Possible new gaming computer (mid range)

[sourceninja]

So I have a little bit of fun money, and I'm trying to decide if I want to build a gaming computer. I wanted some feedback on my build.

This computer will be used mostly for gaming (diablo 3 and old games). I'm trying to keep it under 1,000 (right now it's 1100, but I'm not sure if I want a new monitor or if I'll use my old monitor).

I currently use a macbook pro and I have a 24 inch apple display (mini-Display Port). I might save money by reusing that monitor, or get a new monitor so I can use both systems at the same time. I will probably not be overclocking.

Here is the build (from in stock parts at newegg)

Case HAF 912 - $59
MB - ASRock Z68 Extreme3 - $121
Video Card ASUS HD7850 - $259
PS Antec HCG-620M - $89
CPU Intel i5-2500 - $209
Ram Patriot 8G DDR3 1600 - $43
HD Seagate 1TB 7200RPM - $99
DVD Lite-on dvdr - $17
Monitor (maybe) Asus VE248H 24inch - $204

Total = $1108

 

[lehtv]

Buy the i5-2500K so you can overclock the CPU when you need/want to. Same price at the moment.

That RAM is 1.65V. You'll want 1.5V. Here.

Buy Seasonic M12II 620W for $70 AR. It's essentially a HCG-620M with a better set of cables and 5 year warranty directly from the manufacturer of HCG-620M (yes, Seasonic makes Antec's HCG series). All that for $20 less

Other than that, looks good to me!

EDIT:

There's also another path you could consider - no overclocking and no Crossfire possibility. Your Z68 board and 620W PSU choices are compatible with CPU overclocking and 7850 crossfire. But buy a H67 board and a smaller PSU and you'll have a chance to save some cash if you're not interested in overclocking or crossfiring.

 

[mfenn]

Lehtv's advice is solid as always. If you need more storage, the 2TB version of that drive is only $120.

 

[sourceninja]

Ok, here's my final list for feedback. I'll probably order this tomarrow evening if nobody has any suggestions. I'm trying to stay under $1300.00. I realized I need a keyboard and mouse because I only have my apple products anymore. I will be using a Win7 Pro license I have free due to working at a college. I probably wont be doing any overclocking, but I may (probably wont) do crossfire in the future.

Case - HAF 912 - $59
MB - ASRock Z68 Extreme3 - $121
Video - SAPPHIRE 11199-03-20G Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB - $359.99
PS - SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W - 89.99
CPU - Intel i5-2500k - $219
RAM - G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $44.99
HD - Seagate 1TB 7200RPM - $99
DVD - Lite-on dvdr - $17
Speakers - Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM - 34.99
Keyboard/Mouse - Logitech MK200 Black USB Wired Slim Mouse and Keyboard Combo - $24.99
Monitor - ASUS VS248H-P Black 24" HDMI LED Backlight Widescreen LCD Monitor - $229.99

Current Total: $1,263.89

If nobody has any advice, I'll just pull the trigger.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Seems fine but get a z77 mobo

 

[mfenn]

Looks good to me!

 

[lehtv]

Ivy Bridge CPUs should be out by the end of the month (or even sooner?), so it might be wise to wait until 3570K is released, and pair that with a Z77 motherboard.

Since you don't have the rebate on the M12II 620W anymore, and M12II 520W is sold out, I'd recommend XFX 650W for $65AR. Unlike Seasonic 620W, it has the PCIe connectors to support 7870 crossfire in the future, but it's not modular.

 

[sourceninja]

I'll wait a bit longer then and see what the prices do when the Ivy Bridge is released. I'll also swap the motherboard for this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157293

 

[mfenn]

I'll wait a bit longer then and see what the prices do when the Ivy Bridge is released. I'll also swap the motherboard for this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157293

That's a good mobo, but if you don't plan to run dual-GPUs, you should also check out the Z77 Pro3.

 

[sourceninja]

Here's my final mods after ivy bridge. I've decided I'm not overclocking (but I may one day run dual video cards)

LG 22X Super-Multi DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS90B - Retail $16.99
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer $59.99
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $99.99
SAPPHIRE 11199-00-20G Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $349.99
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $89.99
Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System $28.99
Logitech MK200 Black USB Wired Slim Mouse and Keyboard Combo $24.99
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) $44.99
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $134.99
Intel Core i5-3550 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX806237I53550 $219.99

Total with shipping is $1,087.71.

 

[lehtv]

Even though you have decided not to overclock, you're already paying for an overclock-supporting motherboard, and you're also paying $20 more for a locked CPU than 2500K at ncix. You may change your mind about overclocking once the CPU starts to feel like it could use a +30% bump in performance.

While Seasonic PSUs are excellent, that one's a bit pricey. I'd recommend the XFX 650W for $65AR, it's also manufactured by Seasonic but unlike the M12II, it comes with four PCIe connectors to support 7870 crossfire out of the box.

Other than that, looks good to me :thumbsup: