new build

[scuderia]

Hey, guys. I've been lurking around for a while, but this is my first post. :)
I've been meaning to get a new computer for a while and, frankly, I'm sick of shelling out money to Dell in return for a blue screen, so I've decided to build my own.

Now, since I haven't kept up with the latest and greatest in computing for a while, my newbie benchmark is running Crysis full power with no problem.

For $1,035.79, including tax, I have:

39.99 Gigabyte X2 Midtower Black Chassis (not set in stone by any means.)
84.006 GB Corsair DDR3 RAM
229.99 MSI X58 Platinum SLI 17 ATX motherboard
229.99 Intel Core i7
99.99 Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA 7200rpm HDD
204.99 NVidia GeForce GTA260 896MB
54.99 OCZTech 500W StealthXStream PSU
24.99 Samsung 22x DVD/RW SATA

This was thrown together with the help of a MicroCenter associate who works on commission. Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot.

[saphalline]

my newbie benchmark is running Crysis full power with no problem.If you plan on gaming at 1024 x 768, then this goal is reasonable. :p Otherwise... 1680 x 1050? Yeah, that's gonna cost you $2000 USD and your first-born child. Crysis may be "old" by computer standards, but it's just as brutal as ever when it comes to benchmarks.


The case is cr@p. If you build a system with a dedicated vid card at all, you need good airflow. For any sort of gaming-oriented build, a Cooler Master Centurion 5 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119047) should be your absolute minimum! And even then, I would definitely NOT put a Core i7 in there! Once you get into the $100+ USD range, that's where Core i7 caliber cases start appearing. Of course you don't need a Cosmos or HAF, but they are pretty! :D Antec's Nine Hundred (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021) is a good starting point.

The PSU is very low for any sort of modern gaming system. 500W is not going to cut it for that build. Or rather, I should say that 500W will probably keep that system powered for the first year, after which it will die or blow out from stress. And having a PSU die on you is about as enjoyable as visiting a dentist named "Fingers" in the basement of a night club. Check out Corsair's 650W unit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005) for a place to start with the PSU.

The vid card price seems a bit high. Is it a Core 216 version? Ie, is it something like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125267)? If not, steer clear. Vid card prices and models are too complicated and volatile to navigate without some basic information.

So what's your budget for this thing? Are you trying to hit $1000 USD? Or are you ready to reach for that magical $1500 USD number?

[scuderia]

$1,000 would be nice, but I'm selling my 360 and associated goodies, so I have a buffer zone.
Build me a decent gaming rig for a grand? $1,000 would be nice, but I'm selling my 360 and associated goodies, so I have a buffer zone.

Build me a decent gaming rig for a grand?

[saphalline]

Department of Redundancy Department. :D


Wait, so are you buying your components from Micro Center or online? Can you buy from Newegg?

[scuderia]

Whoops...

I went to MicroCenter to get a general idea of what I'd start with since I've been distant from computers for a while. Newegg would be fine.