Around $1000 Gaming PC

[alltheicons]

I am new to building a computer. In fact this will be my first, so i am trying to get as many opinions as i can before i start buying. I would like to make it possible to upgrades. And pobibaly looking to build it in the next few months. I put this together on newegg and was wondering of any flaws or tips. It comes out to $1095 with combo deals and $50 in rebates + free flash drive. It includes a windows 7 ultimate install disc( do i need this? does it ever come preinstalled?)
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=20770107

Please let me know what you think. Would that be enough power for upgading to 2 video cards? Would the rest of the pc support 2 video cards? Am I going to need a cpu fan? Should I go with a different case? Maybe one with better cooling? Really just looking for suggestions. Thanks : )

 

[wenqi]

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500k @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product
GPU: GTX 570 @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133370
MOBO: Gigabyte Z68X @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128500
PSU: Corsair TX-850 @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139022
CASE: Raidmax Quantum @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811156241
RAM: Kingston Hyper X Blue 8gb 1600mhz kit @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820104173
DVD: Sony DVD @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827118039
HDD: samsung Spinpoint F3 @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185

Total: about $1005 before P/A and rebates

have a look at this thread, i think he is in the same position as you @ http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/315525-31-gaming-build

BTW since you are building this computer, i assume you won't mind if the parts change completely and i can't see your build because i need to log in (i don't have newegg and i am assuming i can only see your wishlist with your account)

 

[alltheicons]

Sorry, here's everything in it:

case: COOLER MASTER Storm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196

motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128500

video card: MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565

power supply: COOLER MASTER GX Series RS750-ACAAE3-US 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171053

cpu: Intel Core i5-2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

ssd: Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

hard drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

optical: LITE-ON DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

+operating system: wind: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116997

Total: $1141.41(psu+case combo)(motherboard+ssd)(video card+cpu)(hard drive+os)
$1091(with $50 rebate)

 

[alltheicons]

alright i guess i've posted too soon. already changed it. windows 7 ultimate is useless apparently. so i got rid of some combos. sitting at $1140.90 now. downgraded to home premium and added a 850w psu, for possible sli(does this mean duel video cards? because that's what i meant). subbed out the 1tb hdd for a 1.5hdd for another $5 in combo with a asus dvd burner.

but mainly i am adding this becuase i wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions for cases? i'm looking at a bunch and its all over the board. some have a lot of fans, some have air ducts, some with extra usb's. I wanna know the best bang for the buck for under $100 for this kind of build

 

[wenqi]

sorry IDK much about cases, IMO just go for the one YOU like best (looks). SLI is nvidia's term for dual cards, Radeon call it Crossfire, what PSU are you using? cheap PSUs won't give you the power you need, go for a antec Tp-750 (750w should be enough) or a Corsair TX-850 (850w, what you said you wanted). both are non-modular (meaning you can't take out the extra wires). windows 7 ultimate is nice, but pricey, i've got it because i managed to get it from my university for $30 direct from microsoft. also, what HDD are you using, because some will be faster than others, and if you want a cheap and fast HDD, than look for a samsung spinpoint F3.

 

[alltheicons]

HDD: Seagate Barracuda Green ST1500DL003 1.5TB 5900 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148725

PSU: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=17-139-009&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=4&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

Were the hdd, and psu I was looking at. I think the psu is the same 850w you're talking about...? The samsung spinpoint 1tb was the hdd i had planned before, but i saw this was a 1.5t for $5 more. Know anything about the seagate brand? worth it at all? Or should i just stick with the samsung i can trust

 

[wenqi]

i think you should stick with the Samsung, although there is nothing wrong with the seagate, the samsung is MUCH faster, the samsung can keep up with WD's top line of HDD (WD caviar Black) and is about half the price. the seagate you are looking at will conserve power (5400rpm compared to the samsung's 7200rpm) but it will cost you a bit of speed. the PSU is last year's model of the one i was talking about, here is this years model http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139022 they are the same price so i think you should go for this years model (it also has a stunning review from Jonnyguru)

 

[alltheicons]

sounds like a plan. thanks

 

[alltheicons]

Ok, so this is what I'm in between now:

CPU: Intel i5 processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
difference between 2500 and 2500k?

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128500
no questions on motherboard, but open to suggestions for this build

PSU: Corsair 850w
TX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139022
or
AX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139015&cm_re=850w_gold-_-17-139-015-_-Product
is it worth the extra $45 for gold certified? is it necessary?

Video Card: 560 ti(fermi) 1gb MSI's twin frozr
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127594&cm_re=msi_twin_frozr_ii_560gtx_ti-_-14-127-594-_-Product
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565
was told one is clocked higher. I don't want to have to overclock the pc for as long as possible. Which do I want?

Memory: G.skillz Ripjaws X 8gb(2x4gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
hear nothing but good news about ripjaws, also hear patriot is good too. Open to suggestions

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185
seems to be the best and most trustworthy bang for the buck

Optical: ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
cheap. anything else i need to factor in here?

Eventually I plan on adding a ssd and a water cooler for the cpu
SSD: Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441
don't know much about ssd, besides to be limited with them. open to suggestions. good company?

Water Cooler: CORSAIR CWCH50-1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010
corsair : )

Idly for a case I've been eyeballing this new Corsair Carbide 400r.
but as of now I like COOLMASTER 690 II Advanced, or Lancool PC-K62
pretty much looking for a nice $100 case.

Would appretiate any assistance here, suggestions or tips needed. Thanks.

it seems the more i look into this the pricier i keep making this for myself
@$1000(with case) & $1095(with Windows) & $1292(with SSD & Water Cooling)

 

[wenqi]

get the msi twin frozr if you can, i hear that that can match the GTX 570 (@ stock speeds) i can't have a look at the other one because the links don't seem to work for me. the AX-850 is modular so if you can afford it, go for it, but also bear in mind that there are rebranded PSUs that will come out cheaper for the same performance, IMO only get rebranded if you are on a tight budget because the larger companies generally have better support. IMO don't bother with liquid cooling, the i5-2500k can get to 5ghz on a Hyper 212+ (or so i am told). you pay $10 more for the "k" one because it is unlocked, which means you can OC. i5-2500 won't OC (well, only a little bit). here is a cheaper DVD for the same performance @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289 BTW, are you a student? you can get discounts for windows if you are a student, and some workplaces also sell windows to employees direct from microsoft. IMO, go for the case you like the best, at the same price range, they are all about the same.

 

[Why_Me]

This build allows you to add another one of those factory over clocked gtx 560 ti's later on for SLI.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Enforcer-Interior-SGC-1000-KWN1/dp/B004WK3KKQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1309650281&sr=1-6 $79.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Storm Enforcer USB 3.0 Mid Tower ATX Case with Window and Black Interior (SGC-1000-KWN1)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049 $94.99 - $69.99 after mail-in rebate FREE SHIPPING
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.689147 $174.98 save: $35.00
GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662487 $454.98 $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $434.98 FREE SHIPPING
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $29.51 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-3-5-Inch-Internal-HD103SJ/dp/B002MQC0P8/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1309660529&sr=1-1 $54.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Samsung Desktop Class Spinpoint F3 1 TB SATA 3.0 Gb-s 32 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare-OEM Drives, HD103SJ

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039 $18.99 FREE SHIPPING
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 $94.99 FREE SHIPPING $15 off w/ promo code EMCKCJE83, ends 7/17
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM

Total: $1,004.42 *not including shipping, mail in rebates, and promo codes


Here's an additional case fan for the top of that case.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Computer-Cooling-R4-LUS-07AR-GP/dp/B002LE8BJA/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_b $14.31 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Cooler Master Computer Case Cooling R4-LUS-07AR-GP 200mm Red LED Case Fan

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=19&product_id=3038 <----- CM Storm Enforcer w/pics, specs, and professional reviews

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/01/27/msi-geforce-gtx-560-ti-1gb-review/1 <------ MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC Review / Benchmarks

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3852#ov <----- GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3

 

[alltheicons]

yea, newegg has mostly free shipping. And as for combo's i'm not buying it all yet so its all gonna change, but i have them bookmarked for now.

 

[alltheicons]

links fixed. but anyways heres the 2 video cards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=msi+twin+frozr+ii+560gtx+ti&x=0&y=0
they are both gtx560 ti fermi msi twin frozr. i just don't know the difference besides price. one is OC but i'm still not sure what would be better for me if i want it to not have to oc the pc and run fine with 1 video card, but still capible for SLI or future oc

 

[wenqi]

the more expensive one has a higher clock speed (OC edition) go for that one since it is only $10 difference (which IMO is great deal) that OC edition is (if i remember correctly) meant to give the GTX 570 a run for its money. since it is factory OCed then it probably has a better cooling system.