Building New Comp Need Help

[Knight978]

I am looking to spend around 2500 usd to build a sick gaming computer. I have never built a computer before, but everyone is saying that it is easy now, and you get way more then buying directly. I'm looking for a 6 core processor, 16 gb of ram, and top of the line video card. My biggest problem is I don't know what are good motherboards and cases, as well as video cards. Looking to use Newegg.com and Amazon.com for purchases and the 2500 budget.

[Skelly]

What games are you going to play exactly? Do you need a monitor or peripherals?

You don't want a 6 core processor or 16GB of RAM, but we can get to that later..

There are dozens of good cases out there, but it all depends on what you like aesthetically and acoustically.

If you can expand a little more on what you want to get out of the PC, we'd be glad to shove you in the right direction.

[taekvideo]

An i5-2500k is the best gaming cpu. Games rarely use 4 cores yet alone 6. The only 6 core processors are amd phenom II's which lack the power of the newest intel cpu's.
On a high budget like that you'll definitely want to go sli or crossfire. 2x radeon hd 6970 crossfire, 2x geforce gtx 570 sli, or 2x geforce gtx 580 sli.
You may want to get an SSD too for faster load times (I recommend Crucial M4 series for high reliability).
16gb won't be better than 8gb... games usually don't use more than 2-3gb. Just get 2x4gb now and you can always add more later.

[Knight978]

The cpu I was looking at was http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115066.
As I said going for a 2500 spending max limit want a very high end game computer that will last a long time and keep up with good upcoming games on max settings. How does the dual sli video cards work with 2 monitors, does it split the graphics between 2 monitors or boosts the graphics overall. Also my room is very hot so the case im looking for needs to have a lot of fans/heat sinks. Desktop computer btw.

[Skelly]

Just because its more expensive does not make it better. The i5 2500k kills the 970 in games. Get the i7 2600k if you're really bent on spending dough.

How does the dual sli video cards work with 2 monitors, does it split the graphics between 2 monitors or boosts the graphics overall.

SLI is much more akin to Captain Planet than the Planeteers.

[Dazzlefraz]

I assume you picked the 970 because has the rep of being "top of the line." In all reality, a 2600k will out-perform it in most games due to being faster overall "per thread". The 2600 also uses less power which makes it a dynamite overclocker. It also saves you $5-$10 a week on the billz. The only reason to go 970 over 2600k, or even 2500k is if you plan on running software that takes full advantage of multi-threading. Gaming isn't really high on that list.

16gb of RAM is way overkill for a gaming computer and you really only need 4 gigs if you want uber timings or 8 gigs if you plan to build completely around clock speed. Sandy Bridge (25/2600) seem to favor mainly clockspeed in most benchmarks run to date.

The 580 is the fastest single GPU card on the market these days so if you're looking for the best... I guess your have your answer there. I'd shy away from the 590 or even 6990 just because the price premium on those cards is mildly ridiculous. I suppose, by that logic, I'd also have to recommend shying away from the 580, as Nvidia is still milking the whole "fastest card" thing to the fullest. A 570 will net you 85-90% of the performance at a much reduced cost.

I feel building around a Sandy Bridge and pairing it with a 570 SLI and 4 gigs of nice fast RAM is going to futureproof you quite well. This in in fact what I am doing right now. If times happen to take a drastic change, the system is still easily upgradeable. You can always grab a couple more sticks of RAM, better cards and put your Overclocking boots on if you really feel the need to eek out more performance down the road. For everything slated to come down the pipe in the immediate future however, a SB Build with SLI'd 570/80's will eat them all alive.


EDIT: Also noting that this is your first build... I would sink a fair amount of time into researching which MoBo/RAM/Cooling is going to work best for you. These things can't really be "Told" to you because they are fairly subjective based upon what you wish to accomplish with your Build. Certain 'Boards add or omit certain features (esata/onboard GPU support/Multiple sata3/usb3 hubs/etc etc) depending on their role for the end user. No one can tell you if you need esata/10 usb3 hubs but yourself. It kinda depends on what peripherals you plan on using.

[Skelly]

<snip>

This is basically what I'm too exhausted to type out right now. You don't want too much RAM, because having more will actually hurt your CPU overclock.

I'll check back after an epic nap to see whats up.

[Uggorthaholy]

case - HAF X - $170.00
CPU - i5 2500k - $220.00
heatsink - noctua nh-d14 - $86.00
mobo - MSi Z68 - $240.00
Ram - 8GB sniper 1600X2 - $110.00
GPU - MSi Twin Frozr 3GB GTX 580 - $600.00
PSU - Corsair 1000 watt 80+ modular - $250.00
HDD - Spinpoint - $60.00
OS - Win 7 premium - $100.00
Keyboard - G510 - $95.00
mouse - G 700 - $75.00

Total - $2010.00 - leave you with $500.00 for monitors/SSD. Now idea how to find the nice IPS displays people keep talking about. Generally any 2 23" monitors that have HD will do. Also no clue on SSDs

If you have a microcenter near you, you will save $80.00 on the CPU/mobo combo (currently running a sale at $180.00 for the i5, and $40.00 off when you buy a cpu/mobo combo)

[Knight978]

So Should I just get a higher gb ssd then for games and 2x sli video cards, im really looking to spend 2500 for computer, also whats a good monitor and what is the diffrence in running dual monitors?

[Deleted]

Just to get it straight is this only for gameing?
- Also are you willing try to overclocking? (Basics aint very hard, and with a nice cooler you will soon be running cpu at 4.5 + ghz )

If it's only for gameing and you want it to pull everything now, and in the future at ultra settings, get lost - with our current hardware/graphic progressing, in 2-3 years this will be outdated and properly only be running games at mid, possible high settings.

so you might aswell stick with a cheaper build now, and get a new one in 2-3 years

[Dazzlefraz]

So Should I just get a higher gb ssd then for games and 2x sli video cards, im really looking to spend 2500 for computer, also whats a good monitor and what is the diffrence in running dual monitors?

If you use that build and swap the single 580 for SLI'd 570's and grab a 120/160 SSD you'd be close to your $2500 ceiling.

[Knight978]

case - HAF X - $170.00
CPU - i5 2500k - $220.00
heatsink - noctua nh-d14 - $86.00
mobo - MSi Z68 - $240.00
Ram - 8GB sniper 1600X2 - $110.00
GPU - MSi Twin Frozr 3GB GTX 580 - $600.00
PSU - Corsair 1000 watt 80+ modular - $250.00
HDD - Spinpoint - $60.00
OS - Win 7 premium - $100.00
Keyboard - G510 - $95.00
mouse - G 700 - $75.00

Total - $2010.00 - leave you with $500.00 for monitors/SSD. Now idea how to find the nice IPS displays people keep talking about. Generally any 2 23" monitors that have HD will do. Also no clue on SSDs

If you have a microcenter near you, you will save $80.00 on the CPU/mobo combo (currently running a sale at $180.00 for the i5, and $40.00 off when you buy a cpu/mobo combo)

Your math is way off that 1466 also don't I need windows 7 ultimate or no, what justifies getting ultimate?

[Uggorthaholy]

If you use that build and swap the single 580 for SLI'd 570's and grab a 120/160 SSD you'd be close to your $2500 ceiling.

no reason to SLi 570s over a 580. the reason for 1 580> sli 570 is for future expansion. He can add a second 580 in 12-14 months and see a massive performance upgrade over the cost of replacing SLi 570s.

---------- Post added 2011-08-23 at 01:57 PM ----------

Your math is way off that 1466 also don't I need windows 7 ultimate or no, what justifies getting ultimate?

no, using a calculator, that is 2,006.

also, as far as i know, ultimate has no amazing features for the avg user, and is mostly fluff

PS - that build includes a mouse/keyboard, leaving space for a monitor since you haven't indicated if you need those pieces or not. If you don't, then I can increase the build even further.

[Knight978]

Ill take your suggestion and get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115070.
How do I go about overclocking it and how far ghz could I go

[Uggorthaholy]

Ill take your suggestion and get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115070.
How do I go about overclocking it and how far ghz could I go

waste of money over the i5, imo.

however, how high it goes is dependent on chip. there are a million guides on how to OC a sandybridge chip online.

[Knight978]

So, I could go 2x MSi Twin Frozr 3GB GTX 580 and how much performance difference would it be with dual monitors with 2x of those bad boys, over having one.

[Dazzlefraz]

The only reason to SLI 570's is because this dude really wants to spend $2500 regardless of any actual performance upgrade. I would assume it's the same reason you recommended an NH-D14 even if he'll probably only use turbo boost or afterburner presets for overclocking.

Ultimate is not really justified whatsoever. It contains pretty much nothing the average joe is going to miss.

SLI'd 580s would be beastly indeed. The only thing that would hurt me is 8-10 months down the road seeing those same cards at half that price and newer better cards taking their place. I'm the dude that never buys top tier however... for the aforementioned reasons. I can't justify spending an extra $150 on a card for 8-15 extra FPS.

[morbidjbyrd]

So, I could go 2x MSi Twin Frozr 3GB GTX 580 and how much performance difference would it be with dual monitors with 2x of those bad boys, over having one.

0 or close to it....and dual monitors is a waste as well.

and windows ultimate offers nothing of value.

There are some suggested computers on front page, though personally id get cheaper cases.
Id rather my computer go fast, then look like it goes fast.

[Uggorthaholy]

So, I could go 2x MSi Twin Frozr 3GB GTX 580 and how much performance difference would it be with dual monitors with 2x of those bad boys, over having one.

you won't see a whole lot of change until super high settings on super intense games, but you'll see it. and will you please tell us if you need keyboard/mouse/monitor? will help us get you to your magic 2500 mark.

[Knight978]

I do need a gaming keyboard/mouse also I need a monitor, I use a 24 inch monitor atm so just one.