First Gaming PC

[army35tango]

Approximate Purchase Date: Feb 2012/ March 2012
Budget Range: (800-1000) Before Rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, movies
Parts Not Required: monitor.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: Intel i5k for max gaming. However, I'm open to AMD suggestions for budget as well.
Overclocking: Maybe (future)
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe - I'd rather not but again if it will help stay within my budget I'm open for suggestions
Monitor Resolution: 24 in' 1920x1080
Additional Comments: I want to be capable of play BF3 on max settings.


Intel Core i5-2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

XFX HD-697A-CNFC Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150517

COOLMAX CL-700B 700W ATX 12V v2.2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159107

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Logitech G9x Black Two modes scroll USB Wired Laser Gaming Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104261

Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109191

Rosewill DESTROYER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147144

If anyone is aware of compatiblity issues I'm missing that would be great to know. Also, if anyone can see where I might be able to cut some corners and save money to get my build below $900 I would really appreciate it. Like I said, I would like to play BF3 on the highest settings for my budget of $800- $1000. I feel most concerned about my GPU, I don't know whether to go with a 2Gig card for future crossfire or 2x 1Gig crossfire setup for BF3. I'm up for any suggestions. Thanks for the help!

 

[g-unit1111]

Pretty good selection of components, but horrible choice for PSU.

What you should do here is drop the expensive peripherals (keyboard/mouse) for now as they're not essential to the build and invest the difference in getting a better PSU - one that's certified and rated, something like this:

- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

 

[army35tango]

Thanks, I definately overlooked my PSU selection while researching my CPU and other components

 

[g-unit1111]

Thanks, I definately overlooked my PSU selection while researching my CPU and other components

Yeah Coolmax is probably one of the least reputable vendors around - a tier 4 or 5 at best. The PSU is IMO the most important part of the system and it's one area where you don't want to skimp.

 

[H_Guy]

I'm not a pro,

But I think you could get away with leveling down your Graphics card if ur budget was real tight. I play BF3 on a 5770 (not on ultra obviously). Even so, 24" at 1920x1080 isn't that crazy. But hey, if I had the money, I'd totally go with the higher end GPU.
I'd definitely agree with cutting the keyboard.
One other suggestion based on personal preference: I use the g500 mouse - it also has that dual scroll feature. My gripe with that is that even in the regular scroll mode it's really sensitive, so my middle button (when I press down on the scroll button) often will register a scrolling movement at the same time. I had my Grenades registered to that button and I found it difficult to time the throws because it would catch the button press (more so in COD4), then switch to a scroll (and change weapon). If you're building a strictly gaming PC I might suggest looking into a mouse without that dual mode hyper-scroll. Don't get me wrong, I love my g5 -I use the DPI switch all the time in BF3, I also love the hyperscroll for when I'm not gaming and have to go through large data sets or files - even web pages. Of course, your key-bindings will also determine if this affects your playing style - I suppose you could always unbind the scroll.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Personally, not a fan of MoBo vendors who offer less than an industry standard 3 year warranty

Can't make a case for the 6970 .....76870 yes, 6970 no.

Guru3D uses the following games in their test suite, COD-MW, Bad Company 2, Dirt 2, Far Cry 2, Metro 2033, Dawn of Discovery, Crysis Warhead. Total fps (summing fps in each game @ 1920 x 1200) for the various options in parenthesis (single card / SL or CF) are tabulated below along with their cost in dollars per frame single card - CF or SLI:

$ 170.00 6870 (434/701) $ 0.39 - $ 0.49
$ 320.00 6970 (526/825) $ 0.61 - $ 0.78
$ 205.00 560 Ti - 900 Mhz (495/862) $ 0.41 - $ 0.48

701 fps with two 6870's for 49 cents per frame or 526 fps with a single 6970 at 61 cents per frame ???

If thinking twin cards though, the 900 Mhz 560 Ti gives the best bang for the buck at 48 cents per frame for 862 fps.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125363

Run away from the Coolmax .... this 850 watter rocks...you cud use the 750 watter but at $10 less why bother....the extra headroom will pay off w/ extra voltage stability for better OC's.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207011

RAM - Low profile, no tall toothy heat sinks

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050001459%2040000147%20600006050%20600006127%20600006069&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=147|20-233-196^20-233-196-TS%2C20-233-186^20-233-186-TS%2C20-233-199^20-233-199-TS

I dont see a case ... $105 for black ($20 off w/ promo code EMCNHNC46, ends 2/13) / $125 for white

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006519&isNodeId=1&Description=500r&x=0&y=0

HD - Blue / Green = Slower than Black