Building New System for Civ5 and StarCraft II

[imported_Vern]

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming 50% of the time (Civilization 5 and Starcraft II now, Diablo 3 when it comes out) + Office applications, browsing, and light programming the remainder.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$1,500 but I am not looking to spend it all if I can get what I need for less.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Not really a fan boy, but I have been building systems about every 3rd year (since my first i386 build in the early 90's) and favor Intel/nVidia combos. I have built AMD systems and have used ATI video in the past.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Samsung SyncMaster 2494/Keyboard/Mouse. Mass storage accomplished by gigabit lan with 4TB on a FreeNAS box.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Yes, it actually caused me to drop down to LGA 1156 and not worry about SATA 6GB. I did see the comments on the 1333 v 1600 ram speeds but it is $2 for the Ripjaws so I picked 1600 (+I may overclock)

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I don't plan to start overclocked, but I have overclocked every system I have built at some point so it is a minor priority

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1920x1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Within two weeks

10. Don't ask for a build configuration critique or rating if you are thin skinned.

Not thin skinned and no nearby Microcenter

Some extra info. I want the option to SLI in the future, but am not interested now. The 470 seemed like the perfect card to get good performance now and leave myself open to buy another matching card next year if I find the need to boost the GPU side of the machine. I would like to play Civilization 5 in DirectX 11 now.

Possible Build:

Intel Core i5-760
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115067
ASUS P7P55D Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131405
Antec Three Hundred Black Steal ATX Mid Tower Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
G.SKILL Ripjaws eries 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231277
Intel X25 80GB SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820167023
EVGA GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130550
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116762

I used NewEgg as reference only, I will be open to the best deals and possible substitutions of equal quality and ability products to maximize any possible combo deals. As spec'ed at NewEgg, this totals $1300.88 with another $70 in MIR. Thank you in advance for any and all critiques.

[Edit]Just noticed in my haste I picked a MB that does not supprt SLI (duh) Sorry about that, I will be re-spec'ing that component.[/Edit]
[Edit2]Fixed with the correct ASUS, actually $10 cheaper due to a $30 instant rebate at NewEgg[/Edit2]

 

[muskie32]

You can get This combo (i5&mobo)
This case/psu combo if you need 750 watts?
Not sure witch one is faster but This SSD?
Then get the ram, gpu, and OS you picked.

I guess that just saves you some $$$ on combos =P

 

[mfenn]

What you have looks very good actually (except the mobo which is overpriced). I wouldn't even bother with an SLI-capable mobo. Just grab something solid like the GA-P55-USB3, and you'll be good to go.

Oh yeah, and there is nothing wrong with the X25-M, but it is getting a little long in the tooth. It's mostly been eclipsed by the Sandforce drives both in performance and cost per gig. Something like the OCZ Agility 2 90GB (now in convenient 3.5" form factor!) is $170 AR.

 

[imported_Vern]

Thanks for the replies.

muskie, I had seen the Antec case/PS combo, but the only time I ever had a bad PS was an Antec case/PS combo, so I hesitated on that combo. I love the old case, and the 300 looks like everything I need.

mfenn, I changed the MB in my current wish list, it has a combo with the i5 760 too at NewEgg, but I will be doing more than searching NewEgg. I had not seen the upgrades in SSD tech, so thank you for that. The 3.5" form factor is perfect.

Thanks again guys.

 

[bhanson]

You could probably save a few dollars if you don't need the features of W7 Ultimate.

 

[Davidh373]

The only difference between Ultimate and Pro is Bitlocker, which is an encryption software that is rarely used. That will save you around $40.