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$1000 gaming pc. Opinions please!

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Hi,
I was originally planning to build a high end gaming pc, but as Ivy Bridge and new video cards are due soon I decided that I would just build a budget gamer and then build a high end system later in the year.
I am happy to spend around the $1000 mark for now, this is what I have so far:
CPU: Core i5 2500k
MB: AsRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 12gb 1600
SSD: OCZ Agility 3 60GB (575 read, 475 write)
Graphics: Gainward GTX550 Ti 1GB (900mhz)
Power: OCZ Fatal1ty 550watt
Monitor: Asus VS247H 23.6" 5ms
DVD: LG from my old PC
Case: Bitfelix Shenobi with side window

So one of the things that I think I need help with choosing is the case. I like a sleek and neat look, like the Bitfelix Shinobi, but also a little tough. Something like the HAF is not my thing.

The power supply, online calculators say that I need around 400w. This should be good enough, right?

I am looking to overclock the CPU, what low cost fan would you recommend for a stable 4.5ghz overclock?

All of that adds upto $978 AUD. The prices are as low as they can possibly be, I have searched over 10 local stores.
I am not worrying about a 2nd HDD, as I have a few old ones lying around and I have my school laptop.

Thanks for looking and feel free to critique me, I am a noob so any tips are greatly appreciated. :D 

More about : 1000 gaming opinions

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Gaming Expert

12GB? Just get 8 (2x4). i7-2500k with z68 is dual channel.

If you don't need quick sync and SRT, drop the Z68 and go for a P67 and use the money for a better graphic card.
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I don't think it is wise to only get a 400w psu, to run your computer at max effeciency you should probably get a 550watt or more, exspecially since you're going to be overclocking that much. Also you should get a better gpu than that, something like a GTX560Ti or higher, or a HD6870 or higher... Games are very gpu hungry these days. As for the cooler i suggest Corsair H70 water cooling :) 

Pyree said:
But the PO needs a new screen so in reality it is only a $800 build.


Oh my apologies, I missed this bit.

----

Remove the OS (if not required?) and downgrade the 6970 in the $1000 build to a GTX 560Ti or ATI 6950, swap out the PSU for a 500w (recommended brands include, XFX, Corsair, SeaSonic, Antec) and this should jump down to ~$1000 monitor included.

EDIT: OP asked about CPU cooling for 4.5GHz - Hyper 212+ would be a good option here, although personally I use a smaller HSF (heat-sink fan) "Arctic Freezer 13" and it keeps my CPU under 65 degree's at 100% load running 4.6GHz. VERY VERY efficient cooler without the added hassle of size being an issue (Arctic Freezer 13) is only about 13cm tall so easily fits into almost any case with room for side fans too.

$40 Freezer 13 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
$30 212+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Looking at the prices it's probably best to go for the 212+ since its cheaper and slightly better. When I purchased mine in the UK the Freezer 13 was considerably cheaper than the 212+ which made it a more worthwhile purchase.

Asus crosshair 5 motherboard ,amd athelon processor after u can update processor to amdfx8150 ,trancend axe ram 2000+ 8gb $119 in trancend.com,1050W Or 2000W from collermaster + haf 932Advanced or cosmos 2 cabinet, radeon 6970 2gb (u r use above 2 moniters then crosswire other wise its enough its also over clockable), Aoc e2239Fwt monitor 5ms,hd,multitouch,22",1920X1080

hitechgowthaman said:
Asus crosshair 5 motherboard ,amd athelon processor after u can update processor to amdfx8150 ,trancend axe ram 2000+ 8gb $119 in trancend.com,1050W Or 2000W from collermaster + haf 932Advanced or cosmos 2 cabinet, radeon 6970 2gb (u r use above 2 moniters then crosswire other wise its enough its also over clockable), Aoc e2239Fwt monitor 5ms,hd,multitouch,22",1920X1080


No point in building an AMD FX 8150 build when it costs MORE and performs LESS than the SandyBridge i5-2500k.
Case is over-priced and unnecessary for most builds. Cheaper options are available, spend on hardware that make a difference to performance, not aesthetics. 2000MHz RAM is just another money sink. 1600MHz is a perfect price vs performance sweet spot. 2x4GB 1600MHz CL9 1.5v recommended. 1050w or 2000w?? Do 2000w even exist?? 1500w is the maximum pull from a standard wall socket?? Even so unless your running AT LEAST 3 video cards, this kind of power is POINTLESS and over-priced.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/332605-31-2012-1000-p...

I5 2500k + Corsair Gaming Series 600w PSU ($289.98) ($10 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.799346
Corsair H60 Hydro Series CPU Cooler ($64.74)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 15&Tpk=h60
Asrock Z68 Pro3 Gen3 ATX Motherboard ($111.99) ($7.56 shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157279
XFX Radeon HD 6970 2GB GDDR5 256 bit ($329.99) ($30 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150517
Patriot Signature 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 ($35.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220570
Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200 RPM 6GB/s HDD ($84.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148767
Rosewill Future Gaming ATX Mid Tower ($59.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 970&Page=1
ASUS x24 DVD Burner ($18.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135204

Total = $996.66 ($7.56 shipping) ($40 rebate)

As Pyree said, I am in Australia so Newegg is useless and Amazon shipping prices are ridiculous.

These are the options I have:

Cooler: Can't find the Hyper 212+ anywhere but the Freezer 13 is available for $55

GPU:
Sapphire HD6850 1gb 775mhz $168
Inno3D or MSI GTX560 1gb 810mhz $205
Sapphire 6870 1gb 900mhz $208
Zotac GTX560 Ti 1gb 822mhz $275
Gigabyte HD6950 1gb 870mhz $275

Power:
Antec Neo-Eco 520w $66
Antec Strictly 550w $69
Coolermaster Extreme 500/550w $57/$62
Corsair CX-500 $76
Thermaltake Bronze 500w $70
Thermaltake Lite Power 500w $59
Silverstone 500w $65

What is the best value?
Thanks for all your help

Jumoseph said:
As Pyree said, I am in Australia so Newegg is useless and Amazon shipping prices are ridiculous.

These are the options I have:

Cooler: Can't find the Hyper 212+ anywhere but the Freezer 13 is available for $55

GPU:
Sapphire HD6850 1gb 775mhz $168
Inno3D or MSI GTX560 1gb 810mhz $205
Sapphire 6870 1gb 900mhz $208
Zotac GTX560 Ti 1gb 822mhz $275
Gigabyte HD6950 1gb 870mhz $275

Power:
Antec Neo-Eco 520w $66
Antec Strictly 550w $69
Coolermaster Extreme 500/550w $57/$62
Corsair CX-500 $76
Thermaltake Bronze 500w $70
Thermaltake Lite Power 500w $59
Silverstone 500w $65

What is the best value?
Thanks for all your help


You have quite a range of prices there. But the best performance is going to come from either 6950 or GTX 560Ti for the Graphics card, and a 500w PSU is required/recommended. The SilverStone 500w @ $65 is probably the best value for money out of that PSU list.
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