Need Help Designing a New Gaming Rig

[DragonD]

Background/Trival Info

Back in march 06, I built my current Gaming system. I went top of the line (back then) products and spent right at 5 grand (that included the monitor).

When i did, I gave the computer I had at the time to my oldest son..some best buy HP thingy.

Well, my son last week turned 18 AND graduated from high school. He said he would like to have a new computer, cause his won't run any of the "good" games.

I thought about building him one...but...decided to build ME one, and give him my current rig. Two with one stone right?

Well, I have NO idea what's really relevant with the computer parts anymore. So, I need help in designing one.


budget
I don't have a fixed budget, but I'm not interested in spending 5 grand again. If the performance is worth the price, I don't mind buying it..but I would just as soon as drop down a peg or two. Biggest bang for the buck, you know?

Specs

• Case - My current case is a cooler master stacker tower. I love the "room" and airflow that full towers provide and want another tower
• PSU - Sli Capable
• CPU - ??? (also need a cooler for it)
• Motherboard - Needs to be sli capable. Would like to have 4 memory slots, but that' not crucial. My current one is an Asus.
• Vid Card - I tend to go with Nvidia. I would only get 1 card now, and a year or so, add a second card (sli)
• Memory - ?? 2 chips, each 2 gigs? That would be a nice start, then drop in another 2 chips later.

I'm keeping my current hard drives. My primary drive is a brand new velociraptor. Although I'll probably upgrade to windows 7 (to make use of the 64bit)

I don't need a monitor. I bought a 22 inch widescreen about 6 months ago. I don't need keyboard or mouse (G9).

So, what do you guys recommend?

 

[Vader]

Are you looking for maximum performance? Like the most you could spend without being dumb.
Overclocking are you?

 

[Dweeb]

Try some of the online computer suppliers some times you can get a great deal
With free shipping.

 

[pillar]

First off DragonD, I liked the way you presented your thread. Very few thread about computer are rarely arranged in a way that you created it. Im sure the other ego members will get on to me bout the whole "gloating" bit, which its not, just simply giving compliment where its due. Now onto specs:

case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
69.99
psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
109.99
cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
279.99 (intel)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471
189.99 (amd)
motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128375
199.99 (intel)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128384
(amd)
vid card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339
129.99 (lifetime limited warranty :thumbup
memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189
59.99 (intel)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
48.99(amd)

 

[DragonD]

Are you looking for maximum performance? Like the most you could spend without being dumb.
Overclocking are you?

Pretty much true... No need to spend 600 bucks on a vid card that in 3 months will be worth 200 bucks.

 

[Ryken]

I too, enjoy how this thread was started.

In regards to Pillar's post:

1. If you go Intel with the cpu, you want to get RAM that comes in a set of 3 as the chipset supports triple channel memory. If you are running a 32bit OS, you want 3x1GB, if you are running 64-bit, go 3x2GB. Any DDR3 set from the major brands should do well. I like Corsair and G.Skill has good prices.

2. Might want to consider one bump up in video card to a EVGA GTX 260 or a Sapphire 4870. They can both be had for $175 after MIR. We could sit and argue whether it is worth the $50 or not for a long time, but you should be aware of the option nonetheless, especially is you are thinking about SLI'ing in the future.

 

[Cmac]

Alot of its down to personal Preference here and also a budget, really by saying you have no specific budget just not anything silly doesnt help much tbh as what do you consider being silly? also are you an intel or amd person or are you not fussed just so long as it does the job? are you looking for top of the line or are you looking for midrange with scope to improve in the future?

 

[Rawwwwr]

just a reminder if you do buy from newegg or amazon please use eGO Mall http://edgegamers.org/forums/cmps_index.php?pageid=egomall (link also in left side menu on bottom)

as far as parts go check out the specs of iBuyPower gaming rigs and compare the parts and prices, sometimes its cheaper buying the whole setup

 

[DragonD]

My rig is used pretty much 100% for entertainment, mostly gaming, watching movies and surfing the net.

What's really the difference between AMD and Intell now adays? Giving my use, what would make more sense in getting?

If I go with intel, should I get the I7? with perhaps an ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard ??

For a video card, I was looking a perhaps the GTX 285 2GB

For a case, i was looking at the Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower

 

[shotgun king]

me personally I prefer a AMD system over an Intel.Id go with the new M4A78 pro motherboard.I just got it and I love it.theres so many new features like not having to boot up your os to check mail.look it up sometime its a deal.

 

[Ryken]

The difference is the i7 920 outperforms the phenom II X4 955 at most tasks on stock speeds. Both can OC very well. The motherboards for the phenom can be had for about $100 less than the i7. Either way and you will probably be really happy.

The Video Card you linked sure is nice, but it is in the range of "silly" when it comes to price for performance. You spent $5k last time, so obviously you like bleeding edge, but I would say it's overkill. Just go with a 260 or a GTX 275 and save the rest.

The Antec 1200 is a very nice case. It should have plenty of room for you.

That Asus mb should be fine.

Go Corsair for your psu.

 

[DragonD]

I think your right about the video Cards Ryken. I did some more reading on the diff's between the 275's and the 285's. Not really worth the difference in price.

If i'm doing mostly just gaming, would the phenom be the way to go?

 

[Rogue Sniper]

I think your right about the video Cards Ryken. I did some more reading on the diff's between the 275's and the 285's. Not really worth the difference in price.

If i'm doing mostly just gaming, would the phenom be the way to go?

Yes, if you plan on gaming, multimedia, etc and not things like rendering, compiling, or of the sorts, then yes Phenom II would be the way to go.

 

[USMC SatComm TeK Stubster]

My current build i just finished.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197236 Case & PSU

3 different combos
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365 MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202 CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317 HD's Qty4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153 DVD Writer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381 Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116493 OS althouogh I installed Windows 7 RC

DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #187036
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475 GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381 Memory

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9293542&type=product&id=1218076081264 (Second GPU cause I forgot to order the EVGA with the initial order so I had to find one locally until the EVGA came in, ordered it after I started building:cursing: and realized I had removed it from the order:facewall: and didnt want to wait til the following Friday dang holidays.) :biggrin:

 

[Cmac]

Just wondering if you will be wanting a new monitor aswell? Also would you be buying a new OS license? if so what would you want?

Grr keep thinking of new things, Would you be wanting Blu-ray?

 

[DragonD]

Just wondering if you will be wanting a new monitor aswell? Also would you be buying a new OS license? if so what would you want?

Grr keep thinking of new things, Would you be wanting Blu-ray?

Well, I already stated that i would be keeping my current raptors, and my load Windows 7 on them, and that I would be keeping my 22inch gaming monitor... dvd's readers are not very expensive, and you can just toss an generic on in there from best buy or something.

 

[DragonD]

My current build i just finished.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.197236 Case & PSU

I really like that...

 

[USMC SatComm TeK Stubster]

I LOVE my new system and so does my gameplay as I now can kill more of my friends.:biggrin:

I forgot to add i also got this monitor:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3326540&CatId=3774

It's $299.99 if you have a store near you otherwise its $339.99 and before you say anything about the brand here is the original model.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254026

 

[Ryken]

I think your right about the video Cards Ryken. I did some more reading on the diff's between the 275's and the 285's. Not really worth the difference in price.

If i'm doing mostly just gaming, would the phenom be the way to go?

I'm glad to see you agree! I really think you will be very very happy with a 275.

As far as the processor goes, here is an article from tom's hardware comparing the 955, 940, and i7 920 amongst a couple others. You will see that the i7 920 and the x4 940 are almost the same in all gaming benchmarks.

"But I'm overclocking!" you say. Well, that is a link for an article comparing the two after they have overclocked them.

Given the data, I say the phenom is the best bang for your buck. The case and power supply you picked out is a decent pick due to the combo discount. That psu is even more overkill than the GTX 285, but since you get $60 off, it is about the same price as the Corsair, and it looks cool with that case.

So, here is my recommended build for you:

Phenom II X4 940: $189.99

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P: $109.99

Coolermaster HAF Case and PSU Combo: $269.99

G.Skill 4GB DDR2 1066: $54.99

EVGA GTX 275: $229.99 (after MIR)

Total Price: $854.95

Damn, that's one helluva build for under 1k... Even if you add the price of the hard drive (60), optical (25), and an aftermarket cooler (~50), it is still a super good deal. I think it's over, just order it up and make sure you post some pics for us!

 

[DragonD]

Outstanding Ryken...

question, how much would getting DDR3 memory help (course, would have to get a different mb)