System Builder Marathon, June 2012: $1000 Enthusiast PC

Features
By Don Woligroski
published

Video Card, Power Supply, And Case

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 OC

Yes, we know that Nvidia's GeForces GTX 680 and GTX 670 both offer better bang for your buck right now. But the GeForce GTX 680 is still encountering availability issues (particularly at the $499 it's supposed to be selling at), and the GTX 670 wasn’t even available when we bought the pieces for this PC.

Read Customer Reviews of Sapphire's Radeon HD 7970

As a result, we chose the Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 for $480 (it was on sale for $460 when we bought it). Unfortunately, just before posting the System Builder Marathon, the price rose $100 to $580, blowing out our budget.

For $470, though, you can get the non-overclocked model, which is identical aside from its default operating frequencies and lack of a BIOS-select switch. It delivers great value when you consider that it includes all of the adapters necessary for a three-monitor Eyefinity array, along with a quiet and effective custom cooler.

Power Supply: Corsair CX600 V2

Read Customer Reviews of Corsair's CX600 V2

We saved some more money on our power supply choice, picking Corsair’s CX600 for $70 instead of the more expensive TX650.

True, we’re giving up some of the PCIe power cables. But, with a single graphics card in our system, the CX600 is more than capable of providing the juice we need.

PC Case: Logisys CS1202BK Optimus II

Read Customer Reviews of Logisys' Optimus II

A tight budget forces us to consider a low-cost chassis, and we're giving Logisys a shot. The Optimus II sports a classy look, modest room inside, and it includes two 120 mm fans.

We’ll go into more depth about the case when we talk about assembly and overclocking. Priced at $42 on Newegg, it's now $7 more expensive than when we originally ordered it, unfortunately.

Don Woligroski
158 Comments Comment from the forums
  • esrever
    This PC is awesome.
    Reply
  • ddan49
    I personally think they went a little TOO overboard on the GPU. Sure, it'll tear through games... but at 4GB of RAM, a non-overclockable i5 CPU, and a P67 motherboard... well... meh...
    Reply
  • pistolpete31
    Should have waited for the 670
    Reply
  • ddan49
    We have two very similar systems here, and the new one has to make due with 4 GB less RAM, no SSD, and no aftermarket CPU cooler.

    May want to put "do" in there, instead ;)
    Reply
  • mayankleoboy1
    i'd put an SSD in any system i build. Its so much better than a HDD.

    Reply
  • mayankleoboy1
    not criticizing, but this build looks like a half-hearted attempt.
    Basically the whole article tests the improvements of a single channel over a dual channel RAM.
    Reply
  • mousseng
    I realize the SBM is sponsored by Newegg, so that means they're only able to get what they can from Newegg?

    Because if not, I would posit that the i5-2380p is a better CPU choice than the i5-2400:
    1) You've not got a huge need for the IGP, what with the 7970 (I could see it could still have use, but I don't think it would be that helpful)
    2) From what I've read on Newegg's page for the 2380p (which they no longer sell), the 2380p is a great overclocker (up to 4.5Ghz according to one reviewer)
    3) It costs the same as the 2400, with the same stock clocks

    Apart from that, I think it's a pretty solid build. A little too much corner-cutting compared to what I would've chosen, but I'd probably put together something rather standard and boring.
    Reply
  • ojas
    Why not use the HAF 912? Wouldn't have had a problem with the 7970.
    Reply
  • pistolpete31
    mayankleoboy1not criticizing, but this build looks like a half-hearted attempt. Basically the whole article tests the improvements of a single channel over a dual channel RAM.
    Yeah I totally agree, I would have loved to see a 3570k and a gtx 670 because those two seem like the popular choice right now. Who sets this budget anyways? "We didn't wan't to go over" umm is there like a slow painful death if you go over the budget or what? Set the budget higher then. Hope the next round of these is better.
    Reply
  • koshadows
    I'm not quite sure how I should respond to both of the system builders comment section from this week. Gtx 670 wasn't available, we know. Stop beating this dead horse. Its just like last quarter's waterfall of "why no 680????"

    As of right now at the time of this post, the sapphire 7970 o/c on newegg is at $480. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102982 So i can only assume whatever price hike has been dealt with?

    Good job on making a computer perform about the same for $250 less! I'm sure if I was to build a computer right now this would give quite a bit of breathing room. Not everyone has quarter of a grand to throw around.

    Downside is it does feel like you guys ran outta ideas on new combinations. I think I'd be kind of interested in either a SLI config 560 ti or 7850s. But the 7850 would've pushed it past budget I think. I'd still vote on the SSD though!
    Reply