First Build- $1300 Gaming Computer

[remix3211]

Hey guys. I'm an incoming college student, going to build my first computer this summer. My budget is somewhere around $1200-$1300. What I'm building is a gaming computer. Here's my current build. I'd love some criticism- as this is my first build, I'm sure I'm overlooking something.

Case: NZXT H2 H2-001-BK Black Steel- $89.99

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W- $119.99

GPU: EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560- $244.99

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard- $139.99

CPU Cooler: XIGMATEK Gaia SD1283- $29.99

CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz- $314.99

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit- $99.99

HDD & DVD Writer: Seagate Barracuda & LiteOn DVD Writer- $52.48

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)- $69.99

If I am correct, then this should come out to $1162.40.

Thanks again!

 

[coleam45]

If this is going to mainly be a gaming rig, you don't need the 2600. The 2500K will be more than enough. You can either keep the savings or spend them on a better graphics card. A 560Ti or even a 570 (or a 6950) are easily within your budget if you drop down to the 2500K. Apart from that, Microsoft does a student deal on Windows 7 Pro. You can get it for $30 or $40 (I can't remember which). I know you can get the upgrade on their website, and I'm pretty sure you can get the full version as well if you call them.

Everything else looks good - just try to hunt down some more combos. If you're willing to flex a bit, you can get some great deals.

 

[genghiskron]

the i5-2500k is the go-to cpu for gaming because it performs similarly to an i7-2600k for $95 less.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662489
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.689147
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049&cm_re=antec_750-_-17-371-049-_-Product

that should be about $165 in savings putting you well towards your second gtx 560 ti. enjoy.

 

[mjmjpfaff]

+1 to genghiskron's changes

you can get the hyper 212 plus for the same price and it is superior to the gaia- http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002G1YPH0/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&qid=1311047487&sr=1-1&condition=new

 

[jackspeed]

@coleam45 the $30 windows 7 is an upgrade cd

 

[coleam45]

@coleam45 the $30 windows 7 is an upgrade cd

I know the offer on the website is for an upgrade, but I know some people who called Microsoft about it instead of just doing the online form and got the full version of Windows 7 Pro mailed to them. This was a while ago though, so they may have changed the policy on that by now.

 

[remix3211]

So... the motherboard is unfortunately out of stock on newegg. I imagine this is a silly question to ask, but do you recommend other vendors? I found it on amazon for about $30 more, as well as some other places, but I don't really know about their reliability.

 

[genghiskron]

itll be back.

 

[coleam45]

Here's another Gigabyte with almost the same features. You lose the RAM combo though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502

A Biostar. Not as good as Gigabyte or Asus, but not bad either: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138320

That's about all Newegg has at a similar pricepoint with similar features for Z68 boards. If you go for a P67, there are more options.

A couple of MSI boards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130582

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130583

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130573

Gigabyte: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128488

Another $20-$30 puts you in another class of motherboards with a few more features.

 

[remix3211]

Thanks guys! I truly appreciate the help: I think I'm going to go ahead and get that other Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3. Again, thanks!

 

[coleam45]

Thanks guys! I truly appreciate the help: I think I'm going to go ahead and get that other Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3. Again, thanks!

Just a quick note on that one: it doesn't allow you to change the VCore settings (CPU voltage), which limits your overclocking options, even with the K-series. If you plan to overclock, I'd get a different board. You'll still be able to play with the multiplier, but that will only get you so far.

 

[shadow1942]

I have to agree with coleam the ASUS pro is a better choice (got great reviews and beat gigabyte in overclocking). However if you don't plan to overclock you could save some cash by getting a non K model i2500 and a H67 board.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131759

 

[genghiskron]

its back, buy it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.689147

 

[patti88]

Just a quick note on that one: it doesn't allow you to change the VCore settings (CPU voltage), which limits your overclocking options, even with the K-series. If you plan to overclock, I'd get a different board. You'll still be able to play with the multiplier, but that will only get you so far.

where do you find that information? where it doesn't allow you to change VCore settings? not that i'm doubting you, i just want to learn more about motherboards.

 

[coleam45]

This one actually didn't say in the description. I read the reviews though, and people complained about not being able to modify the VCore settings. One even called Gigabyte to verify and they confirmed that it wasn't possible to modify the VCore settingswith this board.

 

[shadow1942]

agree with coleam45 the only way to get a clear picture on a board is to read the reviews for it and comparisons to other boards. Obviously you can't get negative information from the manufacture but you can get a clearer picture with a review.