Gaming $1500-1600 rig, need advice on parts

marmo · May 14, 2009

Hey all!

This will be my first upgrade in 5 years, so it’s quite a big one. I would like your advice on some of the new hardware and what types of purchases I should make to get the best bang for my buck. I have been reading these forums nonstop for the past couple of days and still cant come to a conclusion, so I figured I would just ask all of you! I didn’t want to break this into a bunch of smaller posts so I figured this would be the best forums to do it on. Thanks for your input.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP

BUDGET RANGE: $1500-1600

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming - 90% of it is WoW, the other 10% is FPS aka crysis, L4D, and RtS   
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: the only things I WILL be keeping from the old computer are speakers, keyboard and mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I don’t want to go through the hastle of building myself so I was thinking ibuypower or dell outlet.

PARTS PREFERENCES:   

Should I splurge on a new i7 920, or stick with quad core or a phenom?

If I do go with the i7 920 I would probably have to give up crossfire or SLI to keep it within budget. Is a second video card really worth it in the first place for what I am going to be doing?

If I get only one card, would you recommend the 4870 or the GTX 275/285?

And last, the power supply, I have been reading that a good quality 750 watt is good enough to support everything including an SLI or Crossfire setup, is this what you would suggest?

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe - As far as a cooling, would a standard case system and fan work ?

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe   

MONITOR RESOLUTION: This would also have to be included in my budget but I have also been thinking of upgrading my monitor for some time, preferably something I can play 1920x1080. Currently using Samsung syncmaster 192mp (http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/samsung192mp/). Thoughts?

jay2tall · May 14, 2009

^
Ummmm so why are you posting on the New System Build forum if you are planning to buy a boxed computer?

Just curious. Everyone in this forum is going to tell you to build it yourself. Fair warning. And they will all make fun of Dell for the price range you are looking at.

fullmetall · May 14, 2009

You can build a nice i7 and single card(gtx 285) and a 24" monitor no problem.

The sites, Ibuypower or dell, you in the u.s.a? cause if you are, havn you not heard of newegg?

fullmetall · May 14, 2009

+1, if you are going to get an i7, it's best to build it your self, for the price we give you and parts, it will be atleast 500$ + anywhere on a prebuild then your looking at getting a monitor which will be around $800+ on a prebuild.

build your own build please.

Meaning, we will hit $1600 on your build, the Prebuild will be $500+ or $800+ higher than what we give you.

jay2tall · May 14, 2009

^
See told you.

marmo · May 14, 2009

Ummmm so why are you posting on the New System Build forum if you are planning to buy a boxed computer?

I was curious as to what you guys thought I should use parts wise. There were no forums for posting about a boxed comp =0

The sites, Ibuypower or dell, you in the u.s.a? cause if you are, havn you not heard of newegg?

I have heard of it and been to it many times, the thing is, I don't feel comfortable building my own from ground up. Its still an option though, and lets say I did order everything off of newegg, can I get some advice on the parts i listed above?

jay2tall · May 14, 2009

$1500-$1600 = i7 all the way

Just go to Newegg.com and start piecing stuff together, at least what you know. Post it on here with links and we can go from there. We just like something to start with. You tend to get more help if you already have a starting point that we can pick apart. And trust me we will, everyone has a different opinion, so you end up making the choice.

+it easy to build a computer anymore these days. The hardest part is installing the OS, and Vista is EASY.

marmo · May 14, 2009

Hrmm ok, ill do that and edit this in a couple hours, thanks!

fullmetall · May 14, 2009

I'll give some things to look at for all parts

Motherboard: EVGA x58/Asus p6t/Asus P6t Deluxe v2/Gigabyte ud3p x58

CPU: i7 920

GPU: gtx 285/4870x2(power hungry)/gtx 275/4890(possible Dual cards)

Memory: tight timing: CL 7-7-7-24/ CL 8-8-8-21(is alright, tighter the better the performance, looser, more stability).
G.Skills/ OCZ/Corsair/mushkin.
DDR3 1600 (12800)

HDD: Western Digital Black(fastest out of WD's)/ Some Seagates are fine.

WD Black 640gb/WD Black 1Tb.

Case: Best mid Towers: RC-690/ Antec 900(902)/ Coolermaster Storm Sniper.
Best Full Towers: Cosmos 1000/Antec 1200/Coolermaster Haf 932.

PSU: for 1 single card, 750tx/pc power cooling 750w/ 2 cards 850tx or 1000hx corsair.

Should look at the i7 920 combo with its asus p6t motherboards aswell to lower prices.

optical drives you should look into yourself for your liking, Coolers, theres plenty of good coolers out there.
For instance: s1283v/Coolermaster V8/Truecooler/ blah blah and on and on.

The BenQ 24" seems to catch my eye for the monitor.

marmo · May 14, 2009

Thank you Fullmetall, putting one together right now and surprisingly i have the same specs as what you listed so far. Its getting kinda pricy though, might have to go a bit over my mark =/

fullmetall · May 14, 2009

It should be in the $1300 for what i've put together, the a monitor around $200 will be fine.

jay2tall · May 14, 2009

^
Just put it together and we will trim the fat for you.

fullmetall · May 14, 2009

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?Source=MSWD&WishListNumber=7778054

fullmetall · May 14, 2009

oops, the lg 22x shows 2 qty, suppose to be 1

haasen · May 14, 2009

Almost my exact build, except I went with the EVGA GTX 275 instead of the 4890. I'll let you know how it comes together in a week or so!

jay2tall · May 14, 2009

I'd change a few things:

Memory: The OCZ is good but I've read some people have to play with the timing since it's so low. I'd get this G.Skill, which is really good, and you won't have that issue.: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247

Thermal goop: I'd use the Ceramique, for the simple fact you don't have to reapply every year like the silver. It's thicker and stays put: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100009

PSU: the 850 is TOTAL overkill even if he wants a 2nd 4890. I'd choost the 750 for a little savings but yet still upgradable: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 OR the PC P&C 750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011 (they also have a black and blue, but for some reason the red is cheaper. I have this PSU and it is awesome and quiet)

Video: DUDE, Get the Sapphire, it has a $20 coupon code till 5/19 and a $20 MIR making it $205. WHAT A DEAL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830

Motherboard: The ASUS P6T will be fine for your needs, I have it and OC to 4GHZ. THe PCI-E are layed out nicer to. The Deluxe is nice, but you can save $30 if you go non-deluxe: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359

Cases: That case is nice... but im just throwing 2 I like out there, they both have all black internatls, which looks sweet. The case is ALL preference
Thermaltake Elements: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133077
Antec 902: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058

fullmetall · May 14, 2009

Adding the Sceptre 24" for $249.99 puts a total cost of $1577.

So you could probably look for something else that is around $250-$270 to keep it under the budget.

marmo · May 14, 2009

I dont know how you got 1300, i am a little over 1600 with current build (not including monitor). Here are the parts:

Case:
Antec 1200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

Power Supply:
Corsair CMPSU - 850TX
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view

Cooling System (is it really necessary?)
Coolermaster V8
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103055

Motherboard and processor combo (25 dollars off):
Asus P6T deluxe v2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 mobo
Intel Core i7 920 nehalem 2.66
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190227

Ram:
Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600 - 6GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222

Video Card (this is where im wondering if i should trim some fat):
x2 Sapphire Radeon 4870 1gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

HD:
Western Digital 500 GB 7200RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

CD/DVD:
LG cd/dvd combo RW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

OS(is this the right windows to buy?):
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

With all this it puts me at 1604. Where would be the best places to get rid of things without seeing too much of a performance loss with the games i mentioned above (wow, L4D, crysis)

marmo · May 14, 2009

dang you guys are fast =o thanks!

Going to use what you two posted and just stick with 1 video card for now.

Now ill spend the next few days learning how to stick the comp together.

fullmetall · May 14, 2009

It must be showing a Qty of 2 or 3 on some stuff then because im at $1577 with a monitor.

Should do the changed Jay posted and you will probably be able to get a nice BenQ 24"

BTW, get the windows 7 version thats free untill March 2010.

jay2tall · May 14, 2009

^
- The 850W PSU is overkill, stick with a 750W PSU, it is enough for your system and 2 good cards

- the ANTEC 1200 is expensive and BIG, do you need it? (fat trimming, but get what you want the case is WHAT you do see)

- I wouldn't get the 4870 since you can get the Sapphire 4890 for $205 after coupon and MIR. I'd start with 1 for now. Trust me,at 1920x1200 it will be great. You can always add a 2nd down the road when needed and they will be cheaper. (trim the fat and get a single better card)

- Cooler, unless you plan to Overclock your CPU you can stick with the stock cooler that comes with the i7.

jay2tall · May 14, 2009

Also: Asus 24" 1920x1200 w/ webcam AWESOME monitor, my buddy has the 26" version

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020+1309821328+50001315&Configurator=&Subcategory=20&description=&Ntk=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

fullmetall · May 14, 2009

With these changes, it should do you a good $1550

marmo · May 14, 2009

Here is the final list:

http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view
with the promo it drops it down to 1450!

Thanks so much again! looks solid, tried to build the same thing on both dell and ibuypower and they were an extra 250+ each

I am going to keep the cooler ive decided. I have a very lazy summer so over the next few days while the parts come in i am going to read up on overclocking, hopefully its worth it. One other thing, how do i get windows 7 beta without windows lol =(.

fullmetall · May 14, 2009

Gaming $1500-1600 rig, need advice on parts

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