DX10 Gaming for < $1000

[Phlash]

Hi guys!

New to the forum here, but I've been reading a lot of threads and absorbing information, as well as consulting my friend who posts here and does a lot of OCing/hardware modding himself. What I've come here to ask you for is to give me comments/suggestion on the gaming rig I'm building for my brother - he's giving me 1k to do whatever I need to so that he can play Starcraft 2 when it comes out. Now, I've been doing a lot of window shopping on Newegg (and other sites, but I <3 Newegg) and I think I have a pretty good list of parts that should be ready for overclocking and tweaking.

Tower - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119074
Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813136015
GFX card - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130071
Power supply - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817341002
CPU - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103046
CPU heatsink - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835109140
Memory - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231114
Hard drive - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136074
DVD burner - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106055

Subtotal: $982.92

What do you guys think I'd need to switch out? Anything? Is it good to go? Or is there better value elsewhere? Again, the only thing he wants this for is to play Starcraft 2 (and in the meantime, do some video editing as he's a film major and his laptop recently died).

[[XC] DragonOrta]

I would go with the Corsair 620w HX PSU instead of the GameXStream. You can get it from ZipZoomFly for $147 with free shipping and a $20 MIR (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373110)

[Phlash]

You think the Corsair 620w is better? I know he is considering going SLI later on, but the Corsair only puts out 620w whereas the GameXStream puts out 700. Are OCZ products not reliable, or is the Corsair just better suited for overclocking? I'm still a noob at this, your knowledge would be greatly appreciated DragonOrta :)

[OpTioN]

Watts isnt everything. The Corsair 620hx is going to be quieter and a little bit more powerfull then the GameXStream.

[Phlash]

Sounds good! What else could I possibly do to tweak the system?

He just talked to me and said if I want to spend a little more then it would be ok (I'm guessing about $100 or so). What part should I upgrade?

Actually, what are some good cases for a first time builder/overclocker? Thanks guys.

[OpTioN]

For $100 more you should get a nice C2D setup.


Change the motherboard to a Gigabyte DS3 (rev 1.3) $94

and the CPU to a Intel E4300 $114

for case you should get this.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166004
lots of room for a first time build.

Also, change the CPU cooler to a Tuniq Tower 120

[perkam]

but the Corsair only puts out 620w whereas the GameXStream puts out 700. The difference between the watts on the two is 80 watts...but not in the way you think.

The Cosair puts out 600W on the 12V rails, while the Gamexstream puts out 680W.

The fact that you can order an 8-pin pci-e connector (or two) from corsair marketing means it's a better choice for single high end dx10 card rig.

Perkam