Gaming PC at the end of January 2012

[Beev]

Too soon to plan? If not:

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

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Around $1000 to $1500 or so

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.
None, whatever is the best without being exponentially higher priced.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
A 500gb storage drive and a 1tb storage drive. I'd like an SSD for Windows and games.

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

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

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
1920x1080 or higher.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
End of January 2012

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


I posted this thread probably five months ago (third times the charm!), and now I'm really going to be ready to build a system finally. I'm not hardware savvy anymore, so I pretty much need this system pieced together online for me . Thanks very much in advance.

Here's the old thread for reference: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2186706

 

[lehtv]

mfenn's "standardized" $1000 build should be a good start, without the HDD.

12/10/2011 update:

i5 2500K $220
ASRock Z68 Pro3 $100
G.Skill DDR3 1600 8GB $30
Powercolor 6950 2GB $245 AR
Samsung 830 128GB $200
Hitachi 7K1000.D 750GB $100
LG DVD Burner $19
XFX Core 650W $60 AR
HAF 912 $50 AR
Total: $1024 AR

Comments from other esteemed forum members:
- Lehtv says, "It might be a good idea to mention the Asrock Z68 Extreme3 as well, the dual-GPU support would go well with the XFX 650W."

The XFX PSU is currently OOS on ncix, $66 on newegg. Feel free to

• pick a different case that you like, Fractal Design Arc Midi would be my personal pick
• add a sound card if you want to
• add an aftermarket cooler like CM Hyper 212 Evo for overclocking
• also consider XFX branded 6950 for lifetime warranty or Sapphire 6950 for unlocking to 6970 (but I've also read Powercolor can be unlocked)
• upgrade the PSU to modular 750W if you go crossfire on the 6950's (though that is strictly speaking not needed for 1080p) (also the XFX 650 will run 6950 crossfire at stock speeds without any issue)

EDIT: Also, I should mention that since you're building this at the end of January, things might be different GPU wise at that point. I.e. AMD 7800 series could be out, essentially upgraded 6900 series at a much lower power consumption.

 

[mfenn]

:thumbsup: to lehtv's suggestions on my build. It is a good starting point, but a lot can change in 45 days, so don't get "locked on" to those parts. It'd be helpful to post a last minute update a few days before you buy so that we can check for deals.

 

[Beev]

Thank you, guys. I'll bump this thread the week or so before I order