Gaming Rig Opinions / Advice

D

DPO

Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 12, 2004
Messages
124
Hi all, so here is the deal, I am building a new system for gaming...here is what I have waiting in my cart...the rest , widescreen (22 & 24 dells ) mouse etc I have. I couldnt decide all week ( haha, ive been reading/researching a ton ) on this or basically the same thing only with a i7 920/Ram/Mobo. I decided to spend less and go with this...maybe a better card or case instead.

I would like your expert opinions on my choices , also if I should go ahead and go with the i7 920 instead. ( as you can tell if I have 2 things to choose from I will take a month to do it >< it drives me nuts...lol)

Also...and most importantly, i need opinions on :
The CASE , I cant decide on the Antec, or the Coolermaster HAF 922, or the Lian li Lancool PC K62. ( seriously, i cant decide...im crazy that way...haha)

And the GPU: Will this one do til after the dx11 cards come out and prices have gone down a bit...or should i go with one now..if so which one? I dont want to spend much more on a card..maybe 75-100 more than the one I have chosen at 200.00.
I chose ATI, even though I have always been a nvidia guy...but it just seems the price difference just isnt worth it.

I will also be installing Win 7 , this is my first build in 3 years and probably wont be able to do another for at least 3 years...so I have that to consider also...

And thank you for any responses...



CPU
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

MOBO
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard w/ USB 3.0 & SATA 6 Gb/s - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409

RAM
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMD4GX3M2A1600C8 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145265

PSU
Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025

HDD
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

HSF
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

CASE
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

GPU
XFX HD-489X-ZSFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150438

DVD Burner
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118032
 
Last edited:
Those parts you listed is actually pretty good. Though, not all of the parts I would go with personally. There are alot of combo deals you can take advantage of right now on NewEgg. By the way, is this machine used primarily for gaming only? What's your total budget on this pc?
 
Could you please list out each part along with those links? Thanks.

Cases are subjective, so go with whichever one you like the most. If you like all three equally, and all 3 fulfill your personal requirements of a case as well as your physical requirements per your parts, go with the cheapest one, lol.

i7 isn't really needed for gaming with a 24", so save your cash unless you want a slightly better upgrade path -- and as long as you intend to go through with that upgrade when the time comes (many people skip it when the time actually comes and wait longer, then simply rebuild anew).
 
HardwareGuru: Mostly gaming. ( all the latest fps, some wow, Diablo 3 when it arrives :)...moderating some SD Charger forums...:) and light photoshopping for family members...and surfing. All around use to go with games, it's my only computer.

Like I said above, I may not be able to do another PC for 2-3 years.
Budget: Trying to stay around 1300.00 which where it is now give or take...and why I went away from the i7 build...( I felt that helped me future proof yet, was over 1500.00 w/ tax and all.


enginurd: There ya go...I edited my post...I hope that is better, easier to read...( would have done that last night but I was too tired, sorry )...Cases...some have everything I want inside, yet are mugly outside...and viva- versa...:)


gwarren007 : Thx for the link...I'll look at that one instead...I have been out of the loop on hardware since my last system...( amd 3800, lol ) and chose that after reading lots of good rec's for it on here...dropping to the 650 makes sense to me...
 
For a gaming rig, your selections for the motherboard and processor are fine. The Socket 1156 boards and processors represent Intel's mid-range mainstream line whereas the Socket 1366 boards and processors are Intel's high-end "enthusiast" line. Either setup would outperform a similar Intel Core 2 or any AMD-based system.

Corsair Dominator RAM, IMO, is overpriced considering that you could find equally capable RAM sets for less. G.Skill and Mushkin make good RAM kits that run at around 1.5V.

Instead of the AC Freezer 7 Pro, go with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus.

The new AMD HD5850 and HD5870 video cards will be in short supply this holiday season, but the HD4890 would be a good "hold over" card. Depending on your gaming needs, however, you may not really need anything more than the HD4890.

Though cases are a matter of personal taste, my preference among the three cases that you've mentioned is the Lian Li.

As HG mentioned, look around for combo deals and/or other specials from other online retailers. You may find several parts for a bit less.
 
Under $1300 with taxes. You can do this

Case + PSU + Mobo + Cpu combo for $499.95 ($10 MIR) w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.290519

G. Skill 4GB DDR3 1600 for $95.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro for $33.98 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

Samsung 22X Sata DVD Burner for $28.99 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011470

WD1001FALS 1TB for $99.99 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008824

XFX Radeon HD 4890 1GB for $181.99 combo price w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011110

$940.49 w/free shipping before taxes
 
Last edited:
Let's do a Core i7 920 build for under $1300

Coolermaster HAF 922 for $99.98 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

Antec Truepower New TP750 for $114.95 ($20 MIR) w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025

G. Skill 6GB DDR3 1600 + Asus P6TSE for $339.98 ($20 MIR on Mobo) for $339.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.291056

Coolermaster V8 + Intel Core i7 920 for $328.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235101

Samsung 22X Sata DVD Burner for $28.99 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011470

WD1001FALS 1TB for $99.99 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008824

XFX Radeon HD 4890 1GB for $181.99 combo price w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011110

Total: $1,194.46
Shipping: $9.00

Total: $1,203.00 before taxes.
 
Outstanding sir! :) And thank you all for your responses...much appreciated. I knew I could count on the best.

Man, You guys dig up some deals I must have passed over or never saw...

Ordering it all tonight after my Chargers beat the Eagles...haha
 
You don't really need a 750watt psu. You could save some money and go for a 650 because the CPU and GPU aren't as power intensive as components that preceded them (thus encouraging the rationale for 700+watt units)

If you are going for stock cooling only then the Antec 902 is the best choice out of the three but the Haf is not too far behind offering the same cooling performance for the CPU and mildly not as good at GPU cooling.
 
Let's save you even more $$$

Antec Earthwatts EA650 + Antec Three Hundred both for $109.94 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.285167

Intel Core i5-750 + GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R both for $324.98 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.290354

G. Skill 4GB DDR3 1600 for $95.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro for $33.98 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

Samsung 22X Sata DVD Burner for $28.99 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011470

WD1001FALS 1TB for $99.99 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008824

XFX Radeon HD 4890 1GB for $181.99 combo price w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011110

Total: $875.46 w/shipping before taxes
 
He really doesn't need the TP 750 but, it's just $15 more. Plus, you stiil got the $20 MIR. But, if he got the Antec EA650 psu for $80 w/free shipping then he would pay $35 less upfront.
 
HardwareGuru said:
Under $1300 with taxes. You can do this

Case + PSU + Mobo + Cpu combo for $499.95 ($10 MIR) w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.290519

G. Skill 4GB DDR3 1600 for $95.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro for $33.98 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

Samsung 22X Sata DVD Burner for $28.99 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011470

WD1001FALS 1TB for $99.99 w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008824

XFX Radeon HD 4890 1GB for $181.99 combo price w/free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10011110

$940.49 w/free shipping before taxes
Click to expand...

So, was out of town for a few days...thought I would update this...I decided ( after much waffling...haha ) to go with the above build from HardwareGuru with 2 exceptions...with money saved from not getting the 920, I am going with a 5850 Radeon..since newegg has some in stock tonight...and then the cooler will be the CM212+..when NE gets one in again...

So what do you think? Will this be a kick ass gaming system or will I regret not goin 920?
Personally I can'tsee that I will..I have money left over now...and can think of a few other thing to do on this system in a month or 2 like SSD, etc...

Many thanks to Hardware Guru and everyone else that helped on this thread...You all kick ass :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top