Building new Gaming PC $6000 Max

Aussie_90 · Apr 15, 2012

Hey guys,

I am looking at building a gaming PC it will be used 95% of the time for GW2 when it comes out, I am looking to build it in about 12 weeks, I want to use a 30" 2560x1600 Display and I will have a 2nd monitor 24" just on the side (not used for gaming) I would like to be able to run the game at MAX setting at that resolution.

I am thinking along the lines of the following (amounts according to Australian Prices):
Thermaltake Level 10 GT Gaming Case $279
Asus Rampage IV Gene Motherboard $347.94
IntelCore i7 3930K $599
Corsair 16gb 1866MHZ DDR3 CL9 Vengeance $166.81
2 X Samsung 830 Series 128GB SSD $458
Cooler Master 1200W Silent Pro Gold $283
HP ZR30W $1495.57
ASUS Xonar D2X $189
Astro A40 Headset System $290
$4106
I can spend almost $2000 on Graphics cards if needed but don't wont too if I can do it cheaper; I currently have 1x EVGA 570GTX SC so getting another and SLI them would be the cheapest but I will only do that if I would be able to run gw2 at max settings. If the 570s SLI wont cut it please advice what will eg should I GTX680s 2gb or wait for GTX680 4gb. I want to SLI two cards so please advice at what would be best to be able to run GW2 max at 2560x1600.

Also if you could give any advice that will help my build at all as I am no expert would be much appreciated e.g better ram/ if it needs extra cooling/ lower or higher power supply. I haven't overclocked in the past but would like to in the future.

Thankyou.

azeem40 · Apr 15, 2012

You are just throwing money away with $6000 budget. $2000 is the most I'd ever spend on a gaming build. Also, LGA 2011 is big overkill for gaming. Get an IB CPU+MOBO.

andrewcarr · Apr 15, 2012

I would get two of these SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226226 they have more capacity and are the fastest (tier 1 on toms SSD chart http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-review-benchmark,3139-6.html ) and at a good price.

I wouldn't spend that much on a case. I like the haf X cases
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006644&IsNodeId=1&Description=haf%20x&bop=And&CompareItemList=-1%7C11-119-225%5E11-119-225-TS%2C11-119-239%5E11-119-239-TS
Then I would add in one last fan to max out them (# of fans in case)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103073

I would get this memory its faster and cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231539

This is a nicer (best brand) PSU and will do what you want (supports up to three cards)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151105

This is one of the best CPU coolers (chose color depending on case)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050060115%2040000574&IsNodeId=1&Manufactory=60115&bop=And&SpeTabStoreType=1&CompareItemList=574%7C35-709-001%5E35-709-001-TS%2C35-709-002%5E35-709-002-TS%2C35-709-011%5E35-709-011-02%23%2C35-709-004%5E35-709-004-TS%2C35-709-003%5E35-709-003-TS
and this is a good thermal paste
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
This is another option if you can get a hold of it (actually better) search IC Diamond test results for proof (on toms hardware search box)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0282371

With how much you are spending I would add this in to help protect it
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102070

I would chose this motherboard over the one you have so it is an ATX and still very good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131804

I wouldn't only us SSD as storage because they can be unreliable so I would get one of these (I prefer the raptor which was the fastest HDD before SSD's)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136555
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136793
The raptor does come with the heat sink but for some reason it isn't shown in the pictures.

Don't forget to get windows
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Also the optical drive(s)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135252
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135230

I'm honestly not sure on the GPU you could sell the 570 and buy two (should be enough) 680's (hope they are available in time). If you look at BF3 one of the most GPU intense games to date a 680 can run it on a 2560 by 1600 screen maxed (I would prefer three 1900x1080 screens personally) so you should be good with that.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-680-sli-overclock-surround,3162-5.html

Sorry I don't know Australian sites for price comparison :/

g-unit1111 · Apr 15, 2012

azeem40 :

I agree - plus the Level 10 won't accommodate for an XL-ATX board like the Rampage IV Extreme - you'll need a case like the Cosmos II that's made for it.

Why_Me · Apr 15, 2012

Ivy Bridge cpu's are due out April 29th.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5626/ivy-bridge-preview-core-i7-3770k/9 <---- Ivy Bridge cpu review with benchmarks

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-680-overclock-guide/ <----- Overclocking the gtx 680 w/benchmarks

constepatdyak · Apr 15, 2012

6000 is a complete waste, even if you have that much money. lga 2011 is overkill and bad for gaming, and Ivy bridge/Sandy bridge is far better. Please don't waste 6k on a gaming pc, u will not be using even half that value in terms of gameplay resolution and graphics

obsama1 · Apr 15, 2012

Yes, absolutely agree. Better off building 6 $1000 gaming PC's for every room in the house, LOL. After $2K, you get the diminishing returns. The price-to-performance ratio isn't good enough. Only spend 6K on a PC if you're video editing/3d Modeling. NEVER spend more than 2K on a gaming PC. In most cases, you can build a sweet 1K gaming rig. GW2 will run well on a 560, so a 680 will max it out at a few hundred FPS. Really, though, for GW2, you probably end up spending 1K-1.5K for a rig that can play it.

Aussie_90 · Apr 15, 2012

Wow thanks for all the quick replies, I appreciate everything that was said. I will defiantly cut down on what I was planning. The only thing I was still wondering is it bad to game with the HP ZR30W 30" 2560x1600 display. As I really like the change when I went from 1680x1050 to 1920x1080 for MMORPG's, or is the 27" 120HZ a lot better?

illusiongamer12 · Apr 15, 2012

is not bad, but in 1080p you will have better performance

Formata · Apr 15, 2012

If I had $6K to spend on a gaming machine, my plan would be to spend $3K now and $3K in 3 years time. Heck, as suggested above, you could build an epic machine with $2K. If you are wanting to max out 2560x1600, I'd look at basing a system around SLI gtx 680 and an Ivy Bridge CPU (Wait till end of the month).

If you can possibly have a look at a 27" screen before purchasing, I'd recommend it. I have read of quite a few people going from 20"(ish) to a bigger display and being unhappy, in particular gamers who like FPS or RTS games, a bigger screen doesn't really give you an advantage.

photonboy · Apr 15, 2012

illusiongamer12 :

He can choose the resolution for any game.

I have a 27", 2560x1440 and have discovered that most games run best at 1920x1080. This may change with the graphics card though.

For example, with Torchlight I can run at 2560x1440, MAX and still VSYNC to 60FPS.

In other games, at 1920x1080 I have an 8xAA option which does NOT exist at 2560x1440 and have found the game to not only LOOK slightly better but also have lower frame rates.

So unless you can get a full 60FPS AND the game looks better stick with the lower resolution (at the proper ratio of course).

rush21hit · Apr 15, 2012

No photonboy, what Formata means was not about Frame Per Second or image quality, what he means is that a big screen, I mean a SERIOUSLY BIG screen, does not gives you advantage. Your view will be narrowed on some point of little minor details and forget the target or even miss out on that, even with a decent range view. A 2560x1600 screen with adequate FPS flow is actually at the brink of comfort I'd say. Any larger than that, I see pointless. Sure you can do panoramic view with 3 screen setups, but do you really notice and actually get advantage over it? I don't think so.

6 or 4 screens setups on the other hand, acting like 1 giant screen, so your actions on your gaming may similar on more simpler 1 big screen setup. So why bother? Not to mentions the borders...unless you use borderless screen like what LG has to offer,IDK.

For Aussie_90, you have an overkill budget, but all the other forumer here already emphasized what I'm gonna say, but let me tell you this: as long as developer still mostly focusing on console, even the most powerful setup PC can buy would not even using a fraction of it's full potential. Even a $2k setup mostly only using a half of what it supposed to. Go figure

edit: I can do 3 screens with my HD5850 CF setup, with my resource on my net cafe. But still I only employs single screen on 1920x1080.

Tavo_Nova · Apr 15, 2012

6k bucks, build a 700$ midrange built today that can even play bf3 on high with mixedsettings of ultra(depends on resolution) with very playable fps

ad build another 700bucks rig in the next 3 year and another the 3 year after and your all sold for like so many years, as there should be like ready for 8 builds (1 build = 3 years) with 400bucks to spare (your set to gaming for 24 years if you build a new one every 3 years.

IMO this is the most cost effective way of gaming.

hellfire24 · Apr 15, 2012

WTF? everyone is telling that a $700 or $1k rig will max out this or that?
if he wants to build a pc then you should suggest him the parts instead of advising him to buy a $700 pc.i know $6k is overkill but if your pockets are deep then i don't think it's not good.

hellfire24 · Apr 15, 2012

Tavo_Nova :

tova,i can see a very expensive and high end rig in your sig.a $1k cpu with all the best parts available in the market.i am sure it's $2500+.why didn't you built a $700 pc to play bf3 on high with mixed settings of ultra?

Tavo_Nova · Apr 15, 2012

hellfire24 :

because my work requires me to have heavy duty I game on this PC but I work on this pc more than I game. and I don't think a 700bucks PC would help me with that.

note: btw I'm a sucker to technology and even buy stuff I don't even use so long as it interest me, which in cause sometimes make me regret buying them, but then again still a sucker for technology hard to cure, and just bought a new digicam early afternoon and now wondering what the hell would I do with it when i have others which 2 of them I don't even use.

Tavo_Nova · Apr 15, 2012

btw I'm going to edit this, I'm almost done on a i7 3930K system setup i'm booching up on newegg. went out to get some rc soda ^_^.

was actually going to recommend on i7 3930k but will edit this soon once i'm down listen them down on excel.

edit:

Processor: 1,039.99$
Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition Sandy Bridge-E 3.3GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73960X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116491

Motherboard: 429.99$
ASUS Rampage IV Extreme LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131802

Memory: 949.99$ (if your not confident with Custome LCS then this one with it's memory cooling + corsair H100 is your best friend)
G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 64GB (8 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) Desktop Memory Model F3-19200CL10Q2-64GBZHD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231523

Graphics Card: 499.99$ (get this lifetime warranty if you can) * 2= 999.98$
EVGA 02G-P4-2680-KR GeForce GTX 680 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130768

CPU Cooler: 114.99$
CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017&Tpk=corsair%20h100

HDD: 219.99$ * 2= 439.98$
Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136792

SDD: 549.99$ (If you want you can go raid 0 these beast but you lose trim unless it's been updated)
Intel 510 Series (Elm Crest) SSDSC2MH250A2K5 2.5" 250GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167043

ODD: 64.99$
SAMSUNG Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Combo Model SH-B123L LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151222

PSU: 269.99$
SeaSonic X-1250 1250W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151109

Case: 349.99$
COOLER MASTER COSMOS II RC-1200-KKN1 Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119252&Tpk=cosmos%20II

based on excel this should be in total of

5209.88$

So far I have a Similar system except I use Noctua NH-D14 and I didn't use the memory cooler but I did use the 8x4gb g.skill ripjawsZ 1600mhz as I'll be getting a 8x8gb on my bday at july (it's free so I'm willing to use it)

you got 790.12$ left for any 23" or 24" monitor using 3 of them and a win7 ultimate oem or FPP and any anti virus of your liking

killerchickens · Apr 15, 2012

You may as well use server parts. lol

ASUS Z9PE-D8 WS Dual LGA 2011
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131817

Intel Xeon E5-1660 Sandy Bridge-EP 3.3GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117273

Tavo_Nova · Apr 15, 2012

actually I think he might have taken a peek at alienware or something, since just now I went to take a peek there and did some config for something lesser than the build there i got something at 9k$ bucks

A Bad Day · Apr 15, 2012

If you're going to go big, only invest a lot in these long-term components:

-PSU: Don't go for wattage overkill, look for efficiency, functionality (how many cable plugs, etc) and the overall quality. A good one can last for a few builds.
-Monitor
-Cooling: Pumps, reservoirs, fans, universal gpu waterblocks, and radiators don't become obsolete as fast as your typical tech product. Just make sure the gpus support the universial gpu waterblock.
-Case: A good case can last for several builds

Tavo_Nova · Apr 15, 2012

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001546
SAMSUNG B300 Series S23B300B Black 23" 5ms GTG Widescreen LED Monitor 250 cd/m2 DCR Mega 8 (1000:1)
199.99$ I think this one looks like the one I use at home

199.99x3 =599.97$ then this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832355042
KASPERSKY lab Internet Security 2012 - 3 PCs
this for 50bucks is a freaking steal, at least to my local price if compared.

599.97$+50$= 649.97$ and then this
if you go with windows ultimate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116718
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
Note: this one got this Free Kaspersky IS w/ purchase, limited offer
for 289.99$ if you can get that with the freebie then no need to buy the 50bucks, which should shell you out for just a few bucks before 6,000$

but you can go with professional ffp or oem if you want to save some for the shipping cost.

side note: actually i'm selling my razer mouse/kb/mpad to a friend of mine as I don't like how they perform and going for a roccat kone+ mouse and roccat alumic and a corsair vengeance k90mech keyboard but i got sucked by this sony digicam, and actually regretted on buying it instead of the nice Nikon camera sadly and well I was supposed to buy a roccat mouse/mouse pad and a corsair keyboard and yeah i do regret not buying those components that I want. heez I hate this part of me.

edit1: dont worry TS i some what understand where your coming from, btw you can also just choose 1 500bucks monitor at a bigger resolution and even keep 2 gpu, it doesn't matter if you have 1 monitor and 4 680 as long as your pocket can support it.

and don't worry we all know that we want the best we can afford and there are people really willing to pay premium(that's why those company sells those products because there are people who will buy them) whether someone else think it's unreasonable or not.

like what we all posted above before I finish posting a list.
to what i said is true a 700bucks and the others a 1k bucks pc should do well not max it all at 60fps minimum. (not avg nor max) but it is a bang for your buck, but as we see here you are not looking for your bang for your buck but more like the big bang of performance for the premium buck your spending.

Tavo_Nova · Apr 15, 2012

btw on my build you can also go for the lower 3930K as there isn't much difference, only difference you will notice is the bragging rights of owning either of the 2 lol.

go with dual gtx680 if you can get them, if you can make use of the lifetime warranty of evga go with dual 680, if not I do advise msi or asus

note:if your getting razer ironclad i advise not to, as a few months of usage and the mats peeling off. as my fingers hardly touch them.

Tavo_Nova · Apr 15, 2012

also another variation is going with the i7 of ivy bridge (with K) a good old 4x4gb ram kit from ripjaws, or corsair.mushkins or kingston I like these 4 brands, mushkins and kingston are more on the underrated part compared to g.skill and corsair but overall it's all good.

then a dual gtx680 and a 128gb crucial m4 ssd, a 2tb wdcaviar black 7200rpm HDD, then the rest of the money go with swiftech water cooling and a cosmos II case, as this are the things which last you a really long time (a seasonic x-1250 80plus gold) or (seasonic 1050 80plus gold/1000w platinum of seasonic) any of those should be able to hold on the power of 2 gtx680 and overclocked parts too or even the gpu, you should have no problem with that.

Why_Me · Apr 15, 2012

hellfire24 :

+1

If you got the bread then go for it is what I think. At least dual 680's and that 512GB SSD.

Why_Me · Apr 15, 2012

Tavo_Nova :

Totally not needed. Water cooling for an Ivy Bridge build is a hose job along with that Cosmo's case.

You get a decent board like that WS Revolution I posted that runs dual cards @ x16, and decent 850w psu, and some dual 680's with non reference cooling like those Gigabyte 680's I posted along with a decent cpu cooler like the H100 I posted. Stick a 512GB SSD...no need for a storage drive...this is a gaming build and nothing more. Run everything off that 512GB SSD. 2x4GB RAM...no need to fill up all four RAM slots with 4x4GB ...again this is a gaming build. Use the rest of the money on a 120HZ monitor and other goodies like headphone, sound card, etc..

Building new Gaming PC $6000 Max

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