New Build, need help

[Heliodus]

I’ll keep it sweet and simple, today I'm looking to build a computer this evening. I’m looking to get optimal performance, at the best value for a gaming rig. I’ve got $1300 – taxes in – to work with here. Specs to work for to get these benchmarks;

Budget: 1300 – taxes in
More specific use (what games, what programs): Modern Warefare 3, Elder Scrolls Skyrim (new releases) World of Warcraft
Planned time until purchase: Today. November 4th
OS: Win 7 Ultimate
Specific preferred components?: AMD with ATI
Do you want stock cooling or do you plan on overclocking?: Keep her cool. I will be overclocking in future
Do you need a monitor? mouse? keyboard?: Just a mouse and a keyboard.

I use my computers almost exclusively for gaming, but I also download, and transfer files, convert, and run virtual drives to mount iso’s.
Beyond that, I don’t use programs like Photo Shop, nor do I burn dvd’s, blu-rays, or cd’s.

My expectations:
Smooth framerates, across the board to today’s gaming standards. (ATI Radeon 67XX-68XX)
Quick file transfer (USB 3.0?)
Utilizing multiple cores, for faster processing times, and good loads. (6-8 cores)
Ergonomic gaming tower. Nothing to chunky, but something that will manage wires well. Athsetically pleasing to the eye.
And runs COOL!

If you can help me out, as I've never built before, I'm stuck going exclusivly through canadacomputers as there's a store across the street from me. I am buying today irregardless, but I've read through some of this forum and found some helpfull advise

Let me know!
Thanks to everyone for your time.

 

[Dangman]

Please answer these questions as well:
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.
6) Will you be overclocking?
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
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.

Also, with your budget, an AMD CPU is simply a waste of money and you're better with an Intel CPU.

As for cases, check out any of these cases and see if they fit your wants/needs:
$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

 

[K1tty]

Intel Core i5-2500K - 239.99
Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3-B3 - 79.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1333MHz (PC3-10666) 8GB (2x4GB) Dual Channel Kit (F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL) - 49.99
Sapphire (11188-09-20G) AMD Radeon HD 6950 1GB - 254.99

That's a start. You're sitting at $624.96 about half way.

Since you're only able to buy via this shop you're a bit limited. I imagine their B&M store will be even more limited than their website. I'd recommend for your budget a 2500K i5 build. Mobo will be preference depending on what features you want, but you should be able to get in the sub $100 range. 8g ram is easy at this price too. For video cards I'd recommend the 6950 and try to get a manufacturer that has at least a 2 yr warranty.

 

[Heliodus]

Please answer these questions as well:
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.
Case, Power supply, mobo, ram, optical drive, video card, hard drive, thermal paste, CPU, fans,
6) Will you be overclocking?
Not initially, but will be soon
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
22' Acer 5ms LCD owned
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
USB 3.0, Raid, Crossfire support, AM3+

Essentially, a full blown gaming rig. Easily upgradable, and current to the times.

 

[Dangman]

What's the max resolution of that Acer monitor?

 

[Heliodus]

I'm not positive...
This is the monitor though
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/prod...s-response-time-p206hvb-p206hvb/10154685.aspx

 

[Dangman]

$240 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU
$140 - Asus Asus P8Z68-V LE Intel Z68 ATX Motherboard
$50 - G.Skill Ripjaws Series F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$270 - PowerColor AX6950 Radeon HD 6950 2GB
$130 - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$26 - Samsung SH-222BB/RSBF SATA DVD Burner
$110 - Corsair 750TX V2 750W PSU
$30 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156
-----
Total: $996 plus tax

Still leaves you with $300 for a new case and taxes.

 

[Heliodus]

$240 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU
$140 - Asus Asus P8Z68-V LE Intel Z68 ATX Motherboard
$50 - G.Skill Ripjaws Series F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$270 - PowerColor AX6950 Radeon HD 6950 2GB
$130 - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$26 - Samsung SH-222BB/RSBF SATA DVD Burner
$110 - Corsair 750TX V2 750W PSU
$30 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156
-----
Total: $996 plus tax

Still leaves you with $300 for a new case and taxes.

What kind of performance could I expect?

Should I be able to run newer games relatively well?

 

[K1tty]

Yes. Especially at your resolution, you should be able to run new games extremely well.

 

[Dangman]

Should I be able to run newer games relatively well?

Yes. Especially considering that I went overkill on the video card.

 

[Heliodus]

Completed my build today

A tad bit over budget at 1257.43, but I'm getting 79.99 back as I got a Thermalright Silver Arrow CPU Cooler that was not going to fit without a larger case.

Going to test on some games momentarily!

Thanks for the advise, and your time everyone!

Saphire AMD Radeon HD 6950 2GB DDR5 gpu
Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UO3 Mobo
Corsiar Enthusiast Series TX750 Power supply
NZXT Lexa S Case
500GB Western Digital Caviar Black 7200RPM drive,
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition 3.3Ghz, 9mb Cache, 2000Mh
8GB 1600Mhz G.Skill Ripjaw X Series DDR3

 

[tiraides]

Why did you ignore Danny Bui's recommendation for Intel?

 

[Heliodus]

Wasn't ignored, I did consider. As much as I respect, and see the facts that Intels are great, I've always ran AMD/ATI. Creature of habit I suppose, building guitars I'm the same way. I've never used an Intel chip (other than at work)

 

[Dangman]

Wasn't ignored, I did consider. As much as I respect, and see the facts that Intels are great, I've always ran AMD/ATI. Creature of habit I suppose, building guitars I'm the same way. I've never used an Intel chip (other than at work)

Well other than you wasting your money on an AMD CPU and AMD motherboard, hope you enjoy that build!