Building a New Gaming PC

[bing_raga]

Hi!

I need some help on deciding on my new build. Well, I only got this horrible 4-year old rig, running on AMD Athlon II X2 240, DDR2 platform, HD4600 series graphic card, with crappy HDD. I'm still saving some money to have at least a budget of US$ 1,500 for the unit. I'm trying to build something that is isn't too fancy and pricey, but can run most new game titles with decent graphics at mid-high settings, from BF3 to future COD and MOH games (Yes, I play more FPS games). I'm not too much of a techie, so, I'm gonna need some feedback on the following build:

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k
Motherboard: Asus Maximus V Gene
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8gb ddr3 1600
Graphic Card: Asus ENGTX580 DCII
PSU: Corsair AX750
SSD: Corsair Force GT 120GB
HDD: WD Caviar Black 1TB
CPU Cooling: Corsair H80

I still got this Carbide chassis, so I need not to spend for a new one. Will this build suffice? Are there any way I can cut down the price tag without sacrificing the performance that I am expecting? So far, those hardware are the ones that are easy to get hold of here in my location. As much as possible, I would want to save myself from spending on shipping fees, so, my choice of hardware is a bit limited.

Thanks everyone, in advance!

[Rookie1986]

I'm not good with US prices but have had a quick look and come up with is on Newegg:

OS: W7 Home 64
CPU: Intel i5 3750K
MOB: Asus Sabertooth z77
Cooler: Corsair H100
SSD: Corsair M4 128GB
HDD: WD 1TB
GPU: Asus 7970
Ram: Corsair Vengeance 8GB
PSU: Corsair TX650
Optical: Samsung DVD

Comes in at $1580 but I'm sure if you play about with it a little you can bring it down under $1500 just remember to only make changes and compromise on stuff this isn't going to cost you a fortune to change at a later date, your better getting the best MOB, CPU and GPU first and things like SSD, more RAM, new case, better cooling etc etc can all be added//upgraded later.

Rookie

[bing_raga]

Thanks so much for the input, Rookie. I will have to check with the local retailers here for the prices. Actually, this will be my first time to build a PC with Intel setup. I've been using AMD products in the past - for my PC as well as my friends'. I will definitely shift to Intel setup, I'm unsure about the graphics card, Ive been using AMD/ATI for a long time and this would be my first attempt to use nVidia.

Anyway, I'll be posting back here when I get to know those hardware's local prices, if they sum somewhere within the budget. I have spare bluray drive and some good chassis here, and a copy of Win7 Ultimate, so I guess that would slash some savings. I'll see if I can get over with ROG boards, I really plan to make it red+black themed, that's why Maximus was my choice, but, we'll see about that, LOL.

Thanks a lot for the help! Really appreciate it!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

What resolution do you game at??

The following parts come from Newegg.



Regarding,the graphics card,the HD7970 3GB chosen has is massively pre-overclocked and cheaper than the GTX680(which is out of stock).

The pre-overclocked GTX670 cards might be worth considering too,but ATM there seems to be some stuttering issues,reported on multiple forums with the GTX670 and GTX680 series. Nvidia has promised a fix though,although AFAIK it will be next month.

Here are some comparisons with the GTX680 Phantom:

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/review...roduction.html

http://www.fudzilla.com/home/item/26...rtex-ii-tested

The GTX680 Phantom is a very expensive GTX680 model which has a nearly 10% overclock. The HD7970 3GB costs less than a normal GTX680.

The Samsung 830 is a very good SSD,as is the Crucial M4 which is $5 more expensive. Both are quite reliable SSDs,unlike the SandForce drives which have had may teething problems.

The PSU is not modular but is made by Seasonic and gets good reviews. I suspect,that a 650W PSU would be enough though.

[bing_raga]

Hi CAT!

I'm running a 1920x1080 LED. And I've got no plans of running multiple monitors or upgrading to higher resolutions. I appreciate that you guys take time checking on Newegg prices. I forgot to tell you guys that I'm from the Philippines, though, LOL.

Thanks for the feedback on HD7970, I might stick to good ol' AMD GPU, then (If I'm not gonna change my mind about nVidia). About the PSU, yeah, I've been reading a lot of good reviews about Seasonic PSUs, and yeah, 650 watts would be enough since I have no plans of running crossfire/SLI in the near future. Although, I wanted a 750-watt PSU for the extra headroom.



About the local prices of those hardware suggested by Rookie, the total went off beyond my budget and reached around $1,800! That's the kind of problem we are getting here in my place. Retail prices here are way too high, higher than what can be seen on online stores outside the country. Although I haven't done the Math yet, I suspect that It will be cheaper for me if I'm gonna have everything ordered online and have them shipped. This is why I am stuck with the specs I posted for a $1,500 budget.

I'll just play around the specs for a while. Or in the meantime, I'm gonna wait for the results of those Hexus competitions I joined in, I might get lucky and get those hardware for free, LOL

Again, thanks a lot, Rookie and CAT!

[Capt BustaCapov]

If you want to try AMD for less, look at my specs=cost
$60 Motherboard
149 CPU
109 Memory
95 X 2 HDD
70 Case/pwr supply
70 H60 water cooler
129 X 2 Monitors
15 fans/lites
129 Vid Card
Total cost $1050

[raspute]

hey, is there any reason you're not going for a 3570k? it's virtually the same cpu but cooler at up to 4.4ghz/1.2v and with pcie3.

[bing_raga]

Hi there! Sorry that I haven't checked this thread for a while.

If you want to try AMD for less, look at my specs=cost
$60 Motherboard
149 CPU
109 Memory
95 X 2 HDD
70 Case/pwr supply
70 H60 water cooler
129 X 2 Monitors
15 fans/lites
129 Vid Card
Total cost $1050

Hi! Thanks for the advice. I've been wanting to shift to an Intel setup, since I've been using AMD for a long time. So, I couldn't have AMD in my choices.

hey, is there any reason you're not going for a 3570k? it's virtually the same cpu but cooler at up to 4.4ghz/1.2v and with pcie3.

The small difference in price, since I'm not building some monster rig and I am on a tight budget. I might get myself a more decent rig than what I have posted, but not anytime sooner. I just needed a rig that I can use for everyday gaming, while I'm waiting for the perfect time to get that 'more decent'. With a 1,500-dollar budget, It may already enough to get me a better setup IF I'm in the U.S. or somewhere else, but tariffs here in the Philippines is killing me, prices are a bit higher, so, I couldn't afford getting a better setup than what I have posted.