Building Mid-High Gaming Rig

[steeLh]

I know theres not enough build threads, so I thought i'd create another. I think it's about that time again. Time to build a new Rig! Although I haven't exactly kept up with hardware progression. Anyway - I've always come here for help when putting together a new rig, so I figured this was the best place to start again.

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

- Above all, this Rig's main task will be gaming.
- I'd like to be able to record using FRAPS, with minimal lag/performance issues. This is really important to me. ( I use a 24" widescreen - 1920x1200 res)
- The quieter, the better!
- No performance issues multi-tasking with several programs open.
- Video Editing

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

$1200-1300

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

I've built 3 computers, all of which were AMD builds (AMD was always the best bang for the buck).

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

Mouse, keyboard, monitor.

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

Yes, and from what I've read, the Sandy Bridge 2500k is the way to go right now, for my price range.

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

I've never overlocked before, but who knows I may try it in the future.

7. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1920x1200

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

As soon as I finalize my parts list.

Heres what I've come up with so far.

CPU $230 - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz

Motherboard - Waiting on Newegg to get more in stock from the recall before choosing one.

GPU $360 - GTX 570 HD w/Display-Port (Fermi) 1280MB
Btw, what does "Fermi" mean?

RAM $85 - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

PSU $100 - Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W

HDD $80 - Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Thoughts on this HDD?

SSD $180 - Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH080G2K5 2.5" 80GB SATA II

CD DRIVE $20 - ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner Wow, thats not long or anything lol.

OS $100 - Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

CPU Cooler $80 - ZALMAN CNPS9900MAX-B 135mm Long life bearing CPU Cooler Blue LED

Which brings to total to, $1235. Of course the mobo isn't added in yet.

So I wanted to get some opinions. What to change? Where to shave off some dollars without sacrificing too much?

 

[mnewsham]

Cheaper RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424
Cheaper SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227685
Better HDD (1TB is all that is needed for most people you can expand later)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185
cheaper PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371016
Cheaper GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-370-_-Product

Sandy bridge runs cool that is a bigger HSF than you need i suggest this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-065-_-Product

 

[endlessmike133]

Changes:

Change the HDD to a Samsung F3 1TB HDD; honestly 1TB is enough and this is a great HDD.

Replace the cooler you chose to a Hyper 212+

Other than that you could save a small amount of bucks on the RAM, DVD drive but nothing significant.

You could also save money on lowering the space on your SSD.

EDIT: mnewshams recommendation is good except I would stick with the PSU you have now or go with a Antec TP-650 to save a few bucks!

 

[endlessmike133]

M. Night Shyamalan, pretty odd you're recommending a OCZ SSD after dogging on them in a few other threads...

 

[mnewsham]

550w is more then enough. as seen here a GTX 570 uses just under 450w in furmark which is a very unrealistic test (it pulls too much power) this is full system draw on an i7-920 OC'd to 3.33Ghz (your CPU will use even LESS) so 550w is 140w OVER what you could MAX draw on that system.

 

[steeLh]

Almost forgot! I'm gonna need a new case too. Something with a good amount of working room would be nice, not too noisy.

 

[mnewsham]

M. Night Shyamalan, pretty odd you're recommending a OCZ SSD after dogging on them in a few other threads...

They arent my fav but they arent disgusting or complete crap. and for 150 bucks after rebate it is a good deal.

 

[endlessmike133]

almost forgot! I'm gonna need a new case too. Something with a good amount of working room would be nice, not too noisy.

haf 912

 

[mnewsham]

Almost forgot! I'm gonna need a new case too. Something with a good amount of working room would be nice, not too noisy.

Haf 912, 922, 932, or Antec 300, 600, OR if you really want you can get the fractal R3.

 

[mfenn]

You've gotten some pretty good advice here already. About the only other thing that I'd suggest would be to get another Samsung F3 1TB that's solely dedicated to dumping video from FRAPS.

EDIT: Fermi is just referring to the core architecture of the GPU. It doesn't really matter to the average gamer.

 

[steeLh]

So I think I'm set on getting the HAF 932

I'm gonna stick with the Intel X25-M SSD, over the OCZ Vertex 2. Looking through the the reviews, the Intel SSD just feels like the way to go, and at only $10 more - can't complain.

I'm sold on the Hyper 212, looks like a really solid CPU cooler.

I'll probably be going with a different brand for the gtx 570, most likely EVGA. Would It be worth it to get a separate GPU cooler for the 570? I was looking the ZALMAN VF1000 2 Ball VGA Cooler.

Looks like I'm going to be stretching my budget a little bit as well.

You've gotten some pretty good advice here already. About the only other thing that I'd suggest would be to get another Samsung F3 1TB that's solely dedicated to dumping video from FRAPS.

This is one of the reasons I wanted to get an SSD, less going on, on the HDD. Would it make that big of a difference to have a COMPLETELY different HDD for FRAPS too only?

 

[mnewsham]

So I think I'm set on getting the HAF 932

I'm gonna stick with the Intel X25-M SSD, over the OCZ Vertex 2. Looking through the the reviews, the Intel SSD just feels like the way to go, and at only $10 more - can't complain.

I'm sold on the Hyper 212, looks like a really solid CPU cooler.

I'll probably be going with a different brand for the gtx 570, most likely EVGA. Would It be worth it to get a separate GPU cooler for the 570? I was looking the ZALMAN VF1000 2 Ball VGA Cooler.

Looks like I'm going to be stretching my budget a little bit as well.



This is one of the reasons I wanted to get an SSD, less going on, on the HDD. Would it make that big of a difference to have a COMPLETELY different HDD for FRAPS too only?

1080p fraps recordings take a LOT of space.

and no you dont need a GPU cooler IMHO

 

[steeLh]

Hmm, thought I read somewhere about the 570 putting out more heat than average, must've been something else.

I wanted to ask about MSI too. They're one of the few 1155 mobos on newegg but I like to stick with trusted/quality brands - and I've never had experience with any MSI products. Any thoughts or experience with them?

 

[mnewsham]

MSI is on par with ASUS and GIGABYTE, and it does put out heat, BUT it isnt unmanageable in large case like that.

 

[steeLh]

Alright, so heres what I'm about to order - assuming no compatability issues. (like to double check)

HAF 932

Antex TP 750W

i5 2500k SB

GSKILL Ripjaw 8 GB

Samsung F3 1TB HDD

Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH080G2K5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC

ASUS Black 24X DVD+R

Windows 7

Hyper 212+

I won't be ordering the Mobo or GFX card yet as the ones I want are out of stock on newegg right now. Everything look good?

 

[steeLh]

Anybody?

 

[fffblackmage]

750W is more power than you need, even for a GTX 580, but other than that, looks fine.

Actually, if you're not in a hurry, I would probably wait for the Vertex 3 instead of getting the "ancient" Intel X25-M.

 

[mfenn]

Alright, so heres what I'm about to order - assuming no compatability issues. (like to double check)

HAF 932

Antex TP 750W

i5 2500k SB

GSKILL Ripjaw 8 GB

Samsung F3 1TB HDD

Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH080G2K5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC

ASUS Black 24X DVD+R

Windows 7

Hyper 212+

I won't be ordering the Mobo or GFX card yet as the ones I want are out of stock on newegg right now. Everything look good?

I'd probably drop down to a 650W PSU, and grab a non-OCZ Sandforce drive over the Intel. Other than those nitpicks, the build is looking good.

 

[steeLh]

750W is more power than you need, even for a GTX 580, but other than that, looks fine.

Actually, if you're not in a hurry, I would probably wait for the Vertex 3 instead of getting the "ancient" Intel X25-M.

Was looking over the Mardi Gras savings ad from newegg. and the Crucial RealSSD C300 128GB was in there, it looks like a good deal, but is it? Havn't been in the market that long for an SSD.

May drop down, and go with the Antec TruePower New TP-650 then, looks like a solid PSU.

 

[steeLh]

Just ordered the following!

HAF 932

i5 2500k SB

GSKILL Ripjaw 8 GB

MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) LGA 1155

ASUS Black 24X DVD+R

Windows 7

Hyper 212+

Just waiting on some input from my post above this one, before ordering the rest. It's always exciting ordering parts for a new PC, can't wait to put it altogether!

 

[Dashel]

This thread is helpful as I'm in almost exactly the same spot, same needs. So my question is, what are we looking at in terms of a motherboard? Any educated guesses or ideas when they will be available and which specific board(s) would be good choices for the SB chips?

 

[trexpesto]

What was the total cost, if you don't mind?

 

[mnewsham]

Was looking over the Mardi Gras savings ad from newegg. and the Crucial RealSSD C300 128GB was in there, it looks like a good deal, but is it? Havn't been in the market that long for an SSD.

May drop down, and go with the Antec TruePower New TP-650 then, looks like a solid PSU.

I dont like the C300 it has piss poor write speeds, And the Antec is a very solid unit that is good for any single GPU.

 

[fffblackmage]

Was looking over the Mardi Gras savings ad from newegg. and the Crucial RealSSD C300 128GB was in there, it looks like a good deal, but is it? Havn't been in the market that long for an SSD.

$225 is a "good deal" for the C300, only because the C300 has always been a bit pricier than Sandforce SSDs. If I remember right... the C300 128GB used to be much closer to $300... which I thought was just silly, since most 120GB Sandforce SSDs hovered closer to $200.

I dont like the C300 it has piss poor write speeds, And the Antec is a very solid unit that is good for any single GPU.

Some people would argue that read speed is a bit more important.

I typically don't recommend C300 because of its price tag, but $225 is an ok price. The Agility 2 ($208) is still cheaper though.

 

[mnewsham]

Some people would argue that read speed is a bit more important.

If using SATA II then the read speed is less then sandforce controllers (265mb/s vs 285mb/s)


And the write speeds are about 1/2 of sandforce drives. (sata II or III)

IF you are doing a lot of reading (which it SHOULD be) and are using SATA III then its a good deal at ~$225 I would rather wait for the new sandforce drives later this month though.