Upper Mid-Range Gaming Build [H]elp

[Chosen Juan]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to build a new computer based on Sandy Bridge and I can order as soon as right now.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, Programming (Java, C++, C#), Web Browsing
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Around $1300, but the lower the better
3) Where do you live?
Arizona
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.
CPU, CPU Cooler, RAM (Already Bought), Motherboard, Video Card, PSU, Case, Hard Drives (1 Storage, 1 Boot), Optical Drive
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Mouse, KB, Monitor, Printer...
6) Will you be overclocking?
Of course
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
Samsung 22" 1680x1050
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Now, ready to order as soon as possible
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.
Crossfire support for the future, USB3.0, SATA 6Gb/s
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit

As of right now, this is my build:

Intel Core i5 2500K
I don't see a reason to spend an extra $100 just for HT and more L3 Cache, especially if the main use will be gaming and programming along with other school work (CS Major)

Xigmatek Aegir
It had great reviews, just a few degrees less than the NH-D14 and looks better IMO. I could add a second fan as well.

G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB 2x4GB DDR3 1600
Already bought during the NewEgg ShellShocker deal, couldn't wait


ASRock Fatal1ty P67 Professional
Seems like a great motherboard from the reviews, and the only one that fits the Red/Black theme I'm going for (the ASUS was too expensive)

HIS Radeon HD 6950 2GB
Reference 6950, hoping to unlock the extra shaders

Corsair HX750 Power Supply
Great reviews from what I've seen, modular as well for cable management. I like the type of cables that it comes with as well.

Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Storage drive for projects/school work, pictures, etc. Also for games

Crucial RealSSD C300 64GB
Boot drive for Windows 7 64-bit, a possibly the games that I play the most

ASUS DVD Burner
Cheap DVD Burner

Cooler Master HAF X
Goes with the Black/Red theme, very spacious, nice airflow. Another case that I like is the 600t White which is a bit smaller, and from what I've heard the air cooling isn't that great in the case as well, but it looks amazing.

Well, as of right now those are the parts that I'm honestly ready to order this second. If I could get any suggestions on some of the parts (possibly to make the build cheaper), that would be great. As I said above, I'm trying to go for the Red/Black theme so that's why I went with the Fatal1ty motherboard among other things.

With the prices right now, the total is $1356.91 before rebates and shipping/handling, that price also doesn't include the RipJawsX because that was already purchased.The main suggestions I'm looking for right now are parts that are cheaper to save myself money.

Thanks!

 

[Dangman]

Take a look at the HAF 922 case if you still want to keep that red/black theme. However, how much does that red/black them really matter to you? I ask because the biggest waste of money in that entire list is that motherboard. At $220 shipped, it's overpriced due to it only have a two-year warranty. Prety crappy when many cheaper mobos have a 3 year warranty. The second biggest waste in that list is the HAF X: It's simply not worth $190 shipped since there are better quality and equally cooling cases out there for either the same or lower price.

So in other words, are you willing to pay the extra $200 (by my estimates) on the motherboard and case alone for that red/black theme?

As for the video card, what matters more to you: a greater chance of unlock but crappy warranty and customer service or great warranty and customer support but no chance of an unlock?

Oh and you save $30 with this HSF:
$30 - Xigmatek Gaia SD1283 120mm HSF

 

[Chosen Juan]

Take a look at the HAF 922 case if you still want to keep that red/black theme. However, how much does that red/black them really matter to you? I ask because the biggest waste of money in that entire list is that motherboard. At $220 shipped, it's overpriced due to it only have a two-year warranty. Prety crappy when many cheaper mobos have a 3 year warranty. The second biggest waste in that list is the HAF X: It's simply not worth $190 shipped since there are better quality and equally cooling cases out there for either the same or lower price.

So in other words, are you willing to pay the extra $200 (by my estimates) on the motherboard and case alone for that red/black theme?

As for the video card, what matters more to you: a greater chance of unlock but crappy warranty and customer service or great warranty and customer support but no chance of an unlock?

Oh and you save $30 with this HSF:
$30 - Xigmatek Gaia SD1283 120mm HSF

I'm not a fan of that case at all. It's too small. I'm trying to go fulltower just in case I go with water in the future. The two other cases I was considering were the NZXT Phantom and the Corsair 600t White. But, the Phantom uses proprietary fans which are 192mm instead of 200mm and the 600t is no cheaper than the HAF X.

As for the motherboard, what else would I get? I'm not going to get a motherboard with blue ram/pci slots. Biostar? Gigabyte?

 

[Dangman]

I'm not a fan of that case at all. It's too small. I'm trying to go fulltower just in case I go with water in the future. The two other cases I was considering were the NZXT Phantom and the Corsair 600t White. But, the Phantom uses proprietary fans which are 192mm instead of 200mm and the 600t is no cheaper than the HAF X.

Too small? Here's the dimensions of the HAF X (L x W x H):
23.20" x 9.10" x 21.70"

Here's the dimensions of the HAF 922:
22.20" x 10.00" x 19.70"

So really not that big of a difference unless two inches in height really matter to you.

If you get the 600T from Amazon.com, it comes with free shipping. AS such it would be chaper than the HAF X. Then again even if you buy it from Newegg, it's still a better choice than the HAF X. Other cases to check out:
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$220 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case

As for the motherboard, what else would I get? I'm not going to get a motherboard with blue ram/pci slots. Biostar? Gigabyte?

I don't recommend Biostar unless you have a very low-budget. I generally don't recommend Gigabyte P67 mobos these days due to the lack of a UEFI BIOs. Though their mobos are ok apparently. Generally I recommend MSI or Asus P67 mobos.

 

[Chosen Juan]

The HAF X still dwarfs over the 922 as you can see in this video.

I guess I can get a cheaper motherboard if it really makes that much of a difference. But, after looking through the selection the only other motherboard that stands out to me is another board by ASRock, the P67 Extreme4, which got great reviews. Honestly, a 1 year difference in warranty doesn't really mean anything to me.

So the motherboard would save me $60, and if I get a Crucial M4 64GB SSD with the coupon code to bring it down to $115, that would save me $30, so that's $90 total.

If I went with the 600T SE the price would be the same as the HAF X...so no saved money there.

 

[Chosen Juan]

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[stren]

Generally a very good build, I would second looking at the corsair 650d. Also you could get a z68 board if you wanted to try the ssd cacheing thang as you have a ssd on the smaller side. I'm not a fan of the 600t. If you're heavily considering water cooling in future though I would suggest the 700d/800d

 

[Chosen Juan]

Generally a very good build, I would second looking at the corsair 650d. Also you could get a z68 board if you wanted to try the ssd cacheing thang as you have a ssd on the smaller side. I'm not a fan of the 600t. If you're heavily considering water cooling in future though I would suggest the 700d/800d

The internals are the same on both the 600T and the 650D are they not? I'm really liking the White/Black of the 600T, it could go well with the rest of the components and the window is more revealing than the HAF X one.

As for SSD caching, I honestly don't know if I want it. From what I've seen, it would be better if I just used it as a boot drive with Windows and a few of my most used programs on it. I turn my computer on/off on a regular basis so I thought it would be better that way.

 

[Chosen Juan]

Well, I guess I'll just pull the trigger on this build?

 

[Dangman]

Well, I guess I'll just pull the trigger on this build?

Do what you wish. You seem very sure of what you want.

 

[Chosen Juan]

Do what you wish. You seem very sure of what you want.

Just curious, I know you said change the motherboard and the case. The case I'm deciding to go with the 600T Special Edition instead, which you said would be a better choice than the HAF X, and honestly it looks better as well.

But for the motherboard, I honestly don't see another motherboard that stands out besides the ASRock Extreme4. What would you recommend?

Sorry for being somewhat stubborn in deciding parts.

And for the graphics card, I'll be changing it like you said. I'm going to go with the MSI Twin Frozr II instead.

 

[Dangman]

But for the motherboard, I honestly don't see another motherboard that stands out besides the ASRock Extreme4. What would you recommend?

A motherboard out of these combo deals:
$320 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU + MSI P67A-C43 Intel P67 ATX Motherboard
$360 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU + Asus P8P67 Intel P67 ATX Motherboard
$380 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU + MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 ATX Motherboard

Outside of the color scheme, all of the above motherboards fits the answer you gave to question 9 of the sticky. For me, that two year warranty provided by AsRock is a huge deal-killer.

And for the graphics card, I'll be changing it like you said. I'm going to go with the MSI Twin Frozr II instead.

Which Twin Frozer II? That name belongs to quite a few MSI cards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...win Frozr II&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=100

Sorry for being somewhat stubborn in deciding parts.

Meh, I'm stubborn as a mule too.

 

[Chosen Juan]

A motherboard out of these combo deals:
$320 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU + MSI P67A-C43 Intel P67 ATX Motherboard
$360 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU + Asus P8P67 Intel P67 ATX Motherboard
$380 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU + MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 ATX Motherboard

Outside of the color scheme, all of the above motherboards fits the answer you gave to question 9 of the sticky. For me, that two year warranty provided by AsRock is a huge deal-killer.



Which Twin Frozer II? That name belongs to quite a few MSI cards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...win Frozr II&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=100

Meh, I'm stubborn as a mule too.

The 6950 2GB Twin Frozr II

If warranty wasn't an issue for me (2 years is enough honestly as I can see myself upgrading within that time, at least CPU/Mobo), would you still recommend those boards or something else?

 

[Dangman]

If warranty wasn't an issue for me (2 years is enough honestly as I can see myself upgrading within that time, at least CPU/Mobo), would you still recommend those boards or something else?

I would still recommend those MSI/Asus mobos. Maybe the AsRock Extreme4 P67 mobo if you buy before June 30th.

 

[Chosen Juan]

I would still recommend those MSI/Asus mobos. Maybe the AsRock Extreme4 P67 mobo if you buy before June 30th.

What's June 30th?

And the reason why I was leaning towards the Extreme4 is because the reviews on it are amazing. When looking at the Asus and MSI mobos, the reviews are average at best on both, with MSI having a problem with slow SATA III speeds.

 

[Dangman]

What's June 30th?

Well after June 30th, all of AsRock's p67/H67 mobos revert back to a one year warranty here in the U.S:
http://www.asrock.com/news/events/201102ex/warranty.html

If AsRock hadn't extended the warranty, I would not have recommended it or mentioned it at all.