Under $1200 New Build Gaming Rig

[wulleman]

I've been researching like a madman for the past 2 weeks to create a solid gaming system that can also be used for architectural rendering. I wanted to build something with a good amount of future expansion and here is what I came up with.

CPU-
Intel Core i5 2500k LGA1155 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------MicroCenter $179.99
Mobo-
ASRock Z68 EXTREME4 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard---NewE $184.99 PSU-
COOLER MASTER GX Series RS750-ACAAE3-US 750W ATX12V v2.31 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE---------NewE $89.99
Certified Active PFC Power Supply
GPU-
EVGA 012-P3-2066-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 448 Cores FTW 1280MB---------------------------------NewE $279.99
320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
RAM-
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)---------------------NewE $46.99
Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
SSD-
Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-120 120GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Solid State Drive (SSD) --------------------------MicroCenter $159.99
with SandForce 2281 Controller
Liquid Cool-
Antec Kuhler H2O 620 Liquid Cooling System--------------------------------------------------------------------NewE $64.99
Case-
NZXT Classic Series Source 210 Mid Tower ATX Computer Case--------------------------------------MicroCenter $37.99

Total $ 1,044.92


So this is where I stand at the moment and I think it appears to be a good gaming build with a good amount of room for future upgrades. The case is just simple black I am not into fancy cases, just one with decent air flow.

If anyone has any suggestions of parts to change to make for a better machine without raising the price above the $1200 mark it would be greatly appreciated. I only need a tower and have a 23" Asus LED monitor.


Thanks
Chad

 

[inzone]

SeaSonic M12II 850 SS-850AM 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Semi-modular Power Supply
$149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151108

Corsair Force Series GT CSSD-F120GBGT-BK 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
$189.99 and a $30 rebate makes it $159,99

I would go with the Corsair SSD it's the same price after rebate and the read/write speeds are just a little better as is the feedback.
The power supply is what I would spend a little more on and you will have a good quality , relieable psu.
Everything else is ok.

 

[wulleman]

I took your advice on the PS and SSD, and to be honest this system screams. I've been playing SWtOR and Diablo 3 at max everything which aren't particularly resource heavy games but Im happy. Not sure wha tmy next upgrade to the system will be as the video card I got will be difficult to find now for SLI but I have heard mixed reviews on the benefits of SLI with this card.

Im looking into building a personal render node now at a budget price but I will start a new thread on that bad boy

Thanks again inzone

Chad

 

[TheBigTroll]

heres my take on the build. ivy bridge is slightly better than sandy bridge

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bYpM

if you want to spend a little more, id get a 7870 from xfx.

 

[wulleman]

I have actually already built the system approximately 6 months ago but this answers my question of what would be the next best upgrade for me which as i suspected would land on the CPU and video card.

Thanks

 

[TheBigTroll]

you wont need it just yet. everything can still run at ultra. id wait until 2014 where nvidia releases Maxwell (14nm) and intel releases Broadwell (14nm) chips and GPus

 

[azeem40]

Or even Skymont in 2015.
http://www.h-online.com/newsticker/news/item/Processor-Whispers-Of-dear-friends-and-engravers-1263024.html

 

[TheBigTroll]

that would work too. its probably going to be 2016 since intel is kinda behind iin their tick-tock thing