First Budget Gaming Rig.

[inhardtimes]

Hello!

I am currently trying to build myself a new gaming rig.
In order of importance, Gaming>Videos>Homework>Web browsing.

My current budget is $800 to build a mid-range computer.

I reside in Canada, particularly Markham.
I have a NCIX and Canada Computers in reasonable driving distance. (Most likely buying online)

I will have to build everything from scratch, so: CPU/MOBO/GPU/RAM/HDD/CASE/PSU
I am also interested in a new monitor if the price fits my budget, the monitor would probably bump my budget to $900.

I have planned to build my computer for around 2-3 months, and I've hesitated to confirm on a build.

So far, I have chosen:

CPU/MOBO: ASUS P8P67 Pro B3 SLI Motherboard & Intel Core i5 2500K Unlocked Processor
This combo is $359.99 at NCIX. This combo is $109.99 at NCIX
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=60217&promoid=1097

CASE/COOLER: Fractal Design Define R3 Black Case & Coolit Systems Eco 120MM Liquid Cooler
This combo is $109.99 at NCIX
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=60896&promoid=1097

PSU:
OCZ B-Stock Refurb Elitexstream 1000W ATX12V 24PIN ATX SLI Ready Power Supply 120MM Fan Black
This is $34.50 at NCIX AFTER MIR
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=58494&promoid=1097

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For the RAM/HDD I can pretty flexible and do not particularly prefer any brand name. Basically, I will just get what ever is on sale, and best bang-for-buck ratio. Hoping that $120ish would cover both these costs.
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For the GPU, I am hoping for something that is able to handle the latest games at 1920x1200 at MAX or HIGH.

I am considering:
PNY GeForce GTX 560 Ti XLR8 Black Box 822MHZ 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini-HDMI DX11 PCI-E Video Card
This is going for $195.39 at NCIX AFTER MIR

Not quite familiar with the PNY brand, but I heard that their products carry a life-time warranty.

Is there any other recommendations?
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This build would approx. cost:
CPU/MOBO :$359.99
CASE :$109.99
PSU :$34.50
RAM/HDD :$120.00
GPU :$190.39
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$814.87 not including tax/shipping

Thanks for reading, and looking forward to some interesting ideas!

April 28, 2011

[martin_metal_88]

PSU is a no go! The PSU is the MOST IMPORTANT part of your system, if it blow up you can nlow the whole machine. So all refurb or B-stock or cheap unit like those OCZ is to avoid AT ALL PRICE! Get something from Corsair, seasonic, Silverstone, the new NZXT or antec. Yes you will pay a little premium but you will sure to be safe on that side.

[BrutalGreen]

XFX (like all other seasonic rebrands) are also very good! but they are quite cheap too as XFX is trying to get name recognition atm so they are pricing competitively!

[_dangtx_]

nice combo,get a corsair or seasonic 500 watts and up for single card.

get a 6950 instead of the 560 maybe? :) though the 560 is nciely priced given the mir comes in...

[Bond007]

Overall pretty good choices. But as others have said definitely swap to a better PSU. Since you are already at budget price I would recommend a cheaper case and put that money toward a better PSU (Seasonic, corsair, XFX, Antec...for me in that order of preference and anything over 500w should do, I would go 550w to 650w with that build).

EDIT: Didn't put a lot of time looking, but a quick look through current NCIX sales I would pick this Corsiar 650w TX V2 for $74.99 no MIRs.

[Jaydu]

well if you are not stuck with going with Intel here is a little combo for you in AMD (all prices are from newegg.ca)
prices are before mail in

Case: Cooler Master Haf 922 ____$89.99 (-10 mail in)
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-750TX ____$124.99 (-15 mail in)
Mobo/CPU Combo: Asus M4A87TD + AMD 965BE 3.4g____ $222.98
Ram:Kingston HyperX BLU 8g 1333 (2x4g)___$87.49
HD: Westren Digital 500g black ____$59.99
GPU: MSI 6870 Hawk comes with Shogun game ______$219.99

total ___$805.42 plus shipping and tax

its just a thought