$1000-$1200 Gaming PC Help

[wantfryswiddat]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next 2 Months

Budget Range: $1000-$1200 After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Music/Movies, Web browsing

Parts Not Required: Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, Headset

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com

Country: United States

Parts Preferences:
Case: NZXT Crafted Series Tempest 410 Elite $79.99
HDD: Seagate 1TB $109.99
MOBO: ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional $189.99
GPU: XFX HD-687X-CNFC Radeon HD 6870 2GB $219.99
PSU: NZXT HALE82 850W $139.99
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 8GB $48.99
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 975 Black Edition $149.99
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium $99.99
CPU Cooler: CORSAIR H100 $114.99
LED Lights: NZXT CB-LED10-RD Sleeved LED Kit $22.99

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Would like to keep the case, if you can keep it AMD, Cheaper CPU for better GPUs. I want to keep the Red and Black theme and deffinately want Crossfire. If you have to change the MOBO i would prefer red/black. Feel free to change what you like, as long as you explain why you did it. Thanks, Also would like a closed watercooled loop, such as the H100

 

[wantfryswiddat]

To start, your budget would be wasted if you went with a AMD cpu. Also, at this point you are much better replacing that H100 with a higher end air cooler. That being said I'll put together a build for you.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Tempest 410 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS70 OEM DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1188.90

Any way we could do Dual GPUs if, we bump the total up a bit? And what would show a better performance the air cooler or the H100? because i like the Noctua but it's brown :/ and if it's not a really signifigant difference i'd rather pay more for something out of the way. Because i will have to look at it every day.

 

[azeem40]

Get a Rasa kit over the H100.

 

[wantfryswiddat]

Get a Rasa kit over the H100.

I would but the problem is, then i have to pay for tubing.. And theres the chance of leaks. I just feel more safe using a pre installed system.

 

[wantfryswiddat]

There is no point in getting dual GPUs right now. If you want dual GPUs get one down the line. (I chose a motherboard compatible with dual GPUs at x8 each.)

Also, if you really want to spend the extra bit of money on the H100 it's your choice. I chose the best price/performance ratio. Personally I'd rather have my rig be a complete beast than have matching colors.

How much better would the performance be? And it wouldn't matter so much, but i like the case and the window. Aesthetics are everything to me, it's an OCD thing.

 

[azeem40]

The H100 is not much better than the D14 and it can also leak..

 

[wantfryswiddat]

The ASUS GTX 480 is worth looking into at $229.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121373

Higher consumption and more heat, but it will beat the 7850 for a lower price.

Could you lower the price of the build a bit the darkclownjoe gave to me so I could SLI this card?

 

[wantfryswiddat]

You may have to spend a bit more on the PSU aswell if you are hoping to SLI the 480s and OC your CPU.

I'd say go with my build, but chose the 7870 instead of the 7850.

Would a 7870 be able to run AA at 45+ FPS on most games out today?

 

[wantfryswiddat]

Just checked 7870 prices, for that i'll stick to one of the other two, which is better price per performance? I'll some more on a 850 if i need to.

 

[wantfryswiddat]

Even though Wattage is a bit higher, the performance is great, unless theres a reason why i shouldn't get this card. I think i'll be choosing the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121373&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=f59o1nol0jau

 

[wantfryswiddat]

At 1080p, the 7870 should give you the performance you want on most games. Which games are you planning to play?

BF3 a little COD mostly FPS, a little Racing. And some MMO

 

[wantfryswiddat]

My videos on a single GTX 480:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17q7wbyQEMs&context=C4133a23ADvjVQa1PpcFNtf5RiQBTZK379V3eu9DV3kUcM4kS9umQ=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULxwFbJq60A&feature=plcp&context=C4faf5f7VDvjVQa1PpcFMB_QaPs0B8fvbiTpZkXJT6f3ws-6dtw6o%3D

Is that the Asus or a more expensive 480?

 

[wantfryswiddat]

If you wanted to SLI in the future you'd need to get a different power supply. (more expensive)

If i get this MOBO http://bit.ly/jdMxRu What differences would there be, anything noticeable? I could save the extra money and put it into a bigger PSU but that'd be down the road. So which should i choose?

 

[darkclownjoe]

If i get this MOBO http://bit.ly/jdMxRu What differences would there be, anything noticeable? I could save the extra money and put it into a bigger PSU but that'd be down the road. So which should i choose?

That would work. You can even go with the Extreme3 Gen3. It will be the same for CF/SLI.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
I'll redo my build cutting down unnecessary extras.

 

[wantfryswiddat]

That would work. You can even go with the Extreme3 Gen3. It will be the same for CF/SLI.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
I'll redo my build cutting down unnecessary extras.

I've decided to go for Liquid cooling, does anyone know what the best pre assembled unit is?

 

[wantfryswiddat]

H80/H100

What cooler do you use?

 

[Why_Me]

Ivy Bridge is due to be released this April 29th.

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbide-Series-Gaming-Computer/dp/B0055Q7BR4/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1334853572&sr=1-3 $90.98 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Carbide Series 400R Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case - CC-9011011-WW

http://www.corsair.com/pc-cases/carbide-series-pc-case/carbide-series-400r-mid-tower-case.html <----- a better look at that case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049 $89.99 - $64.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE 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=N82E16813157293 $134.99
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.us.asp?Model=Z77%20Extreme4 <----- a better look at that board

http://www.guru3d.com/news/intel-ivy-bridge-gets-prelaunch-price-cut/ $212 USD
Intel Ivy Bridge i5 3750K 3.4Ghz

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI/ref=pd_cp_e_0 $34.29 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler (RR-212E-20PK-R2)

Add this fan down below to that CM 212 EVO cpu cooler up above for a "push - pull" affect to bring cpu temps down even more.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-BladeMaster-Silent-R4-BMBS-20PK-R0/dp/B0030DL37I/ref=pd_sim_e_14 $11.06 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Cooler Master BladeMaster 120mm PWM High Air Flow Silent Case Fan R4-BMBS-20PK-R0

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546 $44.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAB

http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW/ref=pd_cp_e_1 $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-24xDVD-RW-Serial-Internal-DRW-24B1ST/dp/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_c $17.99 & 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/HD7870-DC2-2GD5-DisplayPort-Utilities-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B007JLFVNO $349.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
ASUS HD7870-DC2-2GD5 Radeon 2GB DDR5 VGA/DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort GPU Tweak Utilities PCI-Express 3.0 Graphics Card HD7870-DC2-2GD5

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/HD_7870_Direct_Cu_II/ <----- Review with benchmarks for that Asus 7870

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=br_lf_m_1000219721_1_1_ttl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=software&pf_rd_p=1292309362&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000219721&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1AFD5KKF12ES2MBG2PC7 $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack

Total: $1,141.71 *not including shipping and mail in rebates


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211588 $109.99 FREE SHIPPING
ADATA S510 Series AS510S3-120GM-O 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM

 

[wantfryswiddat]

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($121.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($399.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS70 OEM DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1195.90

Would it be more efficient if I got this PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139022
and the Asus 480?

 

[wantfryswiddat]

Ivy Bridge is due to be released this April 29th.

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbide-Series-Gaming-Computer/dp/B0055Q7BR4/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1334853572&sr=1-3 $90.98 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Carbide Series 400R Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case - CC-9011011-WW

http://www.corsair.com/pc-cases/carbide-series-pc-case/carbide-series-400r-mid-tower-case.html <----- a better look at that case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049 $89.99 - $64.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE 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=N82E16813157293 $134.99
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.us.asp?Model=Z77%20Extreme4 <----- a better look at that board

http://www.guru3d.com/news/intel-ivy-bridge-gets-prelaunch-price-cut/ $212 USD
Intel Ivy Bridge i5 3750K 3.4Ghz

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI/ref=pd_cp_e_0 $34.29 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler (RR-212E-20PK-R2)

Add this fan down below to that CM 212 EVO cpu cooler up above for a "push - pull" affect to bring cpu temps down even more.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-BladeMaster-Silent-R4-BMBS-20PK-R0/dp/B0030DL37I/ref=pd_sim_e_14 $11.06 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Cooler Master BladeMaster 120mm PWM High Air Flow Silent Case Fan R4-BMBS-20PK-R0

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546 $44.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GAB

http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW/ref=pd_cp_e_1 $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST1000DM003

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-24xDVD-RW-Serial-Internal-DRW-24B1ST/dp/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_c $17.99 & 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/HD7870-DC2-2GD5-DisplayPort-Utilities-PCI-Express-Graphics/dp/B007JLFVNO $349.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
ASUS HD7870-DC2-2GD5 Radeon 2GB DDR5 VGA/DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort GPU Tweak Utilities PCI-Express 3.0 Graphics Card HD7870-DC2-2GD5

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/HD_7870_Direct_Cu_II/ <----- Review with benchmarks for that Asus 7870

http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/ref=br_lf_m_1000219721_1_1_ttl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=software&pf_rd_p=1292309362&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000219721&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1AFD5KKF12ES2MBG2PC7 $99.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack

Total: $1,141.71 *not including shipping and mail in rebates


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211588 $109.99 FREE SHIPPING
ADATA S510 Series AS510S3-120GM-O 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - OEM

Is that price including the SSD? Could i get a 480 instead to drop the price? Or would the 7870 Be more efficient?

 

[wantfryswiddat]

H100:
Here is a pic of my rig for you:

http://i42.tinypic.com/20ju5y.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/2lajw9.jpg

Nice rig, what case is it?

 

[wantfryswiddat]

I changed the graphics card to 7950, and upgraded the PSU to leave room for CF 7950s. The VRam (3GB) should fare better especially for games like BF3 and Skyrim.
I would definitely go with the last build I posted over the 480. Much better performance, quieter, and less power consumption.

Would an 850 W benefit me at all if i did crossfire?

 

[wantfryswiddat]

I could also always get a 3570k when it comes out, it'll be $212

 

[Why_Me]

Is that price including the SSD? Could i get a 480 instead to drop the price? Or would the 7870 Be more efficient?

Nobody is purchasing the 480 these days. That's old tech.

Ivy Bridge cpu + Z77 board + new generation card (AMD 7xxx series Nvidia 6xx series) = PCI-E 3.0

Read the review that I linked underneath that card (Asus 7870). It's in that build I posted.

 

[wantfryswiddat]

It is not about if it is old tech or new.
The 480 performs close to the 7870 and outperforms it for alot less money.

And it's $399.99, i could save quite a bit by getting a 480.

 

[Why_Me]

It is not about if it is old tech or new.
The 480 performs close to the 7870 and outperforms it for alot less money.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/HD_7870_Direct_Cu_II/ <------ Look at the power that card uses, it's temps and it's benchmarks. And then click on the page where it's over clocked and look at the benchmarks along with power & heat. That's probably the best card on the market atm for price point in regards to performance.