Under $1,500 Gaming Rig

[blixamarkham]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next 2 months

Budget Range: Under $1,500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Video, Music

Parts Not Required: Operating System, Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse, Speakers, Webcam

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com or Amazon.com

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: Not Sure

Overclocking: Yes!!!

SLI or Crossfire: In the future so I need upgradeability

Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Additional Comments: System needs to run very cool and quiet

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Parts Already Selected:

MSI N570GTX Twin Frozr III PE/OC GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127582

$369.99

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

$229.99

CORSAIR XMS3 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX16GX3M4A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233203

$89.99

COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225

$199.99


Total So Far: $889.96


Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much guys!

 

[aznshinobi]

I'd say wait until then to plan. AMD plans to release the rest of the 7xxx series within the next two months. With that said, it'll be much more efficient than 6xxx and 5xx.

 

[mikeangs2004]

You don't need a full tower for the Core i5. Get the HAF 912 instead as it fits longest graphics cards in the world with SLI or CFX and full sized CPU coolers. Also 8GB ram should be enough. The above post is also correct. You would get better bang for the buck with an eight core AMD system (at the same price). For the rest of the components, these links should be good reference points:

http://pcpartpicker.com/

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-overclock-crossfire-ssd,3098.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/overclock-cpu-ssd,3027.html

 

[pckitty4427]

If you don't mind waiting a few more months (almost half way into the year) you can get a GeForce 600 series GPU (which is supposed to be 3 times as efficient as Fermi) and an Ivy Bridge i5-3570K.

 

[aznshinobi]

Uhh... I didn't mean Bulldozer though Mike, BD is terrible, as much as I love AMD, I can't support BD in anyway.

Though I do stick to what I said, you should wait until then to plan since 78xx/7950 will release and should be in your price range.

For now though, You don't need 16GB of ram, 8GB is perfectly fine as mentioned. The HAF X can be for aesthetic reasons, you don't need it but it's nice to have a nice case.

For the motherboard, I'd reccomend one of the following.
Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 Z68:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
Asrock Extreme4 Gen3 Z68:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157264
Asus P8Z68-V Gen3:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131792&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-ASUS-_-13131792

 

[inzone]

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
$199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131790

SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087
If you are not going with SLI/Crossfire then You can go with this psu but if you are sure that SLI/Crossfire is in your future then I would go with this one;

SeaSonic X-SERIES X-1050 1050W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151110

 

[blixamarkham]

I already have purchased the XMS DDR3 1600 MHZ ram when it was on sale for $50.00. I forgot to mention that. I have not purchased any of the other parts. As for the case, this is my first build and I want to absolutely make sure I have plenty of air flow to keep temperatures cool.

Also I would like to know what things I should get for cooling. Thanks guys for all your help!
And one other thing! Should I go ahead and get a 1200W powersupply if I plan on SLI in future 2 570's?

P.S. I am also hell bent on getting an intel processor. AMD is not an option for me. And there's no need to persuade me about if AMD is better value. Thanks!

 

[inzone]

If you get the Seasonic psu that is in my post it will be fine for the two 570's. I have three 580's and I have a 1200w psu , so two 570's will be fine on a 1050w psu. I also have the Half-X case and when you get it you will be amazed at this case and the fan setups you can configure with it.

 

[blixamarkham]

If you get the Seasonic psu that is in my post it will be fine for the two 570's. I have three 580's and I have a 1200w psu , so two 570's will be fine on a 1050w psu. I also have the Half-X case and when you get it you will be amazed at this case and the fan setups you can configure with it.

Awesome! Thank you very much! Do you have any suggestions on storage space? Also I am a bit confused on network cards. Do you need one to connect to the internet? Sorry I am a newb to Networking.

 

[dish_moose]

Hope you got the 1.5v RAM if you go i5.
-Bruce

 

[aznshinobi]

Uhh... I wouldn't recommend going with SLI 570's mainly because the 7950 is going to be better but should be around the same price point, that or the 7870. The reason I would recommend the 7870/7950 over the 570 is because the 570 uses 40nm, while the 7xxx uses 28nm. It'll run cooler and overclock better. In terms of power consumption less as well.

Also, going with that 750w isn't recommended mainly because of how much money you spend for only 750w, even if it's gold standard, it's not that much better than an 80+ Bronze PSU. I suggest going with either this 750w:
OCZ ZT 750w $110 ($10 MIR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052
OR
Silverstone 850w (if you want more watts but great perf still)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256058
Both are modular and great in performance. The Seasonic is good I'll admit but for the price/perf it's not worth it.

In terms of MB, these will be more than enough:
For the motherboard, I'd reccomend one of the following.
Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 Z68:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
Asrock Extreme4 Gen3 Z68:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157264
Asus P8Z68-V Gen3:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131792&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-ASUS-_-13131792

 

[blixamarkham]

Hope you got the 1.5v RAM if you go i5.
-Bruce

Yes it is the 1.5v Ram!

 

[blixamarkham]

Uhh... I wouldn't recommend going with SLI 570's mainly because the 7950 is going to be better but should be around the same price point, that or the 7870. The reason I would recommend the 7870/7950 over the 570 is because the 570 uses 40nm, while the 7xxx uses 28nm. It'll run cooler and overclock better. In terms of power consumption less as well.

Also, going with that 750w isn't recommended mainly because of how much money you spend for only 750w, even if it's gold standard, it's not that much better than an 80+ Bronze PSU. I suggest going with either this 750w:
OCZ ZT 750w $110 ($10 MIR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341052
OR
Silverstone 850w (if you want more watts but great perf still)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256058
Both are modular and great in performance. The Seasonic is good I'll admit but for the price/perf it's not worth it.

In terms of MB, these will be more than enough:
For the motherboard, I'd reccomend one of the following.
Asrock Extreme3 Gen3 Z68:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
Asrock Extreme4 Gen3 Z68:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157264
Asus P8Z68-V Gen3:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131792&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-ASUS-_-13131792

I am a bit confused on the whole ATI vs Nvidia. I just saw that the Twin Frozr 570 card I was looking at ran VERY cool under full load. Also as far as powersupply goes, I am going to be getting at the very minimum a 1000w gold certified. I will not be skimping on that. Thanks for the help!

Also I looked up the amd 7950 and its going for supposedly $450. That is a little too much for my budget. The max I plan to spend on a single video card is $365.

 

[blixamarkham]

I would also prefer a case that utilizes USB 3.0 on the front ports.

 

[aznshinobi]

-_-.... 750w 80+ Bronze isn't skimping, that can run 2x560 Ti OC or 2x 6950 2GB OC, an 850w 80+ Silver can easily run 570 OC SLI and 6970 OC CF, 1000w is just overkill and a waste of money.

The 7870 is going to be in your budget for graphics I assure you, with that said it'll run cooler more efficient and faster. I say this with certainty because the 7xxx series is 28NM, THAT IS CRUCIAL TO UNDERSTAND. Because of that, it'll OC better, run cooler and consume less power...

 

[blixamarkham]

-_-.... 750w 80+ Bronze isn't skimping, that can run 2x560 Ti OC or 2x 6950 2GB OC, an 850w 80+ Silver can easily run 570 OC SLI and 6970 OC CF, 1000w is just overkill and a waste of money.

The 7870 is going to be in your budget for graphics I assure you, with that said it'll run cooler more efficient and faster. I say this with certainty because the 7xxx series is 28NM, THAT IS CRUCIAL TO UNDERSTAND. Because of that, it'll OC better, run cooler and consume less power...

Ok. I will go back and research some more on the 28NM. Don't know much about that. Will do some reading. Thanks!

 

[Delirious788]

You really should wait on finding parts. like until a week before you are going to buy. When you figure out what you want, new things will be coming out. Ivy bridge is the next Intel CPU thats coming out early April, which you should wait for in my opinion. Whats 1 more month? Also I think you should consider an SSD for your build and calm down with the 1000w Gold PSU. It is not skimping going with a 750w or 850w. New parts are coming out and are more efficient and using less power. If you are going to have like 3-4 GPUs, then you would need 1000+ PSU.

 

[blixamarkham]

After hearing all the valid points from everyone, I have decided I will wait until late spring. Thanks for all you guys help. Have a good day!

A mod can close this thread now!

 

[aznshinobi]

Well, you pick the best answer that basically closes the thread. Good luck though!

 

[blixamarkham]

Best answer selected by blixamarkham.