build advice? case, psu, etc.

[berninicaco3]

My roomate has asked me to build a gaming computer for him. He has a total budget of $1000.

Now, I recently (and likely unnecessarily) upgraded my own computer. So I can contribute:
ATX format motherboard
i7 920 cpu
12gb ram
120gb ssd
1tb disk drive

all for $260, which i think is fair (high end mobo).

That leaves him $740 for:

graphics!
case
psu
network card
cpu water cooler? May try overclocking a little with a friend's help.
dvd drive
...have i overlooked anything?

Mostly look for tips on the case and psu. Regarding psu's, I don't know the differences: what makes a quality one? Definitely need stable voltage. Care less about amazing efficiency, if it costs a lot more to get it.
And trying to save as much money as possible towards the graphics card. Thinking 7950?

thanks for the advice!
-Bernard

 

[Dangman]

Please answer the stickied "Answer these questions first!" So that we can help you better.

Also which SSD will you be giving him?

 

[tiraides]

And which specific parts are you giving him?

 

[berninicaco3]

I thought I covered the important bits, but I'll re-cover them again.

1) used for gaming.
2) $750. flexible.
3) US. Can get to a microcenter if necessary.. but mostly will order online.
4) case, psu, graphics card, network card, water cooler?, and dvd drive. Will need all connectors too (but should come with psu, right?), and fans (but should come with the case?)
5) have an ATX form factor evga motherboard, i7 920 cpu, samsung 128gb ssd, and 1tb caviar black 3.5" disk drive that I'll be reusing. And 12gb ram.
6) I'd like to try-- to about 3.5ghz if possible. Stability is more important than every last bit of speed, and it's just a gaming computer after all. I want to sink most of my money into graphics.
7) 1080p monitor. Won't be linking 2 monitors or anything. Getting just 1 graphics card, not 2 in crossfire.
8) imminent purchase-- but can delay a month if beneficial.
9) motherboard already owned
10) I do have windows 7 64 bit professional already.

 

[bigted]

hey bernard,

newegg has a special going on with this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352020

$30 bucks off, pretty good deal.

as far as graphics, is your friend partial to nvidia or amd? will physx be needed/desired?

 

[berninicaco3]

thanks! Looks like a good case-- shall go ahead with it.

hmm. You tell me? I've always had AMD, and reviews remain good for the 7xxx series.
But I've no real reason to be. I have had AMD more due to circumstance (found on craigslist for a good price; or came with a computer game promotional that appealed) than objective, studied dedication.

Also, sorry for my ignorance, but which games need physx? If many of the contemporary (and future!) games require it, then, yes. I suspect my friend will be playing crysis, bf3, etc.-- he likes that sort of game. Also league of legends, but you don't need a good computer to play that.

 

[bigted]

here is a list of games that use physx: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_games_with_hardware-accelerated_PhysX_support

most notable currently is Borderlands 2, which makes pretty good use of it.

AMD does have pretty good bang/buck, especially the Tahiti LE 7870's (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131484&Tpk=7870 tahiti&IsVirtualParent=1) these have a reputation of overclocking very well and performing like a 7950. are you planning on overclocking the video card as well?s

 

[Dangman]

I thought I covered the important bits, but I'll re-cover them again.

Nope, your OP didn't give us info that questions 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10 would have provided.

hmm. You tell me? I've always had AMD, and reviews remain good for the 7xxx series.
But I've no real reason to be. I have had AMD more due to circumstance (found on craigslist for a good price; or came with a computer game promotional that appealed) than objective, studied dedication.

For Nvidia, some games do have pretty good PhysX support, there's generally better drivers, and slightly higher performance once you get above a certain point. However, AMD tends to have the significant bang for the buck value on account of their "Never Settle" bundle which allows you to get two games for free. You can choose BioShock Infinite, Crysis 3, Devil May Cry, FarCry 3, Sleeping Dogs and Tomb Raider depending on which card you choose. Nvidia doesn't have anything as good as that.

Here's what I recommend:
$414 - XFX FX797ATDFC Radeon HD 7970 3GB PCI-E Video Card + Never Settle Bundle
$18 - Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE SATA DVD Burner
$80 - Corsair 650TX V2 650W PSU
$80 - Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl ATX Case
$107 - Corsair Hydro H100i Liquid Cooling System
----
Total: $699 plus tax and shipping.