Gaming System - 2000 $

[sumguy]

Hello guys and gals,

I don't know if chose a bad time to build a PC, but i find myself unable to find a configuration that won't bottleneck due to the CPU.

I will purchase the system the next month (5 weeks starting now), so things might change a bit by then.
I thought about almost every CPU-motherboard-GPU (SLI/CF) combination and i couldn't really make up my mind. I know i can have great results with only 1 GPU that isn't even high end, or with 2 medium ones, but i'm really aiming high since i don't really do upgrades, i periodically change the system every 2 years or so.

I won't be bothering you guys with all the details (at first ;p), so i'll just mention a few things i pretty much made up my mind for and matter for the final config:


-DDR3 1600 Mhz (6 GB) ~200$
-24" LCD ~ 400$
-2 WD AAKS HDDs (640 gb) in RAID0 ~150$
-Probably Zalman 9900 (if compatible) ~ 100$
-Corsair 750W ~ 150$
-Antec Nine Hundred ~ 150$

This is just an approximation, and could be changed, but it's an easier decision.

So, motherboard-CPU-GPU remaining for ~ 850$ (in extreme cases, that really make the difference, i could add another 300$).
Please note that this system will be mainly used to play a Crytek engine game, which proved (to me, at least) to work better on nVidia video cards.

So, a good motherboard, CPU that gets the best of a kick-ass GPU, and the GPU itself.

P.S.: I am also willing to OC, although i'd really rather do it a bit later.

Thanks in advance.

 

[drunknmunkys]

What resolution do you play at? Also, the prices you have listed are very high compared to what they are.

6GB DDR3 ~100$
Antec 900 ~100$
Corsair 750W ~100$ /w MIR (routinely in combo with the Antec 900 for 20-30$ less)
Zalman 9900 ~78$

at that price range you're looking at an i7 system.

 

[sumguy]

I'll be aiming for as much as a 24" can do. So 1680-1920 i guess.
The prices are indeed high, poor countries have high prices, it's the new trend
I guess you were thinking OCZ DDR3, couldn't really find it here so i had to go with Corsair.

I'll post links for every component and make it easier, i don't know why i didn't before.

Will be edited.

 

[hunter315]

As 24" LCDs tend to run at ~1920x1200 you will need a strong GPU, as for the CPU at your budget you definitely want to look at an i7

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

And for a motherboard
EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

For a GPU you probably want to look into a dual card setup or a GTX295

 

[sumguy]

Hoping i'll be able to find all the components, here goes the list:

1. OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381
(can't find it here, yet)

2. SAMSUNG TOC T240 Rose Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 20000:1(1000:1)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001275
(400$ here at the moment)

3. 2x Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM (RAID0)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136283
(200$ here)

4. Zalman 9900 LED
(90$ )

5. Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058
(170$)

6. CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
(180$)



@hunter:
-i7 920 stock won't bottleneck a gtx295?
-2 x GTX260 or single GTX 295?
-can i SLI 2 gtx295 later on? (given that it is 2xgtx260), and if it is possible, how much i need to OC the CPU for decent performance?

-GTX295 - 600$
-EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI 0 400$
-i7 920 - 400$

That's about 2550$.

 

[drunknmunkys]

Where are you and where will you be buying you parts? Online or local? Can you give us a website?

 

[hunter315]

you are paying way to much for your parts where ever you are, in the US a GTX 295 is only $530, an i7 920 is only $280, and the motherboard is only $295 not the 600 400 and 400 you listed. Even the PSU and case you linked to are priced wrong, the PSU is 120 and the case is also 120 not the 170 and 160 you put below their link.

 

[sumguy]

Well, it's Romania, so i doubt the website(s) will help you. I wasn't taking into consideration buying them online, I'll use that as a last resort.

If the configuration is a bit less than 2000$ newegg.com prices, I should be able to cover the difference.

Hunter, i know, i stated that above. Ordering online takes way too much time and I don't even want to think about DOA or any other problems that might occur.

 

[hunter315]

Well that combination of parts will work, but as prices do vary you may want to look into a lower level GPU, maybe a single GTX285 as that will be significantly cheaper for you and will still perform respectably.