New Gaming Rig for college

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kvndai

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Dec 16, 2008
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Hey guys, I know I posted a build help before, but now my situation has changed a little bit. I am still trying to build a gaming rig preferably less than 2000 dollars but I will need to be able to dissect the parts after this semester of college and fly it on an airplane.

So basically I am building a computer for 1 semester and then taking it back home (flying it).

That's why I am looking for a cheap case where I toss away when I move back.

What I have so far:

CASE: Antec 300
CPU: i5 720
MOBO: EVGA P55 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-055-_-Product
HDD: Samsung F3 Spinpoint 1TB
RAM: GSKILL RipJaw 4GB 1600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
COOLING: Corsair H50 (I will be actual water cooling when I move back)
PSU: Corsair 750W
GPU: HIS HD 5870 ($30 off right now with coupon form fatwallet) I might get XFX if its REALLY worth it
OPTICAL: SONY dvd burner 24x
Monitor: Dell S2409W 24-inch
Keyboard: K300
Mouse: (I have g5)

Total after shipping = $1550

Is there anyway I can cut some costs without losing the gaming power? Thanks for all the suggestions.=]
 
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XFX 5870 (Double lifetime warranty, Way better RMA and support): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4150443&cm_re=xfx_5870-_-14-150-443-_-Product

F3 Spinpoint (500gb or 1T) (Fastest Mech drives on the market): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...PA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=f3+spinpoint
Western Digital (640GB) (sold out): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...n_digital_caviar_black-_-22-136-319-_-Product
Western Digital blue 640GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218&Tpk=WD6400AAKS

I have this monitor and its awesome (just a suggestion): http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-7345

Also if you want a true gaming Monitor (IPS) it does cost a bit more then the Rose 315 shipped. will blow away that monitor: http://www.provantage.com/nec-display-solutions-ea231wmi-bk~7NECL0CN.htm
 
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IPS is not the only option, and I wouldn't define it as "a true gaming monitor", unless of course you consider market trailing input latency and the highest cost per pixel available "a true gaming monitor" :rolleyes:

the XFX card is a better choice than the HIS, but both are good choices
why are you dropping from 750GB to 640GB? the 750 is fine

your build looks decent, if you want a lot more critiques, put this in genhard
 
Is it true that the F3 spinpoint are faster than the new Seagate 500GB ST3500418AS or WD 500GB Black?
 
The 640GB costs the exact same amount as the 750GB thats why i picked it, but ill take a look at the spinpoint too.

And as for the shipping id rather not ship a case its gonna run me 100 bucks at the least which is enough for a new case.

As for the monitor, I definately want to buy a 24 inch. I used a 22 inch for a while 1650 just wasnt doing it for me :p

i guess i wrote down 2000 dollars in my mind but i think what i meant was save as much as possible haha 1.7 still is a little hefty for me kinda sorta i dont know..
 
Great system, will make for a good gaming PC

Another vote in for XFX, they are worth the extra $ but right now all brands seem really equal in price.

The H50 cooler is AMAZING and you can be the judge but I don't see the point in spending hundreds on a "real" water cooling system... Have my 920 @ 4.15 and rock solid.
 
I just picked up an xfx 5870 for around 360 after cash back.

I haven't had experience with them before but I will tell you that I called to ask a random question about the warranty and what I could do to the card before it voided the warranty. The guy was super cool even after my face hung up on him, totally worth it already.
 
THing is fatwallet right now has a coupon for the HIS for 30 dollars less
 
the only reason i said the spinpoint is because i replaced my 500GB F3 spinpoint with a 750GB western digital black and i can tell you the F3 smokes it. While my F3 did Die in a week it was way Quieter and faster then the 750GB Western. My western is nice but its louder then the F3 wich is kind of annoying.

I chose the IPS because if you going to spend nearly 300 bucks on a TN panel might as well jump to the NEC IPS for far better quality. didnt mean to step on anyones feet here.
 
The Western Digital Black is the loudest drive on the market next to the VelociRaptor. However, that stills makes it the loudest 7200rpm drive on the market. I just returned mine two days ago. I didn't feel the performance was worth the noise.
 
If I were you, I'd tone down a tad and pick up a netbook/laptop to use as a second pc. It will be really useful for when you need to do a lot of schoolwork and you'd like to go to a library or something. It's nice to have that portability when you need it. With the cost of netbooks, you should be able to fit one in...
 
budafied said:
If I were you, I'd tone down a tad and pick up a netbook/laptop to use as a second pc. It will be really useful for when you need to do a lot of schoolwork and you'd like to go to a library or something. It's nice to have that portability when you need it. With the cost of netbooks, you should be able to fit one in...
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I do currently have a netbook. I have the HP mini
 
well im not sure where you would be shiping the case from but it should not cost $100, i have shipped whole computers for ~$30
 
kvndai said:
I just realized that the Antec 300 cant handle a 5870.

Some one suggested http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115

Not sure if that can too

Edit:

I just realized I only need 4gb for ram when I drop down to i5. Now the price is 1500 totally worth it. Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

i do not like my antec 300 case at all. cable managment is horrible, the case side panel tends to vibrate every now and then so i had to make a fix for it. i dont recommend the case but that just me. i most likely will be going with a haf 932
 
4LC4PON3 said:
i do not like my antec 300 case at all. cable managment is horrible, the case side panel tends to vibrate every now and then so i had to make a fix for it. i dont recommend the case but that just me. i most likely will be going with a haf 932
Click to expand...

I am in the opposite boat as you...I love my son's Antec 300...cable management was a dream, and I wish more cases were like it in that respect. I haven't had the vibrating issues either, but I have rubber grommets on the HD's and in all of the fans.

Also, according to these guys the 5870 fits in the 300 just fine. My son's 4890 fits just fine with room to spare, so it should.

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Here's a link to the rest of the pictures if you want to see what it looks like with everything setup.
 
Here are some pics of my HAF 932 with a GTX 260 in it. It is such an awesome case, hope these pics help you make your buying decision.

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