pc talk - systems - blog - articles & guides - links - bio
home entertainment - World of Warcraft - game screenshots

rabb1t's systems
last update: March 3 / '10

Welcome to "rabb1t's systems page". This page is dedicated to those who would like a full system recommendation. The date listed next to the system name is when the system was first designed. I will change the builds about every 4 to 6 months depending on price and part changes. Build names are chosen in order to help people ponder a specific parts list over several months time.

A note on my recommendations:

The systems have references to "rank". Each rank is a bracket in terms of power and performance. As you increase rank you will increase your power as well as allowing for higher settings and higher resolutions, increasing your enjoyment of your games.

Rank 1 builds will be what I'd recommend as a minimum for gaming. A rank 1 build will be the lowest cost while not sacrificing too much in performance. For those in an area of the world where (newer) tech is more expensive this will likely be the build you want to look at the most.
Rank 2 is what I'd recommend as the best choice for good gaming on a tighter budget.
Rank 3 is a solid/higher mainstream gaming system.
Rank 4 is a higher end gaming system that reaches a bit into overkill, featuring multiple graphic cards and possibly some bleeding edge technologies. This will offer the absolute best gaming experience and is an ideal choice for the gamer who wants it all without going into total overkill.
Rank 5 is an extreme system with a focus on gaming as well as general entertainment. It will feature multiple graphic cards or other bleeding edge technologies. This will offer the best gaming experience as well as going beyond into other entertainment.

As you can see, systems become more powerful and more expensive as you increase rank. Note that these systems are all gaming systems, and as such, parts selection is based on gaming performance. Items that frequently have rebates will show their common post-rebate price in green. Also note that these prices do not include any tax or shipping fees that may apply. You may wish to highlight and print the build you are doing for future reference.


Generation 11 - February 2010


"Fur" (February 2010) - Rank 1

CPU
Athlon II X3 435 (tri-core)
75
Graphics card
XFX HD 5670 (HD-567X-YNFC)
100
Ram
Patriot Gamer 4 gig kit DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 timed
130
Motherboard
ASUS M4A77TD (Single GPU use only)
77
67
Sound
On-board motherboard sound
free
Hard Drive
50
DVD Drive
Asus DVD/CD burner (DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS)
25
Power Supply
95
85
Case
40
30
Sub-Total
592
562

Speakers

50

43
Mouse
43
Mouse pad
8
Keyboard
15
Surge Protection
20
Sub-Total
728
691

Operating System

105
Sub-Total
833
796

Monitor

Acer X203H - 20" 1600x900

125
Total
958
921


"Earth" (February 2010) - Rank 2

CPU
Intel Core i3 530 (dual core)
125
Graphics card
XFX HD 5750 (HD-575X-ZNFC)
(Note that Eyefinity works with CrossFire if you have the 10.2 drivers or later.)
140
Ram
OCZ Obsidian 4 gig kit DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 timed timed
100
80
Motherboard
105
Sound
On-board motherboard sound
free
Hard Drive
50
DVD Drive
Asus DVD/CD burner (DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS)
25
Power Supply
Corsair CMPSU-650TX, 650w (dual GPU ready)
100
90
Case
40
30
Sub-Total
685
645

Speakers

90
Mouse
43
Mouse pad
8
Keyboard
15
Surge Protection
20
Sub-Total
861
837

Operating System

105
Sub-Total
966
937

Monitor
(Eyefinity option)

Dell P2210H 22" 1920x1080 (to later upgrade to Eyefinity add two monitors and cable)
-or-
Dell P2210H 22" 1920x1080 x3 (total) for Eyefinity - 3x1 config, 5760x1080 total resolution
Belkin F2CD000b06-E - 6' DisplayPort cable for Eyefinity
Cables To Go 26911 - 6' DVI cable x2 for Eyefinity (the monitors should include shorter DVI cables)

210

627
27
26
Total
1186
(1646)
1157
(1617)


"Water" (February 2010) - Rank 3

CPU
Intel Core i5 750 (quad core)
195
Graphics card
XFX HD 5850 (HD-585A-ZNBC)
(Note that Eyefinity works with CrossFire if you have the 10.2 drivers or later.)
340
Ram
OCZ Obsidian 4 gig kit DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 timed timed
100
80
Motherboard
Evga P55 SLI (132-LF-E655-KR)
185
160
Sound
80
Hard Drive 1
Hard Drive 2
170
75
130
75
DVD Drive
Asus DVD/CD burner (DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS)
25
Power Supply
Corsair CMPSU-850TX, 850w (multi GPU ready)
140
130
Case
115
90
Sub-Total
1425
1305

Speakers

90
Mouse
56
41
Mouse pad
10
Keyboard
90
60
Surge Protection
20
Sub-Total
1691
1526

Operating System

105
Sub-Total
1796
1631

Monitor
(Eyefinity option)

Dell P2210H 22" 1920x1080 (to later upgrade to Eyefinity add two monitors and cable)
-or-
Dell P2210H 22" 1920x1080 x3 (total) for Eyefinity - 3x1 config, 5760x1080 total resolution
Belkin F2CD000b06-E - 6' DisplayPort cable for Eyefinity
Cables To Go 26911 - 6' DVI cable x2 for Eyefinity (the monitors should include shorter DVI cables)

210

627
27
26
Total
2006
(2476)
1841
(2311)


"Air" (February 2010) - Rank 4

CPU
Cooling (Optional)
Paste (Optional)
540
70
10
Graphics card
XFX HD 5850 (HD-585A-ZNBC) x2 for CrossFire
(Note that Eyefinity works with CrossFire if you have the 10.2 drivers or later.)
680
Ram
OCZ Platinum 4 gig kit DDR3-1600 7-7-7-24 timed x2 for 8 gig
200
160
Motherboard
Evga P55 SLI (132-LF-E655-KR)
185
160
Sound
150
120
Hard Drive 1
Hard Drive 2
340
75
300
75
Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Drive
100
Power Supply
Corsair CMPSU-850HX (multi GPU ready)
180
Case
100
Sub-Total
2630
2495

Speakers

90
Mouse
56
41
Mouse pad
10
Keyboard
90
60
Surge Protection
20
Sub-Total
2896
2716

Operating System

105
Sub-Total
3001
2821

Monitor

Dell P2210H 22" 1920x1080 x3 for Eyefinity - 3x1 config, 5760x1080 total resolution
Belkin F2CD000b06-E - 6' DisplayPort cable for Eyefinity
Cables To Go 26911 - 6' DVI cable x2 for Eyefinity (the monitors should include shorter DVI cables)

627
27
26
Total
3681
3501


"Fire" (February 2010) - Rank 5

CPU
Cooling (Optional)
Paste (Optional)
540
70
10
Graphics card
XFX HD 5870 (HD-587A-ZND9) x2 for CrossFire
(Note that Eyefinity works with CrossFire if you have the 10.2 drivers or later.)
860
Ram
OCZ Platinum 4 gig kit DDR3-1600 7-7-7-24 timed x2 for 8 gig
200
160
Motherboard
Evga P55 FTW 200 (141-LF-E658-KR)
300
Sound
150
120
Hard Drive 1
Hard Drive 2
340
100
300
100
Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Drive
100
Power Supply
Corsair CMPSU-1000HX (multi GPU ready)
240
200
Case
100
Sub-Total
3010
2860

Speakers

392

300
Speaker cable
Belkin PureAV AV20000 digital cable
10
Mouse
56
41
Mouse pad
39
Keyboard
177
170
Gamepad (optional)
25
Surge Protection
160
140
Sub-Total
3869
3585

Operating System

292
Sub-Total
4161
3877

Monitor

Dell U2410 24" 1920x1200 x3 for Eyefinity- 3x1 config, 5760x1200 total resolution
Belkin F2CD000b06-E - 6' DisplayPort cable for Eyefinity
Cables To Go 26911 - 6' DVI cable x2 for Eyefinity (the monitors should include shorter DVI cables)

1524
27
26
Total
5738
5454

Comments and stuff Copyright E. Stryker 2006-2010
Product images are copyright of wherever I borrowed them from if borrowed, or by me if taken by me. :)

flash required for the menu
best viewed at 1280 wide resolution or higher