Midrange Gaming Build

[Chosen Juan]

Hey there,

I'm going to build a new system soon, but I can't solidly decide on what parts to get. My budget is going to be around $1000 (give or take, but the less the better). As of right now, I'm thinking about getting an i5-2500k and a Radeon 6950, along with 4GB of RAM. With just those 3, the cost is around $530. I still need a motherboard, case, HD, optical drive, etc.

I would like some recommendations on other parts. Also, would it be worth it to go i7 2600k instead, and maybe a cheaper graphics card (6850?).

Thanks, this computer will mainly be used for gaming and programming, along with the usual school work.

By the way, I'm almost 100% sure on an NZXT Phantom as a case, unless someone can recommend a cheaper case that could result in the money being spent to better the CPU or graphics.

Thanks in advance!

 

[PSPianist]

Are you going to be overclocking?

 

[Chosen Juan]

Are you going to be overclocking?

Of course I can't resist that, especially when I read reviews of Sandy Bridge i5's and i7's going 4.4ghz+

 

[micropage7]

if you are on budget i guess buy normal processor and buy faster graphic card, most off game just utilize dual core than triple or quad cores and processor with dual core is pretty cheap now, pair it with faster graphic card with big memory

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

I would like some recommendations on other parts. Also, would it be worth it to go i7 2600k instead, and maybe a cheaper graphics card (6850?).

Unless you plan to run a high overclock the non k version will suit you just fine. However, if you're just going to be doing some gaming and programming along with homework, then the i5 2500 will suit you just fine. Use the money you save to buy a better graphics card. How much are you wanting to spend? Are you in the US?

EDIT: Nevermind after rereading your post i see the $1000 budget.

EDIT 2: Are you going to need new hard drives? If so what size are you looking for? Do you need any optical drives?

 

[Chosen Juan]

How does this look so far?

Intel Core i5-2500K - $224.99

MSI P67A-GD53 (B3) - $149.99


G Skill Rip Jaws 4GB (2x2GB) - $49.99

Gigabyte Radeon HD 6950 - $244.99

Samsung Spinpoint 1TB Hard Drive - $64.99

ASUS DVD Drive - $18.99

Corsair CMPSU-650TX - $89.99

Zalman CNPS10X Performa

NZXT Phantom - $119.99

The total after coupons/discounts/mail in rebates are: $1013.91

The price seems to be alright, it would be nice to chip a few dollars off of it, especially since a few of those dollars will be from rebates, so the intial price is $1100 or so.

How does this look?

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Heres what I was looking at. I also used some parts from your list:

Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Tur...

ASUS P8P67 (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s...

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR...

CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EP...

XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 ...

NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Steel / Plastic ATX ...

ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DV...

XIGMATEK LOKI SD963 92mm HYPRO Bearing CPU Cooler ...

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cac...

Price is $1,133.34 with ($1,115.91 exluding shipping) UPS 3 day shipping. With rebates its about $1070.

Your build is pretty good too.

 

[Chosen Juan]

Thanks! That's actually really nice. If I was to stay with the i5-2500k and the MSI P67A motherboard that I listed above but with everything else as you listed, how far do you think I could get with overclocking it if I used the Xigmatek Loki as a CPU cooler?

I really like the Corsair 750W PSU and the cheaper 6950 too. Also, is 8GB worth it over 4GB? It's always upgradeable down the road.

Thanks again

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Well with the sandy bridge cpu's (the k versions) theyve been known to hit 4.4ghz+ and even 5ghz on air so its really hard to say and all boards/cpus overclock differently.

I personally would just put in 8GB of ram just so I wouldnt be running out any time soon. Im sure in the next few years it will start to become more common but for now its a bit overkill. But if you plan on keeping the computer for quite a while, it woudlnt hurt.

Another reason I suggested the 8GB kit is because there is a 4GB kit that looks exactly like that for $99 and it has slightly worse timings but the speed is faster. (1600mhz compared to the 1333mhz kit) However the 8GB kit i linked above has better timings at 1333mhz so its slightly better. (but thats not to say that if you got the 4GB kit you wouldnt be able to match the timings of the 8GB kit. sort of confusing i know sorry)

 

[Chosen Juan]

Yeah that makes sense.

Just to make sure I'm exploring all of my options here, the build(s) listed above would they be better than any AMD build?

Thanks

EDIT: If I was to cut back on something to change the i5-2500k into an i7-2600k what should it be? PSU? Memory?

 

[Zen_]

Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, L...
ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6... (of of stock)
GIGABYTE GV-R695D5-2GD-B Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bi...
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR...
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K57 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower C...
Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W Continuous Power ATX12V v2... (out of stock)
ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DV...

That's what I'd get if I were building something right now...leaves you $100 give or take to get a hard drive (no idea what size you want). If you get the Hyper 212 heatsink I'd also recommend a better fan, like a Scythe Kama Flow PWM.

 

[Thassodar]

Are you 100% set on Intel? You could save quite a few bucks going with an AMD processor and motherboard. A nice quad core AMD could save you $50 easy. My motherboard is rock solid at $75. On top of that you get the "advantage" (debatable) of running all AMD products with the 6950. I've also heard that AMD processor overclocks very well too but I don't see any reason why you'd need to go more than 3.8 Ghz in the next year or so. Even then the six core AMD processors are cheaper than anything Intel has and you can nab one of those.

Long story short unless you have something against AMD you can save some money, so take a look at both sides of the tracks. Add to all that the fact that most of the 870-XXX AM3 motherboards will be compatible with the new Bulldozer chips (AM3+) that will be released in the coming months via a BIOS update and you have a future of scalability.

Just my .02

 

[Chosen Juan]

My budget is actually up to around $1200 or less right now, so would the parts listed above be fine, but with an i7 2600k instead?

Thanks

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Short answer, yes. However, unless you plan on doing things like video editing or something that requires a lot of multi processing power, the i7 isnt really the best for games as really no game right now (maybe aside from BF:BC2 since it uses a lot of CPU power) will take advantage of the i7's hyper threading. Youd be better off with the i5 2500(k) since it doesnt have hyper-threading.

If your budget is $1200 or less, id go for a corsair Hx0 CPU watercooler. Doesnt require any maintenance or even a new monitor if you need one.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

PSU: NZXT HALE 90 HALE90-650-M 650W ATX 12V v2.2, EPS 1...

The Cosair is just fine, but I like to keep that case and the Hal90's together as they were literally made for each other.

If you are just gaming the i7 2600k is complete overkill. You should stick with your i5 2500k as this is a semi-budget rig. White not as powerful, it is overall more power efficient.

Stick with the 4GB of memory. 8GB is overkill and will not be needed in any game like people seem to thing. As long as games have DX9 as an option, 4GB is more than enough. Besides, RAM will go up and drop in price again come christmas and you can get a matching set then.

 

[Chosen Juan]

The reason why I was asking about the i7 2600k is because I've decided to put a little bit more into my budget now. I know that the i7 2600k isn't exactly needed, same with the 8GB of ram since the main thing I'll be doing is gaming and programming (C++, Java, C#, etc.), but being a college student I rarely have this amount of money to spend all on a pc, so I doubt I will be upgrading anytime soon.

So even if it doesn't exactly make a difference right now, if it means I can hold on to it a little bit longer that would help. I hope that makes sense.

CrAsHnBuRnXp, you said in your post up there that 8GB is a little overkill for most of the things out now, but if I plan on keeping the computer for a while it would help. I was just thinking that exact same thing for the i7 with the reasons stated above.

Thanks again. I really wish I wasn't stuck to such a small budget.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

Aren't you going to need a copy of Windows for this new system as well.

 

[Chosen Juan]

Aren't you going to need a copy of Windows for this new system as well.

I can download Windows 7 Professional x64 free through my university. I love that perk along with other stuff.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

Nice. I know what that is like.

Here. My version:

Once You Know, You Newegg

Take out the Win7 copy and it comes it around $1150.

 

[Fitseries3]

2500k is only 179$ at microcenter. there are several people here on the forums that will be happy to pick you one up if you arent close by one.

i just built a machine similar to what you are wanting.

check my system specs if you want.... it plays every game in my collection pretty smooth using 3 24" lcds in eyefinity for a res of 6144x1152.... even when i had a 6870 in the machine.

i cannot comment on price as i obtained much of my hardware from manufacturers and trading so not much money spent out of pocket.

 

[Thassodar]

Completely ignored my post...

Is AMD so bad? Especially for a "midrange" machine? This is getting out of midrange territory now to be quite honest....

 

[ASRockIQ]

Completely ignored my post...

Is AMD so bad? Especially for a "midrange" machine? This is getting out of midrange territory now to be quite honest....

chill man chill. he has 1k to spend so heck why not go Intel? Intel is all worth it in the end. AMD may be cheaper but the performance just can't compete with Intel 'In some cases' that is

 

[JrRacinFan]

chill man chill. he has 1k to spend so heck why not go Intel? Intel is all worth it in the end. AMD may be cheaper but the performance just can't compete with Intel 'In some cases' that is

But if it means the difference for a better graphics card, power supply, or motherboard(more features), I know I myself would do it.

GIGABYTE GA-870A-USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3...
G.SKILL PI 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1...
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cac...
XFX Core Edition PRO650W (P1-650S-CAB9) 650W ATX12...
Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, L...

Case is more personal preference altho go with the NZXT Phantom.

EDIT:

Almost forgot ....
XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S128...

 

[TheLaughingMan]

Completely ignored my post...

Is AMD so bad? Especially for a "midrange" machine? This is getting out of midrange territory now to be quite honest....

I fit my suggestions to match the person's requirements. The first think he said he wanted seemed to be AMD graphics and Intel 2k series. I could honestly recommend an AMD system that will do everything he wants for well under $1000 and he would lose very little power. Hell with AMD, I could improve the graphics by going up anything notch in power and still come in under budget.

And everyone likes the 6950 because you can unlock the shaders in most, if not all, first generation cards like the new 1GB version. That gives a nice boost in performance for free. I think you have to leave the memory OC along though because it can burn up the card or something.

And no one is stopping you or I or anyone (like JR) from tossing up a Wishlist center around AMD.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Is AMD so bad? Especially for a "midrange" machine?

Midrange, no, but if the OP's budget is $1k+, that really isnt "midrange". Midrange is like $5-700.

Well if you dont plan on upgrading for say 3+ years and you got the budget then I say, hell yeah go the i7 2600k+ with 8GB ram.