Another New PC :)

[Tanius]

Introduction and Budget
I'm looking to build a new Windows 7 gaming PC. I've been reading through the monthly builds that Tom's Hardware posts for the $500, $1000, and $2000 PC but haven't found what I "think" I want. My budget ideally is between $1000-$1500 USD and the parts will be purchased and used in the US.

*I've included below this first section and below my signature Jimtanis, the format suggested by theAnimal. Above here was my format

Main Uses of PC
I'll use the PC for "extreme" gaming, gaming communication, music playback. Secondly, it will be used for programming, Microsoft Office, photography/graphic arts, and more.

CPU and Graphics
1) I'm a fan of Intel chips and Nvida graphics. Probably an Nvidia 650 or 670. In an ideal world, I'd have an Intel 3rd generation i7 (i5 could be considered).

Case with MOBO, Processor, and Power Supply
2) As I'm not wanting to do too much building, so I'm thinking it might be best to get a case, mobo, processor, and likely the power supply (the PS isn't mandatory here) as all one part. I'd think maybe 800Watt PS? Regarding the MOBO, I am wanting the latest SATA 3 6GB connections, USB 3.0 for at least 2 USB ports, and other speed components I may not be aware of.

Disk
3) For my disk drives, I'm thinking a 128MB+ SSD as my boot drive. A second hybrid drive that is part ssd/traditional drive (probably 1 TB or more...or perhaps a little smaller depending on price). A third large normal hard disk. My current PCs biggest issue today is disk speed. 19 in 1 media reader.

Cooling
4) I'd like the fans and such to be relatively quiet.

Already Have:
Logitech MX 518 gaming mouse.
Logitech G11 keyboard (I have limited space in terms of height for keyboards.
Plantronics USB Wireless Headset/sound card
27 Inch 1920 x 1080 Resolution monitor and 19" secondary monitor.

Nice To Have:
I'd like to be able to Overclock the processor and video card (medium priority)
Hot swapable drives (low priority)
Room for dual video cards would be nice, but not needed (low priority)
Expandable (medium priority).

I'm going to see if I can find a PC builder so I can link a starter PC here.

Thanks in advance. Hopefully this isn't a topic that has been done to death already.

JimTanis

Format suggested by the Animal below:

Approximate Purchase Date: This week

Budget Range: $1000 - $1500. Only will do instant rebates.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: I'll use the PC for "extreme" gaming, gaming communication, music playback. Secondly, it will be used for programming, Microsoft Office, photography/graphic arts, and more.

Parts Not Required:
Logitech MX 518 gaming mouse.
Logitech G11 keyboard (I have limited space in terms of height for keyboards.
Plantronics USB Wireless Headset/sound card
27 Inch 1920 x 1080 Resolution monitor and 19" secondary monitor.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com, Tiger Direct

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: Intel Processors 3rd Gen i7, Nvidia graphics probably an Nvidia 650 or 670)

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Nice to have but low priority

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I would like a quiet PC. I want to be sure to have SATA 3 6.0GB, USB 3.0 for some of my USB connections, and any other reasonable similar upgrades.

 

[Tanius]

Nice, thank you. I'm going to play with the pcpartpicker a bit too. The only thing in there that I'm a little nervous about is the Radeon video card. This is mainly because I've always had nvidia cards. That appears to be a nice card however! JimTanis

 

[PanicMaster85]

WOW! well this is a hard one... i think the first priority is the case do you want a nice case that is quiet? or what i would recommend this one
http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Sonata-SOLO-II-Computer/dp/B005FEYKTI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351112150&sr=8-1&keywords=Antec+Solo
this is a good one but i know there is a better one that has sound foam

anyways here is a nice gpu(390 not bad, i dont recommend crossfiring your gpus because it sli/crossfire is messed up right now so some games dot support it so i would wait a little bit)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127685

I have this one unfortunetely my fx-8120 relly bottlenecks it but it runs cool and i can get it to 1241mhz core and 1351 on mem and never get above 60c

CPU(unless your video editing, which if you are get a i7 2600k, then get the i5 3570k just for gaming) not a bad price for only $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Im getting this to work with the 670 because from what i see bf3 maxed it get like 50 to 60(with vsync) and can overlock pretty good

OK now the motherboard(the MSI Computer Corp. Motherboard DDR3 2600 Intel - LGA 1155 Motherboards Z77 , its a very nice mobo that will last you a while and will be durable for overclocking priced at 200)
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-Corp-Motherboard-Intel/dp/B0090Z39EA/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351112735&sr=1-5&keywords=lga+1155+motherboard+z77

just to update so far for the case, cpu, gpu, and mobo it is
$924(note this is not including shipping)

PSU, i use this(Corsair 850w) and it is awesome had it for 5 months now not a single issue... but i would get the modular version for only 10 dollars more this is priced at 145 which is deffinetely worth it
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Certified-Compatible-platforms/dp/B004MYFODS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351112886&sr=1-1&keywords=850w

Then the ram i would recommend 1600mhz and 16gb(even though you will only need 8 for gaming i think 16 is a nice number to have just in the case you want to edit videos)even though one set is set at $40 it gets the best rating on newegg for 1600mhz ram so get two of these for a total of $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

disk reader
simple i use this one and you really only need it to install windows unless you want to watch blue ray but here is a regular dvd reader Priced at $23
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SIMPXM/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

OK quick update the price is
1172

Then memory
a 256gb ssd for os and games like bf3(179)
http://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-2-5-Inch-Internal-MZ-7PC256B-WW/dp/B0077CR66A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351113299&sr=8-1&keywords=240+samsung+ssd

then this hdd for regular storage i have it and its worked out well for me this far, priced at 90
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Internal-Desktop/dp/B0036Q7MV0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351113361&sr=1-1&keywords=caviar+black+1tb

final price is
$1442

Hope this helps!

 

[PanicMaster85]

7970 is the best card you can buy right now and overclocks like crazy, altough if you want to stick with nvidia the 670 is a nice option too and if you are only on one 1080 monitor it wont really matter.

yep remember my thread! :lol:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=33&post=360586&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0
have fun reading that :lol: i picked the 670 because it was cheaper and im sticking with 1080p so basically the same performance, but as soon as you crank up that res the 7970 is a beast! i can get my 670 up to 1241core so i think that pretty good

 

[Tanius]

Awesome thanks, I'm going to look through that now! JT

 

[Tanius]

So the 7970 is better for multiple monitors and higher resolutions? Right now I play at 1920 x 1080 full screen. At some point I'd love to have 3 monitors all hooked up to game, but that is going to be way too pricey for me now! (don't have the monitors for one!) I'm going to have some fun playing around with these ideas! I'll keep you advised as I go!

 

[PanicMaster85]

YEAH! basically if your sure you are going to get 3 monitors then get 7970 gbut if your going to have 1080 and maybe by the time you get the monitors you can upgrade and the get the 670... also the 670 is cheaper from 390 to 460 because if you do get the 7970 you have to get the 7970 ghz

 

[PanicMaster85]

yeah... but the 670 is faster than the 7970 the 7970ghz is about equal if not a little better

 

[PanicMaster85]

[anicmaster85:8] nope it does not, the 670 at the 1019mhz core that is there beats the 7970(non ghz) now im not saying its not a good card because it is but if you get a 7970 then get the ghz eddition

 

[Tanius]

nice link

 

[PanicMaster85]

it does not say their clocks... so I cant trust that graph how about you get one that compare 1019mhz core to a stock 7970? and how about you also compare it to a 7970 max oc to 670 max oc... i get a 1290 in heaven with everything maxed with the gtx 670 at my max OC,

One thing i have NOTHING against 7970 I was *this*(like a mm) close to getting a ghz eddition but i was waiting for the cooler that i wanted for about 4 weeks and i wanted borderlands 2 and if I bought the 670 i would have exactly 60$ so i could get borderlands... NOW knowing that I would recommend the 670 because its a great card but if you are going to get 3 monitors then get the 7970 but i really do recommend getting a ghz eddition if you get one.