$2000 Gaming Build

[Grimsilver]

So I had a few different setups, but I was curious as to what others could get. I'm not very good at choosing parts anywho, so half my parts probably don't even work together lol.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within a month

Budget Range: $2000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Location: Colorado Springs, USA. (Can't travel to microcenter in Denver).

Parts Preferences: Intel, Nivida

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I will need a Monitor too. Just plan on running a single one though. Don't need any other peripherals. Also prefer the Basic Windows 7 Home Premium, not pro or anything. I'm sure I am forgetting something but well, I can't remember. Thanks!

 

[azeem40]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/fJdX

 

[obsama1]

I suggest a bigger PSU. 600w. His budget is $2K, so at least get the ASRock Z77 Extreme 4. A 2TB drive and blu-Ray burner are nice additions. And maybe a 24" monitor?

 

[azeem40]

Why a bigger PSU? One Radeon 7970 will be fine on a 550W.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-radeon-hd-7970-review/8

Budget doesn't mean you have to reach it if one at $1450 will be enough for 1080p. Also, 24" has less PPI than 23".
If viewing at normal monitor viewing distances, you want to keep your PPI (pixels per inch) above 90. The human eye can start to detect individual pixels at PPI < 96 ..... ok to miss by a little, after that screen starts to look grainy. I'd avoid the choices highlighted in bold text

Resolution / Description / Screen Size / PPI

1920×1080 / 1080p / 13.1 / 168.2
1920×1080 / 1080p / 15.6 / 141.2
1920×1080 / 1080p / 16.4 / 134.3
1920×1080 / 1080p / 21.5 / 102.5
1920×1080 / 1080p / 23.0 / 95.8
1920×1080 / 1080p / 23.6 / 93.3
1920×1080 / 1080p / 24.0 / 91.8
1920×1080 / 1080p / 24.6 / 89.6
1920×1080 / 1080p / 27.0 / 81.6
1920×1200 / WUXGA / 15.4 / 146.8
1920×1200 / WUXGA / 17.0 / 132.9
1920×1200 / WUXGA / 22.0 / 102.9
1920×1200 / WUXGA / 23.0 / 98.4
1920×1200 / WUXGA / 24.0 / 94.0
1920×1200 / WUXGA / 25.5 / 88.5
1920×1200 / WUXGA / 27.0 / 83.8

 

[DeusAres]

My recommendation...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 2.0 Pro 81.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($149.98 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($399.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($149.98 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.90 @ Amazon)
Total: $1563.76
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-26 17:26 EDT-0400)

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask. Good luck!

 

[obsama1]

So you lose 4 pixels per inch. It's not a big deal.

 

[azeem40]

Looks good, but I'd still get the HIS IceQ 7970 as it is currently cheaper and performs better.

 

[azeem40]

Why lose any PPI, though?

 

[obsama1]

Get a Noctua D14.

 

[obsama1]

OK, you win.

 

[DeusAres]

Looks good, but I'd still get the HIS IceQ 7970 as it is currently cheaper and performs better.

True.

I just gave him an nVidia option considering his parts preference.

 

[Grimsilver]

I was leaning toward the Noctua D14, but again was just curious if people had other input. From what I have read though, Noctua is pretty much one of the best.

 

[DeusAres]

It's good, but it's bulky. If you want something a bit lighter on the mobo, grab an all in one water cooler. Something like the Thermaltake I recommended or H80 would work well.

 

[obsama1]

It's bulky but even beats out the H80 and H100. The 500R is big enough to accommodate it.

 

[azeem40]

OK, you win.

I wasn't trying to win. I was just giving him an option just incase he is as sensitive to PPI as me.

 

[DeusAres]

If you're comfortable with it, I'd even suggest getting a beginners custom WC loop. You would need to change the case to something that would be able to handle a 2x120mm radiator.

Case recommendations for custom loop:
Corsair 650D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139006

Or...

Switch 810
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146089

CPU cooler:
XSPC Rasa 750 RX240
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14182/ex-wat-181/XSPC_Rasa_750_RX240_Universal_CPU_Water_Cooling_Kit_w_RX240_Radiator_and_Free_Kill_Coil.html

 

[obsama1]

Personally, I would see NO difference between a 23" and 24" unless I used a magnifying glass, but some people are just very eagle-eyed. When I said "you win", I just meant that you were right.

 

[azeem40]

Great WCer for the price!

 

[Grimsilver]

I honestly have no watercooling experience. I don't think I would ever really NEED it anywho, at least not for awhile. I would probably feel more comfortable with a noctua or another highly rated/suggested fan heatsink.

 

[obsama1]

The Noctua is MASSIVE, but is an awesome cooler. Just look at the pics to see how massive it is!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B00631QFG8/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_0?ie=UTF8&index=0&isremote=0

 

[Grimsilver]

I had looked into it, I know it's huge. But the reviews of how great it cools make it seem worth it.

 

[obsama1]

Just be careful you get the right one and not the 2011 version. Here it is from The Egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018

 

[Grimsilver]

So the NH-D14 IS the newest one right?

 

[obsama1]

Not the newest, but their best performing.

 

[Grimsilver]

Ah well that's all that matters. Thanks