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New Gaming System $2500 Budget

Last response: in Systems

Hi guys, building a new gaming rig, could use some help picking and choosing. Here we go:


BUDGET RANGE: $2000-$2700


PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Headset



PARTS PREFERENCES: Radeon HD5970, Core i7, EVGA and ASUS are a plus, but I'm open for ideas, single HDD (Have a backup 1TB)

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, depends on which CPU


MONITOR RESOLUTION: HD preferable, 1920X1080 or larger

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Need a nice solid case with a window, ample power supply, Good space for cooling, and would love a liquid cooling system, possibly Corsair H50)

If I missed anything feel free to let me know. Thanks in advance for the help!

CPU: i7-930 $299
Mobo: Asus P6X58D Premium $310
GPU: HD 5970 $700
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB $90
SSD: 128 GB $375
Case: HAF 922 $100
PSU: OCZ Z Series 850W 80+ Gold $200
Optical: Cheap SATA DVD burner $24
Monitor: Asus 24" 1080p $230
OS (if needed): Windows 7 Home $105

Total: $2,643 w/ OS. If you need the OS in the budget, either get a slightly smaller monitor or switch the RAM to G.Skill Pi Series 3x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 to save $50.

Water cooling is a waste of money. Air is much, much cheaper and the same or better. You also don't have the chance to spring a leak and ruin everything with air cooling.
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Yes it will be back instock. However you need to pay close attention because as soon as they get in stock they usually fly out the door.

coldsleep said:
Another SSD suggestion. Just released, so not as much info yet, but it's cheaper, specs have a significantly faster read time, and approx. the same read times.

Corsair Nova 128 GB SSD - $369

It has significantly faster read times AND the same read times? We seem to have stumbled upon a scientific impossibility...

I tend to edge on the side of caution. I want to see several detailed reveiws and have some testing data out there, especially since SSDs are still new technology. That said, either would work.

You said to buy 2 120 MM fan, I was looking in the case and I'm a noob but... where do they go? lol.. and the case already has 3, is that not enough?

MadAdmiral said:

Hah. I got a little mixed up.

Faster read times, similar write times to the original one you linked.

Uses the Indilinx controller and supports TRIM. Researching more info now, but given that it's Corsair's new release, and the previously recommended one was Corsair, it's probably relatively low-risk (compared to a new release from an unknown or previously poor-performing brand).

@odinsd: The two fans are for the HSF. The Megahalems doesn't come with a fan, so you have to buy some for it.

@bob: Budget's still not enough for a good gaming Eyefinity build. The $600ish cost for the monitors alone makes it unfeasible for the budget. Now, if it was a $3,000+ budget, then we might be talking.

@ Mad: He could buy 2 identical moniters to what he has, for like 400$ or less, and still have a nice 5970 build for 1800$, The SSD might have to be removed though.

He needs the first monitor already. I would start with what's the best performing. Besides, not many people have enough space for an Eyefinity setup.

Wow, i thought price would be a bigger restriction than space for eyefinity. Anyways, he should consider a 30" moniter. The 3007WFP is like 600-700$ on Ebay, and it's not like buying a GPU wich could be damaged through overclocking, and the efects of the damage won't be noticed untill the 45 day paypall return period is over. If there's something wrong, you can notice and return the moniter imediatly. If you don't like buying used, you could also buy a new one of Ebay. Or a cheaper 30" moniter of Newegg if you have some strange love for Newegg. That would mean losing the SSD, getting a cheaper PSU, and a hyper 212, but it's still doable.

Yes, you should entirely spend $1,000 more for a monitor that's only 6" bigger...

As for the case/PSU combo, the HAF is bigger than the Antec 1200. And I hate the CP PSUs. They will only work in 3 cases and are not very efficient for the size (only 80+ Certified for a 1 kW unit? Seriously?). Yes, the OCZ one I suggested is expensive, BUT it's at least 90% efficient. That means a much lower power bill and less heat. Not to mention that no one needs a 1 kW PSU...

As for the HSF, the Hyper 212 is excellent, but the Megahalems is the best. Period. If you've got the budget, spend it.

I wouldn't downgrade the parts inside the PC to spend on an outragously priced monitor. The premium for going from 27" to 30" is just obscence. You pay around triple the price for an 11% increase in screen size. That sure sounds worth it...

I'd rather stay with a smaller 24 or 25" monitor, thank you though :)  Eyefinity would be nice but not yet, that'll come down the road.

Yes, that would be cool if you had the $3,600 for the monitors and another $3,000+ for the tower to drive it all, but I'm betting you don't. I could think of a much better use for all that extra cash other than a gigantic gaming monument...