Ultimate Gaming Build

The Build:

The Intel Core i7-960 3.2GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor is around $570 and has plenty of juice for a hardcore gamer or computer enthusiast. The Intel i7 is currently the most powerful gaming processors available.

XFX Radeon HD 5870 HD-587X-ZNFC Video Card x2 in CrossfieX;  The Radeon HD 5870 will provide a great performance of 1920×1200 resolution in games; you will not be disappointed. (If you want to get a slightly better graphics cards for a slightly slightly higher prices, consider the other cards in the “Budget Yielding Alternatives” section below)

The ASUS Sabertooth X58 ATX Intel Motherboardincludes 6×240 pin memory slots allowing up to a maximum of 24GB of  triple channel DDR3 memory. A built in Audio chipset allowing 8 channels of sound using Realtek ALC892. As well, includes 6x USB 2.0 onboard connectors, 6 x USB 2.0 and 2 x USB 3.0 rear panel ports, 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 (at x16), 1 x PCI Express x16,  1 x PCI Express slot, and 1 x PCI slot.

In this build I included a high quality Kingston HyperX 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory, a Western Digital Caviar Blue 640GB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive x2 in RAID 0 = 1.2TB, CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W Power Supply, an ASUS 24X DVD Burner – Bulk Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD burner, a CORSAIR CWCH50-1 High Performance CPU Cooler (leaves plenty of room to overclock), and chose the NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Computer Case.

All parts have a set of constituent products under “Budget Yielding Alternatives” that you may feel like considering if you want to go with something a little different (especially with computer cases), or better (as in a hard drive with more space, power supply with more wattage for future use, or higher quality RAM).

Required Hardware:

Processor: Intel Core i7-960 3.2GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor $579.99
Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth X58 ATX Intel Motherboard $199.99
Graphics Card:
XFX Radeon HD 5870 HD-587X-ZNFC Video Card x2 in CrossfieX
$559.98 ($279.99 X 2)
RAM: Kingston HyperX 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory $78.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 640GB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive x2 in RAID 0 = 1.2TB $139.98 ($69.99 X 2)
Power Supply Unit: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W Power Supply $129.99
Optical Drive: ASUS 24X DVD Burner – Bulk Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS $19.99
Computer Case: NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Computer Case $139.99
Cooling: CORSAIR CWCH50-1 High Performance CPU Cooler $79.99
~SUBTOTAL (Before taxes): $1928.89

Visual Representations:

Intel Core i7-960 3.2GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop ProcessorASUS Sabertooth X58 ATX Intel MotherboardXFX Radeon HD 5870 HD-587X-ZNFC Video Card

Kingston HyperX 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop MemoryWestern Digital Caviar Blue 640GB 3.5CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W Power Supply

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/ASCORSAIR CWCH50-1 High Performance CPU Cooler

 

*Note: I try to include parts that will be of best quality within a given bracket, so if you notice a hardware part that may be of greater value within the same price bracket as any of these hardware parts do not hesitate to notify me. I’m always looking to improve, so any critic is welcomed.

Budget Yielding Alternatives:

Processor: Intel Core i7-970 3.2GHz LGA 1366 130W Six-Core Desktop ProcessorIntel Core i7-980X Extreme Edition 3.33GHz LGA 1366 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor
Motherboard:
Graphics Card: XFX Radeon HD 5970 HD-597A-CNB9 Video Card x2 in CrossfireX
RAM: Kingston HyperX T1 Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 Desktop MemoryG.SKILL Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop MemoryG.SKILL Ripjaws Series 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Hard Drive:
Power Supply Unit:
Optical Drive:

Blu-ray Optical Drives:

LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Reader SATA Model iHOS104-06

LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner – Bulk SATA WH10LS30 LightScribe Support

Computer Case XCLIO WTBK ADVANCED Fully Black Finish Computer CaseCOOLER MASTER HAF 932 Blue RC-932-KKN3-GP Black Computer Case With Side Panel WindowAntec Twelve Hundred Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window

NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Computer Case

AZZA Solano 1000 Black/Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window

Synopsis:

For this build I looked at higher end pre-built gaming computers currently on the market and picked parts that were equal and or greater in function and quality. The purpose of this is to be able to build your own high end gaming PC at a much lower cost that a mainstream high end machine. A great example of this is the Dell line of Alienware gaming desktops currently on the market. Don’t get me wrong, they look really nice, however they are priced at a cost much higher than their overall value. The attraction of gaming machines such as the Alienware brand line, is that they are very aesthetically pleasing to look at and can be customized to a users taste, but I can assure you that building your own high end gaming PC can be individualized / customized to a much greater extent.

Keep in mind that a higher end Alienware gaming machine starts at $3999 with almost the exact same hardware specifications listed in this build, while building your own can cost a mere $1880. Keep in mind that this does not include Windows 7 (~$99), A gaming keyboard (~$60), and a gaming mouse (~$60) which would make the total price around $2000. If you already own a mouse, keyboard, and the operating system of your choice, then you don’t have to purchase these extras.

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For prices in Canadian please visit:

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