[New Build] first Time Builder: $1000 Gaming System

Treb

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Dec 4, 2011
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18,510
After spending a few days researching and comparing prices I'm beginning to settle on this build. Any recommendations and advice would be appreciated.

Approximate Purchase Date: Before Christmas, but can wait for post-holiday price drops if it might be worthwhile.

Budget Range: $1000 before rebates, not including monitor and keyboard.

System Usage (from most to least important): Gaming (SW:TOR, Skyrim, LotRO), Multimedia, MS Office.

Parts Not Required: Mouse, OS.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: U.S.

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU

Overclocking: Future overclocking as I learn more.

SLI or Crossfire: Not in initial build, but as a future upgrade.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Combo deals are a plus. Upgradability, future proofing, and reliability are important within the price range. Case with good cable management, clean installation, and cooling is important, as are good looks, but nothing that resembles a space ship or rave light show. Always follow up with rebate cards when available.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
HSF: Need recommendations.
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
GPU: MSI R6870 Twin Frozr II Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
DVD: SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AL/BSBE LightScribe Support - OEM
MONITOR: SAMSUNG S23A350H ToC Rose Black 23" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor or
ASUS VS Series VS238H-P Black 23" 2ms HDMI LED Backlight Widescreen LCD Monitor
Keyboard: Logitech K270 Black 8 Function Keys USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard
CASE: Antec Eleven Hundred Black Super Mid Tower Computer Case with 2 additional COOLER MASTER R4-L2R-20AC-GP 120mm Blue LED Case Fan
THERMAL COMPOUND: COOLER MASTER HTK-002-U1 Thermal Compound
 

mourice12

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Nov 27, 2011
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18,810
you need a cpu cooler. I suggest the Cooler master hyper 212+. Looks like a good system man, The case is cool but you can get cooler for cheaper. If you want just an antec flat back id get the antec 300 illusion black and save ya about 60 bucks. also you can get a hitachi 500gb HDD for 89.99. everything else looks good.
 

Treb

Distinguished
Dec 4, 2011
7
0
18,510
Thanks Mourice12! I'll be adding COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus to the build. It seems like a popular HSF from what I've been reading and the price is great. I'll also consider the HITACHI HDS721050CLA362 (0F10381) 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive to save a little over $20.

To elaborate on my case preferences a bit more: black interior is a must; subtle blue lighting is fine; ample space behind the motherboard for cabling is a must; I want to show off my first build so I'm partial to a side window. This would make the Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case more or less a deal breaker. Still, if I can find something cheaper (and considering the Antec Eleven Hundred requires ~$22 shipping at newegg.com) I'd like to put the savings into a GPU upgrade.

I'm also very interested in hearing opinions regarding the two monitor choices.