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Due to the nature of building a custom computer you may find compatibility
issues with the following parts list.
Today I’m here with the latest in my computer build series, today focusing on
a computer that is focused on serious 1080p gaming performance at the $900 price
point. To begin we will be using the Intel Core i5-2500k CPU. Don’t let the i5
branding fool you, this is a serious performer for gaming. It is a quad core
processor clocked at 3.3GHz however just like the 2600k you can easily overclock
it to 4GHz and above. For $220 this will be a great core for your build.
For a motherboard we’ll be using a Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3. As a Z68 board it features
support for Intel’s Quick Response SSD caching, SATA3 and USB3 ports as well as
Virtu for switching between the CPU graphics and your dedicated card. At $140 this
will work great for our build. Moving on to the graphics card we have the Sapphire
Radeon 6870. This should be able to play nearly any game available today maxed at
1080p without a problem and also features a pair of DVI ports along with DisplayPort
and HDMI. Coupled with a free copy of Deus Ex it will work great for $155 after
rebate. For memory we’ll be using 8GB of G.SKILL Ripjaws RAM clocked at 1600MHz.
The heatsinks aren’t overly large and for $45 it’s a great deal for plenty of RAM
to run your build. Storage is taken care of with a 1TB Samsung Spinpoint F3 hard
drive and a OCZ Vertex 60GB solid state drive. You have two options, you can either
use the Quick Response SSD caching feature to automatically speed up your most used
files on the 1TB drive or simply install Windows and your favorite apps on the SSD.
Either way all your storage will be taken care of for $120.
While a DVD burner is hardly necessary these days it will still help install Windows
and any disc based media you have so we’ll be using a Samsung CD/DVD burner for $20.
For the case there is the Cooler Master HAF 912. While certainly not an expensive case
it offers a lot of solid features including plenty of room for installing additional
fans, easy access to the filters for cleaning, room for lots of hard drives, graphics
cards as well as a cage for installing a pair of 2.5” hard drives on the bottom of the
case. My main build is in a HAF 912 and I highly recommend it for $60.
The power supply for the build is a Thermaltake TR2 600w supply. While it’s not
modular, it will deliver enough power for your build including overclocking the CPU
with headroom to spare for $55. Last but not least we have a new copy of Windows 7
Home Premium 64-bit. If you want you can install another version of Windows or Linux
but otherwise this will run $100. So overall how did we do? As of September 8th, 2011
on Newegg.com the entire build will run $889.90. For the price you’ll be getting a rock
solid gaming rig for under $900 that should be capable of playing all the big games that
are coming out this year. Do keep in mind that prices are always fluctuating so feel
free
to customize the build to your liking. If you found this helpful definitely be sure
to leave
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