Building Gaming/Power PC

[Saint23]

Ok so this will be my first computer I actually build so I need a little help as far as parts go. My reason for building is because my laptop is just over 3 years old and the signs of being old and not letting me multi-task and play games are showing. Now that I'm done with undergrad degree basically, I don't have much heavy use for a laptop after this coming year. Please help me also if you see a way I could cut costs slightly because its not going to be a powerhouse right away but should be pretty good. Also if you see something that doesn't work with something let me know but I think all these parts are compatible. I would also like to keep it under $1,600 total if possible but $1,700 is fine too.

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 - $149.99
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling / Silencer / 750-Watt / Quad PCI-Express / SATA-Ready / Black Power Supply, 80Plus - $119.99
Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 - $309.99
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 - $279.99
CD/DVD: LG Black - $24.99
HD & OS: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB Hard Drive Bundle With Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit DSP OEM DVD - $190
Memory: OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) - $94.99
Wireless Networking (Probably unavoidable): TRENDnet TEW-423PI PCI Wireless Adapter - 54Mbps, 802.11g - $19.99
Video Card: XFX GX285XZWFF GeForce GTX 285 1GB - $329.99

Total: $1,519.92

Other Needs:
-Monitor
-Keyboard & Mouse

I found this monitor (below) and like it because of Full HD, the webcam (my current one is very unreliable) and 24inch display but am open to suggestions. I also have a keyboard and mouse that can get me by so really I'd like to just focus on the rest.

Monitor: ASUS MK241H Black 24" 2ms - $269.99

 

[Slam'n Systems]

Looks like a very nice thought out build! Definitely a very worthy gaming machine. Would going with the 295 GTX be over your money limit? Although the 285 GTX is definitely far beyond "Good Enough", I figured with the extreme specs of the machine, maybe you would just want to go all out on it.

Monitor seems very nice, I am not sure if there are better out there or what not since I just run my 32" but that monitor looks much better than my old 24" Sceptre monitor so I would say go for it!

For the mouse, I would highly recommend going with the MX518. I know NewEgg had it on sale, I think they still do. It is the best mouse I have ever used! Been using mine for about 3-4 years now and if/when it dies, I will be sure to go and buy one again, fits my hand perfectly, the buttons are properly placed...etc. and a lot of the guys I play with online also have the Logitech MX518 and love it.

 

[baron5]

Welcome to Tech Forums!
now, Nice build, looks like you have done your hw. But i would buy the parts from newegg, tiger direct seems to be more expensive. This is what you should get from newegg.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Newegg.com - Rosewill RNX-G300LX IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, WPA2, AES, TKIP with 2 dBi Antenna - Wireless Adapters

It would be a good idea to skip on the OS and just get windows 7 RC which is free for a while, then later on you can get it when its released officially. This will some you a good $80 or so.

 

[Slam'n Systems]

Yeah, I actually like Windows 7 more than Vista (I had originally uninstalled Vista and reinstalled XP ... but now I only run Windows 7 and all my programs work for it) so save yourself some money and get Windows 7, then next year worry about buying an OS

Heres the Logitech MX518 by the way..
Newegg.com - Logitech MX518 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB or PS/2 Wired Optical 1800 dpi Gaming-Grade Mouse - Mouse

 

[Saint23]

Looks like a very nice thought out build! Definitely a very worthy gaming machine. Would going with the 295 GTX be over your money limit? Although the 285 GTX is definitely far beyond "Good Enough", I figured with the extreme specs of the machine, maybe you would just want to go all out on it.

Monitor seems very nice, I am not sure if there are better out there or what not since I just run my 32" but that monitor looks much better than my old 24" Sceptre monitor so I would say go for it!

For the mouse, I would highly recommend going with the MX518. I know NewEgg had it on sale, I think they still do. It is the best mouse I have ever used! Been using mine for about 3-4 years now and if/when it dies, I will be sure to go and buy one again, fits my hand perfectly, the buttons are properly placed...etc. and a lot of the guys I play with online also have the Logitech MX518 and love it.

With my savings from all the newegg stuff I might be able to get the 295 but I might actually try to cut so I can afford a LCD TV instead of wasting money on a LCD Monitor which will just get replaced in less than a year anyways.

Welcome to Tech Forums!
now, Nice build, looks like you have done your hw. But i would buy the parts from newegg, tiger direct seems to be more expensive. This is what you should get from newegg.

Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Newegg.com - Rosewill RNX-G300LX IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, WPA2, AES, TKIP with 2 dBi Antenna - Wireless Adapters

It would be a good idea to skip on the OS and just get windows 7 RC which is free for a while, then later on you can get it when its released officially. This will some you a good $80 or so.

Dang thanks that saves around $200 or so using newegg and I think at first I am going to go with Windows 7 to see if I can handle it (skeptical of something new).

 

[baron5]

You should be fine,you will find it is alot like vista in terms of GUI, just added a couple of new features really. But it does seem to load up/shut down significantly faster then vista did. I am having a spot of trouble with mine since it's pentium 4 1gb ram system, and driver support is very limited. But with new parts like that, nearlly all components have software supporting windows 7

 

[Pinscher]

With my savings from all the newegg stuff I might be able to get the 295 but I might actually try to cut so I can afford a LCD TV instead of wasting money on a LCD Monitor which will just get replaced in less than a year anyways.

The 295 isn't really necessary. The 285 is a beast of a card and will run anything you need. Why would your monitor get replaced in a year? I don't really recommend running your computer off a TV screen because they have lower resolution. Some people like it but I think things look much better on LCD monitors.

I am using Windows 7 and it is awesome. I haven't had trouble with any of my programs and everything just runs more smoothly. I like how you can move windows to the sides to make them auto-snap to that half of the screen and if you move them to the top, they auto-snap to full screen. It is a nice OS to use. No need to be worried with it. It feels like a finished product already.

 

[Saint23]

The 295 isn't really necessary. The 285 is a beast of a card and will run anything you need. Why would your monitor get replaced in a year? I don't really recommend running your computer off a TV screen because they have lower resolution. Some people like it but I think things look much better on LCD monitors.

I am using Windows 7 and it is awesome. I haven't had trouble with any of my programs and everything just runs more smoothly. I like how you can move windows to the sides to make them auto-snap to that half of the screen and if you move them to the top, they auto-snap to full screen. It is a nice OS to use. No need to be worried with it. It feels like a finished product already.

Yeah I was watching a youtube video and it showed like shaking the mouse to hide all the windows except one so I thought that was pretty neat. I was going to replace it with a TV in the future since I don't see my old school one lasting much longer. I did hear lower resolution was a problem on them though. I added a TV tuner in the mix because I am going to be away for the summer (june-aug) and its easier than lugging around my current tv or if I got an LCD it would be 40+ inches and thats not easy for travel in my car either. I need to decide multi monitors (two 19inch) or one bigger one (24inch). What do you guys think because I multi task alot and especially watching tv that could be nice having a full size tv window. One other concern but I'm sure it should be fine --- The Ram. Is 6gigs sufficient for multi tasking alot because currently I have 4 gigs on my laptop and I have issues but that is most likely my processer.

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22NP20 - OEM

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22NP20 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827136144
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options27-136-144|hide options27-136-144)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info27-136-144.0.18)

* 1 year: $7.99
* 2 year: $12.99



$22.99

. .


COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119160
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant


$159.99
$149.99

. .


Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136319
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy



$74.99

. .


ASUS MK241H Black 24" 2ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with 1.3M Pixel Webcam - Retail

ASUS MK241H Black 24" 2ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with 1.3M Pixel Webcam - Retail
Item #: N82E16824236033
Return Policy: LCD Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options24-236-033|hide options24-236-033)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info24-236-033.0.18)

* 1 year: $29.99
* 2 year: $49.99

-$30.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate

$299.99
$269.99

. .


Rosewill RNX-G300LX IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, WPA2, AES, TKIP ... - Retail

Rosewill RNX-G300LX IEEE 802.11b/g PCI Wireless Card Up to 54Mbps Data Rates 64/128-Bit WEP, 802.1x, WPA, WPA2, AES, TKIP ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16833166021
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options33-166-021|hide options33-166-021)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info33-166-021.0.18)

* 1 year: $7.99
* 2 year: $12.99

-$5.00 Instant


$19.99
$14.99

. .


Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1800 MCE Kit 1128 PCI-Express x1 Interface - Retail

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1800 MCE Kit 1128 PCI-Express x1 Interface - Retail
Item #: N82E16815116015
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options15-116-015|hide options15-116-015)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info15-116-015.0.18)

* 1 year: $10.99
* 2 year: $17.99

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$119.99
$99.99

. .


CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options17-139-005|hide options17-139-005)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info17-139-005.0.18)

* 1 year: $10.99
* 2 year: $17.99

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$20.00 Mail-in Rebate

$159.99
$99.99

. .


Logitech G11 Silver & Black USB Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail

Logitech G11 Silver & Black USB Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16823126009
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options23-126-009|hide options23-126-009)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info23-126-009.0.18)

* 1 year: $10.99
* 2 year: $17.99



$58.99

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Logitech G7 Black 6 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB RF Wireless Laser Mouse - Retail

Logitech G7 Black 6 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB RF Wireless Laser Mouse - Retail
Item #: N82E16826104203
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options26-104-203|hide options26-104-203)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info26-104-203.0.18)

* 1 year: $10.99
* 2 year: $17.99



$72.99

. .

EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail

*

EVGA 01G-P3-1180-AR GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130480
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options14-130-48010|hide options14-130-48010)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info14-130-4801.0.18)
o 1 year: $34.99
o 2 year: $59.99

*

OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P1600LV6GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227381
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

-$60.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate

$489.98
$409.98

. .

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

*

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131365
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options13-131-36520|hide options13-131-36520)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info13-131-3652.0.18)
o 1 year: $29.99
o 2 year: $49.99

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Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115202
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

Protect Your Investment (expand for options19-115-20220|hide options19-115-20220)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan

The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info19-115-2022.0.18)
o 1 year: $29.99
o 2 year: $49.99

-$10.00 Instant
-$25.00 Combo


$578.98
$543.98

Subtotal: $1,818.87


Its going to be about $1,770.68 with all the mail-in rebates. Also I forgot about my Vista 32bit retail I have on my laptop so worst case scenario I could use that and just have some ram not being used until I get 64bit. That would be assuming I don't want to use Windows 7 but I will see on that. Going to check on keyboard/mouse status but I probably won't get one of them at least now so thats another $60-70 off ... around $1700 total so looks like I made my budget almost right on with pretty much everything I wanted.

 

[baron5]

Yep that build is all good, i think you made the best choice going wit ha single monitor, 24" is a great size to have. Dual monitors are good for multitasking (and btw 6gb is plenty for that) but for gaming its not as great as people think it is.