$1500 Gaming Build

[JorgeOlivera]

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming, Photoshop, some small video editing (nothing heavy), and school.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$1500 (give or take ~$100)

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Intel! Unless amd becomes a better option.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Mouse and keyboard.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Yes. For about a month already.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Planning to OC the CPU

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

About a months time.

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

I do need a monitor, and want an SSD, but if I shouldn't get an SSD, that's fine.

So ~$1500 including the monitor.

Edit: I don't need the OS as there are other options, but also want an official copy. So I guess I'll be wanting the OS too. Windows 7 64bit.


Current setup:
Display
CPU
PSU
RAM
HDD
HSF
Case
Thermal
GPU
MOBO
SSD - Undecided

Total: $1,286.38

 

[T_Yamamoto]

i5 2500K: $220
ASRock Z68 Pro3 ATX LGA1155: $120
Generic 8GB RAM: $50
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB: $60
OCZ Agility 2 60GB SSD : $95
HAF 922: $95
560 TI x2: $500
PC Power&Cooling PSU 950WT: $150

TOTAL: ~$1265
OS: $30
$220 towards a nice monitor

You can just have a single card and put the extra towards a better montior. im sure the real experts can take more money off of this build i have

 

[JorgeOlivera]

I think I can get the windows 7 copy for 29.99 if that promotion is still working (student discount). So just take away the OS

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G

 

[T_Yamamoto]

yes, if youre a student,you can call your college or something and get OS for 30. excellent!

 

[JorgeOlivera]

Here's what I made:

214.99 - Intel i5 2500k (local Fry's Electronic)
219.98 - Gigabyte Z68X-UD4-B3 + GSkill Ripjaws X 8GB (2x4GB) [Combo]
119.99 - OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD [$20 MIR]
149.99 - LEPA G700-MA 700W 80+ Gold [$40 MIR]
324.99 - Palit Sonic 1024MB GTX 570 [$30 MIR]
139.99 - NZXT Phantom Black
179.99 - ASUS VH236H [$20 MIR]
59.99 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB HDD
29.99 - Windows 7 Premium 64bit
24.99 - LITE-ON CD/DVD Writer
24.99 - Cooler Master Hyper 212

Total: 1489.89 (1379.89 AR)

Improvements? I still have around $120 left after the rebates.
Anything we can change that will make this cheaper without losing any real performance?

 

[mnewsham]

You dont need a 700w powersupply go with a nice 600w or so.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

Reason I chose it is because its literally an Enermax modu87+ rebranded and because at $100 (after rebate) its a steal.
If you can suggest another PSU though, that'd be awesome

 

[mnewsham]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103055

If you dont like messing with rebates,

If you dont mind rebates then your choice is still good, just saying there are other options

 

[happinessism]

i5 2500k
Gigabyte Z68X-UD4-B3
G.Skill Ripjaws X 8GB
WD caviar green 1tb
OCZ vertex 2 60gb SSD
NZXT H2 or Fractal R3
XFX XXX 6950 1GB
Corsair AX750 or HX650
any generic monitor

 

[JorgeOlivera]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103055

If you dont like messing with rebates,

If you dont mind rebates then your choice is still good, just saying there are other options

Any you can recommend that are modular? Don't wanna fiddle with all those cables

 

[mnewsham]

If you want to drop the Gold+ cert then i can find you a bronze one for not too much.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

If you want to drop the Gold+ cert then i can find you a bronze one for not too much.

As long as its Modular I don't mind

 

[mnewsham]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341017
75 before rebate
50 bucks total

Golden hardware award from hardware secrets.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

i5 2500k
Gigabyte Z68X-UD4-B3
G.Skill Ripjaws X 8GB
WD caviar green 1tb
OCZ vertex 2 60gb SSD
NZXT H2 or Fractal R3
XFX XXX 6950 1GB
Corsair AX750 or HX650
any generic monitor

Vertex 2 better than the Agility 3?
Also how well does the 6950 1GB perform?

 

[JorgeOlivera]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341017
75 before rebate
50 bucks total

Golden hardware award from hardware secrets.

Thats friggin' awesome man. Thanks!

 

[happinessism]

Vertex 2 better than the Agility 3?
Also how well does the 6950 1GB perform?

whoops haha i read agility 2 ^^
also the 6950 1gb is not as good as the 570 you chose, but it is enough for a suitably good gaming computer. just saving money here and there

 

[JorgeOlivera]

whoops haha i read agility 2 ^^
also the 6950 1gb is not as good as the 570 you chose, but it is enough for a suitably good gaming computer. just saving money here and there

Haha thats fine lol
And that sounds like a plan to me. Saving money is my goal

 

[JorgeOlivera]

whoops haha i read agility 2 ^^
also the 6950 1gb is not as good as the 570 you chose, but it is enough for a suitably good gaming computer. just saving money here and there

I'm guessing that at the resolution I'm planning to play on I wont need the 2GB version will I? Or would it do better just to get the 2GB version?

I was also looking at the TFII/TFIII as I read great things about those but, then again, I'm not planning on OC'ing the GPU so I'm not sure if those will make much a difference in my case.

EDIT:
Sorry for the double post. Meant to click edit!! :X


UPDATE:
Heres where I'm at:

214.99 - Intel i5 2500k (local Fry's Electronic)
219.98 - Gigabyte Z68X-UD4-B3 + GSkill Ripjaws X 8GB (2x4GB) [Combo]
119.99 - OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD [$20 MIR]
299.99 - MSI TFIII 6950 2GB [$20 MIR]
139.99 - NZXT Phantom Black
179.99 - ASUS VH236H [$20 MIR]
74.99 - OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W [$25 MIR]
59.99 - Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB HDD
29.99 - Windows 7 Premium 64bit
24.99 - LITE-ON CD/DVD Writer
24.99 - Cooler Master Hyper 212

Total: $1,389.89 (AR $1,304.89)

Anymore optimization's?

 

[mfenn]

214.99 - Intel i5 2500k (local Fry's Electronic)
219.98 - Gigabyte Z68X-UD4-B3 + GSkill Ripjaws X 8GB (2x4GB) [Combo]
119.99 - OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD [$20 MIR]
299.99 - MSI TFIII 6950 2GB [$20 MIR]
139.99 - NZXT Phantom Black
179.99 - ASUS VH236H [$20 MIR]
74.99 - OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W [$25 MIR]
59.99 - Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB HDD
29.99 - Windows 7 Premium 64bit
24.99 - LITE-ON CD/DVD Writer
24.99 - Cooler Master Hyper 212

Total: $1,389.89 (AR $1,304.89)

Anymore optimization's?

Here's few comments:
- I'd get a less expensive 6950 2GB. For example, this HIS 6950 2GB is $240 AR.
- The small Sandforce 2 drives don't really get to stretch their legs due to the limited number of flash chips. I'd splurge for the C300 128GB model instead.
- The Samsung F3 1TB is the same price and a bit faster than the WD Blue.
- Also, the GA-Z68A-D3H + this 8GB DDR3 1333 kit is only $180, which is less than your current combo

 

[mnewsham]

I would splurg on this only 180 after rebate.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

Alright how bout this. I don't mind spending a little over $1500 so I would rather get the best performance out of this. Don't worry about price so much, just try and stick as close to $1500 as possible. Go crazy

Only thing I don't want to change is the monitor and maybe not the case, but we'll see.
Also, don't include the price of the OS. I'll be getting that separately due to the student discount

 

[mnewsham]

Well you probably wont like my build, as i changed both the monitor AND the case BUT here is what i came up with (it will knock the other build on it's ass)

DVD/CD
Case
HDD
Monitor
2x GPU
PSU
RAM
HSF
SSD
Motherboard/CPU

Total: $1,489.88

-$85 in MIR.

A few points to make, Crossfire 6950's will destroy a single GTX 570 (i couldn't fit two GTX 570's in your budget easily)

The case, while not as flashy has better cooling and is very good quality for a decent price.

The PSU should have just enough power for everything.

 

[JorgeOlivera]

Well you probably wont like my build, as i changed both the monitor AND the case BUT here is what i came up with (it will knock the other build on it's ass)

DVD/CD
Case
HDD
Monitor
2x GPU
PSU
RAM
HSF
SSD
Motherboard/CPU

Total: $1,489.88

-$85 in MIR.

A few points to make, Crossfire 6950's will destroy a single GTX 570 (i couldn't fit two GTX 570's in your budget easily)

The case, while not as flashy has better cooling and is very good quality for a decent price.

The PSU should have just enough power for everything.

Actually, I really like clean simple cases more than weird ones

I was looking at the 600T a lot. Idk, it catches my attention. So clean and simple.

I'll comment on the rest of your chosen parts in a few

Edit:
So I agree with everything you put BUT the monitor
Oh, and I chose some Gskill memory that cost like $5 more so eh lol

Here's what I put:
CD/DVD
Case
HDD
Monitor
GPU(s)
PSU
HSF
SSD
CPU/MOBO
RAM

Price: $1,554.88 (AR $1,439.88 - if I even bother with the rebates lol)
As you see I chose almost everything the same as you lol.
I was also thinking, what about a single GTX 580. I know the x2 6950's are still going to blow it out of the water, but then I have no room for improvements. But, then again, thats IF I improve in half a year or something lol. Hmmm...

 

[JorgeOlivera]

updated last post

 

[mnewsham]

The RAM you chose has given me problems in the past (clearance with the heat spreaders) since then i have stayed away from fancy heat spreaders (they add no performance or anything and wont add anything but gaudy "style" With your case having no side window i dont see the point.