re: Build the Best Gaming PC Your Money Can Buy: A Detailed Guide (Updated Sep 2014)

The GB is getting sticky.

I've only skimmed but it looks like tremendous work to me. Kudos.

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E.g. Newegg video suggests installing CPU/cooler on MB outside of case, while other videos install after MB is seated.

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This is a good point. Some cases actually have a large cutout on the motherboard tray so that you can do the entire cooler installation with the motherboard already mounted, including installation of the back plate.

Personally, I prefer Newegg's method, to do the entire cooler installation outside of the case. Air coolers can be tricky (and obscenity-inducing) to install sometimes, and it's made worse by having to deal with the hassle of installation in the case, where you can't simply maneuver/rotate the motherboard as needed. By doing the installation outside the case, you also get a closer, well-lit view of your thermal paste application and the evenness of the tension/pressure of the mount at all angles.

It might make a couple of motherboard screws a pain in the arse when you have to mount the motherboard with a giant heat sink in the way, but it's manageable. I always take my time installing coolers, and even now I still feel like I could've done a better job after I finish installing it.

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I assume you mean 4 Display Ports (or Mini-DP)? Never seen a 7970 with 4 HDMI ports.

As far as I know, there's an ASUS card and perhaps an MSI with 4 Display Ports, but please link me to confirm.

Either way, $225 is a great price and there aren't too many scenarios in which I'd advise against getting a 7970 at that price. Just need to confirm it's not some shitty scaled down PCB with a cooler that barely keeps it below 90.

EDIT: Just checked PCPartPicker, and there are now 8 7970s under $300, the cheapest being an ASUS for $268 that has two DVI ports and 4 display ports -- Is that the one you're talking about? It's a 3-slot card.

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It was on a facebook swap site, I didn't get it.
I'm going to build a new system in a few months.
I'll use this guide as a reference. My last build was AMD based and will be three in November. So time for a new one. I mainly want to be able to run a modded out FSX at full settings. That's the only games I play besides Civ are Flight Sims.

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ILikeLSUToo

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Spring is my time to do this. I hope this stays updated, I might just follow this exactly in terms of the 1k budget.

Just an awesome thread. Thanks for doing this. The hardest part was finding all of the right parts, cases, etc. that all match. I'm not really a hardware guy, as much as I use a computer, I would rather it prebuilt. But that's always a gamble. Case in point, my current PC.

By spring prices will have changed but we all keep up and can help.

No reason to rush that without multiple reviews

Thanks for this guide. Has helped a lot in determining what parts I need.

My parts will be in by Tuesday and hopefully I can assembly during fall break.

AMD FX-6300 6 core 3.5ghz
XFX Radeon HD 7870 ghz edition 2gb
MSI 970A-G46 Motherboard
G.Skill Ripjaws 2x4GB
Caviar Blue 1TB
Rosewill wifi adapter
Rosewill Redbone U3 Case
Cosair CX 600W

Spent ~ $670 after rebates.

Yeah. I ordered all these parts Monday. the 7870 will be here Friday.

Don't use LSU's Windows 7. Just get a torrent and the activator by Daz, and you won't have to keep activating it like LSU requires periodically.