$2,000 Gaming PC Help

[Eindacor_DS]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next 3 weeks

Budget Range: $2,000 max.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming/3D Modeling/Video Editing (Minecraft, BF3, Maya, Adobe Premiere)

Parts Not Required: none

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: none

Overclocking: I'm open to suggestions

SLI or Crossfire: ?

Monitor Resolution: ?

Additional Comments: I'm completely new to building PC's. I've tried to do my homework by reading guides and forum posts, but most of the lingo is like a different language to me so not all of it sticks. Everything I've selected is basically from user reviews and an extremely basic understanding on compatibility. All I want a PC that can handle all the gaming I can throw at it with max settings, but can also handle my digital modeling software (maya, max, etc.). I have a buddy that builds PC's, and he's going to help me to an extent, but I'd like to do most of it by myself so any other advice about physically putting the thing together would be really helpful.

Here's my newegg wishlist. Feel free to pick it apart, particularly if I did anything completely stupid (which is very possible).

Thanks in advance!
-Joe

 

[azeem40]

Get the i7-2600k if you're doing video editing. HT helps a lot in those apps.

The response time advertised isn't really what it is. I would get an e-IPS Panel monitor (better image quality than that asus) like the U2312HM. Low input time and high contrast ratios are key.

Dropkick the 560ti and get the 7970. It is much better.

Zalman is a poor CPU Cooler. Get the Hyper 212 EVO.

You don't need a sound card. Onboard sound is a lot better than it was.

 

[Eindacor_DS]

Get the i7-2600k if you're doing video editing. HT helps a lot in those apps.

The response time advertised isn't really what it is. I would get an e-IPS Panel monitor (better image quality than that asus) like the U2312HM. Low input time and high contrast ratios are key.

Dropkick the 560ti and get the 7970. It is much better.

Zalman is a poor CPU Cooler. Get the Hyper 212 EVO.

You don't need a sound card. Onboard sound is a lot better than it was.

Cool, thanks. Other than that you think all these components will get along alright? About the i7-2600k: while video editing is important, it's not as important as digital modeling. Is the i7 better all around or just for editing? I'd rather maximize the gaming/modeling element than sacrifice in any way for video editing.

Also, would I benefit from adding more memory to that configuration, or does memory not work like that? Could I have more given the space on the motherboard/in the case? Would I even notice a difference?

 

[azeem40]

Any mid tower case can support dual gpu. 16gb is good for your uses. So is the i7.

 

[Eindacor_DS]

Any mid tower case can support dual gpu. 16gb is good for your uses. So is the i7.

If 16gb is what I want, does that mean I should add another G.Skill Ripjaws 8gb to the list? From the picture and description, it looks to me like that's actually (2) 4gb units, so if I bought another would I essentially have (4) 4gb units that total 16gb? That's one of the many parts I still don't have a grasp on.

Thanks again.

 

[azeem40]

Get 2 8gb sticks for dual channel.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

With your budget, I'd be using higher quality components. And a $2k build should have more fps and an SSD.

-Antec 300 is a very good budget build case, but $2k is not a budget build

-The OCZ _____ Stream PSU's have not been well reviewed.

-That MoBo has a chinsy 2 year warranty, all other manufacturers offer 3 which is the industry standard. I could see using it in a $1k build but not in a $2k build.

-HT is a big benefit to video editing, rendering, etc. So that pushes ya up $100 at least to the 2600k, as the 2700k is only $40 more, I'd do a 2700k.

-RAM - avoid toothy, tall heatsinks which cause interference issues w/ CPU cooler

-Ya could do better than 500GB for that price

-On board sound on the better MoBos is just fine, you don't need a separate sound card.

-An $8 KB is a bad idea.

-Cooler - Nothing against the Zalmans' .... a Zalman BTW did top THG's cooler roundup today
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/LGA-2011-i7-3960X-Air-Overclocking,3130-17.html

But the model selected, for $50, there are better coolers.....THe 212 is a great budget cooler, well suited for a $1k build ..... but a $2k build deserves at least a Hyper 612 or Scythe Mugen 3

-If ya going MSU, get the lightning which has a 9 phase VRM. ....the Frozr uses a 6 phase VRM which limits overclocking potential. I use the Asus .... same speed, 7 phase VRM, great OC ability and $30 cheaper

http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=1201&page=17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121425

-Optical - These days, there's no need for a 2nd optical drive.

This is $2,073 .....

-Has extremely well reviewed quiet well cooled case w/ 10.0 performance rated PSU by jonnyguru

-I don't see a need for Z68 unless you sleep betetr at night knowing ya have the latest and greatest. read this tho and you decide

http://www.ukgamingcomputers.co.uk/difference-between-h67-p67-z68-and-h61-chipsets-a-22.html

-Cooler is one of the best on the market / TIM matches AS5's thermal performance but w/o AS5's curing problems.

-Ya getting twin 560's which give ya 862 fps in SLI instead of the 495 w/ the one 560 you had ..... Fpr the same price you could get a 7970 but why settle for only 675 fps ?

-Ya getting an SSD .... and a THG tier 3 unit at that (best for 120/128GB size)

-BR recordable media inordinately expensive, don't think ya wanna go there, just get a reader

Case - $ 105 - Corsair 500R Black http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139009
PSU - $ 127 - Corsair HX850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011
MoBo - $ 540 - ASUS P8P67 PR http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.822622
CPU - incl in above - Intel Core i7-2700K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
Cooler - $ 43 - Hyper 612 PWM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103103
TIM - $ 5 - Shin Etsu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080
RAM - $ 50 - (2 x 4GB) Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 (White) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233199
GFX - $ 230 - Asus GTX 560 900Mhz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121425
GFX - $ 230 - Asus GTX 560 900Mhz Same
HD - $ 125 - Seagate Barracuda1TB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840
SSD - $ 170 - Patriot Wildfire 120 GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220599
DVD Writer - $ 58 - Asus Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135247
Monitor $ 290 ASUS VG236HE Black 23" 120 Hz Monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236104
Keyboard - $ 100 - Logitech G510 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126100

 

[Eindacor_DS]

you touched on a lot of things my friends have since brought up, particularly the addition of an SSD.

why did you call out the case i chose? is it the size? how hot it runs? all i really care about is the performance, and i dont' know how the case affects that. could you explain?

thanks for your input, some of these things are actually starting to make sense.

 

[azeem40]

The dell u2312hm is what I recommend.