Need help building a i7 machine

[mike937031]

Hello, I am looking to build a i7 machine. I like to play videogames so im looking towards a gaming machine. I already have a 23 inch gateway FHD2303L monitor 1920x1080 and a Antec soho file server tower.

I have a budget of 1000 dollars to get the motherboard,ram,1 video card (I would like the option to add more video cards in future when i can afford more), processor,power supply and a SDD drive if possible. I could go without the SDD drive for cost purposes and use my pre existing hard drives and portable hard drives to start until i can upgrade those.
I will add a blu ray player and another video card at a later date.

 

[Proximon]

Antec soho - I realize it's a well-built case but it just does not cut it for a modern gaming system. If you want to start cutting holes for 120mm fans then perhaps it can be made to work, but really you are better off getting a new case.

There is also little reason to use an i7 for gaming. I know, I own one. With your budget you will be just as happy with an i5 2500K.

■Rosewill FUTURE Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case,come with Four Fans-2x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan,1x Top 120mm Fan,1x Rear ...
■CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power ...
■G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
■ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
■Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
■Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
■SAPPHIRE 100312-3SR Radeon HD 6950 Dirt3 Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video ...
■AMD Gift - Deus Ex game coupon
TOTAL: $952.56 (with shipping)

 

[AdrianPerry]

Antec soho - I realize it's a well-built case but it just does not cut it for a modern gaming system. If you want to start cutting holes for 120mm fans then perhaps it can be made to work, but really you are better off getting a new case.

There is also little reason to use an i7 for gaming. I know, I own one. With your budget you will be just as happy with an i5 2500K.

■Rosewill FUTURE Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case,come with Four Fans-2x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan,1x Top 120mm Fan,1x Rear ...
■CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power ...
■G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
■ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
■Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
■Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
■SAPPHIRE 100312-3SR Radeon HD 6950 Dirt3 Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video ...
■AMD Gift - Deus Ex game coupon
TOTAL: $952.56 (with shipping)

Nice build. Id be tempted to spring for a GTX560Ti though for 1920x1080 gaming. Not to mention the Gigabyte card below for $204 is just simply an AMAZING purchase.

$204 after rebate: Gigabyte GTX560Ti (OC'd to 900MHz factory) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125363
And you get a free copy of the Batman game

 

[Proximon]

At stock clocks the 6950 2GB will normally perform better, but it's probably going to be very, very, close at 900Mhz with that Gigabyte card. Not sure what I would do there honestly.

The power consumption will be the same with either card or set of cards also.

Saving $30 up front might get him into a 60GB SSD though.

 

[AdrianPerry]

At stock clocks the 6950 2GB will normally perform better, but it's probably going to be very, very, close at 900Mhz with that Gigabyte card. Not sure what I would do there honestly.

The power consumption will be the same with either card or set of cards also.

Saving $30 up front might get him into a 60GB SSD though.

Not to mention the Gigabyte card runs very cool and very quiet (I own the same model myself), and 1GHz on the core was easily achieved (temps stay under 85 @ full load).

If he was multi-monitoring id agree on the 6950, but since its only 1920x1080, the 560Ti has to be the best option, the fact its $50 or so cheaper as well is just an added bonus. Id still be suggesting the Ti if they were priced the same.

60GB SSD would be a great performance boost for the overall build as well.