Want to a build a ~$900 gaming machine

[mwbritt75]

Hello, I'm a about to start building my first PC. I feel like I've done a fair amount of research but I know I'm still very a much a noob.

Approximate Purchase Date: this week

Budget Range: $800-$900. I'd rather not deal with too many mail-in rebates.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming>internet>office

Parts Not Required: monitor and mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg

Country: U.S.

Parts Preferences: list of selected parts to follow

Overclocking: Not in the near future

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

I'd like some advice about component compatibility and/or better components at similar pricing.

My current selections:
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

NZXT Crafted Series Tempest 410 Elite Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146080

CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 (CMPSU-650HX) 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply (This is probably overkill but i haven't been able to find any good suggestions on selecting a PSU)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[kelthic]

I would consider upgrading your GPU to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

Changing your PSU to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Upgrading your RAM to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233196

Adding http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

With the other parts you listed, that would come to $866.91

If you want a little bit more GPU and are willing to go a little over budget, get
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102986 over the 6850 or 6870. both of these are the same price. and bring your total to $936.91

 

[mwbritt75]

Much appreciated. I'll be spending my spring break building my first PC. But now that I've pulled the trigger I'm very nervous that I'm in over my head.

 

[kelthic]

you already bought these things?

 

[photonboy]

If you haven't bought yet, then I basically agree with Kelthic.

CASE: ANTEC ONE
This case supports front USB3, has two fans, and a cable hiding system.
*FYI, I recommend you get a motherboard with USB3 FRONT CONNECTORS and a case that supports USB3 Front. Eventually thumb drives are going to get really fast. USB3 supports up to 600MB/second. USB2 supports 60MB/second. Once they use SSD technology we'll see USB3 thumb drives over 500MBytes/second (less than two years).

NCIX might be your best option. You need to add up all the parts/tax/shipping. Look around for sales. I've seen the HD6870 for $150. The HD7000 series isn't necessarily a very good value.

Don't forget about Windows, make sure it's 64-bit:
Windows 7 Premium 64-bit OEM