Building my first gaming rig

[korhal]

Hi there, I am trying to build my first rig with a budget. I was wondering if anyone can give me some advice. My budget is between $1000 and $1200. This rig will be for gaming.
I have looked at the BIOSTAR TPOWER X79 or SUS Maximus IV Extreme-Z mobo and Intel Core i7-3820 or i7 2600k for the cpu. Any help would be nice thanks.
I found a sus maximus IV extreme z for $240 its open box from newegg

 

[PopcornMachine]

I think you can save yourself some money and go with 2600k or even 2500k. The latter is the best bang for the buck out there, but I may be biased.

And with Sandy Bridge, motherboards will also be cheaper.

 

[happita]

I think you can save yourself some money and go with 2600k or even 2500k. The latter is the best bang for the buck out there, but I may be biased.

And with Sandy Bridge, motherboards will also be cheaper.

No bias there. It IS the best bang for the buck. A lot of people have the 2500k because of its value.
Although, I would honestly wait for Ivy Bridge to drop next month. That would force prices on current 2500k and 2600k CPUs down even further. Unless you want the next best, which I think is the 3570k (the i5 2500k equivalent). It's up to you.

 

[Vulpesveritas]

Well, as far as things go, if you're looking for gaming an AMD FX-6xxx/8xxx processor or Intel i5 is going to be what you're looking at most likely. It's better to put more money into your graphics card for gaming.
Me personally, I choose to use AMD over Intel/nvidia on an ethical basis (AMD is in the top 20 ethical fortune 500 companies, and has shown to be more honest than it's competitors. Moving on.)
GPU-wise, I would say you should wait until kepler comes out to decide on a GPU. Although right now AMD has faster GPUs at mostly every price point.

 

[Ahhzz]

Z68 board, for gaming and no video work, 2500k.
Put the extra money in Vid card, vid card, VID CARD!!!

and some extra RAM, and run IMDisk images

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

Gut reaction, wait for just a little while. Ivy bridge is coming soon, with Kepler not soon after. If you're impatient, then this might suit your tastes:

CPU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072
Motherboard:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157263
GPU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125357
PSU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139015
Case:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147159
Cooler:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185143
SSD:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226236
HDD:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145304
RAM:http://www.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingItem.aspx?ItemList=N82E16820220569
$1,256.91 (no rebates included)


Save money by removing the SSD, or trading down on the motherboard. I haven't included an optical disk or OS. The former because I don't know if you'd want bluray, and the latter because I don't know if you already have a license.

 

[LagunaX]

For gaming a 2500k, z68 mobo, hyper 212 EVO, 8gb samsung 30nm DDR3 1600, small SsD, and the highest AmD card you can afford.

 

[korhal]

OK so far I have these in mind
Mobo: ASRock FATAL1TY Z68 PROFESSIONAL GEN3 Intel Z68 ATX DDR3 1066 LGA 1155 Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Processor
Gpu: HIS Radeon HD 6950 IceQ X Turbo 2GB (256bit) GDDR5 2x Mini-DisplayPort HDMI 2x DVI (HDCP) PCIe X16 2.1 Video Card H695QNT2G2M

Ram: Patriot Signature DDR3 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) CL9 PC3-12800 (1600MHz) 240-Pin DDR3 Desktop Memory Kit PSD38G1600K
Psu: Corsair Professional Series Gold 850-Watt 80 Plus Gold Certified High-Performance Power Supply - CMPSU-850AX
Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler (RR-212E-20PK-R2)

 

[korhal]

What size tower do I need?

 

[Vulpesveritas]

What size tower do I need?

given you're not doing anything with a huge budget, or have anything which requires a lot of cooling, I recommend a mid-tower.

 

[Radical_Edward]

A good Mid Tower or Full tower case, just make sure it's wide enough to fit the CPU cooler you picked out.

 

[Irony]

I have the AMD version of that board, can definitely recommend it. I don't think its drastically different.

Lilhasselhoffers setup looks pretty good I'd say. Unless you can afford a decent 7xxx series graphics card instead.

Edit: Case is pretty much up to your preference. I would say mid tower; and you generally get what you pay for. I personally like this:

NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower...

Also, pretty much anything cooler master.

 

[Vulpesveritas]

Eh I'd say what I sent in private messages but yea.
And eh, the 7850 should be close enough in price yet it performs quite a bit better.

 

[PopcornMachine]

OK so far I have these in mind
Mobo: ASRock FATAL1TY Z68 PROFESSIONAL GEN3 Intel Z68 ATX DDR3 1066 LGA 1155 Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Processor
Gpu: HIS Radeon HD 6950 IceQ X Turbo 2GB (256bit) GDDR5 2x Mini-DisplayPort HDMI 2x DVI (HDCP) PCIe X16 2.1 Video Card H695QNT2G2M

Ram: Patriot Signature DDR3 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) CL9 PC3-12800 (1600MHz) 240-Pin DDR3 Desktop Memory Kit PSD38G1600K
Psu: Corsair Professional Series Gold 850-Watt 80 Plus Gold Certified High-Performance Power Supply - CMPSU-850AX
Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler (RR-212E-20PK-R2)

That's very good. I have Z68, 2500K, and 6950.

But you might want to wait and see how the new 7870s are priced in comparison. They look to be better than the 6950 and if nothing else should drive prices down.

 

[NanoTechSoldier]

If you want a nice upgradable water cooling case.. That's only about $200..

Check out the Xigmatek Elysium Super Tower.. Great case for air-brushing & for future upgrades..
(can handle extreme HPTX (dual CPU) & XL-ATX Motherboards, Two PSUs & 200/360/420mm Radiators)

http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=122

Has a built-in 2.5"/3.5" SATA 3 dock on top too..

Basically, A Small Server case for $200

 

[Irony]

If you want a nice upgradable water cooling case.. That's only about $200..

Check out the Xigmatek Elysium Super Tower.. Great case for air-brushing & for future upgrades..
(can handle extreme HPTX (dual CPU) & XL-ATX Motherboards, Two PSUs & 200/360/420mm Radiators)

http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=122

Has a built-in 2.5"/3.5" SATA 3 dock on top too..

Basically, A Small Server case for $200

That's a sweet case. I've never seen one before. Although he said he was wanting to game, not build a server. And he has a budget.

 

[LagunaX]

If you are up for it you can pick up practically new cases from 2 reviewers here:
SneekyPeet @ TPU:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136261
HardwareSecrets here:
http://stores.ebay.com/hardwaresecrets

 

[korhal]

well this is what i decided on.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1G2SKKIMCF/?tag=tec06d-20

 

[Vulpesveritas]

well this is what i decided on.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1G2SKKIMCF/?tag=tec06d-20

Looks good, save for the extra case and extra set of RAM you would be wasting money on ^^'

 

[Irony]

I would say vengeance ram, and red case. All the rest looks good.

 

[Vulpesveritas]

I would say vengeance ram, and red case.

why not the AMD RAM? It's rebranded Patriot put through a second set of quality control, not to mention it has guaranteed compatibility with any other set of the same SKU, rather than having changing sets. And it's low profile too.
And it's not like RAM speed matters that much anymore so long as your running something faster than DDR3-1333 unless you're using an AMD APU.

 

[Irony]

The vengeance is a little faster and the fins look cool. And they have the same colors as the psu, lol. I mostly just like the way they look.

Oh,they cost 10 bucks more too. But they're like half off. And you might be able to oc them higher, if you even plan on doing that.

 

[korhal]

Ya, i hadn't decided on the ram or case yet when i posted that last reply. im going with red case. I'm not sure on the ram yet.

 

[NanoTechSoldier]

That's a sweet case. I've never seen one before. Although he said he was wanting to game, not build a server. And he has a budget.

What do you think my system is made for mate..??

The whole idea of that case.. Is for future upgrades, without having to buy a new case, to make room for extra components etc..
plus, it's specifically designed for future water-cooling upgrades..
(2 versions - $200 with window & without window model is cheaper again).. Great Value for money...

It already comes, with a 200mm fan (on side panel), a 140mm fan on the back & 2x 120mm fans on the front of both HDD/SDD cages (all have 4 LEDs).. plus CPU cut-out & space for a 120mm fan on other panel behind MB..

The HDD cages Fit; 8x HDDs or 16 SSDs too.. Plus the Hard Drive Dock on front top of case..
Awesome for Gaming/Work setup & Hard Drives in RAID etc..

If you buy AMD FX etc.. Check Out The Patriot Memory.. Patriot Are AMD Partners & Make their RAM etc..

http://patriotmemory.com/products/detailp.jsp?prodline=5&catid=34&prodgroupid=210&id=1075&type=1
2x 4GB Patriot Gamer 2 Series "AMD Black Edition RAM 1600MHz Kit are Good DIMMS & AMD have released AMD Black Edition DDR3 Memory Profile drivers, to Automatically OverClock the RAM for High-End Gaming... Simple as installing The AMD Overdrive Driver etc
Plus, you can set DRAM voltage, to 1.7V straight away & see performance..

I would save up & spend about $1500-1800 on a Gaming PC, that will last you awhile.. $1000-1200, won't get you much & you'll end up paying more in the long run.. By Upgrading again to keep up with new games etc...

 

[Ahhzz]

OK so far I have these in mind
Mobo: ASRock FATAL1TY Z68 PROFESSIONAL GEN3 Intel Z68 ATX DDR3 1066 LGA 1155 Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Processor
Gpu: HIS Radeon HD 6950 IceQ X Turbo 2GB (256bit) GDDR5 2x Mini-DisplayPort HDMI 2x DVI (HDCP) PCIe X16 2.1 Video Card H695QNT2G2M

Ram: Patriot Signature DDR3 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) CL9 PC3-12800 (1600MHz) 240-Pin DDR3 Desktop Memory Kit PSD38G1600K
Psu: Corsair Professional Series Gold 850-Watt 80 Plus Gold Certified High-Performance Power Supply - CMPSU-850AX
Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler (RR-212E-20PK-R2)

Same board and Proc that I've got, love the combo. I might consider going with the Gskill sniper series 1866 RAM, and pushing it to 2033, but otherwise, looks sharp.