I need help building my first Gaming Desktop

[Moussa93]

Hi there,
I've been a NotebookReview user for a while and I'm coming here because I'm selling my MacBook Pro to get a Gaming Desktop.
I'd love to have something that's powerful enough to run recent games on High - Extra (Battlefield on Extra would be awesome) !
I don't know where to start, I'm so confused :s !

All I know is that:

* I'd like to have Ivy Bridge Processors
* Play battlefield in Very High or Extra
* No SSDs, to expensive. I'll just throw a Seagate Momentus XT 750Gb in there
* Monitor is included in the price
* Budget is around $1800


Thanks for your help

[SpicySnow]

Take a look at the logical increments buying guide linked to the top of the page.

Note - While the guide is very good from a logical increments stand point. It's not so good with getting a budget high end gaming computer - if that's what your looking for. (I would be willing to pair a i5-2400 w/ a Geforce 670 assuming that its priced under $400 and it's leaked performance is true)

Do you want overclock capability?

[Moussa93]

Take a look at the logical increments buying guide linked to the top of the page.

Note - While the guide is very good from a logical increments stand point. It's not so good with getting a budget high end gaming computer - if that's what your looking for. (I would be willing to pair a i5-2400 w/ a Geforce 680)

Do you want overclock capability?

Thanks for your answer!

Yes, I'm looking for a high end machine!

Hmm, are there any drawbacks with overclocking?

[SpicySnow]

Overclocking?
Your cpu gets hotter - your fan runs louder = meaning that unless your fine with an annoying buzz, you want a aftermarket heatsink ~$25.

Your cpu life is shortened when its running at higher heat. Not proven, but theoretically makes sense. It's like shortening expected life from like 10 years to 9 years. At which point, you probably have a new computer anyway.

Your computer will have better performance in benchmarks and you can brag about the numbers to your friends. Also, its a good learning experience.

In games, you have 0 performance boost. And from a budget standpoint, its stupid.

Worst case scenario - your cpu fries and you lose it completely. (Unless you have a "k" processor, than you have warranty from intel) This isn't going to happen, these cpus and mobos have built in safeguards.
[BTW, only "k" processors are unlocked and can overclock anyway)

[Moussa93]

Looks interesting. Well, If I could get a "k" processor and overclock it it, thst would be great! I'll try to get something to keep the machine cooler ! Maybe gaming in the freezer? Lool

[SpicySnow]

Sure, don't forget to buy some artic jackets too - unless your okay with the cold. I've met chicks in ontario canda who like to hang out in 40F weather, high winds, in tank top and short shorts.

[Edit] You should be looking at the i5-2500k or i5-3570k. Both are pretty much identical in all aspects. Expect one is Ivy and one is Sandy.
I would personally recommend the i5-2400 - especially if you can find it at $155 (That's basically getting a high end processor at the dollar store). But, that's against common "advice" and common "practice."
Numbers:
3570 versus 2500
~ 8% Better performance
~ 0.1 Ghz less overclock potential
Better integrated graphics equivalent to about ~$25 discrete gpu
Runs hotter
~10% less power consumption in idle. ~0.01% less power consumption under load.
0 Performance difference in games.

I would personally recommend the Hyper 212+ or 212 evo ~$25 heatsink. Very big fan - low rpm - very quiet. Theirs a number of other very good heat sinks out there as well.

[Moussa93]

Sure, don't forget to buy some artic jackets too - unless your okay with the cold. I've met chicks in ontario canda who like to hang out in 40F weather, high winds, in tank top and short shorts.

[Edit] You should be looking at the i5-2500k or i5-3570k. Both are pretty much identical in all aspects. Expect one is Ivy and one is Sandy.
I would personally recommend the i5-2400. But, that's against common "advice" and common "practice."

I would personally recommend the Hyper 212+ or 212 evo ~$25 heatsink. Very big fan - low rpm - very quiet. Theirs a number of other very good heat sinks out there as well.

:0 ! I'd love to see those chicks during the summer

Thanks for the heatsink! I'd definitely get one

Now I need help for the other parts

Motherboard, Graphic Card and all the other parts

[SpicySnow]

Mobo:
Ivy = z77 (Anything else and your stupid)
Sandy = z68 or z77 chipset.
Check if the mobo has 2 way sli / crossfire support.
Look at the pictures and look at the ports. Does it have everything you need? IS that 8 usb ports in the picture enough for your 6 mouses, 2 keyboards, microphone, etc?

ASUS, EVGA, Gigabyte, Intel, brain fart on other companies. are all good mobos. Don't spend any more than $170 on it.
[Edit] If your looking for a standard rig - you want "ATX"
If you want a super small computer - that won't fit that aftermarket heatsink, you want a "micro-ATX"

GPU:
Geforce 680 $500
AMD 7950 $450
Geforce 670 ~$400 rumored release May 14. 670 may be more powerful than 7950

MY advice is to wait 1 month or just get the 680.

[Moussa93]

Is it different from that one:

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M - Notebookcheck.net Tech ?

[SpicySnow]

M stands for mobile. Its for a notebook.

Incompatible. Those chips are super-undervolted, and usually have a bunch of stuff removed to increase power-efficiency.
Its not even the same chip.