First PC Build (about $1600)

[Hyperaxe1]

So, I've decided to build a new (and my first) desktop. I'll mostly be using it for gaming, and some small video editing, as well as work

Approximate Purchase Date: At about the end of the year (around Christmas time)

Budget Range: $1500-$1600

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, watching/editing videos, using Microsoft Office programs, surfing the internet.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: www.amazon.com / www.pccasegear.com

Country: Australia

Parts Preferences: I would prefer to use a known PSU brand (although I'm only familiar with Corsair), and an Intel processor. I'd also prefer to use a Nvidia GPU.

Overclocking: Some slight overclocking

SLI or Crossfire: In the future, most probably.

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050

Additional Comments: Currently I'm planning on getting these components, but if you know any cheaper and better alternatives (especially the motherboard), then please list it as it will decrease the amount of time until I build it:

CPU: i5-2500K ($230) - http://www.amazon.com/Intel-BOX80623I52500K-Core-i5-2500K-Processor/dp/B004EBUXHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324723193&sr=8-1
CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO ($39) - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18670
Motherboard:ASUS P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN 3 ($350) - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18610&cPath=1183&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=export_feed#googlebase
Primary Drive: OCZ Vertex 3 60GB ($119) - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17976
Secondary Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB ST31000524AS ($109) - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16679
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX850W ($124.99) - http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Certified-Compatible-platforms/dp/B004MYFODS/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325379206&sr=1-2
Optical Drive: Pioneer DVR-219L DVDRW OEM ($29) - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=658_667&products_id=16397
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X 2133Mhz (2x4GB) ($86) - http://www.bttech.com.au/gskill-ripjawsx-f317000cl11d8gbxl-ddr3-2133mhz-2x4gb-p-239301.html
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 580 3GB (might run 2 of these in SLI when I get enough money) ($549.99) - http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Mini-HDMI-Lifetime-Warranty-03G-P3-1584-AR/dp/B004YJVUBG/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1324978633&sr=1-2
Case: BitFenix Shinobi ($69) - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17423

Total: $1705.98 (totally not my fault that Amazon stopped shipping the P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN 3 and I had to buy it for an extra $100)

 

[steadywaters]

Planning for a Christmas 2012 build now? Too early to start coming up with a build since a ton of new stuff coming out + prices will change.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Sorry for the US links but I gotta run and do "daddy taxi". For $1,621 US, you'll get 40% more fps than ya would with a single 580 GTX. Cooler will get ya a 4.6 GHz OC no problem.

Case - $ 130 - Corsair 500R White http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010
PSU - $ 90 - XFX Core Edition 850 PSU http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139022
MoBo - $ 210 - ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131790
CPU - $ 210 - Intel Core i7-2500K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115070
Cooler - $ 50 - Hyper 612 PWM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103103
TIM - $ 5 - Shin Etsu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080
RAM - $ 48 - (2 x 4GB) Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 (White) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233199
GFX - $ 230 - Asus GTX 560 900Mhz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121425
GFX - $ 230 - Asus GTX 560 900Mhz Same
HD - $ 150 - Spinpoint F3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
SSD - $ 210 - Mushkin Chronos Deluxe 120 GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236
DVD Writer - $ 58 - Asus Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135247

XFX Core Edition PSU gets a 9.5 jonnyguru performance rating same as the Corsair TX V2 series

 

[inzone]

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_711_1183&products_id=18137
$135.00 motherboard

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=207_23_845&products_id=18376
$59.00 cpu cooler

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_902_1006&products_id=18387
$175.00 SSD

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_344&products_id=17711
$109.00 HDD

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Mini-HDMI-Lifetime-Warranty-03G-P3-1584-AR/dp/B004YJVUBG/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1324978633&sr=1-2&tag=vglnk-c1001-20
$549.99 video card

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Certified-Compatible-platforms/dp/B004MYFODS/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325379206&sr=1-2&tag=vglnk-c1001-20
$124.99 psu

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-BOX80623I52500K-Core-i5-2500K-Processor/dp/B004EBUXHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324723193&sr=8-1&tag=vglnk-c1001-20
$230.00 cpu

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=658_667&products_id=16397
$29.00 dvd

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_31&products_id=11652
$119.00 case

Your total for this version of your build would be $1530.98

 

[Formata]

You building some time soon? Because yeah... at Xmas 2012 your list will look pretty different.

Couple points:

Mobo: Do you need the Deluxe for any reason? The V-Pro maintains a good list of features for less.

ASUS P8Z68-V Pro Gen3
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_711_1183&products_id=18612

RAM: 1600MHz is about the sweet spot for this chipset, paying more for 2133 isn't necessarily value for money. (Same brand as your link 2 x 4GB 1600 Kit)

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=16510

GPU: If you do go a gtx 580, the 3 GB models doesn't really give you any added benefit unless your gaming across multiple screens at bigger resolutions. Extra VRAM isn't giving you more fps at 1680x1050. In the gtx 580 prefer:

ASUS GeForce GTX 580 DirectCU II
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1170&products_id=16871

Case: Can't comment on that Bit Fenix... if you are thinking Dual GPU down the track, I'd be looking into better cooling, but depends on your budget.

Not sure how you go these days trying to get Amazon to ship to Aus? Might depend on the specific part your trying to get. Warranty claims could be interesting

 

[inzone]

Nothing like getting a head start with you christmas list , I think it will change somewhat by the end of the year.

 

[Hyperaxe1]

You building some time soon? Because yeah... at Xmas 2012 your list will look pretty different.

Couple points:

Mobo: Do you need the Deluxe for any reason? The V-Pro maintains a good list of features for less.

ASUS P8Z68-V Pro Gen3
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_711_1183&products_id=18612

RAM: 1600MHz is about the sweet spot for this chipset, paying more for 2133 isn't necessarily value for money. (Same brand as your link 2 x 4GB 1600 Kit)

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186_912&products_id=16510

GPU: If you do go a gtx 580, the 3 GB models doesn't really give you any added benefit unless your gaming across multiple screens at bigger resolutions. Extra VRAM isn't giving you more fps at 1680x1050. In the gtx 580 prefer:

ASUS GeForce GTX 580 DirectCU II
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1170&products_id=16871

Case: Can't comment on that Bit Fenix... if you are thinking Dual GPU down the track, I'd be looking into better cooling, but depends on your budget.

Not sure how you go these days trying to get Amazon to ship to Aus? Might depend on the specific part your trying to get. Warranty claims could be interesting

Some components ship to Australia (it's in the shipping details at the middle-bottom of the page), and Amazon also has International Shipping in their FAQ. I might be getting it earlier, depending on how fast I can get the money to build it. But by Xmas this year, the 580s would be a lot cheaper, with the 600s coming out this quarter. And thanks everyone for the tips, I'm just going to thoroughly check through them all (for the sake of personal preference)