Help With New Build?

[drsb]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Heavy Gaming Mostly, and Regular Tasks Like Internet And Stuff.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I would prefer not to spend more than $1200 maybe $1300.

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

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.
I need CPU, Mobo, Ram (prefer atleast 8GB or 12GB), Case that stays cool, DVD Burner, GPU (I would prefer 2 in Crossfire or SLI that will get excellent frame rates), HDD, Fan controller and fans if needed, PSU, mouse and keyboard. Basically all things needed for gaming pc.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I can use my old 160GB SATA HDD.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Probably not unless I need to.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1280x1024 is what I always run on a 17 or 19 inch monitor.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I plan on building or buying this pc in the next couple months.

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.
SLI or Crossfire support, USB, SATA, Audio

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I have a legit copy of Windows XP and Windows 7. I have them both in 32-bit and 64-bit.

I think that covers everything I need to say. I am just looking for your professional opinions on what I should get for a kick ass gaming machine that will last.

Thanks in advance. Donavan.

 

[Forceman]

Try this for a start:
$189.99 Intel i5-2400
$149.99 Gigabyte GA-Z68-UD3
$39.99 G.Skill Sniper 8GB DDR3-1600 (with $5 promo code)
$219.99 Gigabyte GTX 560 Ti
$69.99 Antec NEO ECO 620W

If you are really going to stick with gaming at 1280x1024, there is no need to run CrossFire or SLI - even a single card can easily manage that resolution.

 

[drsb]

If you are really going to stick with gaming at 1280x1024, there is no need to run CrossFire or SLI - even a single card can easily manage that resolution.

Well I'm thinking about running one of the cards as a dedicated Physx card. I may also be upgrading my monitor if cheap enough so I may go to bigger resolution.

 

[tiraides]

What games are you playing? I believe that two video cards are overkill for most games, even at a 1920x1080 resolution.

 

[Forceman]

Well I'm thinking about running one of the cards as a dedicated Physx card. I may also be upgrading my monitor if cheap enough so I may go to bigger resolution.

Really not worth getting a second card just for Physx - just let the single card do both graphics and Physx for the few games that actually use it. If you want more power, step up to the GTX 570, but running SLI just for Physx seems like a waste.

 

[drsb]

What games are you playing? I believe that two video cards are overkill for most games, even at a 1920x1080 resolution.

I currently am not playing any as my pc right now wont handle it due to shitty video card and lack of ram. I am always trying new games and will play any Firstperson shooters I can get including BF3 and Black Ops. I also will play games like GTA IV and such. I have and always will be an extreme gamer, so I would like to get the best possible frame rate and quality possible. Just seems lately I have let the system specs go un-noticed due to other matters.

 

[Dangman]

I may also be upgrading my monitor if cheap enough so I may go to bigger resolution.

Ok, when are you planning on getting a new monitor?

I currently am not playing any as my pc right now wont handle it due to shitty video card and lack of ram. I am always trying new games and will play any Firstperson shooters I can get including BF3 and Black Ops. I also will play games like GTA IV and such. I have and always will be an extreme gamer, so I would like to get the best possible frame rate and quality possible. Just seems lately I have let the system specs go un-noticed due to other matters.

Ok. Still doesn't change the fact that SLI or Crossfire is still overkill for your needs. At that low of a resolution, you'll be fine with the GTX 560 TI as that card is well overkill for that low resolution. Until you actually get that larger monitor, SLI or Crossfire would be a stupid waste of money.

Oh and Forceman's build is missing a case. I recommend any of the following cases:
$70 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K58 ATX Case
$80 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K56W ATX Case
$90 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K56 ATX Case
$90 - Cooler Master CM690 II Advance ATX Case
$90 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case
$100 - Cooler Master CM690 II Advance nVidia Edition ATX Case
$100 - Cooler Master HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K58W ATX Case
$100 - Lian Li PC-7B Plus II ATX Case
$110 - Lian Li PC-60FN ATX Case
$125 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Full Tower ATX Case
$125 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Full Tower ATX Case
$125 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Orange Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$130 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$130 - Fractal Design Define R3 White ATX Case
$130 - Fractal Design Define R3 Black ATX Case
$130 - Fractal Design Define R3 Silver Arrow ATX Case
$130 - Fractal Design Define R3 Titanium Grey ATX Case
$140 - Antec Performance One Series P183 V3 ATX Case
$140 - Cooler Master HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$140 - Lian Li PC-9F ATX Case
$140 - Silverstone RV03B-W ATX case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$170 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
$190 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case
$270 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Full Tower ATX Case

 

[drsb]

Ok, when are you planning on getting a new monitor?

Well with how much help you guys have been and how cheap you guys helped make the build I will be getting a new 21.5" monitor at the same time as the hardware. Will one GTX 560 Ti still be good enough for games by itself at any higher resolutions like maybe 1920x1080?

 

[Dangman]

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I plan on building or buying this pc in the next couple months.

Totally missed this question: Do note that whatever hardware recommendations we make this month may not be the same parts we recommend a month from now let alone two months from now. Especially considering that AMD is releasing new video cards late this year according to the latest rumors. So please come back when you're about 2-3 weeks away from buying the PC and then ask for advice. You'll get up-to-date advice that way and you won't be saddled with an outdated PC build list.

Well with how much help you guys have been and how cheap you guys helped make the build I will be getting a new 21.5" monitor at the same time as the hardware. Will one GTX 560 Ti still be good enough for games by itself at any higher resolutions like maybe 1920x1080?

It is enough as long as you're not looking for max settings.