[Solved] First Time Gaming Build

You can save a couple of dollars by getting the i5 2400. The difference between 2500 and 2400 is minimal. Get a PSU with less W. You will never use those 800w ( which on a no-name PSU for 40$ is more like 400w ). I recommend antec earthwatts 430 or corsair Cx500. Also get another RAM, that one is too tall. G.Skill Ripjaws is a good choice, and so is Kingston Genesis Grey.

EDIT: Oh, didn't see your post there kajabla...

that graphics card is decent. i have it, and it plays witcher 2 (graphically demanding game) at medium graphics @ 40-50 FPS.

[quotemsg=2480299,2,860332]2500K, absolutely always and forever amen. That "K" means overclocking, which means that in a couple of years, when you start feeling like you need a new CPU, you can just push it to 4.3ghz or something and have a whole new build without spending another $200 on 2015's latest high-end processor.
This means a P67 or Z68 motherboard. $130, Asus P8Z68-V LE

not necessarily. OCing past 4 ghz starts to yield less and less performance boost; overclocking itself doesn't exactly boost performance of your CPU by 30%. in the case of the 2500k, the extra 700mhz would probably result in 10-15% improvement, which of course is significant and worth the effort. but i wouldn't say it will put it on the level of a 2015 rig.

also, to Swoveland, overclocking your CPU won't guarantee FPS boost in games; it depends on whether the game is CPU-dependent or GPU-dependent. physics and stuff like that are very cpu-oriented aspects; so a game like Formula F1 will perform different with different GPUs. however, a game like Metro 2033 won't really change if you overclock or put in a new CPU, as it uses more of the GPU's power. if i were you, i would invest in a radeon 6970, as it's amd's most powerful single-gpu graphics card. worth the money because it's more futureproof than the 6870.

My understanding is that the locked multipliers can be overclocked a little, but not to the extent that the K series CPUs can. This doesn't mean the locked processors aren't worth buying- they are still very good and if that $30-40 difference means i5-2500 and a compromise, go for the i5-2500.

Personally I don't overclock as the extra power consumption and resulting heat and noise (higher fan speeds required) aren't worth for me. It might be for you. My strategy is just buy the best $200-250 CPU I can afford every 2 years.

There's a nice chart somewhere here on THG that groups CPUs into tiers. there's a good note on there that says something like don't upgrade your CPU unless you're jumping at least 3 tiers because it's not worth it. the 3 tier jump is roughly every 2 years at a given price (I've been running a i7-860 for about 1.5 years, i7-2500K is about 2 tiers above so I'm nearly ready for an upgrade).

Thanks everyone, everyones helped out tremendously! If you have any other suggestions please post em!

Btw what do I need for this tower to support an HDMI input so I can use my tv as a monitor?

Okay thank you, could you also take a look at that HDD included in that discounted bundle on Newegg? Because its saving me like 60 bucks with it included.

ight cool, and is there any like specific order you build this tower?

Yeah, do an external build before putting all the parts in to the case. Meaning, use CPU, Video Card, CPU Cooler, and Keyboard.

Could you link the bundle or bundles you picked. I have no ideal which if any video card you picked to connect to your tv.

With the 1TB at 124.99 and 60 off its ends up being a reasonable priced HD.

Here is the bundle I'm gonna purchase that you asked for, the only difference is that it has the Ripjaw HDD, the only thing I would have to buy would be the graphics card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.755265

And thanks Kajabla for the guide and info!

Those are some great parts and with a 6870 you will have a killer gaming system.

Looks perfect.

Incidentally, the Ripjaws is the RAM. HDD = hard disk drive = the Seagate.

Not vista, Windows 7 or the old XP are the best choices

and do I need this one? http://www.walmart.com/ip/Windows- [...] ifications

or this one..
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Microsof [...] gMethod=rr

Alrighty thanks

No idea. The Challenger should be fine, though.

No matter if you go XP or windows 7 you need the 64bit to get your entire 8GB's of RAM. With 32bit you will only be able to use 3~4GB's. I suggest windows 7 64bit pro. Windows 7 home premium 64bit limits you to 16GB's. Your next RAM upgrade you may loss some so get pro if possible. Your motherboard can holds 32GB's and your next RAM upgrade should be a 16GB kit. This mean you will have 24GB's or 8GB's windows 7 home premium 64bit will not allow you to use.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116992

Pro or higher will allow you access upto 192GB's.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware [...] ows-7/4254

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