Advice on $1500 build pls

[Traj]

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP

Budget Range: $1500 (must stay under)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Work, gaming (no really high end gaming), movies/netflix type stuff

Parts Not Required: Case (using my old COSMOS 1000), network card (unless sig better than my linksys), externals (have mouse, keyboard, spearkers, etc)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NewEgg

Country: Good ol' U.S. of A.

Parts Preferences: i5-2500K (prefer asus mobo, but not 100% req'd), nvidia graphics

Overclocking: initially no, future... maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: dual monitor (LG E2360) 1920x1200

Additional Comments: This is what I am looking at right now:

CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX750 (CMPSU-750AX) 750W 80 PLUS GOLD Certified $169.99
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $159.99
Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $174.99
MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 $269.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) $46.99
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $199.99
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 $229.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit $99.99
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 $29.99

Total w/ shipping: ~$1460

 

[hellfire24]

good selection.my recommendation for $1500 rig-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151252
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102961
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233196
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226225
hyper 212 EVO is better than 212+ but if you don't overclock it will keep your temps down as well as noise level.other components are great.this rig will max out any game at the moment.

 

[QuietPC]

Here's a full build with everything. You can save money off this by making changes to the Hdd, reusing existing parts, etc.



Update

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:RC-922M-KKN1-GP
Item #:N82E16811119197
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate

Note (Add)
$119.99 -$25.00 Instant $94.99


Update

ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Model #8Z68-V LE
Item #:N82E16813131773
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
Out Of Stock
Auto Notify Auto-Notify

Note (Add)
$139.99 -$7.00 Instant $132.99


Update

GIGABYTE GV-R695OC-1GD Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

GIGABYTE GV-R695OC-1GD Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Model #:GV-R695OC-1GD
Item #:N82E16814125385
Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy
In Stock

Note (Add)
$249.99 $249.99


Update

SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Model #:M12II 520 Bronze
Item #:N82E16817151093
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

Note (Add)
$99.99 -$20.00 Instant $79.99


Update

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...
Model #:BX80623I52500K
Item #:N82E16819115072
Return Policy:Iron Egg Replacement-Only Return Policy
In Stock

Note (Add)
$229.99 $229.99


Update

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Transfer Kit

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Transfer Kit
Model #:CT128M4SSD2CCA
Item #:N82E16820148448
Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock

Note (Add)
$199.99 -$10.00 Instant $189.99


Update

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
Model #:F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
Item #:N82E16820231314
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock

Note (Add)
$46.99 $46.99


Update

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD5002AALX
Item #:N82E16822136795
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

Note (Add)
$149.99 $149.99


Update

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Model #RW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Item #:N82E16827135204
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
Out Of Stock
Auto Notify Auto-Notify

Note (Add)
$24.99 $24.99


Update

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Model #:GFC-02050
Item #:N82E16832116986
Return Policy:Software Standard Return Policy
In Stock

Note (Add)
$99.99 $99.99
Subtotal: $1,299.90

 

[Traj]

First, thank you for the reply. Looks like a solid build. But i do have of comments/questions:

1. Completely forgot about a new optical drive, thanks. I do have a DVD writer, but its has seen many changing of the seasons

2. I need at least a 1TB drive. between work files and taking college classes (not to mention increased size of game installs) my current 500GB drive is nearing full (~460/500) and now my external 1TB drive is creeping up there.

3. Radeon Vid Cards. I have had HORRIBLE luck with them in the past. I may be a little prejudicial, but I just dont like the company. For practically the same price is that card that much better?

4. I dont need a case. My COSMOS is an awesome case and I really enjoy it. I couldnt justify the money without a significant improvement...Is it that much better?

 

[QuietPC]

Hdd: Prices are soooo high and will stay that way thru the summer. If you are going to have a single drive then the reliability is crtitical. I would suggest the WD Black series (even though the price is higher).

Video: Look at the February Graphics review here at Tom's and find an equivalent and read their suggestions

Case: Use yours and save some money and use it on another component.

 

[Traj]

Thanks for the update. I have been trying to squeeze a little more video card out... My question would be this:

Would it be better to cut out the SSD and go with a $450 Vid card?

From your updated build I could drop the case, DVD and SSD and get a $550 (i.e. 7990) vid card. Would that be better?

I have read some on the SSDs and it seems like a really fast nice toy, but thats about it. But if it makes over all computer life better then i will stick with it.

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks for the update. I have been trying to squeeze a little more video card out... My question would be this:

Would it be better to cut out the SSD and go with a $450 Vid card?

From your updated build I could drop the case, DVD and SSD and get a $550 (i.e. 7990) vid card. Would that be better?

I have read some on the SSDs and it seems like a really fast nice toy, but thats about it. But if it makes over all computer life better then i will stick with it.

A 750w psu will easily push two of those cards down below and leave you plenty of juice left over. That way you have the option to add another if you ever feel the need.

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-DisplayPort-R6950-TWIN-FROZR/dp/B004MPR1WO $283.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
MSI ATI Radeon HD6950 2 GB DDR5 2DVI/HDMI/2x Mini DisplayPort PCI-Express Video Card R6950 TWIN FROZR II/OC

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236 $142.99 FREE SHIPPING OUT OF STOCK. ETA: 02/20/2012
Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR120GB 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

[angaddev]

Motherboard : GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128512

RAM : Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 92f28f601a

CPU : Intel Core I5-2500K (OC for best performance)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] No=7073161 (Out of stock @ newegg)

CPU Cooler : COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103099

GPU : PowerColor AX7970 3GBD5-M2DHG Radeon HD 7970
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131452

PSU : Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371044

SSD : Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148441

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136533

Instead of the 7970, get this 7950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102963

Use the money saved on the GPU and free case to get this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167093

 

[angaddev]

sorry the links are broken but just search for them