Opinions on This Mid-Range Build

[Wattser93]

I'm brand new to the PC gaming scene, and have yet to build or purchase anything. This is a tentative list, and I'm looking for any suggestions. This list include everything, including peripherals. I'd like to be at about $1200 when all is said and done, but that's not definite, I'm willing to spend $1500 if that's what it takes to maximize my bang for buck.

This is a budget build, but that doesn't mean I want to settle for suboptimal equipment. At the end of the day, I'd rather pay more money and get quality components than make compromises to save $20 here and there, and end up with a worse value. Obviously a $500 gaming rig isn't the best bang for buck, and neither is a $5000 rig, I'm looking to hit the sweet spot, so if that means I need to raise my budget, I'm willing to do that.

This is an Intel build.

1. Tasks: Gaming, HTPC (HDMI to TV, DVI to monitor), schoolwork

2. Budget: Currently at $1500, don't want to go much higher than that

3. Country: USA, all from Newegg unless swayed otherwise, I prefer ordering all from one vendor

4. Fanboism: Logitech for peripherals, LG or Dell for monitors

5. Current Parts: None

*

7. OC or not: I'd like the capability, but it's not a priority

8. Resolution: 1920x1080

9. Date of Build: End of May

*

X. Software: None needed

This is what I've come up with so far:

1. Case $90: Antec Nine Hundred (I want something with a big window so I can see the internals)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

2. CPU $220: i5-2500K SB (seems like the staple CPU for its OC capabilities)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072

3. DVD drive $20: LITE-ON DVD burner (inexpensive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289

4. GPU $260: EVGA GTX 560 Ti 448 1280MB (not sure if this is the best value)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130738

5. Keyboard $65: Logitech G110 (backlight is a necessity)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126087

6. Monitor $200: LG E2342V 23" LED backlit 1920x1080 (this is completely open to suggestions)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824005284

7. Motherboard $120: Asus P8Z68-V LX (completely open to suggestions)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131781

8. Mouse $65: Logitech G9x (on the fly adjustable DPI)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826104261

9. PSU $90: Antec HCG-620M (modular PSU is important to me)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371059

10. RAM $45: G-Skill Ares 1600 8GB (I like the orange)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231544

11. Speakers $130: Logitech Z623 (I want adjustable bass control without reaching down to the sub. I've read great reviews on these, and I'm a moderate audiophile, this is one area I'm not willing to skimp on)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121048

12. SSD $160: Crucial M4 128GB (I will supplement with a large capacity HDD in the future for media)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148442

Some idiosyncrasies (aside from my alphabetical listing of components in my parts list):
1. I have OCD so my peripherals must match, that means same brand of keyboard/mouse, I can't own a different brand of keyboard and mouse, it would drive me nuts.
2. Consequently, the speakers being Logitech brand was also important, thankfully Logitech produces a 2.1 with a bass control that isn't on the sub so I could have 2 requirement fulfilled, while getting a good set of speakers.
3. The finish on the satellite speakers is matte, so the monitor must also be matte so they blend when side by side. Now you see my dilemma, the finish on the bezel of monitors isn't generally listed, so finding out whether it's matte or glossy is a struggle. Ordering a monitor and opening the box to find a glossy bezel when I thought it was matte will not be a good surprise.
4. Having my monitor, speakers, keyboard, and mouse all a matte black, matching color finish is worth a small premium. It's an OCD issue I have, but it's very important to me to have a matching finish on my products.

 

[richaron]

that seems Pretty good to me but ur planning heaps ahead keep an eye on prices cpu will probly shift & mid range gpu a bit less so but who know? could maybe do slightly less psu but a bit of leeway is fine & i would EMAIL lg and ask about the finish

 

[T_Yamamoto]

1. I have OCD so my peripherals must match, that means same brand of keyboard/mouse, I can't own a different brand of keyboard and mouse, it would drive me nuts.
2. Consequently, the speakers being Logitech brand was also important, thankfully Logitech produces a 2.1 with a bass control that isn't on the sub so I could have 2 requirement fulfilled, while getting a good set of speakers.
3. The finish on the satellite speakers is matte, so the monitor must also be matte so they blend when side by side. Now you see my dilemma, the finish on the bezel of monitors isn't generally listed, so finding out whether it's matte or glossy is a struggle. Ordering a monitor and opening the box to find a glossy bezel when I thought it was matte will not be a good surprise.
4. Having my monitor, speakers, keyboard, and mouse all a matte black, matching color finish is worth a small premium. It's an OCD issue I have, but it's very important to me to have a matching finish on my products.

i know what you mean man

Motherboard, i would go with the AsRock Gen3 Extreme 3 (words are out of order but what the hell)

PSU, i would go with a cheaper modular, like the OCZ 550

an aftermarket cooler might be nice if youre overclocking, like the Hyper 212+ EVO

Also, change the GPU to the new 7870? (if you OC it, itll be better than/or equal to a 580)

 

[DSF]

A few comments:

Generally the build philosophy and part choices are good. However, picking specific parts this far in advance is a useless exercise most of the time. In two months the specific deals have changed, and recommendations we make today may no longer be valid.

I understand your OCD issue, but consider that your RAM may not look quite the same color when it's on the other side of a plastic window and illuminated by green and yellow LEDs from the motherboard.

I also don't see an aftermarket CPU cooler, which you may want since you're planning to OC. (And that could mean buying low-profile RAM so that it fits under your heatsink.)

You say you're brand new to the PC gaming scene. Have you played with some friends so you're sure it's something you want to drop $1500 on? Do you have any experience putting together computers? Not that inexperience should stop you - it's a fun hobby, and I fully support people building their own. Just trying to get the context.

 

[Charlie98]

I also don't see an aftermarket CPU cooler, which you may want since you're planning to OC. (And that could mean buying low-profile RAM so that it fits under your heatsink.)
.

The Ares RAM is low profile and would work well with a 212+ (et al) cooler.

 

[Wattser93]

A few comments:

Generally the build philosophy and part choices are good. However, picking specific parts this far in advance is a useless exercise most of the time. In two months the specific deals have changed, and recommendations we make today may no longer be valid.

I understand your OCD issue, but consider that your RAM may not look quite the same color when it's on the other side of a plastic window and illuminated by green and yellow LEDs from the motherboard.

I also don't see an aftermarket CPU cooler, which you may want since you're planning to OC. (And that could mean buying low-profile RAM so that it fits under your heatsink.)

You say you're brand new to the PC gaming scene. Have you played with some friends so you're sure it's something you want to drop $1500 on? Do you have any experience putting together computers? Not that inexperience should stop you - it's a fun hobby, and I fully support people building their own. Just trying to get the context.

I'm willing to drop $1500 on a computer considering I get all of my peripherals and can upgrade in the future. I've always been a gamer but stuck with console gaming, I'm ready to try something new.

I really enjoy real time strategy and turn based strategy games like SC2, Civ5, and the old Command and Conquer games, games that aren't done on consoles, and when they are, they aren't half of the experience they are on PC.

I have a family friend that has built a few PCs, so the help is there if I need it.

 

[mfenn]

Generally the build philosophy and part choices are good. However, picking specific parts this far in advance is a useless exercise most of the time. In two months the specific deals have changed, and recommendations we make today may no longer be valid.

Pretty much this. A few nits:

- The Nine Hundred is "alright", but I would say that the HAF 922 is functionally superior and costs less.
- If you've never built a PC before, how would you know that a modular PSU is important to you? The HCG-M is a good price right now, but that won't last until you're ready to order.
- RAM is RAM as long as you don't really cheap out. This Crucial 8GB kit is lower voltage and costs less.
- The GTX 560 Ti 448 is a harvested high-end GF110, and as such isn't very good in terms of power and noise in relation to similarly performing purpose-built midrange cards like the 7850.

 

[lehtv]

- RAM is RAM as long as you don't really cheap out. This Crucial 8GB kit is lower voltage and costs less.

It is also CAS 11 :\

 

[mfenn]

It is also CAS 11 :\

Yeah, I figure that makes it on par with DDR3 1333, but no big loss given the price.

 

[Wattser93]

Pretty much this. A few nits:

- The Nine Hundred is "alright", but I would say that the HAF 922 is functionally superior and costs less.
- If you've never built a PC before, how would you know that a modular PSU is important to you? The HCG-M is a good price right now, but that won't last until you're ready to order.
- RAM is RAM as long as you don't really cheap out. This Crucial 8GB kit is lower voltage and costs less.
- The GTX 560 Ti 448 is a harvested high-end GF110, and as such isn't very good in terms of power and noise in relation to similarly performing purpose-built midrange cards like the 7850.

I want the modular power supply because I like the idea of having individual cables for each component. The idea of having only the necessary cables in the case, rather than having cables floating around like an octopus, is more visually appealing and functional in my unknowledgeable opinion.

You must have read my wishlist, because I made very similar changes after posting last night. I changed to that case, that RAM, and a 7870 2GB. The 7870 is a newer card and more efficient so that's a definite plus.

 

[ElFenix]

It is also CAS 11 :\

i bet it runs CAS 9 when at 1.5V

I want the modular power supply because I like the idea of having individual cables for each component.

modular cables don't work that way. you'll still have a chain of 3 SATA power plugs on a wire. so there will still be some stuff folded out of the way somewhere.


i wouldn't make major plans for gaming PC with IB coming out less than a month from now and nvidia filling in below the 680 over the next couple months hopefully.

 

[mfenn]

modular cables don't work that way. you'll still have a chain of 3 SATA power plugs on a wire. so there will still be some stuff folded out of the way somewhere.

Agree.

i wouldn't make major plans for gaming PC with IB coming out less than a month from now and nvidia filling in below the 680 over the next couple months hopefully.

OP is talking end of May, so I guess it's true that all of this part choosing is a little moot.