Hey everyone. Soon, I will be constructing my first homebuilt PC and would like the help and advice of anyone here who is willing to give it. I've always been much more of a software person than hardware and figure it's time to learn the hardware side since it is time I got a new computer anyway. I'm looking to make a gaming computer that can comfortably run Skyrim and other games (but Skyrim likely being the most powerful).
Approximate Purchase Date: A month from now or sooner
Budget Range: (1200-1500) Willing to spend extra if the benefits are well, WELL worth it.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: (e.g.: Folding@Home, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies)
Parts Not Required: All parts needed.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I'm completely new to this so any suggestions are welcome.
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: Intel i7 processor. Link to the motherboards I'm looking at are below also.
Overclocking: Yes (I'm unsure I completely understand the concept but from what I've read, it's something I will want)
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (I was thinking no and just getting a single Graphics card. From what I read, it seems not many games really benefit from this yet)
Monitor Resolution: Not sure yet but am looking to get dual monitors.
Additional Comments:
1. I'd like the PC to be quiet. I'm willing to spend a little extra. I'm not interested in the water cooling though because of the supposed added difficulty it brings.
2. Even though it doesn't bring any added performance, I'd like the case to have a window with some blue/red/purple lights inside. (not all of them, but I have yet to decide among those three)
Motherboards
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ASUS P9X79 PRO Intel X79 Motherboard - ATX, Socket R (LGA2011), Intel X79 Express, 2400MHz DDR3 (O.C.), SATA 6.0 Gb/s, 8-CH Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, PCI-Express 3.0, CrossFireX/SLI, Bluetooth
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1498058&CatId=7381
ASUS Sabertooth X79 TUF Motherboard - ATX, Socket R (LGA2011), Intel X79 Express, 1866MHz DDR3, SATA 6.0 Gb/s, RAID, 8-CH Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, PCI-Express 3.0, CrossFireX/SLI
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1498753&CatId=7381
ASUS P8P67 PRO REV 3.1 Intel P67 Motherboard - ATX, Socket H2 (LGA 1155), Intel P67 Express, 2200MHz DDR3 (O.C.), SATA 6.0 Gb/s, RAID, Gigabit LAN, 8-CH Audio, USB 3.0, SLI/CrossFireX, Bluetooth
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1124780&CatId=6978
For now, I'm focusing on the motherboard first. I read about P67 being a good choice for gaming PCs. Also, I don't plan on using bluetooth at the moment. Sound quality will probably also be a priority. I was considering LGA 1366 but saw something about LGA2011 and LGA1155 being better choices for future upgrades.
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I'm not really set on any parts so any feedback at all is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Approximate Purchase Date: A month from now or sooner
Budget Range: (1200-1500) Willing to spend extra if the benefits are well, WELL worth it.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: (e.g.: Folding@Home, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies)
Parts Not Required: All parts needed.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I'm completely new to this so any suggestions are welcome.
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: Intel i7 processor. Link to the motherboards I'm looking at are below also.
Overclocking: Yes (I'm unsure I completely understand the concept but from what I've read, it's something I will want)
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (I was thinking no and just getting a single Graphics card. From what I read, it seems not many games really benefit from this yet)
Monitor Resolution: Not sure yet but am looking to get dual monitors.
Additional Comments:
1. I'd like the PC to be quiet. I'm willing to spend a little extra. I'm not interested in the water cooling though because of the supposed added difficulty it brings.
2. Even though it doesn't bring any added performance, I'd like the case to have a window with some blue/red/purple lights inside. (not all of them, but I have yet to decide among those three)
Motherboards
------------------------------------------------
ASUS P9X79 PRO Intel X79 Motherboard - ATX, Socket R (LGA2011), Intel X79 Express, 2400MHz DDR3 (O.C.), SATA 6.0 Gb/s, 8-CH Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, PCI-Express 3.0, CrossFireX/SLI, Bluetooth
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1498058&CatId=7381
ASUS Sabertooth X79 TUF Motherboard - ATX, Socket R (LGA2011), Intel X79 Express, 1866MHz DDR3, SATA 6.0 Gb/s, RAID, 8-CH Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, PCI-Express 3.0, CrossFireX/SLI
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1498753&CatId=7381
ASUS P8P67 PRO REV 3.1 Intel P67 Motherboard - ATX, Socket H2 (LGA 1155), Intel P67 Express, 2200MHz DDR3 (O.C.), SATA 6.0 Gb/s, RAID, Gigabit LAN, 8-CH Audio, USB 3.0, SLI/CrossFireX, Bluetooth
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1124780&CatId=6978
For now, I'm focusing on the motherboard first. I read about P67 being a good choice for gaming PCs. Also, I don't plan on using bluetooth at the moment. Sound quality will probably also be a priority. I was considering LGA 1366 but saw something about LGA2011 and LGA1155 being better choices for future upgrades.
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I'm not really set on any parts so any feedback at all is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!