$2600 gaming build

[fray01]

Hello this is my first time building a pc and im not sure what parts to get. My budget is $2600
but i can squeeze in another $200 if necessary. I would like to be able to play games like battlefield 3 and crysis 2 on ultra graphics. Thanks for your help

Approximate Purchase Date: August

Budget Range: Max $2800

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, internet surfing, work

Parts Not Required: Speakers, Keyboard, Mouse
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: pccasegear.com, any site that will ship to Aus is great

Country:Australia, Sydney

Parts Preferences: None really.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Any suggestions for a mechanical keyboard please

 

[Formata]

Hi there. Unfortunately Newegg currently doesn't ship to Aus. And I'm cautious with Amazon.. Apparently they will ship some parts but I wonder how you'd go with a warranty claim, where do the parts actually come from? PCCaseGear, you've already found is a good one. MSY is about as cheap as it gets in Aus. Don't let their ugly website put you off. I just download the pdf pricelist and call my local to check stock availability etc

http://msy.com.au/

(I'll link from PCCaseGear, obviously you can save a bit from MSY, but this site presents info well):

Cases: A lot comes down to personal preference. This one is a good, solid case that cool well and is easy to build in, not too blingy... just how I like them.

Fractal Arc Mid $129
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.ph [...] s_id=17053

CPU: Latest Gen CPU with unlocked cores for OCing

Ivy Bridge i5 3750K $245
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_346_1184&products_id=20138

Mobo: This board has loads of features, a good all round board for a general gaming system. If you are doing anything more specific with your build just double check all the features listed suit you needs.

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 $165
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.ph [...] s_id=19867

PSU: Thinking down the track of adding a 2nd gtx 680 you want enough power for that extra card. There is a lot of talk that a 750W will power SLI 680s on an IB platform, which I don't doubt, just to be on the safe side 850W is good. Going down to the 750W for the build as listed will be plenty of juice, if you aren't looking to add another GPU.

Corsair TX-850 V2 $165
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.ph [...] s_id=17210

GPU: You don't have to look far on this website for praise of the gtx 680 and it fits within your budget. The gtx 670 has also been released which performs with 5-10% of the gtx680 in most games... hey it's your money

Gigabyte gtx 680 2GB $672 (from MSY)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.ph [...] s_id=19788

Closer look at the 670
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-670-review,3200-15.html

RAM: 8 GB is plenty for gaming. Good brand and Low profile

Corsair Vengeance CML8GX3M2A1600C9 8GB $65
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.ph [...] s_id=17729

CPU Cooler: For overclocking the CPU at $40 these do just as good a job (usually within 5 deg) as coolers that are twice the price. Relatively easy to instal.

CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO $39
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.ph [...] s_id=18670

Optical Drive: Cheap as they come, and black (looks better in your case than white or grey IMO)

Samsung SH-222BB SATA DVDRW $22
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=658_667&products_id=19482

HDD: This one is decent not great... a little hard to find good HDDs around these day unless you are willing to pay way too much

Seagate 1TB $99
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.ph [...] s_id=16679

SSD: Rated a Tier 2 SSD. Realiable brand. Have come down a bit in price. For an SSD I go 120GB minimum for OS and games.

Intel 520 Series 120GB $182 (from MSY)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.ph [...] s_id=19276

Total - $1783

So that build doesn't include a screen, peripherals or OS

Screen:
Samsung S23A750 23in 120Hz 3D Widescreen LED Monitor $249
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1210&products_id=18232

or cheaper

Samsung S24B350H 24in Widescreen LED $195
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1212&products_id=19602

even cheaper

ASUS VE247H 23.6in Widescreen LED $175
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1212&products_id=16708

OS:

OEM copy of Win 7 $95
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=375_974&products_id=17003

Peripherals... Kind of upto you and your budget. I'd just browse around on PCCaseGear find something you like and look for reviews

 

[fray01]

Thanks heaps I'm really new to building pc's so this was great thanks

 

[boulbox]

change SSD into
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210_902_1247&products_id=17685
Cruical M4 128GB barley any difference in performance from 520 to M4

m4 is significantly cheaper so i suggest it over the 520 to save some money

change PSU into Corsair HX series
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_354&products_id=12918
this is a HX650 here will post why i chose a lower voltage
or you can spend more on a more silent fan
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_972&products_id=18591
Seasonic X-660 80Plus Gold 660W
it is gold compared to bronze, it has 3 types of fans for difference cooling performance
more power efficient since you are putting over $2000 i think you would want to protect the system form burning out

here is why i changed a 800 watts to 600-700
the new cards now use a smaller card which means lower power cost you can efficiently have 2x680 with a 660 watt supply

also i would change 670, a 670 can Overclock to the performance of a stock 680 so i doubt you will need anything better than a 680 and when times comes you can just add another 670 and keep playing games at 1080p at highest quality

670
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1387&products_id=20213
this one just got sold out, if you can wait then wait for it, it is just beautiful, cooling performance is great, and it is already OCed if you didn't want to do it yourself

if you can wait and want to get your system now
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1387&products_id=20210
evga has never let me down yet, they have great service(don't know if service is great over seas) and has great drivers

gaming keyboard
i am in love with Razor black widow choose your weapon(preferably a black widow)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=113_1002

 

[hellfire24]

Hello this is my first time building a pc and im not sure what parts to get. My budget is $2600
but i can squeeze in another $200 if necessary. I would like to be able to play games like battlefield 3 and crysis 2 on ultra graphics. Thanks for your help

Approximate Purchase Date: August

Budget Range: Max $2800

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, internet surfing, work

Parts Not Required: Speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: pccasegear.com, any site that will ship to Aus is great

Country:Australia, Sydney

Parts Preferences: None really.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: A mechanical keyboard would be great and a really high end monitor for under $400 would be fantastic.

first two things,there's no need to spend a huge amount on a 'mechanical gaming keyboard' or other stuff like that.You need a $400 IPS monitor only if you are going to do some serious pro pic/vid editing.for gaming,asus gives a wide range of high quality monitors.here's my suggestion for you-
arc midi-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17053
the case is great,from build quality to cable management,it's a great case.if you are still not convinced then take a look at the potential of this case-

hyper 212 evo-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18670
will easily take you to 4ghz+
2500k-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16531
still holds the crown of best performing cpu for money.
gigabyte gtx 670-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=20209
will max out almost anything you throw at it and overclocks like a beast.
WD green 2tb-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17282
don't worry about loading times,for OS and games,you have ssd
corsair force gt 240gb ssd
sidewinder x4-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13946
a very reliable and solid performer.
Ares 8gb 1600mhz ram-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19632
1.5v dual channel,it's a great kit for your setup.
G500,is a great gaming mouse.
Asus 24" LED monitor-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16558
24" is perfect for gaming,anything bigger with same resolution won't provide the sharp quality.
Asus P8Z77-V-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19888
a great overclocker with plenty of features.
LG 24x dvd burner-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=19580
silverstone strider plus 850w-
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13278
great unit,100% modular,80+ silver certified and is more than enough to handle 670 SLi+overclocks.
Note:every component is compatible and high quality,will do almost everything you throw at it.good luck and order before things go out of stock.

 

[azeem40]

It's true you don't NEED to, but if he WANTS it, there is no harm done. Although, I do agree on not including it in the budget.

 

[hellfire24]

+1 to azeem,it's better to get the best core components and then focus on fancy things.

 

[Formata]

Lots of good suggestions and parts listed there.

Crucial M4 SSD is a good call. Only reason I'm going with Intel 520s at the moment is because I can pick them up from MSY without having to ship / pay extra. If your ordering from PCCaseGear the M4 is great. Be sure to upgrade the firmware on that model... a massive performance boost.

Personally I do't really see the point in paying extra for the HX series PSUs. Not when the TX are reviewed so well. 9.5 on JonnyGURU is good enough for me:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=218

Not a big fan of 'Green' HDDs. Generally slower performance across the board. Sure you've got your SSD for where speed is required, but why neuter your build if you don't have to? It's not like the juice your HDD uses is even comparable to the rest of your system. If you want to be more eco friendly I say go outside and plant a tree

 

[boulbox]

Lots of good suggestions and parts listed there.

Crucial M4 SSD is a good call. Only reason I'm going with Intel 520s at the moment is because I can pick them up from MSY without having to ship / pay extra. If your ordering from PCCaseGear the M4 is great. Be sure to upgrade the firmware on that model... a massive performance boost.

Personally I do't really see the point in paying extra for the HX series PSUs. Not when the TX are reviewed so well. 9.5 on JonnyGURU is good enough for me:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=218

Not a big fan of 'Green' HDDs. Generally slower performance across the board. Sure you've got your SSD for where speed is required, but why neuter your build if you don't have to? It's not like the juice your HDD uses is even comparable to the rest of your system. If you want to be more eco friendly I say go outside and plant a tree

yea your right there is no need for a modular supply but it just helps keeps the case clean without all the extra wires

if you want to save money go ahead and go with a non-modular supply or if you know how to do great cable management

HX series is more for people that don't like loose wires/unused wires or for people that don't know how to do like really good cable management

 

[hellfire24]

If you want to be more eco friendly I say go outside and plant a tree

 

[mruiz]

I recently put together a pretty good gaming rig for about $2200 - $2300 including monitor.

http://www.pcgamer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17893&page=2