Hi everyone,
I just wanted to say that this forum has been very helpful for me. I have recently decided to get a new gaming computer, which I haven't done for about seven years, and reading the forum posts has helped me catch up on today's tech. Though I have learned a great deal since coming here, I would still like your opinion on the build I have below.
But first, some things of what I would expect from this new system:
I would like to do heavy gaming. I would prefer to be able to play the most recent stuff today and maybe the next two years at max settings or near them.
I would like this system to be future proof. I would like to feel comfortable know that down the line, I can simply upgrade the CPU, VGA or add more ram. For example, maybe after two years, simply upgrading the VGA might allow me to play the most graphic intensive game at that particular time at max settings or near that. Perhaps the choice of the mobo now will play a big part later.
I have no experience overclocking, but would like the option of doing a little in the future if possible.
Things I already have: Samsung T260hd monitor (max res 1920 x1200), keyboard, mouse, dvdrw.
Please let me know if my choices below might not be enough or overcompensating in some areas. Or I'm spending too much or too little in any area. I just want to make sure as they say, I'm getting the best bang for the buck. My choices are based on suggestions from this forum and reviews from newegg. As for the budget, I'm not really set on that yet, but I figure $1k would be the average cost. Your response is much appreciated. Thanks. =)
MOBO1: EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (Lifetime warranty only difference?)
MOBO2: EVGA E758-TR 3-Way SLI (Two year warranty I believe)
CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz
RAM: OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 (SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) (Maybe better/less expensive ram out there for same performance?)
VGA: Still a bit undecided. Definitely interested in the XFX 5870, but seems hard to find. From the forums, it seems like ATI currently provides the best performance for the money, so I'm leaning more towards ATI. I guess I would like to have sli or xfire as an upgradeable option, but still prefer a single card. Two cards seem to draw more power and a lot of heat. But I haven't read enough, so it's more of my general first impression.
XFX HD-587A-ZNF9 Radeon HD 5870 (doesn't seem to be widely available)
XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 (maybe this can last me for two years?)
Any other suggestions would be most helpful. There's just so many options out there. I'm not looking to buy a card now for a few months and then sell it just to buy another one.
PS: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V
CASE1: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel
CASE2: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel
Looking for case that would provide optimal cooling, spacing for the usual big parts, and easy use and maintenance. Let me know if there are better options.
HS1: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm
There's too many to choose from and a lot of them have good reviews. I doubt I can do water cooling without having the experience. Any good suggestions for heatsinks would be great. I also do not plan to lap the hs.
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB
Looking forward to your feedback. =)
I just wanted to say that this forum has been very helpful for me. I have recently decided to get a new gaming computer, which I haven't done for about seven years, and reading the forum posts has helped me catch up on today's tech. Though I have learned a great deal since coming here, I would still like your opinion on the build I have below.
But first, some things of what I would expect from this new system:
I would like to do heavy gaming. I would prefer to be able to play the most recent stuff today and maybe the next two years at max settings or near them.
I would like this system to be future proof. I would like to feel comfortable know that down the line, I can simply upgrade the CPU, VGA or add more ram. For example, maybe after two years, simply upgrading the VGA might allow me to play the most graphic intensive game at that particular time at max settings or near that. Perhaps the choice of the mobo now will play a big part later.
I have no experience overclocking, but would like the option of doing a little in the future if possible.
Things I already have: Samsung T260hd monitor (max res 1920 x1200), keyboard, mouse, dvdrw.
Please let me know if my choices below might not be enough or overcompensating in some areas. Or I'm spending too much or too little in any area. I just want to make sure as they say, I'm getting the best bang for the buck. My choices are based on suggestions from this forum and reviews from newegg. As for the budget, I'm not really set on that yet, but I figure $1k would be the average cost. Your response is much appreciated. Thanks. =)
MOBO1: EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (Lifetime warranty only difference?)
MOBO2: EVGA E758-TR 3-Way SLI (Two year warranty I believe)
CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz
RAM: OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 (SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) (Maybe better/less expensive ram out there for same performance?)
VGA: Still a bit undecided. Definitely interested in the XFX 5870, but seems hard to find. From the forums, it seems like ATI currently provides the best performance for the money, so I'm leaning more towards ATI. I guess I would like to have sli or xfire as an upgradeable option, but still prefer a single card. Two cards seem to draw more power and a lot of heat. But I haven't read enough, so it's more of my general first impression.
XFX HD-587A-ZNF9 Radeon HD 5870 (doesn't seem to be widely available)
XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 (maybe this can last me for two years?)
Any other suggestions would be most helpful. There's just so many options out there. I'm not looking to buy a card now for a few months and then sell it just to buy another one.
PS: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V
CASE1: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel
CASE2: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel
Looking for case that would provide optimal cooling, spacing for the usual big parts, and easy use and maintenance. Let me know if there are better options.
HS1: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm
There's too many to choose from and a lot of them have good reviews. I doubt I can do water cooling without having the experience. Any good suggestions for heatsinks would be great. I also do not plan to lap the hs.
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB
Looking forward to your feedback. =)