Time for a new build.

I have about $1,200.00 to spend, and I'm looking to buy everything to build a new system plus a nice monitor. I'd like to build something pretty high end, that I'd be able to play games like skyrim on higher settings. My aim is to get a score in the windows rating a 6 or higher.

any recommendations?

Board:
CPU:
Video card:
PSU:
RAM:

I'll be good on picking out the case and monitor my self.

 

anyone?

 

(CPU) AMD FX-8120 Zambezi 3.1GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103961
$199.99
Free shipping

(MOBO) ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131736
$184.99
Free shipping

(RAM) G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL9D-8GBSR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231518
$74.99
Free shipping

(VID CARD) XFX HD-695X-CNFC Radeon HD

6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150530
$269.99
$4.99 shipping

(PSU) Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-900 900W ATX12V v2.3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371050
$129.99
Free shipping

(CASE) Antec DF-85 Black Steel / Plastic ATX

Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087
$159.99
Free shipping

(HDD) Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
$89.99
$7.28 shipping

( DVD Burner) LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
$17.99
$4.99 shipping

Total, roughly 1,150.00

 

(Monitor) ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 ASCR 20000:1 (1000:1) W/Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

$179.99
$8.99 Shipping
---

$1,338.98

 

can anyone go over this build??
suggestions, changes, flaws?

 

A few thoughts based on my build and repair experience:

Antec's quality on PSUs isn't what it used to be. I'd go for a Corsair Pro series instead (750 watts should be more than enough):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010

On the DVD burner, spend a few extra bucks on an ASUS or Plextor - my experience has been Lite On normally goes "lites off" within 1-2 years.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827249078

On the HDD, I've found WD's Caviar Black series to be far more durable than the Blue series - again, worth the extra few bucks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136795

Hope these tips help.

 

thanks.

 

this comes up to 1158.91, a little wiggle room to get the cpu cooling option of your choice. For gaming, some games can have trouble with the newer 6 and 8 core cpu's, this 2500k is a solid choice, with most games having worked the bugs out in using it, and these oc easily over 4.0

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009305

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220539

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128538

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136232

 

I don't see an operating system listed. A common mistake is some users assume they can use their old Windows license on a new computer. Understand only a "boxed" full Retail license can be transferred to another computer (or upgraded motherboard). It is illegal to use an OEM license that came with or was purchased for one computer on another computer. A disk “branded” with a computer maker’s brand name, or says OEM/System Builder, Upgrade, Academic Edition, or "For Distribution with a new PC only", is not transferable to a new PC (or upgraded motherboard) under any circumstances. These OEM licenses are inextricably tied to the "original equipment". So if that is the case, I recommend 64-bit Windows 7 or one of the many free Linux alternatives. Just ensure it is 64-bit since you have selected 8Gb of RAM.

 

Windows Upgrade, if installed over an existing Retail product, then becomes transferable as in a full Retail, I believe.

XFX have had a pretty high returns rate, consider another brand, otherwise the 6950 is pretty good choice.

Take extra care selecting compatible RAM for the chose /board, check the board makers site for the QVL list, verified owners comment for both at newegg and check specs at Crucial. Special care needed if maxing out the RAM in all slots.

This series of hardware returns breakdowns might make worthwhile reading, the most recent one is linked.

Sorry guys, don't have time to check Jim's links for ideas/comments.

 

IF over an existing "Retail", that is true. But the OP has said nothing to suggest that is the case here. And the fact remains, most users don't have "Retail" licenses. The vast majority (by far) of pre-builts come from the factory with OEM licenses installed and the vast majority of self-builders buy OEM licenses because OEM licenses are cheaper. And one key reason they cost less IS because they are NOT transferable. The other key reasons is the builder (not Microsoft) is responsible for tech support for 1 year, and the plain OEM packaging is cheaper than a fancy retail box. Plus OEM licenses have just one disk, 32-bit or 64-bit which you must specify when buying. Retail licenses come boxed with both, but you can only use one.

Note this non-transferable policy is not exclusive to Microsoft or Windows, but almost all OEM software.

Good point about the QVL for RAM. I note there are just too many RAM makers and RAM models for motherboard makers to test and list them all so you don't have to buy from the list, though you do need to ensure the RAM you select has the same specifications as listed RAM. Also, most motherboard makers also maintain a CPU QVL on their boards' webpages too. And you should definitely buy a listed CPU.

Thanks for that link for hardware returns. I had not seen that before. Bookmarked. I just wish the raw data come more than one source besides a single French "etailer". Oh well.

 

It's that data, verified user reports or trust the hardware makers; it's a poor choice I know but I think the FR report gives a good thumbnail, esp. when balanced with researching reports from verified owners. The biggest problem with the FR stats is not knowing why the returns were made.

 

Yeah, but the author is pretty up front about that, so that is good. Even if he included data from NewEgg, TigerDirect and others, I am still not sure we could get a true picture because so much is returned that is not actually defective. But as the author noted, these variables probably are pretty evenly spread out among the various makers.

Still, I'm keeping it bookmarked.

 

I like the price difference, not the hardware brands, and if possible id like to stay away from the apu's or rather cpu's that are integrated with a gpu.

 

I actually already have an unused os I bought a while back when I was thinking about doing another build but didn't. But thanks for the heads up.

 

What other brand would you recommend? It's not too often that I get to do a new build so I'm a bit inexperienced still.

 

that ram (DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) won't work with the board I chose will it?
So either im gonna have to find the ram that'll work with that board or a board that ram will work with, I kinda skimmed but didn't find anything.

 

how bout this ram instead?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460

 

Great!

 

Stats by Brand from the link I gave earlier, remember these are for returns:

Smaller gfx card suppliers aren't listed because they didn't sell enough of them to make it statistically reliable. Further comments:

And the background info:

So XFX cards had 3x more returned than PNY in percentage terms, any maker above XFX should be a slightly better bet (this is from a current XFX user = me, who's very pleased with his HD5570, so far ...).

 

So asus cards are usually good? Ive bought asus mother boards in the past and didn't have too much trouble with them, so I consider them a good brand. I really don't care as long as the card isn't crap and it'll handle a game like skyrim on high settings.

 

any suggestions?

 

MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=1rzvkh1y93zvm

Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=1senwdtnnkgto

memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=1ji0flv87iqwf

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=tkisi4ovra84

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=1xlu820oeb46g

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=3ylnlwky0t0u

DVD drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=sfgjlfy5dmad

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=19mpiwyejrz6l

Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=1uot1tq4ovg3h

 

Can anyone check to see if all of this is compatible? I'd like to start ordering parts soon. Thanks. @.@

 

I would like to possibly go with a good quad core instead and put the extra money to a nicer video card. Suggestions for a quad core board combination and a better video card?

No apu cpu/gpu integration.

My price range limit including shipping is 1,380.00

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=1rzvkh1y93zvm

-videocard-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=1ji0flv87iqwf

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103923

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=1xlu820oeb46g

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=3ylnlwky0t0u

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=sfgjlfy5dmad

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=19mpiwyejrz6l

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4003003&SID=1uot1tq4ovg3h