[Solved] New Rig - $1000

Hi people.

Would like to very much finally build my own pc. Am very tired of the cookie cutter crap I've been buying that last ten years off the shelf. I want to build this rig NOW...The aim is to build a platform that will last for a very long time, with room for upgrades as need be.

Use: Some pc gaming (hardcore high end specs not a must). HD movies, Photo shopping, web surfing, burning DVDs movies etc
.
Not needed: speakers, keyboard, lcd monitor, mouse, Hard drive (1 TB Barricuda sata drive @ 7200) newly installed in an old system i keep running will be used. Planning on going with Windows 7 - 64bit for an OS.

No qualms about where I buy parts as long as they are legit customer service oriented companies (lots of amazon experience but just trying the pc parts market)

Parts: I hate the size of a full case but bought a slimline desktop before and hated how limited I was in everything. Suggestions are great here as I have read some decent stuff about Mid Towers. AMD CPU is my preference as I read alot saying they are the best bang for the buck. Want ability to consider some Crossover and SLI though I dont see this as anything I will be doing right away. Overclocking not a big priority though I see myself experimenting in both these areas down the road. I want something fast and capable with room to grow if i need.

As of now I have looked at the following and appreciate any comments...

Motherboard:
http://www.amazon.com/CrossFireX-M [...] 650&sr=1-3

not for a starter build?

GPU:
http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Rad [...] lectronics

ideas?

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Processor, Black Edition

4, 6, 8 cores? I know the more cores are for serious users... heard an unlocked 4 core at 3.5+ ghz would be good...thoughts?

GPU:
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enth [...] 989&sr=1-1

Not sure just how much would be adequate...need enough for the system and enough for future needs.

Would also like two DVD writer / recorders...and any ideas on the need for a wireless card?

USB 3.0 a must for future gadgets.

Likely 8 GB min RAM with 16MB being a serious option if its not true overkill.

any and all additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure I'm missing some stuff so Ill check back. thx.

P.S.
Ultimately the $1000 budget is very negotiable. I can go higher without a problem. I just dont want to get crazy...the idea is to get quality components, with a new system capable of handling most things WELL and not some build off the shelf loaded with crap software or setups I dont need. Upgradeability, ease of maintenance and longevity are my goals.

Upgradable is kind of an urban legend in computers. Sure AMD allows you to upgrade with their motherboards (which are much nicer over Intel's in my opinion) but there really isn't any point. You upgrade your CPU with AMD and its bottlenecked because you have an older motherboard. Better off sticking with the best you can get for the money and forget about upgrading all together.

You would be much better off going with Intel. Even using the Core i3 would have its advantages over an AMD option. I've been using the i3 which is a dual core processor and it takes whatever I throw at it. Its entirely up to you which company you go with. If you were to go with AMD you should grab the six core but I still recommend Intel as the i5 meets or beats the six core despite being a quad core processor.

List some of the games you play and other programs besides photoshop and I'll help you out

You dont need 4 GPU slots if your on a budget.

BF3 mostly at this point...

My biggest question is in reference to the motherboard and please excuse my ignorance....I see no GPU....this runs stand alone on integrated graphics at a high output?

@g-unit
There is no onboard video that the Asrock has... If you say that the Extreme3's onboard could post a problem, then all Z68's would have that issue... The Asrock just supports the iGPU the SB chips have...

As for the GPU, it's the 560 Ti, It's listed there. pretty clearly below the PSU. You can go with the EVGA if you want, the Gigabyte has a better cooler than the EVGA and is cheaper, though it's your opinion.

Sandisk review:
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4 [...] dex13.html
Verdict: Reliable

^ Yeah too bad that the M4 $50 more, how is the Sandisk not good enough? For the price it offers great performance and price/gig is great. Plus it's not that bad, it's pretty reliable.

^ Many people have that issue with ALL Z68/H67/H61 boards, most of the Z68/H67/H61 boards have VGA, DVI and HDMI ports for those people who will just use the on the die graphics in the SB chips, it's not like they're going to make you install a PCI card that has HDMI just to use the SB chips iGPU.

You're also using an AMD board per your specs in your sig, or are you using an Intel rig?

This will more than handle anything you throw at it for quite some time.

I also forgot...why the scan disk SSD?

You don't need the i7 - stick with getting the i5. And put the money in getting a better GPU, maybe something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130613 or this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130683

The motherboard is pretty similiar to the one I have (I have the UD3P model) and it's been really excellent. Both of the cards you have are good choices, the 560 is a bit better quality, but I'd go with a better brand like EVGA over one of the big motherboard manufacturers.

Thanks again all for the replies. I have done some more digging and have decided to go ahead and make the final tweaks to my purchase plan...

CPU intel I5 2500K -
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-BOX806 [...] 337&sr=1-2 $220


Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard -
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GA- [...] 78578&sr=1 - $ 155

PSU
Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series 750-Watt 80 Plus Bronze Certified High Performance Modular Power Supply CP-9020003-NA
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005E98FVS?tag=sus003-20 - $125

RAM

Kingston Technology HyperX 16 GB Kit (4x4 GB Modules) 16 Quad Channel Kit 1600 (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K4/16GX -
http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Tec [...] roduct_top $84

Cooling Needs
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Maste [...] 673&sr=1-1 $27

GPU
Radeon XFX HD 6970 2 GB Graphics Card
http://www.amazon.com/Radeon-XFX-6 [...] roduct_top $350


Any ideas on the compatibility of these parts? Better GPU for the money? Still need a case and a few other minor items but the price is still in the ball park ...im looking at this rig to last me quite a bit of time...thx again for any iput.

I have no idea how I pasted the wrong link in there...its very obvious the "the quad channel" mem will not do...thx! I appreciate the savings in the PSU but I want to go with a modular unit. I saw no comment on the GPU...good there? is there something better in that price range? With a mid tower and a few accessories I will prob go over the 1K price by a bit but thats fine...I will def look into grabbing that ram ya sent links for...I thought more ram was better and I figured 16gb was overkill but nice to have if I ever do need it.

Best answer selected by trickplay461.