Buyer's Guide II: Extreme, High-End, Mid-Range, Budget, and Entry Level Systems - Part 2

[fazli_apek]

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2500K + Gigabyte GA Z68XP-UD3 @ $469
HSF: Xigmatek Gaia @ $37
GPU: MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II @ $349
RAM: G.Skill NT DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB x2 @ $50
SSD: CRUCIAL M4 64GB @ $158HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA III] @ $109
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $28
CASE+PSU: Xigmatek Asgard XP + Super Flower Amazon 600W [80 Plus Bronze] @ $139 (PC Themes)KB+MS: Logitech MK220 Wireless @ $30
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium(64bit) OEM @ $110
DSP: Dell U2312HM LED @ $255 (PC Themes)

Total: $1734 (Tradepac)

Questions for items in colour.
1)How does the PSU rate?cos iirc modular PSUs are more energy saving in the long term hence i choose the FSP modular PSU.
2)Im a fan nut hence i choose the Asgard Pro since its preinstalled with a front and rear fan.Im also thinkin of installing additional 2 120mm fans.Advise on tat?
3)i really dont know bout SSD but is the Intel SSD a bad choice?

Thks for the setup WhatsYourWish.Sorry to ask soo many questions thou.

 

[WhatsYourWish]

Questions for items in colour.
1)How does the PSU rate?cos iirc modular PSUs are more energy saving in the long term hence i choose the FSP modular PSU.
2)Im a fan nut hence i choose the Asgard Pro since its preinstalled with a front and rear fan.Im also thinkin of installing additional 2 120mm fans.Advise on tat?
3)i really dont know bout SSD but is the Intel SSD a bad choice?

Thks for the setup WhatsYourWish.Sorry to ask soo many questions thou.

Super Flower Amazon rated Bronze..
Not modular version for energy saving, is the rated Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum
You mentioned only play for 2-3hours, getting gold won't save much, Or maybe for years it will.

CASE+PSU is a bundle.. You can ask to change the case to Asgard PRO with additional charge.

Can't answer this question..
People here normally recommend Crucial M4, guess Intel is not as reliable.

 

[fazli_apek]

Super Flower Amazon rated Bronze..
Not modular version for energy saving, is the rated Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum
You mentioned only play for 2-3hours, getting gold won't save much, Or maybe for years it will.

CASE+PSU is a bundle.. You can ask to change the case to Asgard PRO with additional charge.

Can't answer this question..
People here normally recommend Crucial M4, guess Intel is not as reliable.

lol..my bad.Its 2-3hrs cos the kids are always bugging me to let them use the PC.on my off days or when my shift pattern allows it and when the kids are at skool,i usually play close to about 5-8hrs,tat usually exceeds to bout 10-12hrs sometimes..lol.
So would it now actually make sense of my choice of PSU or is there better choices?sorry if i come across as being ungrateful or rude but i rather spend abit more for quality products.

 

[WhatsYourWish]

lol..my bad.Its 2-3hrs cos the kids are always bugging me to let them use the PC.on my off days or when my shift pattern allows it and when the kids are at skool,i usually play close to about 5-8hrs,tat usually exceeds to bout 10-12hrs sometimes..lol.
So would it now actually make sense of my choice of PSU or is there better choices?sorry if i come across as being ungrateful or rude but i rather spend abit more for quality products.

No problem..
IMO, it will still be alright to stay with Bronze.

Anyway, FSP Aurum 550W [80 Plus Gold] ~ $139

 

[yaowen3]

DIY gaming desktop

Hi guys I plan to setup a DIY gaming desktop which I will be using for years. I dont plan to overclock.my budget is arnd 1.2k - 1.5k I do not need monitor keyboard or mouse I just need windows 7 and I wan to play my games on mid to high settings. I plan to buy DIY gaming desktop for games like dota , dota 2, diablo 3 , l4d2, team fortress so any recommendations? Thanks in advance !

 

[fazli_apek]

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2500K + Gigabyte GA Z68XP-UD3 @ $469
HSF: Xigmatek Gaia @ $37
GPU: MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II @ $349
RAM: G.Skill NT DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB x2 @ $50
SSD: CRUCIAL M4 64GB @ $158
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA III] @ $109
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $28
CASE+PSU: Xigmatek Asgard Pro @ $79 + FSP Aurum Gold 550W Modular @ $139 KB+MS: Logitech MK220 Wireless @ $30
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium(64bit) OEM @ $110
DSP: Dell U2312HM LED @ $255 (PC Themes)
Changes in green.
Total: $1813

Well slightly above the $1.7K mark but im fine with it.So wat you think WhatsYourWish?good to go?

 

[WhatsYourWish]

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2500K + Gigabyte GA Z68XP-UD3 @ $469
HSF: Xigmatek Gaia @ $37
GPU: MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II @ $349
RAM: G.Skill NT DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB x2 @ $50
SSD: CRUCIAL M4 64GB @ $158
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA III] @ $109
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $28
CASE+PSU: Xigmatek Asgard Pro @ $79 + FSP Aurum Gold 550W Modular @ $139 KB+MS: Logitech MK220 Wireless @ $30
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium(64bit) OEM @ $110
DSP: Dell U2312HM LED @ $255 (PC Themes)
Changes in green.
Total: $1813

Well slightly above the $1.7K mark but im fine with it.So wat you think WhatsYourWish?good to go?

Comfirm it with others.. Im not an expert .

 

[x3illuminate]

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2500K + Gigabyte GA Z68XP-UD3 @ $469
HSF: Xigmatek Gaia @ $37
GPU: MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II @ $349
RAM: G.Skill NT DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB x2 @ $50
SSD: CRUCIAL M4 64GB @ $158
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA III] @ $109
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $28
CASE+PSU: Xigmatek Asgard Pro @ $79 + FSP Aurum Gold 550W Modular @ $139 KB+MS: Logitech MK220 Wireless @ $30
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium(64bit) OEM @ $110
DSP: Dell U2312HM LED @ $255 (PC Themes)
Changes in green.
Total: $1813

Well slightly above the $1.7K mark but im fine with it.So wat you think WhatsYourWish?good to go?

Don't really need the extra RAM if you wanna save the $25,might want to drop it on a better HSF,like a hyper212Evo/+

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi guys I plan to setup a DIY gaming desktop which I will be using for years. I dont plan to overclock.my budget is arnd 1.2k - 1.5k I do not need monitor keyboard or mouse I just need windows 7 and I wan to play my games on mid to high settings. I plan to buy DIY gaming desktop for games like dota , dota 2, diablo 3 , l4d2, team fortress so any recommendations? Thanks in advance !

This is way overkill for your gaming needs.

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2320 + ASRock H61M/U3S3 @ $356
RAM: G.Skill NT DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB [Black PCB] X2 @ $50
GPU: ASUS GTX 560 Ti 1GB DirectCU II TOP @ $339
SSD: Intel SSD 520 128GB [SATA III] @ $315
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA III] @ $109
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $29
PSU: FSP Aurum 500W [80 Plus Gold] @ $115
CASE: Xigmatek Asgard XP @ $59
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $110

Total: $1482

Assembly: $20

Buy all and build from PC Themes.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2500K + Gigabyte GA Z68XP-UD3 @ $469
HSF: Xigmatek Gaia @ $37
GPU: MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II @ $349
RAM: G.Skill NT DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB x2 @ $50
SSD: CRUCIAL M4 64GB @ $158
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA III] @ $109
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $28
CASE+PSU: Xigmatek Asgard Pro @ $79 + FSP Aurum Gold 550W Modular @ $139 KB+MS: Logitech MK220 Wireless @ $30
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium(64bit) OEM @ $110
DSP: Dell U2312HM LED @ $255 (PC Themes)
Changes in green.
Total: $1813

Well slightly above the $1.7K mark but im fine with it.So wat you think WhatsYourWish?good to go?

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2400 + ASRock H61M/U3S3 @ $344
RAM: G.Skill NT DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB [Black PCB] X2 @ $50
GPU: ASUS GTX 560 Ti 1GB DirectCU II TOP @ $339
SSD: Plextor M2S 128GB [SATA III] @ $250
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA III] @ $109
ODD: ASUS 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $30
PSU: FSP Aurum 500W [80 Plus Gold] @ $93 (Tech Dynamic Service Centre @ Chai Chee)
4.5 years warranty.
CASE: Cooler Master CM 690 II Basic [Black Edition] @ $109
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $110
DSP: ASUS ML229H 21.5 LED [eIPS Panel] @ $219 (PC Themes)
KB+MS: Logitech G100 Gaming Combo @ $39 (Non-SLS: Challenger)

Total: $1692

Optional:
CASE: NZXT Lexa S @ $119 (PC Themes)

Buy all unspecified from Tradepac.

 

[gadgets96]

Hi MoneyFace, would appreciate ur comments on this list. tks

CPU+MB: Intel Core i7-2600 + Asus P8Z68V PRO GEN3 (wld prefer Gen2 but no longer selling)
RAM: Corsair Vengence 1600
GPU: Asus GTX 560 Ti 1GB DirectCU II TOP
SSD: OCZ Vertex3 60GB [SATA III]
HDD: WesternD Green 1TB [SATA III]
ODD: HP 24X DVDRW
CASE: Antec Sonata IV c/w PSU

 

[yaowen3]

This is way overkill for your gaming needs.

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2320 + ASRock H61M/U3S3 @ $356
RAM: G.Skill NT DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB [Black PCB] X2 @ $50
GPU: ASUS GTX 560 Ti 1GB DirectCU II TOP @ $339
SSD: Intel SSD 520 128GB [SATA III] @ $315
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA III] @ $109
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $29
PSU: FSP Aurum 500W [80 Plus Gold] @ $115
CASE: Xigmatek Asgard XP @ $59
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $110

Total: $1482

Assembly: $20

Buy all and build from PC Themes.

Hi thanks for recommending but why I can't find the intel 520ssd at pcthemes price list?

 

[x3illuminate]

Hi MoneyFace, would appreciate ur comments on this list. tks

CPU+MB: Intel Core i7-2600 + Asus P8Z68V PRO GEN3 (wld prefer Gen2 but no longer selling)
RAM: Corsair Vengence 1600
GPU: Asus GTX 560 Ti 1GB DirectCU II TOP
SSD: OCZ Vertex3 60GB [SATA III]
HDD: WesternD Green 1TB [SATA III]
ODD: HP 24X DVDRW
CASE: Antec Sonata IV c/w PSU

Why the 2600 if you're getting a Z68 board?Get a K if you're OCing,also why would you want Gen2..
RAM could be a LOT cheaper
GPU is fine
Get a Crucial M4/Intel 520 for the SSD.
Replace the Caviar Green with a Hitachi Deskstar
PSUs that come with the case itself are not very reliable,consider a phantom 410/fractal design R3/CM 690II

Hi thanks for recommending but why I can't find the intel 520ssd at pcthemes price list?

Get that at fuwell

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi thanks for recommending but why I can't find the intel 520ssd at pcthemes price list?

It's there now, as expected..

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Why the 2600 if you're getting a Z68 board?Get a K if you're OCing,also why would you want Gen2..

Cos Gen2 is sooooo much cheaper than gen3...

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi MoneyFace, would appreciate ur comments on this list. tks

CPU+MB: Intel Core i7-2600 + Asus P8Z68V PRO GEN3 (wld prefer Gen2 but no longer selling)
RAM: Corsair Vengence 1600
GPU: Asus GTX 560 Ti 1GB DirectCU II TOP
SSD: OCZ Vertex3 60GB [SATA III]
HDD: WesternD Green 1TB [SATA III]
ODD: HP 24X DVDRW
CASE: Antec Sonata IV c/w PSU

What's your budget?

 

[x3illuminate]

Cos Gen2 is sooooo much cheaper than gen3...

But then abit old ah,i think not even manufacturing anymore.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

But then abit old ah,i think not even manufacturing anymore.

Older still doesn't mean lousier mah. I guess buyer insisted that since he is planning not to upgrade processor..

 

[yaowen3]

Ok so i just go pcthemes and show them the specs and call them help me build like that ok already?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Ok so i just go pcthemes and show them the specs and call them help me build like that ok already?

Yep, just some price updates before you head down..

CPU+MB: Intel Core i5-2320 + ASRock H61M/U3S3 @ $343
RAM: G.Skill NT DDR3-1333 CL9 4GB [Black PCB] X2 @ $56
GPU: ASUS GTX 560 Ti 1GB DirectCU II TOP @ $339
SSD: Intel SSD 520 120GB [SATA III] @ $315
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.C 500GB [SATA III] @ $109
ODD: Sony Optiarc 24X CD/DVD Writer [Retail] @ $29
PSU: FSP Aurum 500W [80 Plus Gold] @ $115
CASE: Xigmatek Asgard XP @ $59
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit [OEM] @ $110

Total: $1475

Assembly: $20

Buy all and build from PC Themes.