new gaming rig help medium-high end

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bytes by the kilo

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Jul 20, 2010
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Hey all.. I do not know how to put a cmputer together myself but I look foward to the challenge. step one get the parts. already got the new alienware 120 hz monitor so i believe i need a nvidia card.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
PC gaming and day trading stock market

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
i want to spend 1800-2400 bucks

3) Where do you live?
manhattan, ny

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.

i need a CASE... RAM, motherboard, CPU, graphics card and power for that... also cooling system and hard drive... and anything else im forgetting

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
no reuse

6) Will you be overclocking?
no
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
22inch
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
ASAP
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
the best possible for gaming but not overkill for no reason
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64
no i need windows 7 ... either home or ultimate wutever is better for my needs

THANKS GUY!! heres a place to start for me as my friend came up with this but i think you guys can PERFECT or TWEAK this list, thanks again

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=9713809
 
Drop your win7 ultimate to home or pro (save about $30).

You don't need 12gb of ram for what you do. Stick with 6GB, I suggest:
$135 - G.Skill DDR3-1333 6GB(3x2gb)

With the money you save on that go with a single larger and faster SSD:
$430 - Intel X25-M G2 160GB SSD

Drop that shitty raptor drive for this drive which is cheaper, larger, and just as fast:
$75 - Samsung F3 1TB
or
$95 - WD Black 1TB (FAEX)

Drop the 470 and that PSU for this combo:
$490 - XFX 5870 + XFX Black Edition XPS-850

Also go with this CPU / Mobo Combo:
$495 - i7 930 + Asus P6X58D-E Mobo

Overall it will be a faster and cheaper build.
 
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There are at least two changes that I would make on that system:

First, the Velociraptor is way too expensive for the performance and capacity combination. You see, the sequential transfer speed of the Velociraptor is no faster than the fastest of the conventional 7200 RPM hard drives on the market, such as the Samsung F3 series drives. Plus, at close to $200 for 300GB it is stuck in "no man's land" as far as value is concerned.

Second, that Thermaltake TR2 RX 850W Black Widow PSU is a mediocre performer at a relatively high price. This is because it is based on CWT's older, less efficient and somewhat troublesome PSH platform.

I'm sure that others will chime in on the other choices. But for now I think you could have done better than that.
 
THANKS for the reply eagle but what about the 2 suggestions shadowsong made in place of those?

Also, how am I increasing the speed and going cheaper if im decreasing the speed in the i7 for example?

with all the money saved on these adjustments... what graphics card dual combo should i purchase that will also work with my 120 hz monitor?
like the decrease in the graphics card from the 470 to the radeon ... well is that a a step down? and what would be a "worthy" step up from there

also the ram you suggested is 180 and the one on mine was over 650! i mean how much of a trim down is that is there an in between there.. there were also some bad reviews but how can RAM be bad?
 
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bytes by the kilo said:
THANKS for the reply eagle but what about the 2 suggestions shadowsong made in place of those?
Click to expand...

Very solid choices. In addition, your original choice of RAM is way too expensive even for 12GB. Plus, the only reason to go for 12GB in the first place is if you are also going to be doing serious video editing with that system. You don't need more than 6GB for gaming these days.

bytes by the kilo said:
Also, how am I increasing the speed and going cheaper if im decreasing the speed in the i7 for example?
Click to expand...

Actually, you will be getting a faster CPU with better overclockability than your original CPU choice.

bytes by the kilo said:
with all the money saved on these adjustments... what graphics card dual combo should i purchase that will also work with my 120 hz monitor?
like the decrease in the graphics card from the 470 to the radeon ... well is that a a step down? and what would be a "worthy" step up from there
Click to expand...

Actually, the 5870 that shadowsong suggested is faster in most games than the GTX 470. Plus, it does not require as robust of a PSU as the 470.

bytes by the kilo said:
also the ram you suggested is 180 and the one on mine was over 650! i mean how much of a trim down is that is there an in between there.. there were also some bad reviews but how can RAM be bad?
Click to expand...

The problem is that the i7-930's (or 920's) memory controller cannot take full advantage of DDR3-1600 memory. In fact, their memory controllers officially support only up to DDR3-1066 memory. Thus, you'd lose hardly anything by going with DDR3-1333 instead of DDR3-1600 memory.

And making the other kit the equivalent of 12GB would have cost you only about $360 - a little more than half of the price of your original RAM choice. (This is because 4GB DIMMs still cost way more money per GB than 2GB modules of the very same specs.)
 
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thanks for your rspone eagle,

so I am going to go with ALL the suggestions shadow gave me.... but what about the graphics card... even though that one IS better you say... is it "dual" and will it also last me as long as if i got a 480 or something higher/better than that?
any suggestions on a case or cooling systems or powersupply anything i forgot?

update:

so yeah i def need a power supply and a case ... and a cooling down system..... 3 more items..... and is that it? oh and windows ult HOME 64 bit.... right?
 
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bytes by the kilo said:
thanks for your rspone eagle,

so I am going to go with ALL the suggestions shadow gave me.... but what about the graphics card... even though that one IS better you say... is it "dual" and will it also last me as long as if i got a 480 or something higher/better than that?
any suggestions on a case or cooling systems or powersupply anything i forgot?

update:

so yeah i def need a power supply and a case ... and a cooling down system..... 3 more items..... and is that it? oh and windows ult HOME 64 bit.... right?
Click to expand...

The video card is not a "dual" card. Because you have a small 22" monitor, the HD 5870 will last you quite a long time. Zero reason to get the GTX 480 unless you're planning on getting a 30" monitor. In addition, no reason whatsoever to get a Crossfire, SLI, or dual-GPU setup for a small 22" monitor. In fact the HD 5870 is a tad overkill for a 22".

PSU wise, read Shadowssong's recommendations again. He included the XFX 850W PSU as part of that combo deal with the HD 5870.

Case wise, that's a personal choice kind of thing. Some case recommendations:
$70 - Cooler Master RC-590-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$80 - Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$70 - Cooler Master CM690 II ATX Case
$90 - Cooler Master HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$100 - Lian Li PC-7B Plus II ATX Case
$100 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case
$90 - Cooler Master HAF 922M RC-922M-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$110 - Lian Li PC-E8B ATX Case
$110 - Lian Li PC-7FN ATX Case
$120 - Velocity Micro GX2-W Silver Classic Aluminum Case with Side Window
$120 - Thermaltake ElementS VK60001N2Z ATX Case
$130 - Cooler Master Storm Sniper ATX Case
$150 - Antec P183 ATX Case
$140 - Cooler Master HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$170 - Cooler Master Cosmos S 1000 RC-1100-KSN1-GP Full Tower ATX Case
$180 - Cooler Master ATCS 840 RC-840-KKN1-GP Full Tower ATX Case
$180 - Lian Li PC-B25F ATX Case
$210 - Silverstone FT01-B ATX Case
$220 - Lian Li PC-A71F Black ATX Case
$240 - Lian Li PC-V1200A Plus II ATX Case
$300 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Full Tower ATX Case
$330 - Silverstone Temjin SST-TJ07B Full Tower ATX Case

And the OS you want is Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit:
$100 - Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM

Since you're not overclocking, no reason to get a 3rd party HSF as the CPU already comes with one. That's the "cooling down system" you're referring to.
 
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I believe this monitor I bought the new alienware 120hz requires a dual graphics card... doesnt it? I could be wrong but that is what I gathered. do you think i should overclock it or is there no need? and why is there an impact of the 22inch size of my monitor (which i thought wasnt THAT small, is it?)

thanks for the help again guys!

edit***

oh and one more thing guys... without VERY EXCESSIVE overkill but def very high end gear... this is the BEST rig i can setup with for hardcore gaming performance and just overall stellar performance?
 
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bytes by the kilo said:
I believe this monitor I bought the new alienware 120hz requires a dual graphics card... doesnt it? I could be wrong but that is what I gathered. do you think i should overclock it or is there no need? and why is there an impact of the 22inch size of my monitor (which i thought wasnt THAT small, is it?)

thanks for the help again guys!
Click to expand...

Goddamn man, you gave us the wrong info: You have a 23" not a 22". And that's 3D Vision capable monitor.

To clear things up: You only need a Nvidia card or dual Nvidia cards if you're planning on using the 3D Vision aspect of that monitor. For just straight up normal gaming without 3D Vision, the HD 5870 will still be enough for 1920x1080 and that monitor. So are you getting the Nvidia 3D Vision Kit in order to use the 3D Vision aspect of that monitor? If not, then stick with the HD 5870.

Generally, it's the resolution of the monitor that determines the graphics card needed. The higher the resolution, the faster the video card needs to be in order to provide good settings. Generally 22" monitors have a 1680x1050 resolution which doesn't requrie heavy duty performance. However you have a 23" monitor with a 1920x1080 resolution which does require a bit of performance.

We also need an updated list now before we can answer that last question.
 
oh my mistake Im sorry, great catch tho thank you. i will want to use the 3D feature... so i guess we should push the graphics/video gard a little more and make the cpu perform a bit better/hardcore?

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=15202166

that is my wishlist i made it public you sould be able to see it

Note for this wish list(Add)
Qty. Image Product Description Unit Price Savings Total Price


Update

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

$94.99 $94.99


Update

XFX Black Edition XPS-850W-BES 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC ...

$199.99 -$50.00 Instant $149.99


Update

XFX HD-587X-ZNFV Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$399.99 -$20.00 Instant $379.99


Update

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
$289.99 $289.99


Update

ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

$239.99 $239.99


Update

Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2MH160G2R5 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

$479.99 -$50.00 Instant $429.99


Update

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ
Model #:F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ
Item #:N82E16820231223
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$134.99 $134.99


Update

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM

$99.99 $199.98


Update

COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

$109.98 -$20.00 Instant $89.98
Subtotal: $2,009.89
 
Do you really care about 3D gaming? If not then I wouldn't bother with it and just stick with the 5870. If you do then you can consider the GTX470 (although it is a step down in performance from the 5870) or the hot and spicy (lol) GTX480 which would require a robust power supply and fantastic air circulation (it runs hot!).

As of right now that build looks fucking badass to be honest. Great GPU, awesome SSD, top of the line processor and motherboard, its just awesome all around.

So the main question that YOU need to answer is do you want to game in 3D? If so we will have to change the 5870, if not, the 5870 is more than enough.
 
arite screw gaming in 3d... lets just keep it the way you think is BADASS i really liked that... so based on what you posted or i just posted on that "wishlist" what do you think what am i missing... i have everything i need...even with my monitor etc etc?

thanks again you guys
 
You pretty much have everything covered. A couple of optional additions would be:

-Aftermarket CPU cooler to reduce noise/operating temperature.
-An extra fans to stuff into the HAF922
-Fan controller (not really needed, just for fun lol)

Also I just realized you have no DVD drive. Do you need one? Can you live without one? They are only roughly $20. I suggest:
$23 - Samsung Black DVDRW

If you have money left that is just burning a hole in your pocket you could consider possibly upgrading your peripherals including your mouse, keyboard, speakers, and even as far as upgrading your chair and desk (hell its what your ass sits in all day!).

Also, you did add them as combo's correct?
 
yeah i will add them as combos... and i will add that drive you just said. can you reccomend me a cpu cooler from newegg then? i have no idea which to choose ... then that would be totally it right?

now part 2... i have NO idea how to put this together... once u tell me the next cooler item im literally ordering it to ship.... that case is fine too right and the power etc is totally straight?
the next part is i dont know how to build this damned thing... can i figure it out or will it take 4 hours of me bumping around and poss messing it up? then id gladly pay 100bucks or something to a local guy in the city or is that retarded?
 
I would suggest this cooler:
$40 - Cogage True Spirit

BUT, because you are new to building I would avoid buying that now because aftermarket coolers can be a complete pain in the ass to install sometimes. It would be better if you did it BEFORE you put the motherboard in (because you have to put a backplate in) but I would really just forgo the whole aftermarket cooler for now. Get your system up and running and then make the decision of buying it later.

As for building the computer itself, it's really not to hard, but you definitely need to read up as much as you can about it. There are so many guides online that you shouldn't have a problem doing it.
Just a general outline I do when I am building:
1) Gather parts, lay out parts and make sure nothing is missing and/or broken.
2) Clear a large workspace, grab a philips head screw driver and may some needle-nose pliers (for those pesky screws that fall into corners).
3) Discharge yourself. Wear rubber soled shoes on a solid non carpeted surface. Always leave components inside their static bags or ontop of them. Always touch something metal before touching a part (discharge yourself) and if you are really paranoid you can buy those static bracelets, but I've never done that (not to say it isn't a good idea though).
4) Assemble what you can outside of the case, once shit gets into the case it immediately it harder to get to (kind of an obvious one there).
5) Before powering on, quadruple check your connections. Make sure everything is plugged in where it needs to be.

For the most part stuff really only fits where it should fit (ex: Video card will only fit in a PCIe x16 slot, ram will only fit one way in the dimm's, the cpu will only sit in the socket one way) but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be extremely careful. Especially with stuff as expensive as this stuff, you definitely want to take your time and go SLOW.

Your best friends will be the motherboard manual, [H]ard forum and youtube. Do you have any friends who have built a computer before that can help you? Not to say you can't do it on your own but being able to work WITH someone makes it immensely easier. Once you do it once or twice you will look back and say, "why didn't I do that before? That was pretty damn easy."
 
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bytes by the kilo said:
now part 2... i have NO idea how to put this together... \


the next part is i dont know how to build this damned thing... can i figure it out or will it take 4 hours of me bumping around and poss messing it up? then id gladly pay 100bucks or something to a local guy in the city or is that retarded?
Click to expand...

Look in the stickied General Hardware FAQ. There's a ton of links in there of step by step guides on how to build a PC. Read those guides carefully and thoroughly so that you have an idea of what to do.
 
well I really should just by the cooler you said then just figure it out and get it in.. once i close that puppy im the kinda guy taht really wont order a new part and open it up so i DEF should do that cooler there is no reason not to.. right?

and should i overclock, before i put the order in... if you agree with my latest post with all the parts plus the drive you said and the cooler ... i should be TOTALLY fully loaded and that case for 90$ is big enough and will fit the things right (i duno how to check)

if tahts that im going to order it then start learning how to build this PC---

edit- just cheked that cooler you said which seems FINE but someone said something baout a bracket to hold it from moving or something... any ideas or is it fine...
 
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hey just want to bumnp this real fast so I can order it... does everyone agree that the graphics card is totally cool and should i overclock or not? and that cooling fan.


thanks for all the help again everyone
 
GPU is good, you don't need to overclock and the heatsink is good! :D

Here is a quick review of the heatsink at overclockers.com
 
arite great ordering it now. thanks for the help. how upgradeable is this computer too? im sure some parts are going to last longer than others in terms of keeping up with software and gaming graphics advancements... but would i need osme new ram and a new graphics card in like 3-5 years ?
 
It's hard to know how well your computer will perform in 3-5 years but I can tell you that you have the top of the line stuff there, which IMO will last you atleast a good 4 years. Sometime down the road you may consider crossfiring your 5870 or upgrading to whatever is new (the HD7870! lol), but for now I wouldn't worry about it. You have a great system that will be top of the line for quite a while.
 
so at the last second i changed 3 things based on someone's "wise" opinion


changed the case to the RAVEN 2

and changed cooling to this : CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series CWCH50-1 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler

and for teh SSD the man said the one i have i way too much money and should go for the G Skill SSD instead for like 150 cheaper.. I Dont know what he meant but what do you think

i guess one of these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&N=100006692 50008476&IsNodeId=1&name=G.SKILL

opinions:!??!?! thanks again boys (and girls)

ok another edit____

I asked these same guys if i can run games like starcraft or crysis at max settings etc etc... they said na prob not constant itll flux... im like wut do i need? they said get the nvidia fermi 480 or the 5970 if i can find it... its like 250 or 300 more than the 5870 ew have set up for me now... any opinions boys!!!!
 
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Stick with the same SSD as before. Very very very few people recommend the G.Skill SSD for a reason. At least that's the case in our Data Storage subforum.

You should definitely get max settings with SC2 with the HD 5870. Crysis IMO is not worth spending extra cash on hardware for. Enjoyable game but definitely not worth spending an extra $200 to $300 for faster hardware.
 
i totally agree... with the SSD though all they said after I Asked them again was that the one i picked was just too much money by about 150$....

and for the graphics card.... is it worth it for me to just wait and see if i would EVEN NEED more power in that area and THEN buy ANOTHER card to crossfire (another radeon 5870) or should i just buy a 2GB card NOW instead...


so after all this talking... the guy then showed me Digital Storm... this cooling website... I dont know how we got to THAT point but he showed me a all these made-for-you GAMING rigs with insane cooling systems... it really had me thinking cuz the increase in price from my current build would only be a few hundred bucks PLUS the (much larger) cost of the cooling system... what do you guys think about that website, first of all... in the end with a SICK water "liquid" cooling system all sent to me ready to go would be around 3000.... but is this even worth it... im not doing crazy editing... but at the same time I do want max settings in gaming with no hiccups and i want my computer to just be absolutely FAST

hope i didnt open a whole new can of worms now~\!

edit-- if this 5870 card is so awesome, why dont i just get 2 and crossfire those bad boys? is it not worth it as compared to me just spenidng an extra 300 on a single 2GB card that i can crossfire as needed in 2 years?
 
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your not going to need to go Crossfire at all & 1920x1080 its overkill to add a second card.
 
so would you say i should just spend the money now on getting a 2gb card ... or a 1.5 ?? or perhaps just a different card altogether?

thank you for your input

oh and whats your opinion about that whole liquid cooling scenario... from digital storm
 
I wouldn't hesitate on the New G.Skill Phoenix SSD's. The older (pre sandforce controller) ones it was a different story. Now don't get me wrong the Intel's are king, But I am not willing to pay for the little bit of price difference. Then again it also depends on what capacity you want to hit since intel SSD's are 40, 80, & 160 & the G.Skill SSD's are 60,100,120, & 240. So if you need 100gb Its not worth paying the extra for the intel 160gb over the g.skill, but if you need 80 its also not worth paying for the g.skill 100 over the intel 80..
 
Why do you keep changing your mind? The case is fine, it's a lot bigger than the HAF922 (mid vs full tower). The cooler sucks though. Stick with the H50 you had originally chosen. Not sure about the SSD but I would still just stick with the intel x25m-g2. It has proven again and again that it is one of the best SSD's out there.
 
Only in capacity. Performance is the same.
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
officially pulled the trigger

and so it begins....

more fun to come maybe some pics of me putting it together (breaking everything)

and do you guys have any advice on a way to just make sure everything is working the way they should at speeds they should? like some software prog?

thanks for EVERYTHING

-E
 
Once you have the system running come back and post and we will suggest further courses of action. Are you excited? I bet you are.. thats a bad ass system your about to build :D :D
 
There are lots of benchmarks out there. Just look at reviews for your hardware to see where you should be hitting.
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
heres the final setup:

1 x COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
1 x CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series CWCH50-1 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler
1 x CPU Mag Gift - 6 issues of CPU Magazine
1 x SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEM
1 x KWORLD Digital Media Player M101, RMVB support
1 x Intel X25-M Mainstream SSDSA2MH080G2R5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
1 x G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ
1 x Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
1 x Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930
1 x XFX HD-587X-ZNFV Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
1 x ASUS P6X58D-E LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
1 x XFX Black Edition XPS-850W-BES 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
 
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