Sub $1000 new build gaming pc advice

[harvard]

Approximate Purchase Date: Mid August (I have a little time to adjust/price watch)


Budget Range: $850-1000 Before Rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (BF3, other fps/rts), web browsing, homework (Programming/Papers, lol this is the least important)

Parts Not Required: KB/Mouse/Monitor/speakers


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg/Amazon/Tigerdirect etc


Country of Origin: America, F*** Yeah!


Parts Preferences: 2500k, 560ti (I know I will get a lot of 6950 suggestions, I guess I am not set on 560ti)


Overclocking: Yes (2500k, duh) / No (Prob not on the GPU, I've had bad luck in the past)


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (Probably not though)


Monitor Resolution: 1440x 900 (5 y/o 19" monitor), or 1920x1080 (50 in Samsung 3d plasma tv)


Additional Comments: eventually may purchase a monitor, but it would probably down the road and most likely still 1080 resolution

I have a system build in mind, but the parts I need most help with will be MB and Power supply options, here is a link to what I have in mind, and feel free to suggest changes... other than processor, but who would recommend anything other than the 2500k?

http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/ar/rij
$956.92 - $60MIR = $896.92 as of 7/20/2011

hopefully that link works, not sure if only I can see it if I log in, if it doesnt, I can repost specs.

Edit: I have built a couple pc's in the past, but I have just been relying on my laptop the last few years with console gaming. The last computer I built had a 8800 gts 320mb gpu and like an amd 3800+ or something like that, so I have been out of the loop for awhile

 

[genghiskron]

here are some slight improvements/cost savings:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.689147
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.662487
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

Cooler Master doesnt make the greatest PSU's

 

[harvard]

awesome, all those look worthwhile, I'm sure when I actually purchase deals will change, so I wasn't looking for combo deals yet. I wasn't sure about PSU, that one looks better, I know 80+ cert is a plus.

as for the mobo, is there a big difference between P67 and Z68? I have seen the P67 boards recommended many times, but as I said, I have a couple of weeks for fine tuning.

Edit: which is better for ram, 1600 C9, or 1333 C7?

 

[genghiskron]

the z68 can have two additional features, other than that they are the same:

quick sync/virtu: allows you to use the i5-2500k's integrated graphics. the onboard graphics have a very fast video encoding capability, but this is only useful for video editors and only works with 2 programs at the moment. there are some other advantages, but for a gamer (and even most video editors) this feature is largely useless. Many z68 boards DONT have this feature, like the one i linked.

ssd caching aka smart response: this allows you to use an SSD as a cache to accelerate your HDD. this feature isnt that great either, but it comes with all z68 boards. the preferred method for using an SSD is to load your OS and programs onto it, and use your HDD as storage.

if you need more info, google it, but i will stress that for most users, there is effectively no difference between p67 and z68 boards.

 

[jackspeed]

do you have a microcenter near by it will save you some cash on the i5. if not go newegg

cpu + mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660241 333 (20 rebate)

psu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049 95 (25 rebate)

ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311 63

hdd http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145520&Tpk=hitachi%201.5tb 65

gpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565 245 (20 rebate)

case http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZM7YTA/?tag=pcpapi-20 47

dvd drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136216 19

OS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Software%20-%20Operating%20Systems-_-Microsoft-_-32116986&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID= 100

Total 967 before rebates and cpu cooler after rebates 902

edit this gpu saves 20ish http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604

 

[nd_hunter]

awesome, all those look worthwhile, I'm sure when I actually purchase deals will change, so I wasn't looking for combo deals yet. I wasn't sure about PSU, that one looks better, I know 80+ cert is a plus.

as for the mobo, is there a big difference between P67 and Z68? I have seen the P67 boards recommended many times, but as I said, I have a couple of weeks for fine tuning.

Edit: which is better for ram, 1600 C9, or 1333 C7?

genghis gave good and accurate info on P67 vs. Z68.

As far as the RAM is concerned, I will tell you my story...I bought 1.65v 1600 9-9-9-24 C9 Corsair XMS3 memory to go with my ASUS P67 board before I knew that they had compatibility issues. Luckily, mine worked fine. After a month or so I decided to adjust the timings and have it running stable at 1333MHz, 7-7-7-21 C7 with the same voltage. My Windows Experience Index actually scored the new settings higher (only a 0.1 change, but still...). I notice no difference in day-to-day usage. My suggestion is go with something cheap (but quality) that's 1.5v (recommended voltage by Intel for SB builds). G.Skill, Mushkin, and Corsair are my top picks.

 

[harvard]

whoops, forgot dvd drive, but thats a measly $19 ish.. thanks for all the replies I will keep them in consideration.

As for cpu cooler, any recommendations/comments on the one I selected?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118093

I want a relatively cheap one that will do well with overclocking the 2500k to about 4gz ish

 

[nd_hunter]

whoops, forgot dvd drive, but thats a measly $19 ish.. thanks for all the replies I will keep them in consideration.

As for cpu cooler, any recommendations/comments on the one I selected?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118093

I want a relatively cheap one that will do well with overclocking the 2500k to about 4gz ish

Stock Intel cooling will get you to 4ish.

EDIT: Different factors come into play....ambient temp, quality of the cpu, etc. But generally speaking, the included cooler is good for 4GHz.

 

[harvard]

Well I may eventually do more than 4, but I probably wont push it unless I feel I need to up it. I dont trust stock cpu coolers, so I will probably get a different one anyway

 

[nd_hunter]

I completely understand....

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311184554&sr=8-1 <-- CM Hyper 212+ $30 w/ free shipping...better and cheaper than that Zalman.

 

[Zero_]

Check the stuff in my siggy. Maybe you'll find something interesting.