LT's "Jack of All Trades" Build
CPU= 2500k :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
$225
MB = ASRock Z68 xtreme4 :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157250
$190
RAM = 4GB(2x2GB) GSkill ripjaws 8-8-8-24 @1333 :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275
$45
GRAPHICS CARD = MSI 6950 TwinFrozr 2GB :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127555
$280 MIR $25
HD = 500GB WD CavBlack SATA 6Gb/s 7200rpm 32MB cache :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136795
$60
CASE = Logisys MidTower ATX :
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CS51WBK&cat=CAS
$35
POWER SUPPLY = CoolerMaster 650W :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171052
$80 MIR $15
COOLING = Stock; The ASrock MB is designed w/ extra holes so you can use 775 HSF
$0
DVD Burner = Pioneer Black 12x BLU-RAY BURNER :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129066
$110
SubTotal = $1025 - $40 MIR = grand total $985 plus S+H
also the case comes with an 'unkown' PSU (I prolly wouldnt trust it, thus adding the CoolerMaster) ..BUT IF (and that's a mighty big IF) the PSU turns out to be decent (in case you didnt see Tom's FANTASTIC Article on PSU OEM's, Designers, Manufacturers etc , I highly reccomend reading it) ..I didnt have time to FULLY research the who is who in PSU, but I chose CoolerMaster cuz I know my 750W has been rock solid for 3.5 years now..soo IF the case psu is ok, that'll save ya another $65-$80 ..
ok..heres the idea ...it does everything, can play a decent game, be a solid HTPC, but also can BURN BLU-RAYs ..did I mention can BURN Blu-Rays? lol for under a grand.
here the 'How?'s and Why?'s short story
CPU= 2500k enough said
MB = ASRock , Toms approved, plus can use 775 HSF, plus THX sound stuff
RAM = GSkill ..8-8-8-24 ..enough said (had to skimp here to squeeze in Blu Ray BURNER)
GRAPHICS = MSI 6950 TwinFroz 2GB ..enough said
HD = WD CavBlack ..would have like to had 64MB cache and TB, but its SATA 6, and big enough ..again had to skimp somewhere for BluRay Burner
CASE = Logisys ..went with this cause its 8" Wide, my LianLi is 8" and I like the lil bit of extra width for cable management and 'fingerability' ..plus it kind of looks cool, though I would get rid of the opening panel thingy, will prolly break off anyway..but price was right ..again I had to skimp somewhere to squeeze in the Blu-Ray
PSU = CoolerMaster ..enough power to Xfire later if ya want to, and solid proven brand
COOLING = Stock (plenty OC on stock for 2500k, OR use ur old 775)
DVD/Blu-Ray Burner = Pioneer Black , great reviews, solid brand name, back in the Day, Pioneer made some great CD/DVD Product that I personally owned anyone remember the old 6 CD changers? or the DVD x16 ? ..both I had personally used daily , and they great ..oh did I mention it BURNS Blu-Rays, lol ..
I skimped on the RAM and went single GPU cause those are the easiest parts to upgrade later on.
ok, so it prolly wont BEST at anything, but will be able to do Everything..hence the build name ..thanks for looking ..lemme know what yall think ..critics welcome as well