Building a gaming PC, completely from scratch, completely clueless, $1200 - Hardware & Software

My family has only had one gaming computer for a long time, and it's finally time to get a second for multiplayer and such. I'm completely clueless about hardware in general, and I'm wondering how up-to-date I can go with $1200 Canadian as an absolute maximum, around $1000 would be better. This has to include case, system, monitor (1680x1050 will be fine), keyboard (nothing fancy required) and mouse (also nothing fancy, two buttons and a wheel). Ideally, I want to be able to run games fairly well for years to come, since we don't buy new systems often to say the least. However, it doesn't have to be an absolute beast, since I will be getting any big, demanding single-player titles on the Xbox anyway; this is mainly for MMOs, coop games that lack splitscreen, and the like. Lastly, assume I have no idea about compatibility, overclocking, or anything of that sort; I might be able to get some tech support guys to build it for me, but otherwise I'll just be shoving parts in where they fit. I realize this request might be hard to fulfill, but I trust Facepunch with its execution.

Motherboard: [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130583[/url] CPU: [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=intel+i5&x=0&y=0[/url] GPU: [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127588[/url] PSU: [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006[/url] RAM: [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314[/url] HDD: [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320[/url] DVD burner/reader: [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135230[/url] Heatsink: [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065[/url] Case: [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197[/url] Comes out to about 1.1k

Swap the 6950 for a 560 ti, and the WD Black for a Spinpoint F3. He also doesn't need 8GB of RAM.

[QUOTE=Armotekma;30441564]Swap the 6950 for a 560 ti, and the WD Black for a Spinpoint F3. He also doesn't need 8GB of RAM.[/QUOTE] ...Third parties, be this true?

Yes it is true. Unless you end up getting a 1920x1080 or bigger monitor, then keep the 6950. Also he has no combos and no OS and no monitor

[QUOTE=acid;30441995]Yes it is true. Unless you end up getting a 1920x1080 or bigger monitor, then keep the 6950. Also he has no combos and no OS and no monitor[/QUOTE] Yeah, I don't think I'll need anything bigger than 1680x1050, since I'm going to use a "two computers with a TV in the middle" setup, so I'll just plug into that if I'm doing anything large-scale.

If you have dual monitors you want the 6950

[QUOTE=acid;30442392]If you have dual monitors you want the 6950[/QUOTE] Oh? I'll hardly if ever be using both at once, just switching the picture over to the TV for watching shows.

I'll take that as a "my point stands" on the 6950, so I'll keep that in. What about the WD Black switch, what's the reason behind that? Please guys, in a hurry for some answers.

WD Black is about the same as the F3 Spinpoint, just more expensive

[QUOTE=Benstokes;30460777]I'll take that as a "my point stands" on the 6950, so I'll keep that in. What about the WD Black switch, what's the reason behind that? Please guys, in a hurry for some answers.[/QUOTE] Spinpoint F3s are extremely fast and cheap. They're awesome drives.

[QUOTE=Smug Bastard;30462013]Spinpoint F3s are extremely fast and cheap. They're awesome drives.[/QUOTE] Alright, cool. Could somebody post a parts list with those changes?

[url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185[/url] Its 1TB instead of 500GB as newegg.ca doesn't have a 500 version, if you don't need a terabyte I'd just use the WD one

[QUOTE=RoFLWaFFLEZZ;30463132][url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185[/url] Its 1TB instead of 500GB as newegg.ca doesn't have a 500 version, if you don't need a terabyte I'd just use the WD one[/QUOTE] I don't think I'll need a terabyte, we're just talking videogames and maybe a couple seasons of a TV show or two.

It's nice to have a terabyte of space. I didn't think I needed it (I thought just gaming and TV too), but in the first 3-4 months after I built a new computer, I filled up 400GB.

[QUOTE=acid;30495261]It's nice to have a terabyte of space. I didn't think I needed it (I thought just gaming and TV too), but in the first 3-4 months after I built a new computer, I filled up 400GB.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Could somebody put together wafflez' order with all of these modifications, I need to take a look at the price, make any changes if needed, and then order it soon.

It totals $938 before shipping and taxes, which generally runs $100-$200 for Canada. But reading the OP again, you said you also needed an OS ($100) and a monitor ($100-200) right? I'm not sure if you'd be able to fit all that into your budget with this build.

[QUOTE=acidcj;30529508]It totals $938 before shipping and taxes, which generally runs $100-$200 for Canada. But reading the OP again, you said you also needed an OS ($100) and a monitor ($100-200) right? I'm not sure if you'd be able to fit all that into your budget with this build.[/QUOTE] Actually, I found a decent enough old monitor, so that's not a problem anymore. Could you modify wafflez' list for me, since I'm not even sure what half of these new suggestions are supposed to replace.

Again, taxes and stuff will vary depending on where you live. [img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2998960/build19.jpg[/img]

Thanks a lot, I'll probably be getting that soon.

Actually wait. You can save money by comboing some of that stuff. Get this combo: [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660741[/url] Mobo and CPU together [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565[/url] This graphics card is $5 more, but it runs cooler then most of the other 560 Tis. Should save you a bit of money. There might be some other combos or coupons, but I don't know of them.

Ah, thanks, but now that throws my order off; I need to get it all in one picture so I can run it by the tech guys. Could you put that combo and that replacement graphics card into the original order, and take a screenshot? Thanks a lot, I realize I'm being slightly difficult.

Bump for off the first page, I'd really love a hand with this.

Sorry to hijack your thread but I'm in exactly the same boat with exactly the same budget. If I'm building a rig [I]mainly[/I] in anticipation of Battlefield 3, would I be better off waiting until november and buying current hardware for cheaper? Also, I constantly hear people raving about Linux. Is it reasonable to expect BF3 to work nominally with Wine or one of its ilk?

[QUOTE=bobsmit;30691460]Sorry to hijack your thread but I'm in exactly the same boat with exactly the same budget. If I'm building a rig [I]mainly[/I] in anticipation of Battlefield 3, would I be better off waiting until november and buying current hardware for cheaper? Also, I constantly hear people raving about Linux. Is it reasonable to expect BF3 to work nominally with Wine or one of its ilk?[/QUOTE] Wow, I am also doing the exact same thing at the exact same budget in preparation for the exact same groundbreaking fps. Yes, I was told to wait a little while (I don't have the money right now anyways) in hopes that AMD or Nvidia's new line of GPUs comes out which will lower the prices of all the other ones. And I haven't a goddamn clue about Linux, I'll stick with my Windows Seven thank-you-very-much.

Cool. Once again, can anybody put Darkbrz's changes into acidcj's order? I honestly don't even know what they're supposed to replace.

Bump for first page.

His Mobo + CPU deal is no longer available. When you're planning on ordering from NewEgg/Tiger Direct, always be speedy. Their deals are gone in a wink.

Ah, crap. Oh well, I won't be worrying to much about deals since it may be a while before I order this. Either way, could somebody sub in the graphics card and then give me a link or a list or whatever so I can take a look at the entire order? I need something to show my tech guys.