Building my first PC

[clocand]

I would like to begin by admitting that I don't know as much as I would like about the computer building process, which is why I am here asking for advice. Tell me everything you have to say, whether you find that certain parts or incompatible, or I should switch to a different part, or that you think I'm paying too much and should order for a different site, etc.

It will be used for games such as BF3, SC2, Diablo III, and Skyrim. I will be buying parts in the US. I am an Intel-fanboy.

Current Monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824176112

My goal is to build a decent computer (not top of the line), learn from my experience, and time take pride in doing so. My spending limit is around $1000. I definitely am not certain in my decision about the power supply, case, or where to find decently priced Hard Drives. If I have not mentioned it here, then I am probably forgetting a part. If so, please fill me in.

Also, I was wondering if anyone has heard of Deep Freezing their personal rig, and would like to hear the pros and cons of it.

I am starting from scratch(have a good monitor), here is the list I have made from searching newegg:

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119216

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128512

Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16819115072]
*Changed the Processor to the one suggested by Fastmdman.
Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.773824

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...orsair%20tx750
*Changed the power supply to the one suggested by Fastmdman.

CPU Cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065
*Added the CPU Cooler suggested by Fastmdman.

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...l-_-20-231-314

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

SSD
Is it important to have?

Subtotal: 868.94

After Mail-in Rebates($105): $763.94
The selected video card also included BF3($49.99) as a free gift, which I planned on purchasing anyway.

New Subtotal: 713.95

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
Coel

 

[fastamdman]

I would change the power supply to a corsair tx750 as they are running a great deal on them, or a tx650, whatever your budget allows. As far as the rest of it, pretty good setup. I also would change the 560 ti to the one that newegg has for 199.99 after rebates as it saves some cash .

Also if you are buying a 2600k, I would get a cpu cooler like a hyper 212+. Also IMO the 2600k is overkill for you, personally I would go with a 2500k as it would probably be a much better suit for you

 

[lehtv]

Hi. Please answer the questions here.

This thread has a user asking for a $1000 gaming build so it should mostly cover your needs as well

 

[clocand]

I've covered all the questions you asked by editing my original post.

I also introduced some software, Deep Freeze, and asked for any opinions on that.

Lehtv suggested(motherboard):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

to another person building a rig similar to mine, but I was wondering if my choice of:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

was better or what the difference is between.

Lehtv also suggest the 2GB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

which is cheaper in original price and does not include BF3, although my current choice has only 1 GB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...&SID=u00000687

can someone explain the difference in the pricing and whether or not I need 2GB, etc?

 

[fastamdman]

Build looks pretty good, keep the ud3 board as its a very solid reliable board, I have one now .

As far as the video card difference, the more memory it has the better it does at higher resolutions. Personally I would go with the cheaper one

 

[lehtv]

That Gigabyte board is normally $150 or so, so at $110 AR it's a fantastic buy.

On 1920x1080 you will sometimes find yourself limited in VRAM with a 560 Ti 1GB; I know this from personal experience, having a 560 Ti myself. Games where VRAM use maxes out for me: CIV 5 DX11, Crysis 2, BF3, Skyrim with texture mods, Metro2033, could be others as these are just off the top of my head and doesn't include future titles obviously. In addition to that, if you ever upgrade to crossfire, 2GB VRAM is even more useful because you'll have the all the horsepower to take full advantage of demanding settings that increase VRAM use beyond 1GB. In Skyrim though a 2500K + 6950 2GB would be powerful enough to take advantage of modded 2048x2048 landscape textures.

In terms of pure performance, a stock 6950 is slightly faster than 560 Ti, while consuming a little bit less power. The Sapphire 6950 2gb will most of the time unlock the extra shaders and you can convert it to a 6970, comparable to a stock GTX 570 in performance.

If you're not planning to crossfire, XFX 650W for $45AR is a better option - though it still has the connectors and power to technically handle 6950 CF, 750W is simply more optimal.

 

[mfenn]

I agree with lehtv's advice with regard to parts selection.

I personally would not run Deep Freeze on my main PC. It would work and do what it's supposed to do (i.e. prevent permanent changes to your HDD), but that would be a huge pain in the ass IMHO.

Deep Freeze is meant more for lab or kiosk computers where you don't want people changing stuff. On a normal PC, you would have to go though an annoying "thaw" process every time you wanted to make a permanent change (like, say changing your home page, adding a bookmark, installing a game, updating windows, saving a game, etc.).

 

[clocand]

Everything has been assembled as of yesterday morning; booted up first shot (thank goodness). Only problem encountered was that my chassis arrived broken. I called newegg Thursday morning, they had me out the same model by Friday afternoon. When I asked about my rebate, without hesitation, they credited my account with the refund in full.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[nsavop]

Everything has been assembled as of yesterday morning; booted up first shot (thank goodness). Only problem encountered was that my chassis arrived broken. I called newegg Thursday morning, they had me out the same model by Friday afternoon. When I asked about my rebate, without hesitation, they credited my account with the refund in full.

Thanks for all the help!

Congrat's...Nice build, now time enjoy BF3 that came with that gpu.

 

[clocand]

Congrat's...Nice build, now time enjoy BF3 that came with that gpu.

Yep. Also got Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood with the gpu, as well as Batman: Arkham City for free!

 

[mfenn]

:thumbsup: Glad they took care of you!