New Rig

[SwampFox]

Alright guys- it's time to let the troll out of the box. I ordered my last comp from Dell (which finally crashed and burned after about 7 years of faithful service) In my gaming history I've played Runescape (mmorpg crack), Diablo II, the MechWarrior series, the original PlanetSide, and then I jumped from that into Warcraft III and WoW... I joined the US army and shifted into the newer console based games shortly there-after.

Friends have urged me to come back to WoW, or Diablo III, but there's only one game that really meets my desire for player based content and metagame. (Hoping that this is still intact since the game is meant to appeal to more mainstream players)

To that end I've assembled a rig, primarily utilizing NewEgg.com. I'm retired from the Army, and work for a Microsoft Partner now in South Carolina so picking up an operating system is not an issue . Without further ado:

Amazon
Thermaltake Armor Revo- Snow Edition- 187

New Egg
CORSAIR Dominator Platinum 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 Desktop Memory Model CMD8GX3M2A1866C9 - 85
Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K - 339
EVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - 400
ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard- 239
Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Transfer Kit- 129
CORSAIR CWCH60 Hydro Series H60 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler- 65
Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System – OEM – 25
Logitech G930 USB Connector Circumaural Wireless Gaming Headset- 125
Razer DeathAdder – 42
RAZER RZ02-00420100-R3U1 Scarab Expert Hard Gaming Mouse Mat - 40
HP 2311x Black 23" 5ms Full HD LED BackLight LCD Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 DC 3,000,000:1 (1,000:1)- 220

Razer
Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth Edition- 140


Now there are some pieces that I already have. I've got 2 old harddrives for storage, and a 500w power supply.

Total Rig comes out to a little over 2k, but that's not so bad for a top to bottom build, and I've planned the purchases out over the next 4 months (completion deadline in Dec). I don't want to really expand my budget anymore, so additions of more than 20-40 bucks will require cuts. But I want to get a stellar gaming experience out of this new forgelite engine, so I'd be very interested to see if anything jumps out at anybody as a particularly good or bad idea.


Anyways, thanks for checking out my ramble

[Bags]

You'd probably want to get a cheaper CPU (3570k for $215 "Additional $15 off w/ promo code BTS504, ends 8/2 ") and a more expensive GPU (gtx 680 for $490 "$35 off with promo code HARDOCPX725B, ends 7/31 ").

Assuming you want to keep around the same budget, of course. MOST LIKELY going to result in higher PS2 performance for cheaper, assuming you buy them while there promo codes are good. Even if you wait until the promo codes are done, it's still a better route.

[Goku]

Yup Bags is right. Take the hundred from the 3770K going to the 3570K and use it towards a GTX 680.

Spending too much money on the ram also. I wouldn't put more then $50 into that. You won't see any benefits going for such high speed ram anyway.

Any particular reason for that HP monitor? Seems overpriced to be honest. Either go for a cheaper TN panel or go for an IPS for the far better color accuracy in that price range.

[SwampFox]

Interesting. I'll make the switch for the higher GPU per your recommendations. I went with the HP because a friend of mine uses one and loves it. I'm definitely open to suggestions there too. Does everything else look solid?

[Bags]

I'd say you're probably overpaying on the motherboard.

I recommend : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157296 for $110 + shipping.

You got your ram slots, socket 1155, 1x PCIE 3.0 x 16, plenty of SATA and USB ports.

[Goku]

For a monitor. If you want IPS this one is a good pick, or this for a TN monitor. Do you know about IPS at all?

Seeing as how hes not on a limited budget. I wouldn't go and get a budget board like that Bags. Spending extra on a mobo never hurts at least. If he wanted to get cheaper I would probably look into the MSI Z77A-GD55/GD65, Gigabyte Z77-UD3/UD5, or the ASUS P8Z77-V LE.

[vampyro]

Originally Posted by Bags

I'd say you're probably overpaying on the motherboard.

I recommend : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157296 for $110 + shipping.

You got your ram slots, socket 1155, 1x PCIE 3.0 x 16, plenty of SATA and USB ports.

You cant SLI that shitty mobo.

[Bags]

Originally Posted by vampyro

You cant SLI that shitty mobo.

Then it's a good thing he doesn't want to SLI then isn't it?

[Vancha]

I would suggest almost any other mechanical keyboard over the Razer.

Also, any reason in particular you went for such a high-end case? Unless you're planning some truly disgusting overclocks you'd probably be fine with something around $80-$110

Originally Posted by vampyro

You cant SLI that shitty mobo.

Nice attitude. The Pro4 is far from shitty...The Pro4 and shitty don't even exist in the same dimensions.

[SwampFox]

Wow- thanks for the responses guys!

Looking at the IPS, I have to agree that the screen quality looks much better. I'm thinking about bumping up to a 25 inch screen, is Dell the only company that manufactures IPS?

Motherboard is probably going to stay the same.

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K will replace the i7

GPU will get boosted to a 680.

The case is the case . I wanted to splurge a little and I did, I think it's got a unique look, some great functionality, and I really liked it.

Now for the keyboard- I've never actually used a mechanical keyboard. I understand that it has more of a typewriter feel to it, not sure if that's going to be a pro or con. I know I want something backlit (preferably blue), with a raised back end (I hate flat keyboards). Any suggestions?

Also- what ram do you suggest?

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by SwampFox

Now for the keyboard- I've never actually used a mechanical keyboard. I understand that it has more of a typewriter feel to it, not sure if that's going to be a pro or con. I know I want something backlit (preferably blue), with a raised back end (I hate flat keyboards). Any suggestions?

Read this.

The only other mechanical keyboard Newegg has with blue backlighting is the Gigabyte Osmium, but I don't know how good that is (also it has cherry reds, rather than cherry browns). I'd suggest looking at the Ducky Shine (I can't recall the US keyboard sites, but I know tigerimports has them with cherry blues/browns/reds/blacks), or a Deck Legend Ice keyboard if you're okay with it's styling (cherry clears or blacks). They both have blue backlighting and feet to raise them up at the back.

Ducky Shines

Deck Keyboards

[Rbstr]

With the money you're throwing down on silly things like that motherboard, You should certainly get a better speaker system than that crap $25 2.1 set.
Look at a decent 2.0 set like http://www.amazon.com/Audioengine-Pr.../dp/B000VKEFN2
or
http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-Studio...&keywords=AV40

I see no reason to spend over $100 extra on a motherboard chock full features you aren't using.
Get the Asus P8Z77-V LE if you feel the ASRock is slumming it for some reason.

For ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226184
You shouldn't be spending more than $50 for 8gb and don't need anything faster than DDR3 1600

[FrankTheTank]

I am looking for some insite on my rig as well. I did not feel like it was necessary to start a new thread on just about the same thing. I build a rig about 2 years back and am wondering how it will run ps2 and what would possibly need upgrading. I know the gpu will need to be.

2x EVGA 01G-P3-N988-TR GeForce 9800 GT HDMI 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V v2.2 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80

AZZA Solano 1000 Black/Black Japanese SECC Steel/Metal mesh in front ATX

ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601930

16GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory

These are my current specs. From what i have read on the cpu is that it can be overclocked close to 4ghz if properly cooled

[Bags]

@ frank you should probably make a new thread

[Eyeklops]

The build looks solid, just a few notes.

If the rig is strictly for gaming, and mostly FPS:

• First, I agree with everyone else, CPU is overkill. Get a 3570K and spend the extra money on a better monitor/GPU
• Forget about IPS monitors and look into a 120Hz, ignore the disbelievers, you will notice a difference. BenQ XL2420T ($391) is a good start.
• If your interested in SLI in the future, check out this ASUS P8Z77-V LX ($139). Basic, bare-bones SLI-capable motherboard that will allow you to put $100 toward a better monitor or GPU.
• Do not worry about spending the extra money moving from a 670 to a 680. The performance difference is nil. The two big questions to look at are: If you want future proof, go for a 4GB 670. If you want max cheapest FPS, go for SLI 2GB 670's.
• I have a Tt case and love it. However, Fractal Design is an up and coming brand that is building serious quality cases for an excellent price. The Define R4 ($109) is a medium sized case that is getting great reviews.
• Don't be shy about substituting G.skill memory for Corsair. I have had both and the gaming/enthusiast grade G.skill appear to be about the same quality, but cheaper priced. I will say, however, that the price difference here is small (~$20) so if you feel more comfortable with Corsair it's not a big budget dent.
• I didn't do any research on the particular SSD you picked out but be warned!! There have been TONS of problems with some SandForce SSD controller chips as of late. Be sure you google the shit out of any SSD your planning on getting to be aware of any chipset bugs.