$1000 Gaming build for a friend

[silveralien81]

I offered to build a gaming rig for a friend. He is interested in power but will not be overclocking. He is also interested in durability. What he doesn't want is a flashy/loud case. Something understated but high quality. He also does not require a monitor or peripherals. Will be ordering parts sometime in February. Here is what I was thinking.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 Antec 300
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251 ASRock Z68 PRO3
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073 i5 2500
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150523 XFX HD 6950 1GB
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697 Barracuda 1TB
SSD (SRT): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725 OCZ Agility 3
Optical: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 ASUS DRW
Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178265 PNY XLR8 4 GB (2x2)
OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 Win 7 Home Prem 64 bit

There it is. I was drooling while researching this. I have about a year before I'll be doing my own upgrades. What do you guys think?

 

[raptorxrx]

FYI:not many people respond to builds that far out as things will be different when that time rolls around. AKA: Hopefully IVY Bridge, and nvidia's new GPU's.

I would stay away from OCZ ssd's. For your mobo, ASRock Extreme 3 Gen 3. Also pay the extra for an i5-2500k. I realize he won't be overclocking, but he might want to later. It's ten dollars. Looks good. Just realize your build will be different in 2 months.

 

[Fmaj731]

FYI:not many people respond to builds that far out as things will be different when that time rolls around. AKA: Hopefully IVY Bridge, and nvidia's new GPU's.

I would stay away from OCZ ssd's. For your mobo, ASRock Extreme 3 Gen 3. Also pay the extra for an i5-2500k. I realize he won't be overclocking, but he might want to later. It's ten dollars. Looks good. Just realize your build will be different in 2 months.

This. For sure go with the unlocked i5 though, even if overclocking isn't on the menu. In literally two minutes you can have a 1+ GHz overclock with a $20 aftermarket cooler. He's right that it will be different in a few months time, though. Ivy Bridge, 7000 series AMD GPU (possibly), and much lower HDD prices (hopefully!). Overall looks like a good build, however.

 

[silveralien81]

Thanks Raptor. I know prices will be different. I'm just feeling it out. Are the OCZ's unreliable? I've heard good things about Crucial's m4 series. How about the 64 GB m4. Also I can guarantee that he will not ever OC. He is just not interested in that in any way and I need to trim costs where I can (even $10). Besides, it is not necessary for his uses.

changed mobo to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 ASRock Extreme3 Gen3
Changed SSD to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441 Crucial m4 64 GB
Added PSU (forgot this in OP): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103055 Sparkle 600w 85+ Green

Currently comes to $1207 w/ shipping (about $100 over budget). Hopefully prices come down a bit in the next 2 months.

 

[aznshinobi]

Not to undermine the build, looks good in fact. You could check out my $850 build here: http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore

Pickup the HDD here, much cheaper: Seagate 1TB $69
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/875542/Seagate-Barracuda-720012-ST31000524AS-1-TB/

Same price ram but 8GB DDR3 1600 $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

 

[raptorxrx]

Not to undermine the build, looks good in fact. You could check out my $850 build here: http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore

Pickup the HDD here, much cheaper: Seagate 1TB $69
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/875542/Seagate-Barracuda-720012-ST31000524AS-1-TB/

Same price ram but 8GB DDR3 1600 $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

Holy crap on the HDD, that's like half the price of the equivalent on newegg. OP, I would buy your HDD now as the HDD prices are going up and won't come down for a lonnggg time (Summer-Fall)of next year. Crucial M4 has great reliability and performance.