Building 2 gaming PCs ($2500)

[Akonvict]

Approximate Purchase Date: Tomorrow

Budget Range: $2000-$2500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies, creating videos (VegasPro)

Parts Not Required: 2 monitors, speakers and 1 optical drive ( I currently have a cheap Samsung which i plan to reuse )

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: PCCASEGEAR.com

Country: Australia

Parts Preferences: Intel over AMD

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe in the future

Monitor Resolution: 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900

Additional Comments: Building 2 identical computers for me and my little brother. I want these 2 computers to be able to run BF3 and WOW.
I use my computer on a average basis if i needed to program using Python or PHP. I plan to make videos using Vegas Pro but I don't plan
on Graphic Rendering. My little brother will use his comp mainly for games and net surfing. I also prefer the computers to be completely identical in
parts since I'm very impartial towards my brother.
I have also Uploaded an image of listed parts that I plan to buy but before i make that decision, I'd appreciate any recommendations/advices
on the parts i currently choose to use.



Thanks, Steven

 

[mocchan]

Do you have any plans to upgrade to a 1080p monitor in the future? Also, I'm assuming the budget is $2500 max for both rigs?

**EDITED WITH PARTS LIST**

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($215.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($96.49 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($322.86 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Monitor: Asus ML228H 21.5" Monitor ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($90.63 @ Amazon)
Total: $1283.88
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-10 00:46 EDT-0400)

The Radeon HD7770 is a very modest card, however, in your parts list, you selected a 750w PSU which is HIGHLY overkill. I feel this rig would yield more performance It includes a 1080p monitor as well!

Parts list x2 = Roughly $2600...$100 more than your budget but I feel this is WELL worth the extra cost as it includes a 1080p monitor.

 

[hrath]

As you are in Australia and I am not aware of most of the sites (or have not sufficiently seen them to consider them) I have just one tip.

DO NOT BUY THE OCZ AGILITY 4 SSD.

Get anything else, really.
The best would be 2x M4's or something, but the Agility 4 will get you nothing except for trouble, crashes, DOA's and RMA's. Trust me, me and my dad have gotten 6+ of them and each has had at least one or all of those problems.

 

[sam_fisher]

This is what I would suggest:

I've dropped the Extreme6 to a Extreme4 - both are good boards, but you probably won't use the extra features of the Extreme6, and you can save yourself a few bucks.

The low profile RAM is a tad cheaper and will be handy if you install aftermarket CPU coolers (you didn't have one on your list, if you get one I would suggest the Hyper 212 Evo for around AUD$40).

Upgraded the Agility 4s to Intel 330 SSDs, Intel drives have much greater reputation and are very fast. For only an extra 12 bucks why wouldn't you be sure?

For playing games like BF3 you will need more GPU horsepower, the 7770 will do, but if I was in your position I would get the non-K 3570 (you could get a cheaper one again, the 3470 would be a good choice and you would save yourself another 30 dollars), and instead put that money towards a better card.

Corsair power supplies are some of the best, and a 650W would be more than plenty for your desires.

Upgraded the card from the 7770 to the 7850 OC. If you wanted to you could always buy a non-OC model and save yourself even more.

Tom's 7850 - BF3
Tom's 7850 - WOW

Tom's 7770 - BF3
Tom's 7770 - WOW

 

[sam_fisher]

Also, with the non-K 3570 you won't be able to overclock, so if you really want to overclock you'll have to get the 3570K, and I would strongly recommend an aftermarket cooler (instead of the stock heatsink - don't have good overclocking performance).

The CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO is the best price/performance cooler at the moment. I get 60C at full load on a with 22C ambient, running an i5-2500K at 4.4GHz.

 

[Akonvict]

Best answer selected by Akonvict.