$800-1100 build

[darkclownjoe]

Approximate Purchase Date: This week if right.

Budget Range: $800-$1100 USD

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Simple MMORPG gaming, Streaming movies, Surfing the Internet

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, Hard Drive, Disc Drive

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com, Amazon.com, Microcenter.com/ or Microcenter Store

Country: California, U.S. (Microcenter within a decent distance)

Parts Preferences: Performance>Aesthetics

Overclocking: Maybe, I'm on the bridge since it's my first build. But I also think it would be a good experience/benefit if i can squeeze that extra power out of parts.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe when the GPU starts to become sub-par, which I would imagine to be quite a time from now.

Monitor Resolution: 2x 1920x1080 (I would like to have a dual monitor setup if I'm not gaming)

Processor: Intel Core i5 2400 LGA1155 Boxed Processor $149.99 @ Microcenter B&M

Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Motherboard $121.99 @ Newegg

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaw Series 8GB (2x4GB) 240-pin DDR3 1333Mhz $41.99 @ Newegg

Graphics Card: VisionTek Radeon HD 7970 3GB DDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card $549.99 @ Amazon

Case: Rosewill Destroyer Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Case $49.99 @ Newegg

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit $99.99 @ Amazon

Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Modular High Performance Power Supply $69.00 @ Newegg

Hard Drive: I will be salvaging a 250GB 7200RPM one for now until prices come down a bit.

Disc Drive: I will also be salvaging this.

Additional Comments:
-Would my system be bottlenecked by the processor? If so, would you recommend the i5-2500k instead? (I can get it for $180 @ Microcenter B&M)
-Are all the parts considered reliable? (It seemed so by looking at Newegg reviews.)
-Is the Graphics card overkill for playing games like BF3 at 1920x1080?
-Will the Power Supply provide enough power to support the system?
-Will the Case with its standard fans provide enough airflow to keep the system running efficiently?

 

[darkclownjoe]

Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[samdsox]

get the i2500k definetly. No i don't think the graphics card is over kill cause u have a multible monitor setup.

Get a bigger power supply...

grab a haf 922 case- much better airflow and a bigger case (i like it in blue alot)

 

[aznshinobi]

Check out my $900 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
Since you don't need an HDD you'd total about $850. You'd also get an SSD and a PSU that'll future proof you for SLI, you can spend more and get the 7970 though if you'd like.

1. No it wouldn't be, but the i5 2500K is recommended.
2. Yes, do not completely trust Newegg reviews, maybe just a little but generally read actual reviews from sites like THG, HardOCP, G3D etc.
3. Yes, the 560 Ti in my build would be too.
4. Yes but not the addition of another card.
5. It should be fine.

 

[farsuka]

I'd defiantly try to get a 2500k or an ivy bridge CPU if possible.

 

[darkclownjoe]

Check out my $900 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore
Since you don't need an HDD you'd total about $850. You'd also get an SSD and a PSU that'll future proof you for SLI, you can spend more and get the 7970 though if you'd like.

1. No it wouldn't be, but the i5 2500K is recommended.
2. Yes, do not completely trust Newegg reviews, maybe just a little but generally read actual reviews from sites like THG, HardOCP, G3D etc.
3. Yes, the 560 Ti in my build would be too.
4. Yes but not the addition of another card.
5. It should be fine.

Thanks for taking the time to answer all my questions.
Also, what kind of frame rates can I expect at 1080p for the 560 ti and 6950?

Thanks for posting your site aswell. It's very informative and helpful.

 

[aznshinobi]

At high settings, probably at least 60 FPS. I can run BF3 on High with a tiny adjustment on the side of AA/AF @ 1680x1050 w/ a 5850 which is the equivalent to a 6850. So I'm sure the 6950 or 560 ti could handle it fine.

The 560 Ti is a bit easier to overclock from forum members I've heard from. So I'd go with that just so you can overclock it to 900mhz which equates to the 570 GTX.

 

[subrata4web]

Go grab this.


Intel Core i5-2500K $230 newegg price
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $122 newegg price
ASUS HD7970-3GD5-3DI2S Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bi $567 newegg price
Antec 620W PSU $65 newegg price
RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 $47 newegg price
NZXT Cabinet $40newegg price


Total $1071

 

[darkclownjoe]

I decided to switch it up a bit.
-Intel Core i5-2400 $150 @ Microcenter
-Asrock z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $122 @ Newegg
-Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3-1600 Memory $50 @ Newegg
-Crucial M4 64GB SSD $102 @ Amazon
-Gigabyte GeForce GTX 560 TI Video Card $210 @ Amazon
-Rosewill Challenger-U3 Mid Tower Case $50 @ Newegg
-Lite-On iHAS324-99 DVD/CD Writer $20 @ Newegg
-Windows 7 Home Premium $99 @ Amazon
-OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Modular High Performance Power Supply $73 @ Amazon

Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[aznshinobi]

Ehh... You should just go with the i5 2500K if you go with the Z68. Why wouldn't have a CPU that OC? You should just know the Microcenter prices are local only. So if you can't in store pickup then it's not good.

As for the PSU, drop that PSU and get a 750w so you can SLI later on down the line.
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-80PLUS-Bronze-Performance-compatible/dp/B005A2RJOI%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1240995-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB005A2RJOI

As for the RAM, you're spending more than you need to.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570
Perfect for your usage and cheap.

 

[wallz]

Not sure where you're located but Memory Express (Canada) is having a sale. This is a Mobo/CPU/RAM combo for 309$

Core™ i5-2500K w/ Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 & Patriot Gamer 2 Series, Division 2 Edition DDR3 8GB Kit

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/BDL_2500K_Z68AD3H_8GB?utm_source=eFlyer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Jan2012_72HourSale


nvm, I now see you're in Cali

 

[darkclownjoe]

Ehh... You should just go with the i5 2500K if you go with the Z68. Why wouldn't have a CPU that OC? You should just know the Microcenter prices are local only. So if you can't in store pickup then it's not good.

As for the PSU, drop that PSU and get a 750w so you can SLI later on down the line.
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-80PLUS-Bronze-Performance-compatible/dp/B005A2RJOI%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1240995-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB005A2RJOI

As for the RAM, you're spending more than you need to.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570
Perfect for your usage and cheap.

Yeah, I live within a decent distance for the local Microcenter, so an hour drive for $50 off wouldn't bother me much.
Now that I look at it, that 750w would end up being the same price for more if I can get that rebate.

@Wallz, I live in California, US.


I think I found the the solution: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/48WT

 

[aznshinobi]

Yeah, I'd suggest going with the 750w OCZ I recommended.

As for the i5 2500K, highly recommended. I wouldn't suggest the i5 2400 since if you ever wanted to overclock, you really won't be able to. It's nice to have specially since it's still only $180

 

[darkclownjoe]

Yeah, I'd suggest going with the 750w OCZ I recommended.

As for the i5 2500K, highly recommended. I wouldn't suggest the i5 2400 since if you ever wanted to overclock, you really won't be able to. It's nice to have specially since it's still only $180

Thanks for sticking with me and answering all my questions!

 

[darkclownjoe]

Best answer selected by darkclownjoe.

 

[aznshinobi]

No problem! Good luck!

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey