First Build, Up to $1000 Budget

Forum Systems : New Build First Build, Up to $1000 Budget

Approximate Purchase Date: within a few days

Budget Range: $1000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (BF3, Skyrim, Civ 5), Internet, hulu.

Parts Not Required: Monitor, will upgrade to 1080p or higher later

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: none

Overclocking: will later

SLI or Crossfire: maybe later

Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024

Additional Comments: This is my first build. Looking for advice on components, compatibility, etc. I want to know if I can squeeze any more value out of this system. I'm also looking for general advise. Here are the specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Item #:N82E16819115072 $229.99

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit
Item #:N82E16832116986 $99.99

Wireless Adaptor: TP-LINK TL-WN722N USB 2.0 High Gain Wireless Adapter
Item #:N82E16833704045 $19.99

Mouse: Logitech Optical USB Mouse B100 (910-001439) Black Wired Optical Mouse
Item #:N82E16826104370 $11.99

Keyboard: LITE-ON SK-1688U/B Black Wired Keyboard
Item #:N82E16823107128 $7.99

Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PKR2ContinuousDirectContact120mmSleeveCPU
Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
Item #:N82E16835103099 $34.99

MB: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E1681315727 $121.99

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811147153 $54.99

DVD: LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04
Item #:N82E16827106289 $17.99

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231314 $46.99

PS: XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817207013 $69.99

GPU: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) GV-N560UD-1G Video Card
Item #:N82E16814125401 $209.99

HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" $99.99

Grand Total: $1026.87

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

Message edited by joemarma on 02-03-2012 at 07:55:31 PM

Reply to joemarma

Honestly it looks pretty good. My only recommendation would be to shop around for a better deal on the 560 ti. I think the Galaxy model (which I have 2 of in SLI) is around $185 after MIR and should do you just about as well.

*My real recommendation isn't on what you have but what you don't have. This is a LOT of power for a 1280x1024 screen. I'd really recommend you bump up to 1920x1200 or 1920x1080 on at least 24 inches or so. Maybe that could be your next thing. Cheers!

If I were you, I would change hard drive and power supply
Seagate Barracuda 500gb - 85$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148767
Seasonic 620W - 90$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817151095

Also, I would go with i5-2400 and an overclocked version of 560-ti, but that is just my personal preference.

Message edited by duckroll on 02-03-2012 at 08:51:15 PM

Reply to duckroll

Thanks for your suggestions so far. A new monitor is definitely in the works, so I'm hoping to accomplish ultra/high settings in most games on a 1080p monitor once I get it in the near future.

Duckroll, I'm curious about your suggestion. How much performance do I stand to gain by going with the 2500k on a z68 vs a 2400 on an h61 (cheaper MB)? I understand that "is it worth it?" is a very subjective question. But are we talking about milliseconds in benchmarks or noticeable performance? Also, thank you for the HD and power supply suggestion. I'll most likely use those in my build.

Reply to joemarma

I checked the Jan 30 2012 CPU Benchmarks and was surprised the 2400 even beats the 2500k in a category. So I would say the 2500k is a much better choice.

Reply to azeem40

Change HDD to a cheaper one, 500GB 7200RPM as its price is really high, then an Antec EC) 620w. Other than that, you should be fine. Should be able to run BF3 high settings multiplayer.

Looks good after that. Go!

Reply to somekidxd

Obviously if you are going to OC the K-series processor is the way to go. Be sure to pick up the Intel OC insurance first.

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