[First Build] Gaming System

[Stephen]

I like to think myself technically proficient, but I have never built a computer before and the huge selection and terminology has completely overwhelmed me... help please?

Purpose
Gaming system that will also serve as the family's main computer. I would like to be able to play an upcoming Unreal Engine 3 game (Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad), but the devs have insofar confirmed very little as to system requirements. I expect it to be among the most demanding of UE3 games when it eventually released. I'd also like to be able to emulate FFXII on the PCSX2.

Budget
Up to $1400 CAD, untaxed

Country
Canada (near Richmond, BC; I'd like to buy everything from the NCIX there)

Brand Preference
I have a bias towards Intel, Nvidia, and ASUS, but don't have any experience whatsoever with building a PC so this may be of little help. It is common sense, but whatever works well together, is reliable, and is not too expensive is best for component selection.

Parts
I haven't bought anything yet, but I think a quad core will prepare the system best for the future. I am considering the Intel Core i5 760 (or perhaps 750, if the 760 is only negligibly better). An Nvidia graphics card is required, but I am having difficulty getting through all the re-badging nonsense they have decided to do with their new lineups and deciding which is best for the CPU and motherboard.

Overclocking
If it is relatively simple and safe to perform for the CPU, then I would like to get the clock speed up to 3.0 or 3.6GHz.

Timeframe
There is no real need to get it done anytime soon, but I will say before 2011.

Resolution
No preference; I'll say 1440x900 for now.

[_dangtx_]

starting with the last point, do get a 23/24 inch capable of native 1920x1080 or better. a worlde of difference it makes

good thing youre not in any rush. new stuff around the corner, well a few months away.

right now a good bang per buck video card wise would be the infamous gtx 460 from nvidia. a couple in sli(i would say go with intel even though there are a couple amd sli mobos.. that or do a driver hack) on a nice and 'cheap' p55 platform will shine.

so depending on what gpu powerhouse you decide to get, we will know what psu to sugest. i would go with a seasonic. or corsair around the 500 watter mark for one card. 600 or better for dual cards.

[xlilmissmjx]

There seems to be a current trend in the 1300 to 1500 price build, so there's a few current build threads here to check out for sure.

Basically, here's what I'd recommend..

CM 690 II Basic/Advanced, Corsair 600T, Lian-Li PC-60FNWX
Corsair HX650
Asus P7H55/USB3 or P7P55D-E Pro (depending if you want a single or dual GPU)
Intel Core i5-750/60
CM Hyper 212+ (Great budget cooler) or V6GT cpu cooler
Corsair, Mushkin, G Skill or Patriot 4GB DDR3-1600
Seagate 7200.12, WD Caviar Black or Samsung F3 1TB HDD
GeForce GTX460 1GB, get 2nd later on or for a single card setup go for the 480!
LG, Samsung, Pioneer, Asus or Plextor DVD or Blu-ray Combo drive
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM

For monitors, I recommend Samsung, so either the BX or EX series are your best choices for 21.5in to 24in.

[Keltron 3030]

I Personally think this would be a Kick-Ass build, but im sure others will debate

MOBO: NCIX.com - Buy ASUS Maximus III Gene LGA1156 DDR3 2PCI-E16 PCI-E4 PCI 7XSATA2 GBLAN X-FI Sound Motherboard - MAXIMUS III GENE In Canada.
CPU: NCIX.com - Buy Intel Core i5 760 Quad Core Processor Lynnfield LGA1156 2.8GHZ 8MB Cache Retail Box - BX80605I5760 In Canada.
CPU COOLER: NCIX.com - Buy Coolermaster V6GT CPU Heatsink Cooler LGA775/LGA1156/LGA1366/AM3 2x 120MM PWM Fans 800-2200RPM - RR-V6GT-22PK-R1 In Canada.
RAM: NCIX.com - Buy Corsair XMS3 CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1600 CL 9-9-9-24 Core i5 Dual Channel Memory Kit - CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 In Canada.
HDD: NCIX.com - Buy Western Digital WD1001FALS Caviar Black 1TB SATA2 7200RPM 4.2MS 32MB 3.5IN Dual Proc Hard Drive OEM - WD1001FALS In Canada.
CASE: NCIX.com - Buy Lancool PC-K62 Black ATX Advanced Mid Tower Case 5X5.25 4X3.5INT No PS USB Audio - PC-K62 In Canada.
GPU: NCIX.com - Buy MSI GeForce GTX 460 Fermi Cyclone OC 725MHZ 1024MB GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini-HDMI DX11 PCI-E Video Card - N460GTX Cyclone1GD5/OC In Canada.
PSU: NCIX.com - Buy Silverstone Strider 750 Plus 750W Modular Power Supply ATX 24PIN 135mm Fan 60A 80+ Silver Black - ST75F-P In Canada.
DVD DRIVE: NCIX.com - Buy Samsung SH-S223C 22X DVD Writer SATA Black OEM - SH-S223C/BEBE-OEM In Canada.
OS: http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=45271&vpn=GFC%2D00599&manufacture=Mi crosoft
PRICE: $1328.98 before taxes

Also, I would reccommend getting a better monitor. A nice 22-24 inch 1920x1080

[Phill]

This is what I came up with.

Key points I would like to mention:
-460 SLi, should keep you in the game for some time
-Fractal R3 is a great case AND comes with free shipping for the whole order!!! (ATM)
-Samsung F1 Hdd is very quiet but just as fast as WD black Hdd
-H70 cooler is IMO the best coolers out there and will allow for massive OC on the cpu
-put all together I think you have one Very Fast PC that will be rather quiet!

Keep in mind that ATM there are a number off MIR that will reduce the price further. Also IMO if purchasing at NCIX take the time and PM everything that you can.

[martin_metal_88]

Change the OCZ memory for G.skill, COrsair, Patriot, Mushkin or kingston. they are MUCH MORE reliable. Also, drop that H70 and get a good air cooler, the best air cooler with good fan will outperform a H70 for less buck. Stick with the rest.

[Stephen]

Thanks for all the input, guys.

Now before I go deciding which components I want beyond the CPU, GPU, and motherboard, I need some very basic things explained to me. I am utterly clueless about all the terminology and compatibility issues with these things. D:

1.) How do the GTX-460s from EVGA, Gigabyte, and MSI all differ? Why doesn't Nvidia just sell its own graphics cards?

2.) Are there any specifics associated with the graphics card that I have to worry about when choosing the motherboard?

3.) If I buy two GTX-460s and want to use SLI with them, do I need to buy a special adapter for them, or does that usually come with the motherboard?

4.) If I overclock to 3.6GHz with the i5 760, should I consider water cooling? It is my understanding it is becoming more commonplace now.

[SugarJ]

1. warranty mostly. Nvidia sells the chips and reference board design to its' partners, who actually produce them.
2. Any current single graphics card will work in any current motherboard. If you want to SLI, you must make sure your motherboard of choice supports it. All P55/X58 mobos support Crossfire natively, this is not an issue.
3. SLI connectors come with your mobo.
4. Possibly. I'd suggest starting with a good air cooler first though.

[martin_metal_88]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Thanks for all the input, guys.

Now before I go deciding which components I want beyond the CPU, GPU, and motherboard, I need some very basic things explained to me. I am utterly clueless about all the terminology and compatibility issues with these things. D:

1.) How do the GTX-460s from EVGA, Gigabyte, and MSI all differ? Why doesn't Nvidia just sell its own graphics cards?

2.) Are there any specifics associated with the graphics card that I have to worry about when choosing the motherboard?

3.) If I buy two GTX-460s and want to use SLI with them, do I need to buy a special adapter for them, or does that usually come with the motherboard?

4.) If I overclock to 3.6GHz with the i5 760, should I consider water cooling? It is my understanding it is becoming more commonplace now.

1) Most of the time only the fan change. Sometime the clock change for overclocked version. Nvidia let other sell their card because by doing that they can focus on research. MSI sell the card and give part of the cash to Nvidia wich have nothign to worry about but the next gen card.
2) If you want to go sli just look for the mobo to be sli capable
3) Usually come with the mobo, in the case it is not, it's a 5$ sli bridge
4) No need to go in all the ass pain WC is if you want only 3.6 with a good air cooler you will be able to go over 4Ghz with these chip no problem.

[_dangtx_]

well, there are the reference ones, although if memory serves right nv didnt necessarily spell out what reference is for the 460's. basically some have different stickers,coolers or different pcb's all together

yes, some motherboards only do sli or crossfire or neither

usually it does come with the mobo and or card(s) itself, although i wouldnt count on the latter. some are longer than others,more flexible(asus) etc.

not necessarily. a good aircooler that doesnt cost you a wc setup will do the jobbe right without defeaning you,sir.