~$2700 Gaming Desktop

Lammaz · Sep 10, 2011

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500k : $220

Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V PRO : $220

Ram: G Skill Ripjaws 8GB (2x4GB) 1600Mhz DDR3 : $70

GPU: EVGA Geforce GTX 580 Superclocked : $480

Sound Card: Asus Xonar DX 7.1 : $100
(Is the integrated sound (Realtec 892) good enough or should I get this sound card? I’m not that much of an audiophile.)

SSD: OCZ 120GB SSD Vertex 3 MAX IOPS Edition SATA3 $260
(Would the Crucial M4 provide better performance?)

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200RPM : $60

Case: Nzxt Phantom White and Red Full Tower : $140

PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX850W Modular : $135
(I plan add another GTX 580 in SLI so will this be enough power for that? Is there a better PSU for the 800-850W range?)

Cooling: Noctua NH-D14 : $90
(I plan on over clocking which is why I chose this over the CM Hyper 212+)

Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST : $25

Keyboard : Razer Blackwidow Mechanical Keyboard : $100

Mouse: Razer Deathadder : $60
(Not sure about this. Any better mice for around this price?)

Headphones: Turtle Beach Ear Force x12 : $60

Speakers: Logitech Z523 2.1 Speakers : $85

Monitor: 2x Dell Ultrasharp U2312HM : $600
(Bit expensive. Can anyone recommend a cheaper monitor that is as good/better for gaming?

Total: $2700

Any advice on possible changes to my build will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

jmsellars1 · Sep 10, 2011

All looks pretty good, just a few things:

- If youre not much of an audiophile you probably won't need a sound card. Just get a good USB headset as these have sound drivers built in and won't use a sound card.

- If i was to get GTX 580 SLI i would get at least 900W, possibly 1000 especially with overclocking too. But hey, i'm captain overkill in that department, just look at my current setup haha. EDIT: Try the Antec HCG-900 or TX-950 if you still want modular.

- The main things that make a monitor good for gaming are probably high res to make it look nice and low response time so it keeps up with everything. You have a high budget so i would maybe get the Samsung 27'' 1ms for the same price if you have space for 2 27'' monitors 😛. If you don't then i would just get any decent branded ~24'' 1-2 ms monitor.

- The Crucial M4 would give performance close to the Vertex 3 but would probably be a lot more reliable.

- If you want suggestions on a mouse, check out the Logitech G500. I have one and it's great.

Lammaz · Sep 11, 2011

Would the turtle beach x12 with onboard sound be fine?

27" is too big for me. Im going for 2 23-24" monitors for around $500.

Not sure which is better? The Razer Deathadder or the Logitech G500. Ill try and find them both so i can give them a go.

madchemist83 · Sep 11, 2011

Logitech G35

mjmjpfaff · Sep 11, 2011

Lammaz :

i5 2500k & corsair 8gb 1600mhz- http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.723508 258$

Asrock Z68 Extreme4 gen3- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157264 180$

MSI GTX 580 Twin Frozr II- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127567 1000$

onboard sound is fine

Corsair Force GT 120gb- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233191 225$

Samsung F3 1tb- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 60$

Silverstone Raven RV03- http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Extended-90-Degree-Motherboard-RV03B-W/dp/B004X19B02/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1315697802&sr=1-1 140$ much better cooling

asus dvd burner- http://www.amazon.com/Asus-DVD%C2%B1RW-DVD-RAM-Internal-DRW-24B1ST/dp/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315700785&sr=8-1 20$

PC power and cooling 950w PSU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703028 135$ after promo code

Gateway 2ms 21.5"- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824113023 x3=420$

Logitech z623- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121048 132$

Razer blackwidow keyboard- http://www.amazon.com/Razer-BlackWidow-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B003ZJ1VD8/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1315702665&sr=1-2 80$

why the headset? just find a cheap microphone sitting around.

Logitech g500- http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-G500-Programmable-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B002J9GDXI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1315702755&sr=1-1 60$

Total=2710$

Why_Me · Sep 11, 2011

That board down below has a NF200 Bridge allowing dual cards to run @ x16 & x16 instead of the usual x8 & x8.

This build includes Windows 7, 120GB SATA 3 SSD, and is set up to add another one of those gtx 580's in SLI.

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CC600TWM-WHT-Special-Graphite-Computer/dp/B004O0PAKW/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1315703503&sr=1-1 $159.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair CC600TWM-WHT Special Edition Graphite Series 600T Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case - White

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703028 $149.99 - $129.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING 10% off with promo code PCPowerSep1, ends 9/15
PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W High Performance 80PLUS Silver SLI CrossFire ready Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157269 $279.99 $10 off w/ promo code EMCKAKA32, ends 9/15
ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.723046 $304.98 FREE SHIPPING
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3049 $49.99
Cooler Master Hyper 612 PWM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186 $52.99 FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.696136 $72.48
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233206 $179.99 - $149.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
Corsair Force Series 3 CSSD-F120GB3A-BK 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121429 $499.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASUS ENGTX580 DCII/2DIS/1536MD5 GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Total: $1,750.39 *not including shipping, rebates, and promo codes

***Down below are two 120HZ Refresh Rate 3D Capable LED 2ms Gaming Monitors

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001475 $469.99
SAMSUNG S23A750D Black 23" 2ms Full HD 3D LED BackLight LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 DCR 1,000,000:1 (1,000:1)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014241 $369.99
BenQ XL2410T Black 23.6" 2ms GTG HDMI Widescreen LED Backlighting LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 10,000,000:1 (1,000:1)

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CA-HS1ANA-Gaming-Analog-Headset/dp/B004IZN3NY/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1315708207&sr=1-1 $59.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Corsair CA-HS1ANA Gaming Audio Series HS1 Analog Gaming Headset

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826816002 <---- a better look at that headset

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-G500-Programmable-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B002J9GDXI/ref=sr_1_2?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1315708360&sr=1-2 $59.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Logitech G500 Programmable Gaming Mouse

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme7%20Gen3 <---- A better look at that board

http://www.asrock.com/microsite/PCIe3/ <----- PCI-E 3.0 supported by the new 22nm Ivy Bridge cpu's due out in April/May

http://www.asrock.com/microsite/IntelZ68/index.asp <----- Z68 Features

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4272/asrock_z68_extreme7_gen3_intel_z68_motherboard_review/index1.html <--- Full review of that board with benchmarks

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995.html <----- Review done here on Toms a few weeks ago showing that board with the NF200 Bridge reduce micro stutter.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139005 <----- A better look at that case.

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&safe=off&source=hp&q=cooler+master+hyper+612+pwm+review&oq=cooler+master+hyper+612+pwm+rev&aq=2&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=203588l204827l4l207543l4l4l3l1l4l0l0l0ll0l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=ad22561d38e22c32&biw=1440&bih=775 <----- Reviews and benchmarks of that new Cooler Master Hyper 612 PWM cpu cooler

http://www.tcmagazine.com/tcm/news/hardware/40011/cooler-master-hyper-612-pwm-debuts-north-america?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tcmagazine+%28Techconnect+Magazine%29 <---- that cpu cooler is due out within the next two weeks.

Lammaz · Sep 11, 2011

Wow, thanks to mjmjpfaff and Why_Me for their detailed replies.

Motherboard: Is the Asrock Extreme7 Gen3 worth the extra $80 compared to the Asus P8Z68-V Pro since GTX 580s dont saturate the PCI-E 2.0 x16 cable anyway so the PCI-E 3.0 wont really add to performance.

PSU: Would a Corsair PSU be more reliable/better than a PCP&C one?
Whats the difference between the Corsair TX-850 and the AX-850. I know the TX is 80Plus Bronze and the AX is Gold so would be more efficient, but for $100 extra is it really worth it? Would using the AX have any performance boost with my desktop compared to the TX, or would i just use less power from the socket.

I would like to just use a desktop mic and speakers for gaming instead of a headset however ive heard that theres feedback from the speakers into the mic. Is this an issue? and if not, whats a good desktop mic to use?

Also, I live in Australia so i cant purchase parts from newegg, otherwise i have to go through a shipping company which will add to the cost. So i may as well buy the parts locally.

Thanks for all the help.

Why_Me · Sep 11, 2011

Lammaz :

Corsair psu's (upper tier) and PC Power & Cooling psu's are manufactured by Seasonic. There is a fine line between gold, silver, and bronze rated psu's as far as efficiency goes. As far as pushing dual 580's and having something left over ...an 850w psu isn't going to cut it. That psu would be running balls to the walls and eventually burn out for the fact it's going to run hot.

With the feed back...ya it's noticeable. I tend to go with a decent headset and mic myself and not so much with the speakers.

Lammaz · Sep 11, 2011

I only plan on SLI 580s in a few years when i need it, but i dont want to have to buy a new PSU.
So would 950W-1000W be enough? If so, do you recommend the PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W?

Ive heard good reviews about the turtle beach x12. Your thoughts on them?

Why_Me · Sep 11, 2011

Why_Me · Sep 11, 2011

Lammaz :

I haven't read any reviews on the turtle beach headsets...I know turtle beach used to put out some great sound cards back in the day. Sennheiser is about as good as it gets...but they don't come cheap. Just make sure you don't get USB headsets...you want something that plugs straight into your sound card.

Lammaz · Sep 11, 2011

Since i only plan on SLI GTX 580 in a few years, the power usage will be low till then. So a 1000W PSU will only be pulling about 500W which might reduce efficiency?

Cant decide between the Turtle Beach x12 or the Corsair HS1A. Ill do some more research.

Do you think the Logitech g500 or the Razer Deathadder is better? I dont really need to have too many extra buttons on my mouse.

Any recommendations on a cheaper monitor i can buy two of for a dual setup? Maybe an IPS like the Dell U2312HM?

Thanks

jmsellars1 · Sep 11, 2011

Running at half capacity will improve efficiency. Also the difference between the TX and the AX is that the AX will use higher quality components that will be more efficient. With efficiency comes lack of heat, so it should stay cool and last longer. With lack of heat comes quietness too because the fan won't have to work so hard. So the AX should be: Quieter, more efficient and last longer.

EDIT: Also SLI is only usually a good upgrade option when you plan to do it in <1 year. If you wait too long it won't be worth it, note that noone recommends SLI'ing HD 4870's or GTX 280's etc.

Lammaz · Sep 12, 2011

I still cant decide between 850w (Corsair AX-850) or 1000W (Silverstone Strider 1000w) for SLI GTX 580s. Theyre both around $250. Which will be the better choice?

Why is SLI GTX 580s not a good idea? even in a few years?
At that time, there will be a big increase in performance for a lower price, compared to buying a new single GPU.

mjmjpfaff · Sep 12, 2011

pc power and cooling 950w psu- a good medium.
i still suggest a tri monitor display to use all the duel 580's power.

Lammaz · Sep 12, 2011

A few people have suggest that PSU. But its only 80Plus SIlver. Is that fine? It would save me $100.
However, everyone says not to skimp out on the PSU.

Im only getting the second GTX 580 in a few years when games need more GPU power, so i might get tri monitor then, but for now a dual monitor setup should be good for my single GTX 580.

deftones09867 · Sep 12, 2011

just want to say i do recommend the Logitech Z523 speakers, they sound hella nice with onboard sound.

mjmjpfaff · Sep 12, 2011

Lammaz :

yes 80 plus silver is very good. you are not skimping out on the psu when you buy this.

Lammaz · Sep 12, 2011

I cant find this PSU in any Australian stores.

Do you know if i can i get it shipped through amazon to Australia?

mjmjpfaff · Sep 12, 2011

Lammaz :

i dont think so.

008Rohit · Sep 12, 2011

Processor : i7 2600K - $315
Motherboard : ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 - $280
RAM : 2 x (CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866) - $170
Graphics Card : ASUS ENGTX590/3DIS/3GD5 GeForce GTX 590 (Fermi) 3072MB 768-bit GDDR5 - $750
Monitor : SAMSUNG S27A350H ToC Rose Black 27" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor - $400
Storage : Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200rpm - $60
SSD : Corsair Force Series 3 CSSD-F120GB3A-BK 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) - $150
Optical Drive : ASUS Black Blu-ray Burner SATA BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS - OEM - $80
Case : COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case - $180
Power Supply : CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX950 (CMPSU-950TX) 950W ATX12V v2.3/EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - $155
Keyboard and Mouse - $100

Total : $2540 after rebates (newegg)

~$2700 Gaming Desktop

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