Microcenter Gaming Build ~$850. Added Bonus.

[eagleblueline]

Approximate Purchase Date: Upcoming Saturday.

Budget Range: ~$850, no more.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Basic school work, surfing the web and watching streams.

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor, OS.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Microcenter.

Country of Origin: U.S. New Jersey (Sales Tax Applies!)

Parts Preferences: Intel/Nvidia.

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes, by this Christmas.

Monitor Resolution: Using a 19 inch Dynex T.V. so not sure. Could anyone figure that out for me?

Additional Comments: I'd like the build to run games like WoW, Skyrim, Mount and Blade, some RTS's, and possibly games like BF3 on high or max without it sounding like a jet is in the room and with good fps. I'm using an HDMI cable to hook it up to my T.V. to use as a monitor until I get more money to buy one.

Here is the added bonus. My build from Microcenter is below BUT I called up and they often times can pricematch Newegg! So if anyone can build a better Newegg build than this for cheaper please let me know! Remember, I have sales tax even from Newegg! Otherwise let me know how my final build works and if you'd change anything.

Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor- 179.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX Intel Motherboard- 114.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364087

Barracuda 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive ST310005N1A1AS-RK- 59.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0334293

G2 Series 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit- 62.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0355688

ZT-50303-10M GTX 560 Ti Overclocked 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x16 Video Card- 229.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0356003

EarthWatts Green Series 650 Watt ATX 12V Power Supply- 69.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0361175

22x DVD±RW Burner with Dual/Double Layer Support - SH-S223F - OEM- 17.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0293049

Nine Hundred SE ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case- 79.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0340769

 

[eagleblueline]

Anyone?

 

[flyboy86]

Most likely your tv resolution is 1280x720 so the 560Ti will definitely have the power to run anything you want.

 

[eagleblueline]

Well that's good news =D I'll probably upgrade the monitor for Christmas or soon thereafter. I'm pretty sure it will run well at even high resolutions =)

Anyone see anything else to change or a way to save some cash?

 

[aznshinobi]

You could check out my build guide here just for some suggestions. Your build looks very good though for your resolution.
Here's some of my suggestions (Go to the $850 build)
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore

 

[eagleblueline]

Looks very much like my build, so that I'm happy about =D So then you think I should go ahead and get mine then? I may get an SSD for X-mas, and I'm pretty sure I should be able to run games on even higher resolutions =)

 

[eagleblueline]

Could anyone direct me to a decent PSU from Microcenter? Knowing that I may go SLI in the future, would the 650w PSU I have be enough or would I need to go 750w?

 

[flyboy86]

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp
This is the best site I have found to figure out how much watts you will need.

watts recommended was about 550. so

Antec is a good company. This psu has the 4 gpu cables required for sli
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0361181

 

[eagleblueline]

So then wouldn't my 650w PSU do just fine?

Also, that PSU you linked looks great, but it is sold out both online and at the store near me D:

 

[aznshinobi]

With your planning to go with a SLI. Don't go any less that 750. Get the HCG that was recommended. But since it's out of stock. One of these two.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0335913
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0367316

 

[eagleblueline]

@azn

Are those decent PSUs? I've never really seen anyone recommend them, but that may be because they are not on Newegg....that also scares me D:

 

[aznshinobi]

OCZ ZS
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-ZS-Series-650-W-Power-Supply-Review/1361
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=248
OCZ Fatality
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-Fatal1ty-750-W-Power-Supply-Review/1019

 

[infinity526]

also most (if not all, not sure) OCZ psu's are rebranded sea sonics....so that means they are pretty friggin reliable

 

[eagleblueline]

oh good =) Thanks guys!

 

[aznshinobi]

^ False, not a SINGLE one is a Seasonic.

The best units from OCZ are by Great Wall and Sirtec, then there is some by FSP, Impirvio and CWT. The Fatality and ZS specifically the 750w model are both Sirtec.

 

[eagleblueline]

Okayyyy, so then would you still recommend them azn?

 

[Sky03]

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0337656

 

[aznshinobi]

I would still recommend the OCZ ones, the PCP are kinda expensive but valid options. Still made by Sirtec though, so I'd just go with the cheaper OCZs.

 

[Sky03]

Check this microcenter ad. You might find something you can use.

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/d472a0fd#/d472a0fd/2

 

[eagleblueline]

Thanks azn and Sky03! =D

 

[aznshinobi]

GL?

 

[eagleblueline]

Best answer selected by eagleblueline.