~$1500 (Primarily gaming)

[Miloh]

Budget Range: Would like to stay in ~1500 range
System Usage: FPS/MMO games; 1920x1080 resolution; ability to upgrade to SLI/Crossfire in the future
I haven't put together a desktop in a number of years, so any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.



Processor
Intel Core i5-2500K Processor 3.3GHz 6 MB Cache Socket LGA1155
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-2500K-Processor-3-3GHz-LGA1155/dp/B004EBUXHQ
219.95

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD5 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128513&Tpk=13-128-513
269.99

RAM
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233147&Tpk=20-233-147
74.99 (-35 Newegg combo with motherboard*)

Graphics Card
EVGA SuperClocked 012-P3-1572-AR GeForce GTX 570 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130595
339.99

Case
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Three-Hundred-External-Internal/dp/B000GQMHBI/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt
54.99

Power Supply
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
134.99

Hard Drive + DVD burner
SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-222AB
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.696166
73.48 (Newegg combo deal)

OS
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Professional-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0T0LU
139.99

Monitor
ASUS VG236HE 23-Inch LCD Monitor (120hz refresh)
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VG236HE-23-Inch-LCD-Monitor/dp/B0044UHXJI
306.72



Other: (possible future upgrades)
SSD
CPU cooler
2nd Graphics card (SLI)

 

[Why_Me]

You have $270 sunk into a mobo, yet you went cheap on your case, a case that most likely won't even fit dual 570's and an after market h/s. Go cheaper on your board, and put some money into a case with some decent size.

 

[genghiskron]

that case will totally fit 2x 570's and an hs, but i agree that he could do better. also why windows pro?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-sandy-bridge-build-a-pc-overclocking,2876-7.html
it can fit 2x hd6950's or hd6970's with a scythe mugen 2, and still fit a side panel fan.

 

[inzone]

You might want to check out the monitor a little bit more closely.

Analog Signal Frequency: 24~140 KHz(H)/ 50~122 Hz(V)
Digital Signal Frequency: 24~83 KHz(H)/ 50~85 Hz(V)

Other than the monitor you have a kick butt build.

 

[Miloh]

1) I'd rather not have a large, cumbersome case. Also, I am not interested in having a 'gamer' case with lights/ornamentation/odd angles--I just want a case that looks plain and doesn't stand out.

What would you suggest for a cheaper motherboard?
How about: GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512&Tpk=13-128-512
$139.99 (plus a $30 savings when purchased with the RAM I listed above)


2) Win 7 Pro is for the XP virtualization.


3) For the monitor, I was also looking at the BenQ XL2410T and Acer GD235HZ. All have favorable reviews, the Asus just seems like the best deal of the bunch.
http://www.amazon.com/BenQ-XL2410T-23-6-Inch-Monitor-Backlight/dp/B004AKFRZY
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-GD235HZbid-Widescreen-23-6-Display/dp/B0035KC3R0

 

[Why_Me]

1) I'd rather not have a large, cumbersome case. Also, I am not interested in having a 'gamer' case with lights/ornamentation/odd angles--I just want a case that looks plain and doesn't stand out.

What would you suggest for a cheaper motherboard?
How about: GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512&Tpk=13-128-512
$139.99 (plus a $30 savings when purchased with the RAM I listed above)


2) Win 7 Pro is for the XP virtualization.


3) For the monitor, I was also looking at the BenQ XL2410T and Acer GD235HZ. All have favorable reviews, the Asus just seems like the best deal of the bunch.
http://www.amazon.com/BenQ-XL2410T-23-6-Inch-Monitor-Backlight/dp/B004AKFRZY
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-GD235HZbid-Widescreen-23-6-Display/dp/B0035KC3R0

Gamer case has nothing to do with it, you need a case that will fit the components you intend on purchasing. There's plenty of cases out there that are quiet looking yet have the proper room to fit one of those cards a long with a after market cpu h/s.

That Gigabyte UD3 is a good one from the reviews Iv'e read on it on the web.