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o193746285

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I've never had a desktop nor built one before so here it goes. I set my budget for this project at $1,500 and I aim at making a gaming desktop for when Battlefield 3 comes out.

This is what I have chosen so far. I already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse available.

CasePower Supply ---------------------------$190
COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225

Power Supply -------------------------------$100
COOLER MASTER GX Series RS750-ACAAE3-US 750W ATX12V v2.31 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171053

Processor ----------------------------------$300
Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115071

MotherBoard --------------------------------$180
MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130574

RAM ----------------------------------------$85
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

Graphics -----------------------------------$180
XFX HD-685X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150505

Hard drive ---------------------------------$90
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

DVD/CD Drive -------------------------------$19
ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Windows 7 ----------------------------------$100

These add up to $1,244. So what improvements and changes should I make? I plan on getting a second 6850 card if needed. And if necessary, would I need to overclock my i7 and graphics to run Crysis?
 
Solution
Why_Me
This is an easy one....btw not bad for your first attempt. :)

First off you have a $200 case, a $330 cpu yet your going with a sub par 6850 gpu. It's all in the "balance" of the build. So first off you want to "balance" your build by going with a cpu that's just as good as the 2600K for gaming, yet saves you $100...that cpu would be the 2500K which is by far the most recommended cpu on here in regards to gaming builds. Down below is a sweet deal on that cpu combo'd with a after market cpu h/s.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.618217 Combo Discount: -$8.00 Combo Price: $250.98
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor...
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Why_Me

Why_Me

Polypheme
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This is an easy one....btw not bad for your first attempt. :)

First off you have a $200 case, a $330 cpu yet your going with a sub par 6850 gpu. It's all in the "balance" of the build. So first off you want to "balance" your build by going with a cpu that's just as good as the 2600K for gaming, yet saves you $100...that cpu would be the 2500K which is by far the most recommended cpu on here in regards to gaming builds. Down below is a sweet deal on that cpu combo'd with a after market cpu h/s.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.618217 Combo Discount: -$8.00 Combo Price: $250.98
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel ...

Save some $$ on that h/d and get a better quality psu out of the deal...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.612776 Combo Discount: -$15.00 Combo Price: $172.98
Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Now with the money you saved...get a better vid card. Gaming is all about FPS...anyone that says different is either lying or doesn't have a clue.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.604221 Combo Discount: -$15.00 Combo Price: $334.98
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
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 ...
 
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o193746285

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Thanks for the advice, after factoring in your parts the total came to $1,247. What else can/should I do with the reminding cash? Is this setup sufficient enough to run Crysis at high (or very high if I'm lucky enough) on a 1980X1200? Would I have to overclock my stuff to stay inside of my budget, if so how should I go about power and cooling? I was never really good at this computer stuff :(
 
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Why_Me

Why_Me

Polypheme
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That's another easy question...yay :) It's automatic...you add another one of those MSI gtx 560's right off the bat...don't wait to add another one later...do it now. You can always go with a Cooler Master 922, Cooler Master Scout, or an Antec 902V3 for a large mid tower with great cooling and save on some money $$.

Also look @ amazon for those cases I just mentioned...a lot of times Amazon will have neweggs prices beat.

To answer your other question...those MSI gtx 560's I linked are already over clocked and they can be clocked even higher if you choose. Same with that 2500K I linked. For now though I don't see where you would have the need to o/c anything in that build...it's pretty powerful as it stands.
 
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o193746285

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So that brings the total to $1,497 :)

If I do get the Haf 922, where would I put the extra 120mm fan from the processor? And based on amazon, it only comes with 2 fans :(

Edit: Never mind I'll go with the Antec so I can use the extra fan on the side, bring the cost down to $1,417. Enough left to buy Battlefield 3 for Christmas :D
 
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Why_Me

Why_Me

Polypheme
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That 2500K I posted was combo's with that CM cpu h/s. Just ditch the stock intel cpu h/s...use it as a paperweight maybe...or trash it. The 922 leaves options to add more fans, go for the side fan...I believe it's a 200mm fan if I'm correct...but for now you shouldn't have to add any extra case fans unless you plan on over clocking your cpu.
 
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CopaMundial

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Some great suggestions there from Why_Me.
Lets try to sum it up.


CPU + Cooler Nice find on combo deal from Why_Me

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
**plus**
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler

$251 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.618217&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Motherboard
MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard (this one is sold out atm, but it's the most likely candidate out of the ones listed on newegg)
$179 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130574

Hard Drive + Power Supply another nice combo from Why_Me

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
**plus**
Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE

$173 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.612776&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=


Video Card + RAM combo deal from Why_Me

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
**plus**
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

$335 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.604221&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Case + OS combo

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
**plus**
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

$195 (after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.590981

Optical Drive

ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

$19 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=


Total $1152

That's combo deal heaven right there.
I would take that system right there and run with it. Keep the rest of the money in your pocket. If you find that you're short FPS on some specific game (which you won't, for a while at least), then head back to NewEgg, get another GTX 560 ti and drop it in there in SLI config.
No changes needed to motherboard, case, or power supply to handle that. You can fit two more fans in that HAF 922, but you wouldn't need it to cover 2 GTX 560's b/c it comes w/ 200mm fan front, 200mm top, and 120mm rear.

Right now that GTX 560 Ti is $249, but by the time you need it I'm sure it will have dropped down some.

Worst case scenario for full deal, even if you go w/ both cards now is $1152 + $249 = $1401. But you could get that second card for less if you wait a few months at least.
I'm betting the one 560ti would be enough to hold you for a while.

Either way, looks like a great build.
 
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Why_Me

Why_Me

Polypheme
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Nice...but don't wait for that card to hopefully "drop down". If your going to SLI that card, do and do it now.
 
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CopaMundial

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Do you already have a nice monitor... need some speakers or headphones?
Or how about a nice mouse? I love the precision aim mode on the RAT 5. Can have high DPI setting for fast movement but when aiming you squeeze a button w/ your thumb and DPI clamps down to a lower setting for more accuracy. Pretty nice, $60.

Sorry, I almost forgot I told you to keep the extra money in your pocket. Nevermind :sol: .
 
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o193746285

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Thanks for the help, you guys are great. I'll probably get both cards at the same time. I already got a good mouse and keyboard and with the extra money I saved I'll probably get a better monitor. I still have my Creative Labs speakers which are perfect for me. Now I just need to learn how to put this together once I get everything.
 
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CopaMundial

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Cool, this is an exciting build.
Don't wait around too much b/c those combo deals will get snapped up and you're saving a good bit when you add them all together.
Make sure you check back in and let us know how everything works out.

In terms of figuring out how to get everything together, the first thing you should do is check out the step by step how to build a PC link in this sticky.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/288241-31-read-posting-buyer-guides-troubleshooting

Read that step by step, then read the troubleshooting guide so you can learn what the common mistakes are (before you make them).

Next would be to download the owners manual for your motherboard so you can familiarize yourself with that before everything arrives.

Best of luck.
 
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