New Computer help and suggestions

[randomhouse]

Hey

I am living in Canada and I'm looking to build a new computer between Dec and Jan time frame. I have a current budget of approx. 2000 - 2200$ before taxes. I already have a monitor and other accessories. I plan to reuse a sound blaster xi-fi audio card if the avail. slots are there.
My current monitor has a max res. of 1920 by 1080 and i do believe its a samsung. I would like to play everything at its max res if possible.

This computers main task is going to be Gaming. Id prefur a Intel processor and I will overclock which ever one I end up with and would like to use watercooling. Id prefur a min of Six gigs of ram with the option to go higher. No pref on motherboard other than no lower than middle of the bucket. A full tower case as well. Also im interested in the gtx 580 and i am open to other video cards as well but no matter the choice i will SLI the card shortly after purchase unless it fits within the budget. So i would prefur a reliable power supply . If possible i would like a SSD as well.

I know the gtx 580 and other video cards support much higher resolutions and i will upgrade the monitor at a later date to match that.

As well i think this might help. I play WoW, OFP Dragon Rising, GTA 4, Just Cause 2 . Ive had medium end system for wow and ofp but i just want something that can stretch its legs with the FPS and what not. thanks for the help and the suggestions in advance.

Will answer any questions posted.

 

[fffblackmage]

Antec 300 Illusion $70
i5-760 $215
ASUS P7P55D PRO $135
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 $135
Antec TruePower New TP-650 $100
ZOTAC ZT-50101-10P GeForce GTX 580 $510
G.SKILL Phoenix Series FM-25S2S-120GBP1 2.5" 120GB $215
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB $105

Total: $1485

Something like that?

I'm not sure if you really want SLI. A single GTX 580 should do quite well at 1080p and probably even for 2560x1600.

If you still want SLI... then another GTX 580 and an upgrade to the CORSAIR CMPSU-950TX brings the total to $2055. Still within budget, but I'm not sure it's worth it.

edit: Oops, missed the full tower requirement. Not sure what to recommend for full tower cases. One of those CM Hafs maybe? Or an Antec 1200?

 

[Davidh373]

Antec 300 Illusion $70
i5-760 $215
ASUS P7P55D PRO $135
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 $135
Antec TruePower New TP-650 $100
ZOTAC ZT-50101-10P GeForce GTX 580 $510
G.SKILL Phoenix Series FM-25S2S-120GBP1 2.5" 120GB $215
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB $105

Total: $1485

Something like that?

I'm not sure if you really want SLI. A single GTX 580 should do quite well at 1080p and probably even for 2560x1600.

If you still want SLI... then another GTX 580 and an upgrade to the CORSAIR CMPSU-950TX brings the total to $2055. Still within budget, but I'm not sure it's worth it.

edit: Oops, missed the full tower requirement. Not sure what to recommend for full tower cases. One of those CM Hafs maybe? Or an Antec 1200?

That... is very impressive for the money. Hell, that build is impressive for $2k. I would actually recommend a 750W to run a GTX 580 though. It is MUCH less power hungry than the 480, but still likes to suck some juice.

 

[mfenn]

Antec 300 Illusion $70
i5-760 $215
ASUS P7P55D PRO $135
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 $135
Antec TruePower New TP-650 $100
ZOTAC ZT-50101-10P GeForce GTX 580 $510
G.SKILL Phoenix Series FM-25S2S-120GBP1 2.5" 120GB $215
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB $105

Total: $1485

Something like that?

I'm not sure if you really want SLI. A single GTX 580 should do quite well at 1080p and probably even for 2560x1600.

If you still want SLI... then another GTX 580 and an upgrade to the CORSAIR CMPSU-950TX brings the total to $2055. Still within budget, but I'm not sure it's worth it.

edit: Oops, missed the full tower requirement. Not sure what to recommend for full tower cases. One of those CM Hafs maybe? Or an Antec 1200?

:thumbsup: For the full tower case, check out the HAF 932 and HAF 942.

PS. The word you're looking for is "prefer".

 

[muskie32]

Also look at the Antec DF-85. I have it and love it.

 

[randomhouse]

That build looks to be quite good for the money. Just a few things tho...

Does that mother baord have enough room for a sound card if i was to decide on SLI for the 580? Also I forgot to mention i am interested in the killer network 2100 card. would both of those fit or is the killer network card worth the money?? also what about cooling for the cpu? would a corsair H70 be sufficient since i plan on overclocking that i5. I like all those cases mentioned and would like your thoughts on corsairs 700 d as a case?

As well would it be worth it to buy the 950 watt psu in case i decide to go with SLI later on ?

as well would it be worth it to buy all parts mentioned looking for deals and wait for sandy bridge to come out then get the mobo and cpu or?? thanks again

 

[betasub]

is the killer network card worth the money??

LOL, erm, no - unless you have a different concept of the value of money than most ATers!

Ultimately, it comes down to what that amount of money means to you, and what you seriously expect a NIC to do. If money means little, and you really want an uber-NIC, then don't forget those Monster cables!!

 

[randomhouse]

LOL, Well thanks for letting me know before i wasted my money on the card

 

[mfenn]

That build looks to be quite good for the money. Just a few things tho...

Does that mother baord have enough room for a sound card if i was to decide on SLI for the 580? Also I forgot to mention i am interested in the killer network 2100 card. would both of those fit or is the killer network card worth the money?? also what about cooling for the cpu? would a corsair H70 be sufficient since i plan on overclocking that i5. I like all those cases mentioned and would like your thoughts on corsairs 700 d as a case?

The sound card, Killer NIC, and H70 are all dumb ideas and here's why:

• The sound card is going to be crappy compared to a receiver/amp/speakers setup. There's no sense is paying $100 for one when the money could be better put towards a real setup.
• Betasub pretty much hit the high points on the NIC
• The H70 doesn't really perform that well since it has a very low thermal mass and relies on a radiator inside the case anyway. Just get a good air cooler like a Noctua NH-U12P or a Prolimatech Megahalems.

As well would it be worth it to buy the 950 watt psu in case i decide to go with SLI later on ?

Define "later on". If that means within 3 months, then just save up some more and get the 2nd GTX 580 at the start. If that means further in the future, don't bother. Your 2nd GTX 580 will effectively cost you ~$700 when you figure in additional cost of the higher-wattage power supply. At that point it will be more cost effective to just buy a GTX 680.

as well would it be worth it to buy all parts mentioned looking for deals and wait for sandy bridge to come out then get the mobo and cpu or?? thanks again

Always always always buy all the parts for a build within a few days of each other. If you spread them out, you will be SOL if you have to return a DOA part.

 

[muskie32]

Yes, don't get the H70... I fell for it... Now regret it... And am getting a "real" water setup soon.

 

[betasub]

The H70 doesn't really perform that well sense it has a very low thermal mass and relies on a radiator inside the case anyway. Just get a good air cooler like a Noctua NH-U12P or a Prolimatech Megahalems.

Agree with this.

OP: H70 counts as "neat" if you've never had a water-cooled set-up, & it does give you different options on placement of your radiator and fan. But it doesn't cool as well as similar-priced high-end air HSF (as listed by mfenn). But if you not going all-out on the overclocking, you can pay less and go with one of the many perfectly-decent mid-range air HSF options at the egg.

 

[randomhouse]

Well Mfenn i already have the soundcard, it came with my old computer so i was just planning on reusing it.. in your opinion is it no better than on board audio? or just a waste of a pci slot?
Thanks for advice on the H70 and the pointing towards some nice air coolers as well. much appreciated.
And later on would mean no more than a month or 2 after purchase. So i would just choose a psu that could power it so i wouldnt have to buy two, but your right it does make more sense to just buy it at first. But with what blackmage said, would it even be worth the extra dough to sli some 580s for the games i play ?
And alright i think i will wait for sandy bridge as it looks promising.

Between a haf 932 x and the corsair 700d which would u recommend?

 

[dpodblood]

The 700d is probably the best full tower case on the market IMO, but it's also far more expensive than the HAF 932.

 

[mfenn]

Well Mfenn i already have the soundcard, it came with my old computer so i was just planning on reusing it.. in your opinion is it no better than on board audio? or just a waste of a pci slot?

Depends on what it is. If its an old original Audigy or whatever, it is a waste of a PCI slot. If it's an X-Fi, you might as well use it since you already own it.

Thanks for advice on the H70 and the pointing towards some nice air coolers as well. much appreciated.

No problem

And later on would mean no more than a month or 2 after purchase. So i would just choose a psu that could power it so i wouldnt have to buy two, but your right it does make more sense to just buy it at first. But with what blackmage said, would it even be worth the extra dough to sli some 580s for the games i play ?

I agree with Blackmage 100%. SLI GTX 580's would be super overkill for what you play. If you do go that route, I recommend buying them both at the same time along with a 950W PSU so that you can return/exchange all the parts if it doesn't work out for whatever reason.

Between a haf 932 x and the corsair 700d which would u recommend?

I agree with dpodblood. The 700D is very nice, but is it work the money? I dunno.

 

[dpodblood]

Speaking of the 700d it's $100 off @ NCIX today (for our Canadian posters). I wish I could spare the money for it! :$