~$2000 gaming computer feedback needed

[qwertinator]

Hey there folks

New to Tom's Hardware forums, but been an avid reader for a long long time. I remember when my brother tricked me into thinking that his friend was the Tom of 'Tom's Hardware'

Anyway, I'm building an Intel gaming computer set (computer and monitor) for approximatel ~2000 dollar. Just wanted to make sure that my setup is proper and want to see if any of you have any suggestions. I'm buying the computer in January.

Monitor: ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 20000 :1
Case: COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Motherboard: MSI P55-GD80 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
CPU: Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
GPU: XFX HD-587A-ZNF9 Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail
Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
SSD: Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2M080G2R5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail
HDD:SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
CD/DVD drive: LITE-ON Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 22X DVD Writer LightScribe Support - Retail

It totals at about $1,950 at Newegg, given that I have to pay sales tax being a resident in California. I've heard I can order from sites like tigerdirect and cut costs by not having to pay sales tax, true? Either way, let me know what you think, good or bad. I know some of you will say that the case is cheap one for such a gaming set, but I don't care about the looks as long as the air flow is good (which I've heard it is with the CM 690).

 

[Niklas_13]

Looks good, but i would make a few changes.

First off i would save some money and hold off on the SSD for now.

I7 860 is not really needed for games

The CM-690 is a very good budget case but the antec 900 is better

Faster CL7 ram




Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129021
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$40.00 Instant $139.99
$99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021



G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231279
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$124.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279



Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$199.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215
Subtotal: $424.97

 

[JackNaylorPE]

At the $2000 price point, I'd be considering a 2nmd GFX card at least in the future, and that would push me to a 920 based system.

 

[qwertinator]

Mmmh

Should've probably mentioned that a 2nd graphics card is a possibility in the future. What impact does that have upon the CPU purchase?

And thanks for the replies

Edit: I know that SSD is a relatively new invention, and that the prices will decrease and the sizes of will increase rather quickly, but I don't know if I can manage holding off.

 

[Niklas_13]

Mmmh

Should've probably mentioned that a 2nd graphics card is a possibility in the future. What impact does that have upon the CPU purchase?

And thanks for the replies

Edit: I know that SSD is a relatively new invention, and that the prices will decrease and the sizes of will increase rather quickly, but I don't know if I can manage holding off.

The i5 750 has plenty of power for games. The i7 860 has HT witch the i5 750 does not. HT Would be a better choice for a game/photo editing rig.

For most games your GPU is doing alot of the work. The s1156 will sli/xfire 2 GPU @ 8x8x The s1366 Can do sli/xfire @ 16x16 That would be about a 4% to 6% hit if i read it right

That one HD 5870 would be grate @ 1980X1200 rez and if you added another down the road i dont think the 6% hit @ 8x8x would madder to much because you would be maxing most games out anyways

 

[qwertinator]

Mmhm, well if you're right, and due to the prices, I should stick to the notion of a single GPU with i5 750. If I do add a second GPU card, I'll have to suffer that 4-6% loss of performance.

Does the 8x & 8x vs 16x 16x make any difference other than that slight peformance loss?

Edit: And yeah, you're right about that. In the case that I do add another graphics card down the road, it will be more of a novelty than anything else (unless there were a game that I need real high performance to play). I've never done crossfire, and I've built multiple computers. It'd be nice to try it out.

Edit2: I went ahead and switched my preliminary setup to the suggested CPU, Case, and Memory that was suggested by you niklas. Without removing the SSD it adds up to the same $ total, which is good.

 

[Niklas_13]

Mmhm, well if you're right, and due to the prices, I should stick to the notion of a single GPU with i5 750. If I do add a second GPU card, I'll have to suffer that 4-6% loss of performance.

Does the 8x & 8x vs 16x 16x make any difference other than that slight peformance loss?

Edit: And yeah, you're right about that. In the case that I do add another graphics card down the road, it will be more of a novelty than anything else (unless there were a game that I need real high performance to play). I've never done crossfire, and I've built multiple computers. It'd be nice to try it out.

If you add a 2nd GPU down the road you will not take a 6% hit on the same platform S1156

The hit is do to a 8x8x sli/xfire mobo witch all the s1156 mobo are that you can xfire/sli on its 1 16X lane that will be split into 8X8X You can use a i5 750 i7 860 or i7 870 CPU in this s1156 mobo

The s1366 mobos take i7 920 i7 950 i7 960 i7 975E and on this mobo you can do 16X16X that would give you a 6% gain if your doing xfir/sli on them but cost a bit more then the other platfrom


Hope i didnt confuse you

CPU http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3634&p=1
GPU http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3658

 

[qwertinator]

Oh no, I got you the first time. Understood that it was 1366 vs 1156 with the performance hit. I should have been more clear about it.