Component Advice Needed on $1500-1700 Gaming Rig

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QuickSilver402

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Hello Everyone,

First off, I just wanted to say that I've been here before asking for advice about components when building my friend's computer over a year ago. Wanted to thank the community for their help in the past as his $2000 gaming rig is still working beautifully and I've been envious of it ever since I threw together.

I myself am currently working/gaming on an almost 5 year old Dell Inspiron 1720 laptop. Yes, it's pretty dicey. The high screen resolution is nice but its extremely heavy as well as being really bad with power. Nonetheless, its served me well over these years and its nice to be able to sit on a couch with a computer at one's fingertips.

I've gotten into SWTOR, SC2 and some other, newer, titles lately and my laptop just doesn't cut it any more. In fact, I think that as I continue to use it to play these games, the performance actually gets worse. Could be because the laptop gets so hot that after years of use the components are just beginning to slowly fry up. Just my personal speculation.

I'm a student, but I'm willing to forego some other luxuries for a while in order to pay for this. It won't be simple, but having a good gaming grade computer is important to me. Here's what I'm looking for. Any help would be most welcome.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next two weeks.

Budget Range: $1500-$1700 CAD (Includes everything)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Movies, Work/Web

Parts Not Required: Everything is required except for speakers and mouse.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I've always liked newegg.ca. Of course, if there are other Canadian websites with lower prices, I'll definitely go for that.

Country: Canada, eh?

Parts Preferences: No preference. Simply what is the biggest bang for the buck and whats the best on the market right now. I also want to have a system that will be upgradeable. For example, with Crossfire/SLI capability in the future.

Overclocking: I've never overclocked things in the past although I have read into it. Definitely willing to do safe overclock if the cooling can handle it.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe not now, but definitely in the future as a means for a cost-effective upgrade.

Monitor Resolution: The higher the better of course. I think at this price range, I should expect to certainly play on higher level resolutions with no issues. I still haven't decided whether to go with one cheaper TN monitor and add more money in the parts. What does everyone think?

Additional Comments: Upgradeable. Cost-effective. Requires monitor in the budget as well!



Thanks for everyone's time. I really appreciate all your help guys.
 
Solution
i5-2500k Processor: $229.99
Perfect for gaming as it can be OCed safely. I recommend 4.5 GHz. :p

Antec Earthwatts 750W 80+ Bronze Certified PSU: $104.99

Seagate Barracuda 500GB HDD: $92.99
G.Skill Sniper Series 2x 4GB RAM: $50.49

ASUS P8Z68-V LX LGA 1155 Motherboard: $129.99

CM HAF 922 Case: $99.99 (comes in blue too)
Windows 7 Home Premium OEM Software: $114.99

SAPPHIRE Radeon 7950 GPU: $469.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442Crucial M4 128GB SSD[/url]: $193.99

Total cost: $1487.49 before MIR.
i5-2500k Processor: $229.99
Perfect for gaming as it can be OCed safely. I recommend 4.5 GHz. :p

Antec Earthwatts 750W 80+ Bronze Certified PSU: $104.99

Seagate Barracuda 500GB HDD: $92.99
G.Skill Sniper Series 2x 4GB RAM: $50.49

ASUS P8Z68-V LX LGA 1155 Motherboard: $129.99

CM HAF 922 Case: $99.99 (comes in blue too)
Windows 7 Home Premium OEM Software: $114.99

SAPPHIRE Radeon 7950 GPU: $469.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442Crucial M4 128GB SSD[/url]: $193.99

Total cost: $1487.49 before MIR.
 
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QuickSilver402

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Thanks for the reply. A few questions/comments:

I think the i5 is a great choice for my budget. I think the $100 more for the i7 loses the cost effectiveness.

What is the performance difference between the HAF922 and the HAFX? Or is it just aesthetics?

How about this monitor?

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236102

The sale ends tomorrow ($60 off in total I think) which is pretty damn good I think. I'd definitely pick it up tomorrow if that were the case.

Finally, I'm sure this is a tired subject around here, but are SSD's worth the price?

 
HAF 922 has more fans so I assume it has better airflow. Aesthetics is one reason. I would not get HAF X. It is a full-tower and your GPU will still fit in a mid-tower.

I knew I was missing something. That monitor looks great!

Yes, SSDs are definitely worth it. They help with OS load times, game load times, and access time for opening applications you most use (if on SSD).
 

Tavo_Nova

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yes a single HDD is good, oh and get that monitor if you haven't already, go with the i5 2500K if you plan to over clock in the future if not just get the i5 2400,

get the MSi gtx560ti twin frozrII/OC 1gb/2gb which ever you like or if you can find one with nearly the same price as the other then get the 2gb.

or get the HD 7970 if you want or the 6950 2gb of SAPPHIRE it should be cheap and affordable, if not get the HD 6850 1GB of sapphire it is aroudn 140-150$ CAD

CM hyper 212 EVO is really good, get the antec 300 or the haf 922 both are good, you don't need a full tower, a mid tower should serve you well for a long time
 

QuickSilver402

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Isn't that Mobo only Crossfire compatible? I'm also noticing more people on here advising to get the Radeon's over the nVidias. I've always had nvidia just because at the time they were the better components on the market.
 
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