Gaming computer for under $2000

[leemyx1]

First time building a rig and I wanted to make a gaming machine and keep it under $2000. I've done some research and I've got a build that I've posted at the bottom. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Approximate Purchase Date: First week of Feb


Budget Range: I want to keep it under $2k


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, watching HD movies, both at the same time


Are you buying a monitor: No


Parts to Upgrade: Building from scratch


Do you need to buy OS: No


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, amazon, micro center is nearby


Location: Springfield, VA 22152


Parts Preferences: No preference


Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: Yes


Your Monitor Resolution:1920x1080


Additional Comments: I'd like a rig that is easily upgradable, can handle most games at max settings, reliable and fairly quiet.


And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I've never built a rig before, never had a computer or laptop that i was 100% happy with, never been able to run games at ultra/max settings with no fps issues

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K - $317.26
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-3770K-Quad-Core-Processor-Cache/dp/B007SZ0EOW%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1454488-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB007SZ0EOW

Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157295&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-ASRock-_-13157295

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM - $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568

Video Card: EVGA 04G-P4-2673-KR GeForce GTX 670 Superclocked+ w/Backplate 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Cardx2 - $899.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130785

Boot Drive: Kingston HyperX 3K SH103S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (Stand-Alone Drive) - $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239045

Storage Drive: Seagate ST2000DM001 Barracuda 7200RPM 2 TB SATA 6 GB/s NCQ 64 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive - $89.99
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-ST2000DM001-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal/dp/B005T3GRN2%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1454488-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB005T3GRN2

Optical Drive: SAMSUNG DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-224BB/RSBS - $17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151257&Tpk=Samsung%20SH-224BB%2fRSBS%20DVD-RW

PSU: CORSAIR HX Series HX750 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 - Mid Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0 Ports (RC-922M-KKN3-GP) - $99.99
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-HAF-922-RC-922M-KKN3-GP/dp/B0026FCI2U%3FSubscriptionId%3D19BAZMZQFZJ6G2QYGCG2%26tag%3Dsquid1454488-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0026FCI2U

Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Total: $1935.16

Appreciate any help!!

 

[blake1243]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V PRO/THUNDERBOLT ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($233.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 4GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Survivor ATX Mid Tower Case ($117.62 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1826.52
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 12:51 EST-0500)

You don't need 16gb ram. But hey, on a $2000 system why not spend $40 more and get 16gb. Also, you could get a 128gb ssd instead and save some money. You could also choose a different case, its all preference. The 3770k is also a waste if your only.. but if you REALLY feel like you need hyperthreading, go ahead and switch it back to the 3770k. I also picked a overkill mobo, but its a great board for a $2000 build.

 

[iceclock]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Aiad
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Aiad/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Aiad/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($73.74 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.75 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($55.98 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1523.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 13:12 EST-0500)

Base Total: $1563.39
Mail-in Rebates: -$10.00
Total: $1553.39

this will do the trick for slightly under 1600$

 

[cball1311]

This is what I came up with. If you are only going to be using one 60Hz monitor @ 1080p, the 7950 CrossFire will hold constant 60 FPS. No need to go any higher unless you are using multiple monitors or larger resolutions. The case is up to you. I just added the one that I like.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill THOR V2 ATX Full Tower Case ($115.77 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.75 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1333.43
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 13:24 EST-0500)

 

[Disastepiece]

If you are spending 2000$ do not get an ASRock board.... recommend to get an Asus motherboard with the z77 chipset...the choice is yours...but before buying please read about the ASRock boards!

 

[iceclock]

interesting, except for the price the nzxt phantom of of higher quality, also the hyperx is a better ssd drive than the ocz series.

and possibly 8gigs would be better deal than 16. unless he does developping.

 

[MauveCloud]

OP said no overclocking, so why are you all recommending unlocked cpus and z77 mobos?

 

[iceclock]

well he wants to sli or crossfire, the motherboard we selected is the cheapest with real sli or crossfire.

 

[iceclock]

heres my revised 4core+4htcores gaming build.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AinO
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AinO/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AinO/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($73.74 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.75 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($55.98 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1567.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 13:41 EST-0500)

Base Total: $1572.39
Mail-in Rebates: -$10.00
Shipping: $4.99
Total: $1567.38

 

[J_E_D_70]

If you read about the ASRock boards, you'll see they get lots of recommendations in these forums as well as official reviews on sites like Toms. I'm sold on them. Very nice to work with.

At any rate, all the builds above look pretty good but I'll say that even a single stock 670 will nail down 60 fps at ultra 1080p with adaptive vsync on in a game like BF3. Only catch is to turn the MSAA down and FXAA up. Can add another later if needed. Also, get one with an open style cooler, not a reference blower (too noisy, lower performance).

 

[iceclock]

meh one is good, but whynot have 2x7950 to blow up any games

 

[J_E_D_70]

OP, if you spend this much on a gaming rig and don't overclock the CPU, you're missing out on a lot of performance. Just saying.

It's incredibly easy and no longer the arcane voodoo it was.

It doesn't use more power at idle, only when under a load that requires it, and helps reduce CPU bottlenecks.

 

[leemyx1]

i think i might go with an asus z77 and look into overclocking later on.

 

[iceclock]

so leemyx u want an unlock cpu or locked cpu?

 

[J_E_D_70]

Not a bad plan It would be easier to put an aftermarket cooler on from the start as you're building, but all modern cases have a cutout for putting it on after the fact without taking the board out of the case.

Happy building!

 

[iceclock]

cheerios

 

[leemyx1]

originally i wasn't even considering oc'ing because like J_E_D_70 referenced, i thought it was like arcane voodoo. but now that its apparently not so difficult i will have to look into it since i'd be losing out on some major performance benefits.

oh i forgot to mention in the original post that i plan on running dual 32" 60hz monitors.

 

[iceclock]

so do u want a cpu that overclocks or not?

 

[leemyx1]

yes

 

[J_E_D_70]

Lemme elaborate on easy. I go into bios, click the overclock tab, click the field next to multiplier, change the number to 44 (eveything else as-is), save and exit.

I was stable there, 4.5 crashed but think I could have gotten it, maybe 4.6, with some fine tuning. Went back to 3.9, then up to 4.1 just fiddling around.

In short, less than 60 seconds of work for a 29% overclock that runs reasonably cool on a $35 cooler...

 

[iceclock]

heres my revised pc for u

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AjG9
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AjG9/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/AjG9/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($73.74 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($289.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($122.75 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($55.98 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1563.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-29 15:55 EST-0500)

Base Total: $1660.66
Mail-in Rebates: -$10.00
Total: $1650.6

since u live nearby microcenter, 230$ instead of 330 for a 3770k. u get 4cores+ 4 hyper-threading cores could come in handy.

also overclocking is easy.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/279408-29-bridge-overclocking-guide-3770k

http://hwbot.org/forum/showthread.php?t=45302

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCIWTX-jy9A

all u need

 

[leemyx1]

thanks for all of the help guys, you've been extremely helpful and gave me some awesome resources for OC'ing when i hadn't even thought about doing it. much appreciated!!

 

[iceclock]

no problem, anytime u need more help pm me