1000$ budget gaming computer

[cookiemunsterz]

Approximate Purchase Date: Black Friday or whenever newegg comes out with relevant deals, definitely before the end of this month
Budget Range: 1000$ before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Programming, surfing the internet

Parts Not Required: Monitor, keyboard, mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country: U.S

Parts Preferences: no preference really

Overclocking: maybe

SLI or Crossfire: maybe

Monitor Resolution: Monitor is actually gonna be a gift from a bud, said I could choose any monitor I want, any recommendations?

Additional Comments: Was going to buy a computer couple months ago but figured I should just save up some money and buy during black november. Also main games are going to be starcraft 2, bf3,mw3.
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COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

MSI N570GTX Twin Frozr III PE/OC GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

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

LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS-324-98B

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

Cpu will be i5-2500k from micro center - 180$ right now

Also I'm wondering should I get this psu- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049 because theres a promo going on until the end of today which would make it around like 40$ after rebate, just a little bit cautious about buying parts separately.

 

[cookiemunsterz]

sorry if bumping isn't allowed, just wanted to know before the end of tonight cuz the psu deal will be gone

 

[cutebeans]

Get the OCZ PSU it's pretty good.

 

[AbdullahG]

For $160, I would get a 120GB SSD. When prices drop for HDD, go for the Spinpoint F3.

+1 on the OCZ PSU. The 750W PSU will be able to handle a pair of GTX 570s unlike the 650W PSU. If possible, try to get an 800W or more quality PSU for a decent price (more headroom).

There's the Hyper 212 EVO which you should consider. Just a few bucks more, it has a better copper base design and cuts CPU temps by a few degrees.

 

[cookiemunsterz]

alright awesome I guess I'll buy the power supply tonight before the deal runs out, thanks! How about the rest of the build?

 

[steadywaters]

Everything else is good to go!

On the i5-2500K at Microcenter, I just picked up one + ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 for $345+tax. They have $60 off any Z68 mobo with purchase of a i5-2500K.

i5-2500K + ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 is $325+tax for a solid overclocking mobo - food for thought.

 

[cutebeans]

Get the Asrock extreme3 gen3 since you won't be a hardcore overclocker.

 

[calguyhunk]

Everything in your build looks pretty stellar. Just 1 thing though - Buy everything together or make sure you can check the PSU in another existing desktop (if you were to buy it now).

Buying stuff scattered over a period of time is fraught with danger in case they turn out to be faulty.

P.S. - If you can spend a bit extra, you should definitely go with steadywaters' suggestion of going with a P8Z68 series Gen3 board.

 

[cookiemunsterz]

ya unfortunately the psu sold out so looks like I'll have to look for a new one. Should I look for a 700w psu or a higher one?

 

[calguyhunk]

If you're talking 'bout the 650TX V2. it is still available @ Newegg - now only for $75. Get it now and test it immediately. don't wait for the rest of the parts.

You'll never need a 700+ Watt PSU unless you want to SLI at a later date. For that option, get the 750TX V2 for $90.

 

[cookiemunsterz]

I dont think microcenter has the extreme 3 gen 3 so I'll go with the P8Z68-V LGA 1155 Z68 ATX since it should be around the same price with the 60$ off mobo/cpu combo

 

[calguyhunk]

I dont think microcenter has the extreme 3 gen 3 so I'll go with the P8Z68-V LGA 1155 Z68 ATX since it should be around the same price with the 60$ off mobo/cpu combo

Much better board, the Asus one. Good for ya

 

[aznshinobi]

Don't get the 650TX that thing is garbage for the price of $90. It sits $20 above the equivalent Antec EA650 and $10 below the Modular 750w power supplies.

EA650w $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044&Tpk=ea650
OR for more power and modular
OCZ ZT 750w $100 after promo before rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052
ENERMAX NAXN 82+ 750w $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194086

The G.Skill ram is good but I'd get more low profile heatsink'd ram just so it doesn't interrupt the position of the Hyper 212+ if you ever want to add another fan.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416
Plus their cheaper.

 

[calguyhunk]

Don't get the 650TX that thing is garbage for the price of $90. It sits $20 above the equivalent Antec EA650 and $10 below the Modular 750w power supplies.

Really? You're the 1st person ever to call Corsair PSU's garbage. Congratulations, at least you came 1st at something!!!

Corsair has certainly added yet another great PSU to their product range with the TX650W. They have ended up with a simple design and have selected high quality parts, creating a simple PSU with extremely good electrical performance and outstanding efficiency......

Taking everything into consideration, that being the great value for money combined with the performance and excellent efficiency this unit easily earns our editors choice award.

650tx review

 

[aznshinobi]

Dumbass, maybe you interpreted it wrong. At the price, the performance offered isn't worth the price. $90 for a 650w? I'd rather pay $70 for the EA650 which performs just as good for $20 less. Asking for $90 when just for $10 more you can get a 750w modular is just absurd. Especially when the 650TX isn't modular either.

Corsair products are good, I do admit, but most of their products are heavily overpriced for the amount of performance offered. EX. All of the "Hydro" series products, Most of their PSUs, Most of their cases, Some of their ram (Dominator series)

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=110

 

[cutebeans]

Yeah. I have to agree with aznshinobi with the price/performance. It simply is not worth it.

It is just too expensive especially when you compare it with similar quality products, it does not stand out.

Although, we shouldn't call names. We all make mistakes here.

 

[calguyhunk]

Dumbass, maybe you interpreted it wrong. At the price, the performance offered isn't worth the price. $90 for a 650w? I'd rather pay $70 for the EA650 which performs just as good for $20 less. Asking for $90 when just for $10 more you can get a 750w modular is just absurd.

Classy.

For whatever it's worth, the 650TX V2 is worth 75 dollars on Newegg after rebate. 90 bucks is the cost of the 750TX V2. Please make an effort to check the prices before you enlighten us with your tech gyan and give us an insight into your upbringing.

 

[aznshinobi]

Lol after rebates.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020
Look at that price, $95? That's the price of a 750w practically. After rebates is disregardable because some companies don't even send the money back until 2-3 months later. Even after rebate, the 650TX is STILL $10 more than the EA650.

Before rebate, the 750TX V2 is $105 and $95 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021
Still doesn't justify the cost specially since it's more than a modular 750w that performs equally as well with the same efficiency.

Cal why don't you check prices before you start spouting "after rebate" nonsense. I was referring to price before rebates. Maybe you should look closer.

 

[cookiemunsterz]

I think I'll go with the 750tx since I might sli in the future and its modular, also can you guys please stop with the argument. Another thought, if I were to get a ssd would a 32gb be enough to hold the os and a game or no? Also looking for a good gaming monitor thats in the 180's range, suggestions?

 

[AbdullahG]

I think I'll go with the 750tx since I might sli in the future and its modular, also can you guys please stop with the argument. Another thought, if I were to get a ssd would a 32gb be enough to hold the os and a game or no?

+1 on stopping the arguments. Smartest decision/comment here...

A 32GB SSD is not enough, unfortunately. For an OS, just enough, but for games and other things included, no. The OS can take up to 30GB (correct me if I am wrong). That leaves 2GB for games, which is not enough. Get at least a 60GB SSD if you want one. It will fit an OS and approx. 3 to 5 games.

A change you should consider:

MSI GTX 560 Ti 2GB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127608

The GTX 560 Ti is an amazing overclocker and can easily reach GTX 570 speeds. The 2GB of VRAM also help.

Use the money saved (over $100) on a TX750 or TX 850 (I recommend the TX850 if you plan on OCing your GPUs-especially if you add a second GTX 560 Ti-and CPUs, while having some headroom). Maybe you can get a 60GB SSD too...

 

[cookiemunsterz]

Actually that sounds good abdullah since me being able to get the gtx570 and all the other parts were reliant on deals I could get.

 

[aznshinobi]

Cookie, the 750TX isn't modular.

Price-wise this OCZ is solid, it's also modular
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052
ATM only $100 before rebates cheaper than the 750TX and provides similar if not better efficiency.


As stated 32GB SSD is only good enough for OS.

As for Abdullah, I do agree with the 560, but the 560 Ti 2GB isn't even close to worth the performance boost offered. At that price the 6950 2GB is more valid since it's cheaper.
Go with this Cookie
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052
It's solid and it's the 1GB version. 2GB doesn't really matter until resolution larger than say 2x1080P monitors. Maybe even more. The 1GB is sufficient and will perform the same infact on par with the 570.
Here's a review:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/01/27/msi-geforce-gtx-560-ti-1gb-review/6
If you want a cheaper but still good and stock OC'd 560 Ti go with this Gigabyte
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125363

As for the PSU, the 850TX is not very good for the price AGAIN. It's $135 for the V2 version which is more expensive than some 850w Modulars of similar performance. I suggest this LEPA 850 if you want an 850w it's great for the price modular and LEPA is apart of Enermax (though this specific unit is made by Sirtec (still good though)).
Lepa 850w $120 before rebates, $80 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194093&Tpk=Lepa%20850
Review: http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/lepa-b850w-power-supply-review/all/1/
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/06/20/lepa_b_series_850w_power_supply_review/9

 

[cookiemunsterz]

So after looking through the all the 6950 cards, my best bet would be the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125385. I don't have any experience with overclocking and from what I can gather there isn't much overclocking headroom on this card so is it best I don't overclock it at all?

 

[AbdullahG]

So after looking through the all the 6950 cards, my best bet would be the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125385. I don't have any experience with overclocking and from what I can gather there isn't much overclocking headroom on this card so is it best I don't overclock it at all?

An HD 6950 2GB w/o OC will perform great. Though 2GB won't give much performance boost, the extra VRAM helps put less stress on the card, not to mention games aren't getting less demanding (BF3 uses +1.2GB, Metro 2033 uses +1.3GB, Crysis 2 uses +2GB, and so on). Once that framebuffer (VRAM) runs out, things go down hill from there (spills into system memory), which can slow things done significantly.

 

[aznshinobi]

^ Hmm... Abdullah may I see these benchmarks where BF3 used 1.2GB. I run it on my 5850 at High settings and it runs fine. I don't really see anything wrong.

As for OP, your link is a dead link to me. It doesn't show the 6950 you probably wanted to go with. Can you relink it, the 6950's have a good OC headroom, but it's strongly dependent on how well the cooler can cool the 6950 too.