i7 gaming build for a complete noob :)

[renren]

Hey guys

(first post! so I don't even know if I'm in the right area...)

Anywho, I decided that I want to build me a complete new desktop gaming system for myself... I know a bit about PC's, but I've never actually built one before. I've deviced to build one now as it appears to be so much cheaper and better than buying something pre-built from say Acer, Dell ETC.

So I was wondering if you guys would help me out a bit whilst making it and check over my planned hardware plz: -

MOBO: Sabertooth X58 ($235 PCCG)
CPU: i7 960 ($325 PCCG)
GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD6850 x2 ($189 each PPCG)
RAM: Corsair CMP12GX3M3A1600C9 12GB (3x4GB) Dominator ($269 PCCG)
HDD: WD Caviar Blue 1TB 7200rpm ($85 PCCG)
Samsung SH-S223C SATA DVDRW Drive ($55 PCCG)


I need some help finding a good case and power supply at a reasonable cost, because I am on a bit of a budget - I'd like to spend around less than $1550 if possible. I'm prob missing some crucial parts but I'm not sure

I'd like the system to be great for playing games on a 1920 x 1080p screen, and playing in full detail with anti-aliasing ETC too.

If you guys could recommend me some better *and cheaper* hardware, that would be great too thnx

This is what I have planned so far... I've got a screen and all the cables needed.

Thanks in advance
(God I hope I've posted in the right place!)

[Spyfox]

if you buy locally then you could pickup and shave a fair bit of money off your current total.

with the money left you could get a decent PSU and maybe throw in an SSD drive.

maybe go for a 40-60gb SSD as your OS drive.
or a 120gb+ too throw your games in aswell.
cuts loading times a fair bit

[Lillee]

If I were you I'd skip the i7 and get a sandy bridge i5 2500k or similar. It will save you $100's and the i7 won't perform much better than the new sandy bridge for the price IMO. CPU isn't what you are after if it's for gaming, GPU is what you want. IMO getting the biggest, baddest single GPU card you can afford is better than SLI and it's hassles...

Example: I have a 5850 and it maxes out Crysis 2. So I am sure a 6950 or similar will crush any modern games...

Also IMHO an i5 + SSD will outperform an i7 with typical HDD. Sure if money aint a problem buy a 1366 i7 and an SSD, but who's got $2000 to blow these days?

[azalin79]

I dont know how you will save hundreds going for P67 over X58 ???

Id probably trim the ram back to a 6gb kit and ditch the 6850s for a 6950/70 or gtx 560/570.

[Lillee]

Originally Posted by azalin79

I dont know how you will save hundreds going for P67 over X58 ???

i7 960 ($325 PCCG)
i5 2500k($229 staticice)

= $96

ASUS P8P67-M PRO Motherboard B3 $179 and you're sweet

EDIT: According to some benchmarks the i5 2500k outperforms the i7 960, so why would you not buy the new gen sandy bridge??

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

[gords]

Please post in the What/Where Should I Buy? forum as per this sticky.