$900 Gaming PC/Help me save money!

Smeeepo

Distinguished
Nov 27, 2011
4
0
18,510
Approximate Purchase Date: Cyber Monday

Budget Range: 800-900 Before Rebate

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Browsing internet, movies, video editing

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Moniter, Mouse, Speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com/Amazon.com/Bestbuy.com

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: As long as it kicks ass

Overclocking: Yes, but don't have any experience on it so far.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in the future

Monitor Resolution: 1600x900

Additional Comments: Help me shave some money off! There's no specific amount I want to reach but as long as I save some. ^_^
This build is mostly going to be used to play games such as Skyrim/BF3/online MMOs along with a couple other old games at maxed out quality. I'm a night time gamer so I would prefer it being as quiet as possible. I'm wondering if these parts are compatible with each other and if the PSU would be suitable for this build. I would like this build to last me a long time before upgrading. (4-5 years)

CPU
Intel® - Core™ i5-2500K Quad-Core 3.3GHz Processor
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Intel%26%23174%3B+-+Core%26%23153%3B+i5-2500K+Quad-Core+3.3GHz+Processor/1847891.p?skuId=1847891&productCategoryId=abcat0507010&id=1218297018936
Also, whats the difference between the unlocked version?


Mobo
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


GPU
MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565
I read that the 560 ti performs better than the 6950 at lower resolutions. Can anyone confirm?


RAM
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345


PSU
Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
Is this enough? Newegg calcuated around 503 for the build but I was browsing through other peoples builds and someone mentioned something about a 30% loss rate?


HDD
HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.D HDS721075DLE630 (0F13179) 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145532
No reviews on this one, but I'm sure it'll work just as good as the others.

Case
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

CPU Fan + Heatsink
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R1 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Thermal Paste
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

Total - 881.91 w/o Tax/S&H/Mail in Rebate


Thanks!
 
Solution
The difference between 2500 and 2500k is that the k is like $20 more and can be OCd, that is about all.

6950 vs 560ti, I would say that the 560 ti costs 10% less because it performs 10% less. In any event, at the extremely low end of resolutions both will perform so well that its hard to feel the difference between them.

PSUs, both the 6950 and 560ti cards have manufacturer suggested PSU wattages for the complete PC of 500w. You aren't going to be x2ing video cards with this PSU either way so you could potentially shave some off the PSU down to a 600 or 550w.

Most here tend to be conservative'ish with the PSUs they need and get at the most 30% overage so 650w isn't out of line with that if you go as high as 30% over.

TBH...
The difference between 2500 and 2500k is that the k is like $20 more and can be OCd, that is about all.

6950 vs 560ti, I would say that the 560 ti costs 10% less because it performs 10% less. In any event, at the extremely low end of resolutions both will perform so well that its hard to feel the difference between them.

PSUs, both the 6950 and 560ti cards have manufacturer suggested PSU wattages for the complete PC of 500w. You aren't going to be x2ing video cards with this PSU either way so you could potentially shave some off the PSU down to a 600 or 550w.

Most here tend to be conservative'ish with the PSUs they need and get at the most 30% overage so 650w isn't out of line with that if you go as high as 30% over.

TBH, though, its going to be hard to max out all the newest games while still shaving off the price tag. $800 - $900 isn't up to enthusiast level ($1000+) nor the extreme level ($2000ish) and somewhere between those figures is where people generally go to max out current gen games ($1500ish)

You are already asking that level of performance out of half the budget which is tough as it is.
 
Solution
Your build looks solid. The 560 Ti is defiantly still competitive. The 560 Ti OC basically is a 570, referring to the MSI you've selected. Plus the 560 Ti performs well at lower resolutions (1680x1050 and below).

I disagree with Raiddinn about lasting this build. This would last you awhile, but it's hard to say. I'd give it 3 years before a GPU upgrade is needed but technology has been moving so fast so, it's hard to say.

Overall your build is solid though.
 

Smeeepo

Distinguished
Nov 27, 2011
4
0
18,510
@ Raiddinn Thanks for clearing my questions. :) Yeah I am asking for a bit much. I'll look for a lower wattage PSU.
@ aznshinobi I read your article and it greatly helped me in picking out these parts. I'll end up getting the 560 Ti, Thanks.
@ Steadywaters I didn't realize that! Good looking out