$3000 Gaming build, June of 2011

mnewsham · Feb 15, 2011

Hello everyone, I am going to have between $2,000 and $3,000 this coming June, now I am fully capable of getting a build put together for myself. However, outside advice is always welcome, I don't know about all of the new technology that is coming out in the next few months, I may not know of a certain part, etc. This computer will be used for gaming, In the budget please include a monitor and W7, for the monitor I would like 120hz 23inch, but if you have a suggestion you are welcome to provide it. I am not a fanboy of intel, amd, or Nvidia.

BoomerD · Feb 15, 2011

mnewsham · Feb 15, 2011

BoomerD said:

:$

Sephire · Feb 15, 2011

Is everyone getting extra money this days?

mnewsham · Feb 15, 2011

Sephire said:
Is everyone getting extra money this days?

Graduation gift. :awe:

Sephire · Feb 15, 2011

In June? just wait for the cost of the components till then. And also Sandybridge.

mnewsham · Feb 15, 2011

Sephire said:
In June? just wait for the cost of the components till then. And also Sandybridge.

Obviously, im just looking for a rough outline at the 2-3k price point.

Anomaly1964 · Feb 15, 2011

mnewsham · Feb 15, 2011

Anomaly1964 said:
WOW, one of the best advice givers here asking for advice...

i-2500k $224

GPU - GTX 580 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-587-_-Product $499

RAM - 8GB G.Skill http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-277-_-Product (X) 2 = $98

CASE - HAF 942 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-225-_-Product $179

PSU - XFS 750 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-225-_-Product $129

P67/Z68 MB - $100-$200

Acer Monitor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-222-_-Product $350

Heatsink http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-014-_-Product $75

Windows 7 - $99

Keyboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-005-_-Product $69

Mouse - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=G9x%20mouse $70

Speakers - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ED&PageSize=20 $149

SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-590-_-Product $229

HDD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-185-_-Product $65

Total: $2435

That's about what i was looking at, i might change the monitor to asus, keyboard and mouse to personal preference. But about what i am looking at. Everyone can use a second opinion especially with 2.5k

endlessmike133 · Feb 15, 2011

My advice is don't spend 3000 dollars on a Gaming PC.

Honestly if you want a new Gaming PC just take like 1200$ out of that and you're set, you can do so much for the rest of the money left over (I know your into high quality audio for example; you can set up a noice 7.1 surround sound set up with 2800$)

mnewsham · Feb 15, 2011

endlessmike133 said:
My advice is don't spend 3000 dollars on a Gaming PC.

Honestly if you want a new Gaming PC just take like 1200$ out of that and you're set, you can do so much for the rest of the money left over (I know your into high quality audio for example; you can set up a noice 7.1 surround sound set up with 2800$)

Iv already spent too much on audio, TOO much, im trying to curb that habit.

fffblackmage · Feb 15, 2011

mnewsham said:
Iv already spent too much on audio, TOO much, im trying to curb that habit.

Switching spending from audio to gaming PC I see... :hmm:

wuliheron · Feb 15, 2011

The market changes too fast to price items as far ahead as the summer and some components you might want to consider aren't even on the market now.

Sandy bridge ex 2011 or bulldozer, you'll just have to decide for yourself when they come out. No doubt the more expensive of the two will cost a thousand bucks, but with your budget I wouldn't settle for anything less then 8 cores which is ideal for physics and AI.

By summer the new sata 6gb SSDs should also be out and drive down the prices on the old. Since sata 3gb is plenty fast for gaming I'd think about getting at least a 120gb SSD.

Gigantopithecus · Feb 16, 2011

mnewsham said:
Graduation gift. :awe:

Congratulations! Graduating from...?

I hate to put a damper on your enthusiasm for a baller build, but the return on investment really starts to drop over $1500 or so. I think the most overlooked parts of computer building are the monitor, desk, and chair, haha. What can a $2000 PC do that a $1500 PC can't? However, staring at a 30" Dell Ultrasharp is MUCH more awesome (and is more impressive when friends come over, hehe) than staring at a 1080P monitor. Similarly, where's the PC going? I find working anywhere other than my large desk frustrating as smaller workspaces don't let me spread out books, papers, scratch paper, etc. And if you're going to be sitting in front of your computer for hours every day, you really start to appreciate a supremely comfortable chair.

Anomaly1964 · Feb 16, 2011

I ALMOST put a 30" Dell in my build...grin.

mfenn · Feb 16, 2011

mnewsham said:
:$

Son, I am disappoint. :awe:

I'm in agreement with the other posters. Build a $1200 machine (w/o monitor), spend $350 on a 120Hz monitor, then save the rest for upgrades down the line.

RaistlinZ · Feb 17, 2011

Anomaly1964 said:
I ALMOST put a 30" Dell in my build...grin.

Do it, man. You won't be disappointed. I love my U3011. It was worth every cent I paid for it ($1,100). :biggrin:

Aristotelian · Feb 17, 2011

mnewsham said:
Iv already spent too much on audio, TOO much, im trying to curb that habit.

What's your audio setup? I currently use ipod->custom lineout cable -> RSA Tomahawk-> UE10pro customs, but I'm itching for an upgrade. The only thing that has stopped me so far is that upgrading the headphones would mean relegating my current pair to a dusty corner, as customs have 0 resale use or value.

Could you share your audio setup for your pc please?

Vette73 · Feb 17, 2011

By June Bulldozer should be out or at least reviews popping up.

If bulldozer turns out great go with a AMD AM3+ system.

If not then get the z68 chipset from intel and build a 2500k sandy bridge system.

stahlhart · Feb 17, 2011

Sephire said:
Is everyone getting extra money this days?

Just got word of the estimated date for the IRS return this morning so, yes... SB upgrade day inches a little closer here.

Congrats, OP! :thumbsup:

LiuKangBakinPie · Feb 17, 2011

get the 990x and stuck 3x 580s in there

djshortsleeve · Feb 17, 2011

I built a solid core i5 2500k machine for 1350. I previously had the ASUS 24" monitor, Logitech 2.1 sound, keyboard, mouse.

I need to add storage drive also, I only have Crucial C300 128 gb SSD (which I am very pleased with).

Only game I have tried is Black Ops and it runs as smooth as solitaire does on most machines...

BoomerD · Feb 17, 2011

Dude...you who recommends ~~cheap~~ inexpensive boards and low-cost RAM for builds all the time...and you're asking us to help you build a premium system? :colbert:

I agree that a high-quality monitor would be a good expenditure, and one that should last through at least a couple of builds.
Aim for a high-quality $1500 build...and a top-of-the-line monitor. Pocket any remaining cash.

Of course, we don't really know what's going to pop up in the industry between now and June...Hopefully, Intel will be releasing the Z68 chipset by then...and who knows...maybe nVidia will have a GTX 7000 on the market that will smoke any/all games at max eye-candy...or not.

Sephire · Feb 17, 2011

Yup don't skimp on the components.

If I got 3K for a gaming build first thing I do is buy three (3) 24" IPS panel monitors for an Eyefinity setup and go from there.

somethingsketchy · Feb 17, 2011

RaistlinZ said:
Do it, man. You won't be disappointed. I love my U3011. It was worth every cent I paid for it ($1,100). :biggrin:

+1 might as well take the 3k and buy 3x 30" monitors

$3000 Gaming build, June of 2011

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