Building new gaming rig

[SuperXero]

Approximate Purchase Date: this week or next

Budget Range: around $1500, though not limiting factor (don't want to have to spend more, but if necessary to get features, willing to)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Internet, minor film editing (will probably dual boot with Linux)

Parts Not Required: OS, Monitor.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: Intel, not AMD. nVidia, not AMD.

Overclocking: Don't know much about going about it... probably not

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (if I learned more?)

Monitor Resolution: Will be upgrading to multiple monitors in future.

Additional Comments: Would like perhaps a somewhat see-through case, wouldn't mind putting up lighting strips or having fans with lights on them for flash. Memory reader would also be useful (such as SD card), room for adding more monitors (two or three monitors in total at a later date), (128gb preferably) SSD for OS (Windows 7 to begin) and few games/programs, 3D support? (can anyone list the extra cost of adding 3D support to the computer? I assume this is the video card, glasses, and monitor), wifi card, disc drive.

To summarize: a nice performance/gaming computer, running Crysis 2 on high or Diablo 3 on max (this one shouldn't be too hard). I'd prefer a budget of $1500, but if not possible, please let me know how much I'd need to raise the budget to hit that level. Also -- is it possible to have a main monitor with 3D support but two other monitors without that support?

Thanks so much in advance, let me know if I need to clarify anything.

 

[SuperXero]

Impossible at this budget range?

 

[flyboy86]

links don't seem to be working recon-uk

 

[SuperXero]

That monitor looks great! However, I've just been informed that a family member of mine has an extra monitor that I could have for free: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059

If this monitor is just as good, and I take it, what should I put the extra funds towards? Worth it for an i7? Or will this i5 take care of what I need? From what I understand, the only difference between the two is hyperthreading, right? (thus simulating 8 cores) Or I could upgrade to a 128gb solid state drive...

Glad you mentioned it's great for coding, as I'll be a grad student in computer science next fall, and doing summer research as well.

I also won't be needing an OS.

Any equally good nVidia cards instead ATI?

Is the fan still a safe bet with 0 reviews?

tl;dr

Got some extra money by not needing a monitor (if the one I linked is good) and not needing OS. Prefer nVidia video card, bigger SSD, and maybe a see-through case with some lights? Any recommendations?

 

[azeem40]

All 60Hz TN Panels are the same in my opinion, so any works fine. IPS or 120Hz is where you can really see the differences

 

[SuperXero]

Thanks azeem.

How does this GTX 580 compare to the Radeon HD 7970?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587

 

[Why_Me]

Ivy Bridge is due out this April 29th. Ivy Bridge cpu + Z77 board + new generation vid card (AMD 7xxx series & Nvidia 6xx series) = PCI-E 3.0

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbide-Series-Gaming-Computer/dp/B0055Q7BR4/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335073414&sr=1-3 $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.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)

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/Asus-24xDVD-RW-Serial-Internal-DRW-24B1ST/dp/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_2 $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/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.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

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=0SX64YR3Z3TZ75SQCTKC $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/ML228H-22-Inch-Ultra-Slim-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B00413PHEQ $159.00 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Asus ML228H 21.5" 1920X1080 2ms Full HD LED BackLight LED Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 10,000,000 :1 (ASCR)

Total: $1,453.20 *not including shipping & rebates

 

[SuperXero]

Thanks Why_Me. I edited my top post to include that I already have the OS and Monitor.

Regarding the video card, would the GTX 580 be an acceptable substitute for the Radeon HD7870? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587

Also... not sure if I should wait for Ivy Bridge to come out. I understand it has a large integrated GPU performance, but since I'll have a good graphics card, this shouldn't matter, right? Other than that, I believe I read it has a 5 to 15% increase in performance regarding the CPU?

I know a good bit about programming and software and such (having even coded in CUDA for nVidia cards), but I'm not as strong with hardware. I'm not sure if that much a CPU boost is going to be necessary for my build. Or am I wrong?

 

[SuperXero]

For case, looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146079

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks Why_Me. I edited my top post to include that I already have the OS and Monitor.

Regarding the video card, would the GTX 580 be an acceptable substitute for the Radeon HD7870? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587

Also... not sure if I should wait for Ivy Bridge to come out. I understand it has a large integrated GPU performance, but since I'll have a good graphics card, this shouldn't matter, right? Other than that, I believe I read it has a 5 to 15% increase in performance regarding the CPU?

I know a good bit about programming and software and such (having even coded in CUDA for nVidia cards), but I'm not as strong with hardware. I'm not sure if that much a CPU boost is going to be necessary for my build. Or am I wrong?

Ivy Bridge comes out in less than two weeks and that gives you PCI-E 3.0 along with a bunch of other goodies. For video editing you have the Quick Sync and that HD4000 graphics is a beast in regards to video editing from the bench I saw on Anandtech.

In order to get PCI-E 3.0 along with all the other goodies you need: Z77 board (or comparable) + Ivy Bridge cpu + New generation vid card (AMD 7xxx series or Nvidia 6xx series).

$212 isn't a bad price for that cpu and it gives you the option to over clock. If you want hyper threading then look at the 3770K for $313. Seeing how you have your o/s and monitor already here's an alternative to that build up above and it will allow you to add another one of those cards later on in SLI. Those cards should be reloaded on the shelves any day, so I would advise at least wait the 10 days for Ivy Bridge and see if the 680's are back in stock by then.

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-ATX-850-Power-Supply/dp/B0050751YS/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335052215&sr=1-1 $122.75 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
XFX PRO850W XXX Edition Semi-Modular 80 Plus Silver Certified 850 Watt Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600315498&IsNodeId=1&name=GeForce%20GTX%20600%20series <----- $500

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231558 $114.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C10D-16GAO

 

[SuperXero]

Thanks again Why_Me. Think I'll actually be able to get ahold of the Ivy Bridge by May 13th (my build date)?

Also, the nVidia 6xx series seem to be going fast. Will they be gone again as soon as newegg gets more?

Finally, is there a specific nVidia 6xx card I should be going for?

Thanks!

EDIT: Also, would this case be okay?:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146079

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks again Why_Me. Think I'll actually be able to get ahold of the Ivy Bridge by May 13th (my build date)?

Also, the nVidia 6xx series seem to be going fast. Will they be gone again as soon as newegg gets more?

Finally, is there a specific nVidia 6xx card I should be going for?

Thanks!

EDIT: Also, would this case be okay?:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146079

That's a nice looking case. Iv'e never made a build with a NZXT but by the looks of that case they have come a long way from a few years ago.

No idea when newegg will be restocked on this cards, but rumor has it that it will be any day now. I'm waiting for the gtx 670 and 660 myself...but when those get released is anyone's guess.

Here's an alternative case worth giving a look at also. Not as sleek as that case up above, but has great functionality.

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbide-Series-Gaming-CC-9011012-WW/dp/B005E983JW/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1335078336&sr=1-6 $116.16 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair Carbide Series 500R Mid Tower Gaming Case CC-9011012-WW

http://www.corsair.com/pc-cases/carbide-series-pc-case/carbide-series-500r-mid-tower-case.html <---- another look at it here and it's on newegg

 

[SuperXero]

Thanks Why_Me, you've been really helpful! (not that the others haven't! )

Regarding Ivy Bridge, any idea if I'll be able to have that in hand by May 13th? I understand it's supposedly releasing Monday, but no idea what that means for when others will be able to buy.

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks Why_Me, you've been really helpful! (not that the others haven't! )

Regarding Ivy Bridge, any idea if I'll be able to have that in hand by May 13th? I understand it's supposedly releasing Monday, but no idea what that means for when others will be able to buy.

If it's anything like when Sandy Bridge was released last year it will be crazy. Everyone was on newegg, amazon, superbiiz, etc... waiting to hit "buy". It was so crazy the first night that it actually slowed down the newegg site. But ya there should be plenty for all so I don't see any problems with you getting your hands on one. When something like this comes out I always go to few sites that I know will have it but not near as much traffic.

 

[SuperXero]

The SSD you posted above seems to have jumped to $155, is that right? Should I still go ahead and purchase?

 

[Why_Me]

The SSD you posted above seems to have jumped to $155, is that right? Should I still go ahead and purchase?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236 $119.99 FREE SHIPPING
Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR120GB 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239009 $119.99 FREE SHIPPING
Kingston SSDNow V+200 KW-S2120-4B 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (Stand-alone Drive)

 

[SuperXero]

Thanks recon-UK. Since it's not going to help with gaming at all, I might just grab the i5. If I do grab the i5 and motherboard you suggested, which RAM should I choose?:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231558

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226191

Thanks so much!

 

[azeem40]

So full utilization of PCIe 3.0 is "not worth it?"

 

[azeem40]

It cannot saturate 2.0 on SB. On IB, it can, just like how LGA 2011 can.

 

[azeem40]

If he is buying the next week OR this week, that means he can consider IB...

 

[azeem40]

What do you mean by yes?

 

[azeem40]

When someone gives me a one word response, yes, I do get a tad slow.

 

[SuperXero]

Kinda confused now. Is it really worth it to wait for IB at this point?

 

[SuperXero]

Not to bother you recon-uk, but can I get a reason? Why should I go for the i5 instead of an IB processor?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SuperXero]

I see. If I'm probably not going to overclock, is the IB then worth it?