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Building my first gaming PC

H

HardForumer

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
173
I've already been around in other sections of the forum deciding and getting info on each part separately.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I'll be doing mostly gaming, but also Photoshop, and some 3d modeling in Maya and 3dsMax

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$2,000, maybe a little more. $2,500 is my max but I want to try and stay as close as possible to $2,000. and I don't need a monitor, mouse and Keyboard included in that. Taxes and shipping also NOT included.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Canada


4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Hard Drive/s, OS, what else? I'm building it from scratch, and you guys know what parts are needed to make a PC better than I do. What am I missing from the list below?


5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific
about the power supply. List make and model.
None.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Absolutely.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
24" 1920x1200p, might want to go for a higher res monitor later on.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I plan on finalizing it before the end of November.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.

Already picked a motherboard. ASUS P8Z68-V PRO.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No.

The parts I picked so far are:
- Corsair Professional Series Gold AX 850W Power Supply - $162.12

- Intel Core™ i7-2600K Processor Bundle w/ Asus P8Z68-V PRO Motherboard - $449.99 --OR-- Asus P8Z68-V Motherboard w/ Intel Core™ i5-2500K Processor - $349.99

- Zalman CNPS9900 MAX CPU Cooler w/ Red LED - $39.99

- Corsair Obsidian Series 650D Mid Tower Case - $149.99

- GSKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB PC3-12800 Dual Channel DDR3 Kit (2 x 4GB) - $44.99 --OR-- Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Dual Channel Kit (2 x 4GB), Cerulean Blue - $34.99 Second option probably being the best?

As for the video card, I've yet to decide between Dual GTX580s or something cheaper.
With dual GTX580s the price would be up to $1,881 with those parts mentioned above.
Add an OS and I'm at 2K and still have to get a hard drive.

This is why I haven't yet decided on the GPU and if I downgrade to this combo (Instead of this one) for $100 less.
 
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If you aren't planning on buying until November, you should wait until a lot closer to that time and come back for help - too much can change between now and then, so recommendations made change. Although I'll say now that dual GTX 580s is way too much for a single 1920x1200 monitor. Either a single GTX 580, or maybe Crossfire 6950s would be better.
 
I wouldn't recommend the 6950s, since he'll be using programs that can make use of CUDA technology in Nvidia GPUs, but like Forceman said come back around the week before or week of, you plan to purchase and we'll set you up with a nice build.
 
HardForumer said:
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I plan on finalizing it before the end of November.
Click to expand...
Wait, so you're not planning on buying till like late November, early December?

Also I concur with Forceman: GTX 580 SLI is just overkill for 1920x1080 res. GTX 560 SLI or even GTX 570 SLI would be far suitable for that resolution.
 
No, I could buy it tomorrow, or a week from now. I just plan on finalizing it before the end of November, meaning November is the max I'm willing to wait, and have it ready on. (I don't have much time so building/assembly alone could take weeks.)
But really, how much could happen in less than 2 months? All I know is that the bulldozer is supposed to come out by then, but...

Also, why are 2 GTX 580s overkill if they are probably the cheapest way to get over 60FPS on BF3 all maxed out?
I know they're made for higher res, but what I'm looking for is frame rates at max settings.
 
HardForumer said:
But really, how much could happen in less than 2 months? All I know is that the bulldozer is supposed to come out by then, but...
Click to expand...
Parts could become out of stock, overpriced, or outdated by then. In your list, a lot of those parts are right now on sale for a limited time. The pre-sale prices of many of those parts make them not so-good choices for the money i.e the RAM, the HSF, and case. It's only due to those parts being on sale that they're actually worth buying. In fact, the sales on the CPU+mobo combo, HSF, RAM, and case are ending today. So if anything, buy those parts today. If you can't, then we're gonna have to recommend/select different parts for you unless you really like some of those parts to pay their very high prices.

In addition, Intel's Core i7 2700K is supposedly coming out, AMD Bulldozer could lead to Intel lowering prices, etc. So yes, a lot can happen in less than two months.
HardForumer said:
Also, why are 2 GTX 580s overkill if they are probably the cheapest way to get over 60FPS on BF3 all maxed out?
I know they're made for higher res, but what I'm looking for is frame rates at max settings.
Click to expand...
Because we don't know for a fact that GTX 580 SLI is the cheapest way to get over 60FPS on BF3 all maxed out. Remember that all the reports of BF3's performance is based on a game in beta and with beta drivers. For all we know, GTX 570 SLI could be enough or HD 6950 2GB Crossfire or HD 6970 2GB Crossfire could be enough when BF3 finally hits. In other games, you would hardly notice the difference between GTX 570 SLI/HD 6950 2GB Crossfire/HD 6970 Crossfire and GTX 580 SLI to justify the additional costs.
 
Wait, the only reason they are actually worth buying is because of the sales? I actually went under the specific sections this forum asking for recommendations, and I only saw the sales after you and others recommended those specific parts to me.
I went to the motherboards section and you recommended the ASUS Z68, then I went to the processors section and I got recommendations on either the 2500K or 2600K, so I went to memory express and saw that combo and though it was an amazing coincidence that the exact two things that were recommended to me was a combo on sale.
Same thing with the case 650D. I only went and looked for the best prices after the fact, then found it for 149,99. It was the most recommended case to me.
The only one part that you said is better only because its on sale (half the price for pretty much equal performance) is the Zalman cooler.

But anyway, lets start again then, what would you guys recommend as a system for under $2,000? Again, no monitor or peripherals required.

Thank you so much guys, really appreciate the help!

(just in case, if it is a good deal I called MemoryExpress and reserved an ASUS + 2600K, so I have 2 days to get it at that price, if you guys think its a good deal. They ran OOS in all stores a few hours after I reserved one.
 
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Maybe just get one single GTX580 like it's been suggested so many times to me, then add another if I need it?
 
HardForumer said:
Wait, the only reason they are actually worth buying is because of the sales?
Click to expand...
Well not all of them. The CPUs, mobos, and case are good parts. But if you can't fit them into the budget without those sales, no point in getting them or debating about whether or not you can get them.
HardForumer said:
I actually went under the specific sections this forum asking for recommendations, and I only saw the sales after you and others recommended those specific parts to me.
Click to expand...
A lot of those parts recommendations were made in the mind that you didn't have a specific hard budget to hit. Generally when you don't give people a budget range, they're gonna end up recommending the better quality parts rather than the best parts for the money. Look at the GPU recommendations threads you made: Those threads would have ended a lot sooner had you noted that you had a $2000 budget. With that said, if you only wanted the best and don't care about reaching that $2500 limit, then by all means, get the parts you listed so far.

HardForumer said:
The only one part that you said is better only because its on sale (half the price for pretty much equal performance) is the Zalman cooler.
Click to expand...

Thats not the only part that's better only because it's on sale: The Corsair RAM you chose? Its normal price is $75 CAD. The G.Skill RAM you chose? Its normal pricing is $55 CAD. So at normal pricing, the G.Skill would have been the better choice. But at sales price, that Corsair RAM is the better choice.

HardForumer said:
(just in case, if it is a good deal I called MemoryExpress and reserved an ASUS + 2600K, so I have 2 days to get it at that price, if you guys think its a good deal. They ran OOS in all stores a few hours after I reserved one.
Click to expand...
So you can't get the Corsair RAM, Zalman HSF, and case as well tonight? Like I said, they're on sale and their sales prices makes them really good buys.

HardForumer said:
But anyway, lets start again then, what would you guys recommend as a system for under $2,000? Again, no monitor or peripherals required.
Click to expand...
I'm gonna wait another 12 hours before recommending parts. There's a lot of sales still active tonight on memoryexpress' website

HardForumer said:
Maybe just get one single GTX580 like it's been suggested so many times to me, then add another if I need it?
Click to expand...
It is the most simple choice as you won't run into potential SLI scaling issues with BF3. With that said, for the money, a single GTX 580 is a really poor choice. But if you want the fastest single GPU right now, the GTX 580 is it. If you want something with a significantly higher better bang for the buck value, you're looking at GTX 560 TI SLI, a single GTX 570, or GTX 570 SLI.
HardForumer said:
Also, What about AMD processors?
Click to expand...
What about them? Often times, you can find a faster intel CPU for not that much more than an AMD CPU. It's only the $100 and below price range where AMD is still competitive. That may not be the case when Bulldozer comes out though.
 
Danny Bui said:
Well not all of them. The CPUs, mobos, and case are good parts. But if you can't fit them into the budget without those sales, no point in getting them or debating about whether or not you can get them.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I got that wrong then. I though you were saying they're not good enough for their full price, but now I understand they're not the best if not on sale and probably cannot be included in the budget if not for the sale.

Danny Bui said:
A lot of those parts recommendations were made in the mind that you didn't have a specific hard budget to hit. Generally when you don't give people a budget range, they're gonna end up recommending the better quality parts rather than the best parts for the money. Look at the GPU recommendations threads you made: Those threads would have ended a lot sooner had you noted that you had a $2000 budget. With that said, if you only wanted the best and don't care about reaching that $2500 limit, then by all means, get the parts you listed so far.
Click to expand...
True, and I did that to see if I could fit the best parts under my budget by asking for recommendations without any budget limitation. That way I can see if I can find these specific parts, which wouldn't be found if I came here directly. Without these sales It would come close to 500 more than it would be with the sales.

Danny Bui said:
Thats not the only part that's better only because it's on sale: The Corsair RAM you chose? Its normal price is $75 CAD. The G.Skill RAM you chose? Its normal pricing is $55 CAD. So at normal pricing, the G.Skill would have been the better choice. But at sales price, that Corsair RAM is the better choice.

So you can't get the Corsair RAM, Zalman HSF, and case as well tonight? Like I said, they're on sale and their sales prices makes them really good buys.
Click to expand...
The corsair RAM ran out on Friday, but their website were still showing 2 in stock at the store I went to. I only found out about that one on Sunday so it was too late already. The G.Skill is no longer on sale, but there's always a good price somewhere. The Zalman I got it for $39.99, was the last one so I got lucky. The case isn't a sale at MemoryExpress, its a price from DirectCanada. I can use ME's (MemoryExpress) price match and get it for $142.49 without having to wait for the shipping. And if they decide to refuse the price match I can still get it for 149 free shipping.

Danny Bui said:
I'm gonna wait another 12 hours before recommending parts. There's a lot of sales still active tonight on memoryexpress' website
Click to expand...
That sale ended yesterday so sorry for my late response, work is really busy right now. However, like I said, I managed to secure both that Mobo + 2600K and the Zalman cooler till tomorrow at sale prices.
There is a few things for sale, some of which are new and some are the same at a lesser sale (the asus mobo + 2500K is still there but for $399, before it was $349 so if I get my reserved combo its like I'm getting the upgrade from 2500K to 2600K for free over the non-sale prices)
Including some good ones:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX33599(ME).aspx?cc=1
(although reviews aren't so goot at the site) http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX34159(ME).aspx
(still on the expensive side) http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX34345(ME).aspx
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX35832(ME).aspx
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX33365(ME).aspx
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX33380(ME).aspx
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX33917(ME).aspx
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX32015(ME).aspx

And that's just on ME, I'm sure other store will have their own sales. (which ME will beat by 25% of the difference!)

Danny Bui said:
It is the most simple choice as you won't run into potential SLI scaling issues with BF3. With that said, for the money, a single GTX 580 is a really poor choice. But if you want the fastest single GPU right now, the GTX 580 is it. If you want something with a significantly higher better bang for the buck value, you're looking at GTX 560 TI SLI, a single GTX 570, or GTX 570 SLI.
Click to expand...
Ok thanks. This is my hardest decision, I just can't decide! frustrating...


Danny Bui said:
What about them? Often times, you can find a faster intel CPU for not that much more than an AMD CPU. It's only the $100 and below price range where AMD is still competitive. That may not be the case when Bulldozer comes out though.
Click to expand...
Ok got it, was just asking since I don't know anything about them. That bulldozer, is it supposed to be a game changer for AMD?
 
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HardForumer said:
Ok got it, was just asking since I don't know anything about them. That bulldozer, is it supposed to be a game changer for AMD?
Click to expand...

Real-world performance test results are still an unknown at this point. If you were to have bought an AMD platform now, there is a good chance that you would have gotten ripped off on your AMD CPU purchase.
 
 
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Well SSD wise, forgot all of those SSDs as they use the Sandfroce SF-2200 controller which has been shown to have random BSOD issues. You want to be looking at Crucial's M4 series or Intel's 510 series SSDs if you want a balance of performance, reliability, and stability. Intel's 320 series are also a good bet.

RAM wise, note that current Intel systems do not see a perforance increase between DDR3 1333 RAM and DDR3 2133 RAM. As such, no point in buying higher speed RAM. Stick with either DDR3 1333 and DDR3 1600 and make sure the RAM is rated at 1.5V. In addition, a 8GB set of DDR3 RAM should not cost more than 55CAD at most. If it cost more than that, it's a ripoff.

GPU wise, due to fact that you're using Photoshop, your best bet would be a Nvidia card since the latest versions of Photoshop take advantage of Nvidia's CUDA tech. Oh and the GTX 560 TI should not cost more than $250 CAD. I'd stick to cards made by Asus, eVGA, Gigabyte, and MSI.
 
K got it. Back to looking for good deals...
By the way, I got the mobo + processor combo, so I have 7 days to decide if I want to keep it or not. Probably will though.
 
Danny Bui said:
Read my ninja edit.
Click to expand...

They still have a sale but on the 1333MHz version, for $44. The 1600MHz was going for $44 last week, should have grabbed a pair dammit!
Found this though: http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/232563/G_SKILL/F3_12800CL9D_8GBXL/

And using ME's price match I can get it for $45.99 which is only a buck more that what they had on sale before.
I'm going to grab one tom. or Sat.

Also probably gonna grab the 650D for $143 and the AX850 for $162.

By the way, is 64GB enough for an SSD? That 64GB crucial M4 is going for around $100...
 
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An Intel 320 GEN3 80GB is $159.
M4 64GB for $103 or Intel 320 80GB for $159?
Not even sure I'm gonna put that in my budget but it doesn't hurt to know which option is better for the money.
The Intel 520s are over $270...
 
HardForumer said:
An Intel 320 GEN3 80GB is $159.
M4 64GB for $103 or Intel 320 80GB for $159?
Not even sure I'm gonna put that in my budget but it doesn't hurt to know which option is better for the money.
The Intel 520s are over $270...
Click to expand...

Both SSDs are reliable to begin with. However the Crucial is faster where the Intel 320 is a bit more reliable.
 
I think I would go for faster and $55 cheaper over a bit extra reliability and 16 more Gigs. And from the way you recommended the crucial it seems it's already a very reliable SSD.
 
You might be able to find a deal on an X-25M if you look around, they are 80GB also, and basically the same speed as the 320 (and while they benchmark slower than the M4, in real life the difference is very small). 64GB is small enough that you will have to manage it carefully.
 
Just making sure I got it right, an SSD is basically to install the OS and other stuff you want to be faster, right?
will I get better FPS is I install games in them?

Also, what kind of Hard Drives are recommended?

7200rpm? 64MB cache? What brands?
 
HardForumer said:
Just making sure I got it right, an SSD is basically to install the OS and other stuff you want to be faster, right?
Click to expand...
Yes.
HardForumer said:
will I get better FPS is I install games in them?
Click to expand...
No. You'll just get faster load times.

HardForumer said:
Also, what kind of Hard Drives are recommended?

7200rpm? 64MB cache? What brands?
Click to expand...
Go with the Samsung drive that pwnrhasta recommended as it's one of the better bang for the buck drives out now.
 
Ok thanks, that's what I thought...
Is a 6gbps HD going to be faster than a 3gbps like that samsung?
 
No, hdds haven't reached 3gbps limits yet, wont notice a difference with a 6gbps model. That samsung f3 is the fastest drive on the market.
 
Not with hard drives. HDDs barely make use of the available bandwidth from the SATA 3Gb/s bus.
 
HardForumer said:
cheapest one I can find is this one:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicati...CECAN&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCVybgw2zEzpzCjCVqHCjCdwwp

Though the reviewers say a lot of them died, on said it died 4 times on him... Any comments on that?
Click to expand...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=Samsung F3 1Tb

1423 reviews out of 1745 are 4 stars and above. I think it's fair to say that Samsung HDD is a good hard drive.
HardForumer said:
And when are they going to start making use of the 6gbps on these HDDs?
Click to expand...
Probably never.
 
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