First Build $1600 Advice Please

it would be helpful if you listed descriptions of the items instead of just links. some of us are unable to view shopping links. it also helps us to quickly browse your setup and list improvements without having to click all over the place.

mb brands: i've used two dfi lanparty boards in the past without any issues. definitely some nice overclocking settings on them. i'm unsure how their new boards are though. my current board is an asus rampage iii extreme rog and it is great. i highly suggest the rog series of boards. you could get other brands of boards as well, just look at the ratings.

the old style ocz psu's were very solid. now i'm using a corsair 1000w and it is rock solid as well. for a super cheap option sparkle/fsp/fotron source but i do recommend not cheaping out.

SSD: for a boot drive only you will want an 80gb. sata II is fine unless you buy the absolute bleeding edge.

just some general recommendations without seeing the links.

Not a bad build.

The case is expensive. I would look at the Corsair 500r or 400r. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


I would also get the z68 version of the motherboard.

You may not need a 850w power supply..unless you plan to add a 2nd card in the future.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

I would use this Mother Board instead. 20 bucks less and it has Z68 chipset and 3.0 PCI lanes (more future proof)

http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-...

Cheaper place to buy Win7 ($69)

Also stick with that PSU, you will have plenty of power to SLI/Xfire

And I would also note I have had 4 Asrock MoBo and have had good luck with all of them.

case: corsair 600t
mobo: asus p8z68-v pro
cpu: intel i5 2500k
cpu cooler: cooler master hyper 212 evo
video card: amd radeon hd 7950
ram: g.skill ripjaws x series 8gb
hhd: western digital caviar black 500gb
(you may also get a 1tb 1.5tb or 2tb version)
ssd: crucial m4 64gb
psu: corsair ax650
optical drive: lg black 12x bd-rom
(if you dont care about blu-ray then get the sony 24x multi)

Crucial M4, Samsung 830, Intel 520, or Plextor PX-M3 are usually the best on the market, I've heard good things about the Mushkin Chronos if you want a Sandforce-based drive.

That's an excellent start for the initial build here's what I would suggest for a ~$1400 - ~$1700 build:

Case: Fractal Design Arc MIDI - $99.99
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 - $104.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3P - $189.99
CPU: 3.3GHz Intel Core i5-2500K - $229.99
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - $34.99
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 1600MHz 1.5V - $44.99
SSD: 64GB Crucial M4 - $104.99
HD: Seagate Barracuda ST 1TB - $129.99
Optical: Sony DVD Burner - $19.99
Video Card; XFX Radeon HD 7950 - $469.99
Monitor: Asus 24" LCD 1080p - $199.99

Total: $1,639.99

For a bit less, he can get the ASUS P8Z68-V/Gen3. He can also get a 128GB Crucial M4 for $70 more.

Actually there's no price difference between the Gen 3 and the UD3P - at least on Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If the OP wants to spend more on the SSD that's up to them - to me I'd rather put that money in the GPU over the storage solution, I think it's easily the most crucial part of any build after the PSU.

But in other builds you suggested in this price, you included an SSD. What's different here? He already has the best parts from your suggestions. I don't think an extra $70 can hurt.

If you plan on video editing you want a Z68 board for quick sync, and there is no need for an 850w psu for dua 7950's. Those cards don't require much juice. Also make sure you can fit two of those Asus cards on a board. They look pretty wide.

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbide-Series-Gaming-Com... $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Carbide Series 400R Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case - CC-9011011-WW

http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-Series-80PLUS-Performance-com... $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
OCZ ZS Series 750W 80PLUS Bronze High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $129.99
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-BX80623I52500K-Core-i5-2500... $224.54 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Intel Core i5-2500K Processor

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10... $28.02 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Profile-PC3-128... $49.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 8 GB PC3-12800 1600mhz 240-Pin DDR3 Dual Channel Memory Kit SDRAM CML8GX3M2A1600C9

http://www.amazon.com/Barracuda-7200RPM-Cache-3-5-Inch-... $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Barracuda 7200RPM 1 TB SATA 6 GB/s NCQ 64 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive - ST1000DM003

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $144.99 FREE SHIPPING
Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR120GB 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-24xDVD%C2%B1RW-Serial-Intern... $20.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Asus 24xDVD±RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black)

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Buil... $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00413PHEQ/ref=ox_sc_a... $154.93 + Free Shipping
ASUS ML228H 22-Inch Ultra-Slim Widescreen LED Monitor

But if you notice I really only include the 64GB model - I never include the 128GB model unless the budget is like $2K or more. On a $1700 or less build I'd rather put that money into getting a 7950 or 7970.

I have also asked for help here on an 1800$ budget and people suggested a 128GB SSD. My total cost ended up being $1670 with a 7950 AND a $240 monitor (Dell UltraSharp U2312HM), with enough $ left to buy some games. I am pretty sure he's able to fit in a 128GB SSD in there without sacrificing much.

*edit...I just saw he needs a monitor. fck.

Actually, graphics cards are best bought at newegg as they are cheaper. I just looked at Amazon's 7950s and all of them cost more than newegg's.

EDIT: Edited last post.

True - my total was $1638 - with the $70 difference in SSD that would come out to a little over $1700 even.

Thank you everyone for the input. I will reply with a revised build later.


Also what is the deal with OEM Windows 7. I understand it gets locked to the motherboard. Are we allowed to use it or is it only for companies such as DELL and HP?

Anyone can purchase and use OEM Windows. And yes it's locked to the MAC address of the mobo. It's good for that computer and that computer only, hence the reason it's OEM.

Thank you everyone for advice. Edited OP.

I agree that that's a bit too much to spend on a case (although Silverstone is a good brand), an equivalent would be the Corsair Carbide 500R: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbide-Tower-Gaming-CC-9... $119.66 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Carbide Series 500R Mid Tower Gaming Case CC-9011012-WW