PC Build - Recommended Systems Thread - February 2012

[philo-sofa]

It appears that all the cool sites have a recommended system builds page - however GetSome now has the distinction of having the best I've organised this into four sections posted and linked below:

Budget Systems


Gaming Systems


Overkill Systems


HTPC Builds

Please note that each piece of hardware links to a pricespy or manufacturer ordering page for the product. Any comments or suggestions for new/better/better value hardware are welcomed - the thread itself will be updated roughly once a month. If you have any questions about the rigs, or what to get please post a new thread in the Hardware Forum for us all to answer - posts here querying about builds will be moved.


Recommended PC Builders (for those that don't want the joy of building their own l337 rig):

Playtech (GetSome Partners)
Computer Lounge

[philo-sofa]

Budget (~ $850):

PC Build - Recommended Systems Thread - February 2012

 

Mobo   -   Gigabyte GA-F2A75M-D3H - $125

CPU   -   AMD A6-5600K - $160
      
RAM   -   DDR3 1600 2x2GB (4GB Total) - $35
      
GPU   -   On-CPU
      
HDD   -   Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EZEX 64MB 1TB - $100
      
Optical   -   Lite-On iHAS324 - $30
      
PSU   -   Cooler Master Elite Power 400W - $45
      
Case   -   Antec Three Hundred - $50
      
Monitor   -   Samsung S23B300B - $200
      
Speakers   -   Creative Inspire T3130 - $50
      
KB & Mouse   -   Logitech Wireless Desktop MK320 - $45


Total - $840




Budget Gaming (~ $ 1,500):

PC Build - Recommended Systems Thread - February 2012

Mobo   -   ASUS P8Z77-M - $180
      
CPU   -   Intel Core i5 3570K - $310
      
RAM   -   DDR3 1600MHz CL9 2x2GB (4GB Total) - $35
      
GPU   -   Nvdia GTX 660 2GB - $360
      
HDD   -   Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EZEX 64MB 1TB - $100
      
Optical   -   Lite-On iHAS324 - $30

PSU   -   Antec High Current Gamer 520W - $110
         
Case   -   Antec Three Hundred - $80
      
Monitor   -   Samsung S23B300B - $200
      
Speakers   -   Creative Inspire T3130 - $50

Keyboard   -   Logitech Ultra-Flat Keyboard - $30

Mouse      -   Logitech Gaming Mouse G300 - $40


Total - $1,525

[philo-sofa]

Gaming (~ $2,000):

PC Build - Recommended Systems Thread - February 2012

Mobo   -   ASUS P8Z77-M - $180
      
CPU   -   Intel Core i5 3570K - $310
      
RAM   -   DDR3 1600MHz CL9 2x2GB (4GB Total) - $35
      
GPU   -   AMD HD 7950 - $460
      
HDD   -   Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EZEX 64MB 1TB - $100

SSD   -   Intel 330 Series 120GB - $140
      
Optical   -   Lite-On iHAS324 - $30
      
PSU   -   Antec High Current Gamer 520W - $110
      
Case   -   Antec P280 - $175
      
Monitor   -   ASUS VE248H - $280
      
Speakers   -   Creative Inspire T3130 - $50
      
KB   -   Razer Arctosa - $85
      
Mouse      -   Logitech Gaming Mouse G300 - $40


Total - $1,995


Optional CPU Cooling   1      Arctic Freezer i30 - $60

Optional CPU Cooling 2     Antec Kühler H2O 620 - $195
 



SRS Gaming (~ $3,500):

PC Build - Recommended Systems Thread - February 2012

Mobo    -   Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 - $320
      
CPU   -   Intel Core i7 2600K - $430
      
RAM   -   DDR3 1600MHz 2x4GB (8GB Total) - $130
      
GPU   -   AMD HD 7950 - $750
      
SSD   -   Crucial m4 64 - $195
      
HDD   -   Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALX 32MB 1TB - $140
      
Optical   -   Samsung SH-222BB - $35
      
PSU   -   Corsair AX-650 - $240
      
Case   -   Silverstone Raven RV02B-EW - $350
      
Monitor   -   Samsung S23A750D - $630
      
Speakers   -   Logitech Z-313 - $60
      
KB   -   Logitech G510 - $150
      
Mouse   -   Logitech G500 - $85


Total - $3,515


Optional Soundcard          ASUS Xonar D1 - $125

Recommended CPU Cooling 1     Antec Kühler H2O 620 - $100
     
Recommended CPU Cooling 2     Thermalright Venomous-X - $125 & Scythe Slipstream 120mm 1600rpm - $40

[philo-sofa]

Uber Gaming (~ $5,300):

PC Build - Recommended Systems Thread - February 2012

Mobo  -  ASUS P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3 - $475
   
CPU  -  Intel Core i7 2700K - $495
   
RAM   -   DDR3 1600MHz 2x4GB (8GB Total) - $90
   
GPU   -   AMD HD 7970 - $980
   
SSD  -  OCZ Agility 3 Series 240 GB - $540
   
HDD   -   Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 64MB 2TB - $210
   
Optical   -   Samsung SH-B123A - $120
   
PSU  -  OCZ ZX Series 850W - $290
   
Case  -  Corsair Obsidian 800D - $530
   
Monitor   -   Samsung S27A950D - $950

Soundcard -  ASUS Xonar D1 - $125

Speakers  -  M-Audio AV40 - $250
   
KB  -  Razer Blackwidow Ultimate - $200
   
Mouse  -  Logitech G500 - $85


Total - $5,335


Recommended CPU Cooling 1     Antec Kühler H2O 620 - $100
     
Recommended CPU Cooling 2     Thermalright Venomous-X - $125 & Scythe Slipstream 120mm 1600rpm - $40




OMFGWTFHAX rig (~ $11,000):

PC Build - Recommended Systems Thread - February 2012

Mobo  -  Asus Rampage IV Extreme/BF3 - $800
   
CPU  -  Intel Core i7 3960X - $1,450
   
RAM  - Kingston HyperX DDR3-2133 CL11 4x4GB (16GB Total) - $460
   
GPU   -   3 x AMD Gigabyte HD 7970 Windforce 3X $3,150
   
SSD  -  2 x Vertex 3 240GB - $1,360
   
HDD  -  WD Green 3 TB - $275
   
Optical  -  Asus BW-12B1LT - $230
   
PSU  -  Enermax MaxRevo 1500W - $510
   
Case  -  Corsair Obsidian 800D - $530
   
Monitor  -  Dell U2711 - $1,120 or Samsung S27A950D - $950

Soundcard -  ASUS Xonar D1 - $125
   
Speakers  -  M-Audio AV40 - $250
   
KB  -  Logitech G19 - $250
   
Mouse  -  Razer Mamba - $190


Total - $10,700


Recommended CPU Cooling 1     Corsair Hydro Series H100 - $230
     
Recommended CPU Cooling 2     Prolimatech Genesis (check selected RAM for height clearance) - $125 & 2x Scythe Slipstream 120mm 1600rpm - $80

[philo-sofa]

mini-ITX HTPC:

PC Build - Recommended Systems Thread - February 2012

Mobo   -   ASUS P8H67-I B3 - $200
      
CPU   -   Intel Core i3 2120 - $215
      
RAM   -   DDR3 1600 2x2GB (4GB Total) - $65
      
GPU   -   Onboard
      
HDD   -   Seagate Momentus XT 500 GB - $170
      
Optical   -   Samsung SH-B123A - $130
            
Case & PSU   -   Antec ISK 310-150 - $150
            
KB & Mouse   -   Logitech Wireless Desktop MK300 - $60


Total - $990 (exclusive of TV tuner + remote if required)



Optional Low-Profile Bracket Soundcard          Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 - $250




HTPC:

PC Build - Recommended Systems Thread - February 2012

Mobo   -   ASRock H67M - $150
      
CPU   -   Intel Core i3 2120 - $215
      
RAM   -   DDR3 1600 2x2GB (4GB Total) - $65
      
GPU   -   Onboard
      
HDD   -   WD Green 2TB - $130
      
Optical   -   Samsung SH-B123A - $130
            
Case & PSU   -   Antec NSK 2480 & Antec Earthwatts 380w - $195
      
KB & Mouse   -   Logitech Wireless Desktop MK300 - $60


Total - $945 (exclusive of TV tuner + remote if required)



Optional Soundcard          ASUS Xonar D1 - $125

[Virus.]

Awesome list philo.

[Alroys]

Budget Gaming (~$ 1,400):

      
CPU   -   AMD Athlon II X2 245 - $160
      

Youve ether written down the wrong price or part, as a "AMD Athlon II X2 245' is around $100 not $160.

My guess would be you ment x4 630, as thats around $160

Other than that looks good :sunnies:

[broncos]

wow---well done bro, though would be nice to get a price with them building

[philo-sofa]

Youve ether written down the wrong price or part, as a "AMD Athlon II X2 245' is around $100 not $160.

My guess would be you ment x4 630, as thats around $160

Other than that looks good :sunnies:

Cheers, corrected.
 

wow---well done bro, though would be nice to get a price with them building

It's intended primarily for self-builders... on the other hand it's also for people who just want to know what components should go in without building. For those that want to go down that route I've added a section in the OP on Playtech and CL's building services, cheers for the idea dude.

[Ngati_Grim]

You buggers building your own computers are clever bastards.

That is all.

[Alroys]

Recommended PC Builders (for those that don't want the joy of building their own l337 rig):

Playtech (GetSome Partners)
Computer Lounge

 
Damit
Was just about to post that...

[Apostrophe Spacemonkey]

Awesome thread.

The pictures make it awesome.

[BloodDonor]

nice work philo

want to be able to give +100 rep

[Raped_ByA_Spoon]

Did you have a moment creating the OMG Hax system, I had a small one looking at it.  There is two minor adjustments I would make however.  First a second monitor, and second a high class prostitute.

[broncos]

You buggers building your own computers are clever bastards.

That is all.

 
qft

[philo-sofa]

Did you have a moment creating the OMG Hax system, I had a small one looking at it.  There is two minor adjustments I would make however.  First a second monitor, and second a high class prostitute.

Well, as far as monitors go I'm of the general opinion that one 2560x1440 panel is enough, if it were to go any further it would be to triple 1080p Eyefinity setup - however with that even two 5970's will be worked out quite hard, which restricts the gaming experience a bit.  I see where you're coming from, but overall I think one bigass monitor is still the best solution.  I disagree wholeheartedly on the prostitute thing though; clearly presenting a rig like that will make any girl tingle with excitement and anticipation till she melts into your heavy gamer musculature.

[pyro]

Does GetSome have any deals with Playtech as I'm likely to be upgrading to an i5 system this week or next and its a toss up between buying from CL or Playtech.

Well done on the thread Philo, very well laid out.

[~SoL1D_Sn4Ke~]

Thanks for this bro, quit good ideas there :rnr:

[Nostargate]

Must spread rep

[EskemoJoe]

Must spread rep

Me too *slits wrists*

What is the deal with monitors over 1080p. You can get a fairly decent HD monitor for $270 but if you step it up to the next notch, a 2560x1600 30" you are looking at upwards of $2k. For gods sake i could get 6 monitors for that, why are they so expensive?

[Kopfjaeger]

like most tech there is a 'sweet spot' for everything, look at HDDs where the price per GB now means 1TB and even 1.5TB HDDs are competitive.  I had a similar issue on deciding which monitors to buy....3x22 TN Dells for $1500 or 1x24" IPS panel for $1200.  Now that i've had Eyefinity for a while i would rather get one larger quality/hirez monitor for gaming and just use the wing monitors for general use.

Excellent list Philo, BTW iFocus have 40GB Intel SSDs for $200 ATM, might be useful in a budget gaming rig ?

[decap]

Kopfjaeger - instead of getting one larger one, you should just get a 120hz. It will fit really well with your other monitors and gaming at 120hz is fucking amazing

[philo-sofa]

Cheers for all the positive comments folks.  Keep the suggestions coming!

Excellent list Philo, BTW iFocus have 40GB Intel SSDs for $200 ATM, might be useful in a budget gaming rig ?

Chu chur.  Have added the SSD as an option at present - unsure as to whether to add it in by default to the $2,200 rig. It seems like a good piece of kit to have on something of that price range, but am keen to avoid creeping price growth, particularly in the cheaper systems.  Any thoughts on that?

Does GetSome have any deals with Playtech as I'm likely to be upgrading to an i5 system this week or next and its a toss up between buying from CL or Playtech.

Well done on the thread Philo, very well laid out.

Thanks man.  I don't believe we have any discount deals set up yet, but if I have time tonight I'll jump on and confirm what the situation is.

[pablo d]

however GetSome now has the distinction of having the best :

them's fightin' words :E

[Nostargate]

Side note...SRS Gaming guy will get all the bitch's with that gear on, and cross platform mw2 ownage.