Legit Reviews

Hi there everyone. My original build is from 2006 and it's way past time for a new rig!

I will need everything but a new monitor, mouse & keyboard. I'm still happy with my 21" Samsung, and my logitec gaming keyboard and mouse.

So my budget is around $1,200.00, but I can possibly squeeze a few more out for a good argument. I like to try and get as much bang for my buck as possible and have not really had the time to research components lately. By lately, I mean the last 2-3 years! I know AMD has had a few new chips come out, but I still don't think they can touch the i7, but that is just speculation on my part. At least that is what I've heard. I'd prefer to stay away from liquid cooling if possible with good utilization of a case that breathes very well and an upgraded heat sink. So, case, ram, power supply, MB, video card(s), large hard drive, even a blue ray burner are all wanted in the build. I like to game. That is actually the main reason for this build is to play newer games without the tremendous lag I have now with my old system.

I appreciate all the suggestions in advance!

Sting3000-

I would build around the Intel core I7 2600K cpu.

i would go for this etup as best bang for buck:

Motherboard: Gigabyte Z68MA $114.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128495
CPU: i5 2500k $219.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115072
GPU: GTX560 ti $219.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814133377
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8gb $47.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820233180
Power Supply: Corsair HX 850 $219.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817139034
Case: Coolermaster HAF 922 $99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119197
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200rpm $139.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822148506
Blue Ray: LG Blueray Burner $79.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827136226
$1142.92 +/- couple dollars for delivery and rebate

Testing the system on Outervision Extreme Power Supply Calculator Pro v2.5 with cpu OC to 4ghz and 1.4v and 2 gtx 560 ti's sliand 100% load 25% cap aging with 4 usb ports use and 2 140mm fans and 2 250mm fans, you get 788watts at 56.4amps Plenty of room for upgrade

DJ Tucker, That's a good build. Only thing I would change is the cpu, add a SSD for the OS. I would go with a Evga GTX570 only because hot air exits the case. I like Asus motherboards myself.

Thanks guys! Please keep the suggestions coming.

Sincerely,

Sting3000

i was thinking that myself with the cpu until i saw many benchmarks that show the cpu on par with the i7 equivilent and yet it's S30-S40 cheaper or here in the uk £50-£60 i mean that same build here would cost me £1000 give or take delivery which works out at bout $1563. ouchy . also that build above is the same as the build i slowly building now but without the blueray and the hard drive and case as i got one of each

What resolution does your current monitor do (1680x1050 or 1920x1080)? What games in particular is your current system struggling with? What is your current system?

OK I gave it a shot. It is slightly over your budget in USD but there is a reason

Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811119196 I have the Storm Sniper and it is a great case, had a friend build with this one and he loves it. That said, the case will be with you a long time usually and picking one is VERY subjective.

Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128512 I stepped it up a bit but I like full sized ATX boards. Once again there are many good mobos out there in this price range. I like my ASrock but the support isn't the best. Either way I think Z68 is the way to go.

GPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130661 Once again many to choose from. I personally would go with a 6850 card but the 560 is quite capable (especially on a 21" monitor).

PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817139010 NEVER skimp on a PSU, next to the case it is the piece that will be with you the longest! Modular is great for cable management and expandability.

CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115072 The 2600k is a killer CPU but, except under certain situations, the i5 is just as capable. In web surfing, video playback and gaming the difference would be minor IMHO. You can always upgrade later if the need arises.

Drives -

SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820167049 This is why I justified the slightly over budget. I used to be an SSD unbeliever. The one single WAY noticable improvement in everyday use for my rig in the last few years has been the addition of an SSD as a boot and games/applications drive. Another option is to get a smaller (20-40GB) SSD and use the Z68 SRT tech, not as good as a "pure" SSD but it does show a large performance increase (and does away with managing the small size of the SSD).

HDD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136533 WD Black series are all that I buy, great drives...

RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231314 Owned many brands and never been dissapointed with this one.

Optical - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827151222 I deviated here from the initial requirement. IMHO with USB sticks and external drives the need to burn to BD doesn't outweigh the media cost and time involved (as well as software to support it) makes burning BD not worth it. This will play BD and burn everything else.

Cooling - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835181016 I know you said that you didn't want water but this unit is as simple as can be. Plus it frees up a great deal of room around you other components and relieves stress on the mobo.

Total without counting shipping and rebates is $1,245.06 and I am guessing that you will be at least a little surprised at the difference in performance

Major_A wrote:What resolution does your current monitor do (1680x1050 or 1920x1080)? What games in particular is your current system struggling with? What is your current system?

My current monitor is a Samsung 21" 1920X1080.

Games in particular:
Dragon Age 1 & 2
Starcraft II
THE NEW STAR WARS GAME COMING OUT IN DECEMBER!!!!

My current system: (don't laugh, it was built in 2006!)

2.2 AMD prcessor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819103539
ASUS Mother board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131524
2 gigs of ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145486
450 watt PS
7900 GT Nvida graphics card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814121003
60 Gig hard drive
case: Raidmax with 5 fans.

So, as you can see, it is definitely time for an upgrade. When I build a system, I like for it to last for quite some time. This build has been very good to me. No faulty parts, and always has run just fine. It just does not have much more to give with the demands of current games.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I actually considered going Mac with this desktop this go round, but the costs, plus the lack of gaming options drew me back to PC. I just can't quit you!

Sting3000-

Here's what I came up with...
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Publi ... r=17278632
I didn't include a case since those are mostly personal preference. I also didn't include an optical drive. If you have one you should be able to reuse it. If you go pretty cheap on the case then you have more money for either...
A) faster/more RAM
B) faster GPU
C) Blu-Ray drive/burner

I went with the AMD/ATi card because of what you said you play. From looking at reviews the newer AMD cards seemed to edge out nVidia cards.

Good stuff Major A. You guys are giving me great ideas. Thanks so much!!!!


Sting3000-