Gaming PC (First Time Builder)

[DerkontheForum]

So I have been looking around at pre-built gaming systems, but I found some awesome tutorials on Newegg on how to build a computer. So I figured I would give it a good ole college try.

So I headed over to Newegg to put together this part list.
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=19045252

I figured I would post here to get some insight from people that have much more experience, then me, with this kind of thing. To start off, this computer will be used mainly for gaming (WOW, SWTOR, Diablo 3, and some RTS games).

First, I am a little over my head understanding everything about the Mobo, but I tried to the best of my abilities to match it will my other components. So if the parts don't mesh well together I would appreciate it if somebody would point me in the right direction.

Also, I would like some help getting the price down to under $1,000, but I would like the computer to be a pretty decent unit for a few years.... I'm just not sure if any of these parts are overkill.

 

[DerkontheForum]

Approximate Purchase Date: A week or two

Budget Range: Trying to keep it close to or under $1000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, surfing the internet, watching videos

Parts Not Required: monitor and maybe operating system

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: Nvidia, intel

Overclocking: Not right away

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe someday down the line

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments:

 

[g-unit1111]

Your wish list doesn't work - try making it public.

 

[azeem40]

Your wishlist is empty.

 

[DerkontheForum]

Sorry if some of you couldn't view it.... I just made the wishlist public.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=19045252

 

[azeem40]

It leads me to this: https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=19045252&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=rk71la0q7wgj

 

[DerkontheForum]

Case: Corsair Carbide Series 400R Graphite grey and black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008
$99.99

Mobo: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
$121.99

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I52500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073
$209.99

Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345
$49.99

GPU: MSI R7870 Twin Frozr 2GD5/OC Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127662
369.99

PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650M 650W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Semi Modular High Performance Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139031
$109.99

HHD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
$79.99

Optical Drive: Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner, Bulk Package 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model AD-7280S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118067
$17.99

Keyboard and Mouse: Microsoft 7ZJ-00001 USB Wired Ergonomic Comfort Curve Desktop 3000 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109252
$21.99

Total: $1,086.91

 

[azeem40]

If you're not OCing, get the P8H67.

 

[DerkontheForum]

If you're not OCing, get the P8H67.

This one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131711

 

[azeem40]

Yes, that's the one. It is essentially P67 but without the overclocking part.

 

[DerkontheForum]

Do you think I could downgrade the Western Digital Caviar Black? And if so what would you recommend?

 

[DerkontheForum]

I did a little looking and I was wondering if this would be suffice

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136795&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo
$104.99

In place of

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
$139.99

Or could I go with a lower priced one?

 

[DerkontheForum]

This hard drive looks like a pretty good deal. What do you guys think?

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo
$79.99

It only has 500GB, but I guess I don't need 1TB of storage. Also it is 16MB cache, but I'm pretty sure that won't effect anything(correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[azeem40]

Good choice!

 

[g-unit1111]

This hard drive looks like a pretty good deal. What do you guys think?

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo
$79.99

It only has 500GB, but I guess I don't need 1TB of storage. Also it is 16MB cache, but I'm pretty sure that won't effect anything(correct me if I'm wrong).

That will be fine - I'd normally recommend the Caviar Black but with the HD shortages in effect you're paying huge premiums on those drives right now - they're slowly dropping to what they were pre-flood but it will be a while before we see them go completely back to what they were.

Mobo: ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131711
$114.99

The bad thing about that board is you limit access to your multiplier *AND* forfeit an additional X16 lane - so if your long term plans include SLI, Crossfire, or overclocking you'll be SOL. This would be the best board in that price range: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

 

[azeem40]

Why get a Z68 Motherboard if he isn't going to OC?

 

[g-unit1111]

Why get a Z68 Motherboard if he isn't going to OC?

I always try to leave the option open anyways and this board is only a $5 difference between that and the mATX board.

GPU: EVGA 012-P3-2066-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 448 Cores FTW 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130738
$289.99

If you're gonna pay the money for that card I'd suggest this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127663

 

[DerkontheForum]

I always try to leave the option open anyways and this board is only a $5 difference between that and the mATX board.

GPU: EVGA 012-P3-2066-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 448 Cores FTW 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130738
$289.99

If you're gonna pay the money for that card I'd suggest this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127663

For the Mobo it is only a $5 difference so I will go with the one you suggested.

For the GPU I researched comparisons of the one I have selected and the one you suggested. Since the one you suggested is better and they are both the same price I shall go with it.

 

[g-unit1111]

For the Mobo it is only a $5 difference so I will go with the one you suggested.

For the GPU I researched comparisons of the one I have selected and the one you suggested. Since the one you suggested is better and they are both the same price I shall go with it.

The 7850 is a far newer GPU and is based on newer architecture than the 560TI is, I just got a 7870 for my system and it's quite amazing.

 

[DerkontheForum]

The 7850 is a far newer GPU and is based on newer architecture than the 560TI is, I just got a 7870 for my system and it's quite amazing.

Thanks for your help. Is there anything else wrong with my build?

*part list updated*

 

[g-unit1111]

Thanks for your help. Is there anything else wrong with my build?

*part list updated*

Nothing I can really see - the only slight thing I would suggest is if you don't need the expensive mouse and keyboard to drop those now and invest the money in getting the 7870 - otherwise everything else looks fine.

 

[DerkontheForum]

Nothing I can really see - the only slight thing I would suggest is if you don't need the expensive mouse and keyboard to drop those now and invest the money in getting the 7870 - otherwise everything else looks fine.

Wish I could get rid of the mouse and keyboard, but I do not have either because I haven't had a desktop for like 5 years.

 

[azeem40]

You could get a cheap one for $10.

 

[g-unit1111]

You could get a cheap one for $10.

I just got this set for work yesterday - a bit cheap but gets the job done: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109252

 

[DerkontheForum]

I just got this set for work yesterday - a bit cheap but gets the job done: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109252

Ok I took your advice and went with that keyboard and mouse combo(if I want to upgrade down the road I can) the title says OEM and usually that means it doesn't come with the necessary wires, is that true?

Also, I was thinking I could downgrade my CPU a bit from

Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I52500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073

to this one

Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I52400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-Intel-_-19115074

But I'm not sure how that would effect my general performance, mainly the performance pertaining to gaming.