have not been reliable for me. Try a wireless PCI card instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833166051

I think the GTX560 ti is fine. I realize it is 1GB but I don't think it will impact your frame rate at 1920 x 1080. Yes, 2GB would be ideal however it might cause issues with the $1,000 budget preset (We will see how it works out in the end). May want to consider this model from ASUS instead of EVGA as it runs cooler and quieter. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121424

Watch the Video on the link from JJ from ASUS. The quality they put in to their videocards is impressive. EVGA is a top notch company however having non-reference cooler is a plus in most situtations.

Far as your RAM I think you are fine. May also want to consider GSKILL, however Patriot is a well known company and makes pretty good products from what I have read. However I have used GSKILL in the majority of my builds over the past 10 years and have never received a faulty unit. They work great for my friends too. Plus the red might look better through the window of your case with that black ASROCK motherboard. (if that matters to you) only $2 more.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428


So in review:
LG DVD Drive $18.99
NZXT Tempest 410 Elite Case $89.99
Rosewill wireless adapter $24.99
ASUS GTX560 ti DirectCUII $244.99
Corsair 650Watt Modular Power Supply $119.99
8GB of GSKILL DDR3 RAM $46.99
ASROCK Z68 Motherboard $124.99
Intel Sandy Bridge Core I-5 2500k $219.99

This comes out to a subtotal $985.91
The estimated shipping to my house is estimated at $19.65 (I am guessing it would be near the same for you)
And there are $50 of available rebates with these items.
With all rebates accounted for that should bring your net cost down to $955.56

With this it would give you flexiblity to go with a 2GB videocard if you wish.
This one by XFX with a double lifetime warranty would only cost you $30 more than the GTX560ti
($5 off with promo code USXFX549, ends 11/30)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150549

Also the stock CPU cooler for the Core I-5 will work fine. However they tend to be rather low grade. With the money you saved you may want to consider getting an after market Cooler such as this Cooler Master 212 EVO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 however it is not necessary unless you plan to overclock.

 

[ATHELESTAN]

the only reason I don't like your build is its over 900 and theres no HDD

 

[ATHELESTAN]

Those both look fine. I would read up a bit on the new coolermaster one. Also, take into consideration that the Lian Li does not have USB3 in the frontport, thats a deal-breaker for me personally.

I came across this case while searching for one myself: http://www.raidmax.com/chassis/seiran.html there isn't a review out and I never heard anything about it. From what I understand its going to hit shelves only in a week or so but I personally think it looks amazing and it has (reportedly) really great features for a very decent price tag.

I don't mind not having usb 3.0 in the front because its in the back. It looks nice and has alot but I wouldn't want to get it until theres reviews and I'm planning on buying this soon

 

[ATHELESTAN]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163181&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

I found this case and It looks nice and has everything. Is it anygood?

 

[rwayne]

the only reason I don't like your build is its over 900 and theres no HDD

I thought I was missing something. I feel pretty dumb now.

I think you are going to have a hard time getting a core I-5 system under $900.

Maybe someone else can formulate one but I don't see it with out cutting back on some major components.

 

[ATHELESTAN]

ahah rwayne mines under 900 bucks right now but i have to get the hdd off craigslist and get a case under $100. Thats why i want a good case but i need it under $100

 

[TechRoy]

100$ is more than enough for a good case.
You can consider this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133181
I have it for about a week now, no complaints yet. It got some pretty good reviews and I personally have great experience with thermaltake.

 

[ATHELESTAN]

100$ is more than enough for a good case.
You can consider this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133181
I have it for about a week now, no complaints yet. It got some pretty good reviews and I personally have great experience with thermaltake.

would you rather have that or an antec 902 v3? just wondering.

also, will the radeon hd 6950 2gb fit in there?

 

[TechRoy]

would you rather have that or an antec 902 v3? just wondering.

also, will the radeon hd 6950 2gb fit in there?

I honestly don't think it matters much. Both are good cases with good reviews from top tier brands. Both have good cooling and great front panel options. Both carry cable mngmt systems to a certain degree and both have some unique options. I don't really like the huge fan sticking out of the antec, but thats totally personal taste. I must honestly say that my case wasn't my first pick for asthetics aswell, just a default sort of. I still like it better than the antec.
I have a Geforce 570 in my case and it accomidates it very well. I don't think you will have any problems with a 6950 with either case.