[Build Ready] $900 - $1000 gaming rig. First build so would appreciate some final tips.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor | $169.99 @ Microcenter |
| Motherboard | Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard | $179.99 @ Newegg |
| Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory | $74.99 @ Newegg |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive | $99.99 @ Newegg |
| Video Card | Gigabyte GeForce GTX 560 1GB Video Card | $189.98 @ NCIX US |
| Case | Thermaltake V9 BlacX ATX Mid Tower Case | $79.99 @ Newegg |
| Power Supply | Antec 620W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply | $74.98 @ Newegg |
| Optical Drive | Lite-On iHAS424-98 DVD/CD Writer | $24.99 @ SuperBiiz |
| Total | ||
| Prices include shipping and discounts when available. | $894.90 |
After a fair amount of research, I think I've got my head around this PC building business. My biggest worry is that I've over spent on the mobo and underspent on the GPU. Any helpful tips on those components would be great. I would love at least a single HDMI port on the GPU, possibly two, in case I get another monitor in the future.
I also already have all the necessary peripherals, so that's all good.
Finally, I'm Australian so any of the special deals with Newegg etc. won't be much use to me (sadly).
Cheers!!
Posted Jun 16, 2012, 5:11 AM UTC
08
Buy the RAM in pairs: 2x4GB or 4x4GB.
Are you sure you wanted a 560 and not a 560 Ti?
Cheaper mobo, faster cpu.
Before you overclock your 'K' cpu, install a cpu cooler.
Thanks for your help, can I ask why buy the RAM in pairs? Is there a special reason?
Also, probably should have mentioned, I have no current desire to overclock, so should I just go for the 2500?
Thanks.
The processor and motherboard support dual channel memory. For 12GB, it's 2x2GB + 2x4GB.
I'm not sure why you want to buy an older processor. The i5-3450 or i5-3550 are better.
As someone not interested in OC, you can buy an even cheaper motherboard.