Build the Ultimate PC – Q1 2010

Get the power of a custom PC build, without spending a fortune.

Another quarter, another list of parts. I've created five builds ranging from $1000 to $3000, each with high quality components and a strong focus on raw performance. Looking at gaming? No problem. Video editing and graphic design? There's a PC for you.

The online computer store PC Case Gear has been used to produce the price lists. For comparison, prices in brackets were found using an average of the top 5 StaticICE results (minus outliers). Although StaticICE results tend to be marginally cheaper, keep in mind that the cost of delivery from multiple stores may increase the total considerably. Each PC consists of the tower without external peripherals or operating system (OS).

Note: Parts with an asterisk (*) next to them are only required if you plan to overclock the system.

$1000+ Budget Beast

CPU: Intel Core i5 750 - $239 [$219]
RAM: Corsair CMV4GX3M2A1333C9 4GB - $129 [$124]
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 - $159 [$152]
GPU: PowerColor Radeon HD5770 1GB - $189 [$188]
DVD-RW: Pioneer DVR-218L - $49 [$42]
Case: Lian Li Lancool Dragon Lord PC-K56 - $85 [$85]
Heatsink: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 - $74 [$75] *
PSU: Corsair CX-400 - $59 [$63]
HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB - $112 [$104]
Total: $1095 @ PCCG [$1052 @ StaticICE]

$1500+ Budget Workhorse

CPU: Intel Core i5 750 - $239 [$219]
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL (2 x 2GB) - $142 [$149]
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 - $159 [$151]
GPU: 2 x PowerColor Radeon HD5770 1GB - $378 [$376]
DVD-RW: Pioneer DVR-218L - $49 [$42]
Case: SilverStone Raven RV02 - $195 [$195]
Heatsink: Thermalright Venomous X - $89 [$89] *
Fan: Scythe Ultra Kaze 120mm Fan 2000rpm - $22 [$22] *
PSU: Corsair HX-650 - $159 [$159]
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB WD1001FALS - $118 [$116]
Total: $1550 @ PCCG [$1518 @ StaticICE]

$2000+ Performance Powerhouse

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 - $369 [$347]
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL8T-6GBRM (3x2GB) - $221 [$239]
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R - $279 [$279]
GPU: 2 x PowerColor Radeon HD5770 1GB - $378 [$376]
DVD-RW: Pioneer DVR-218L - $49 [$42]
Case: SilverStone Raven RV02 - $195 [$195]
Heatsink: Thermalright Venomous X - $89 [$89] *
Fan: Scythe Ultra Kaze 120mm Fan 2000rpm - $22 [$22] *
PSU: Corsair HX-650 - $159 [$159]
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB WD1001FALS - $118 [$116]
SSD: Corsair Extreme X32 32GB - $176 [$176]
Total: $2055 @ PCCG [$2040 @ StaticICE]

$2500+ Grand Gaming Rig

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 - $369 [$347]
RAM: Corsair TR3X6G1600C8 6GB - $264 [$227]
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R - $279 [$279]
GPU: 2 x Radeon HD5850 1GB - $858 [$730]
DVD-RW: Pioneer DVR-218L - $49 [$42]
Case: SilverStone Raven RV02 - $195 [$195]
Heatsink: Thermalright Venomous X - $89 [$89] *
Fan: Scythe Ultra Kaze 120mm Fan 2000rpm - $22 [$22] *
PSU: Corsair HX-650 - $159 [$159]
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB WD1001FALS - $118 [$116]
SSD: Corsair Extreme X32 32GB - $176 [$176]
Total: $2578 @ PCCG [$2382 @ StaticICE]

$3000+ Performance King

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 - $369 [$347]
RAM: Corsair TR3X6G1600C8 6GB - $264 [$227]
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R - $279 [$279]
GPU: 2 x Radeon HD5850 1GB - $858 [$730]
DVD-RW: Pioneer DVR-218L - $49 [$42]
Case: SilverStone Fortress FT02 - $282 [$282]
Heatsink: Thermalright Venomous X - $89 [$89] *
Fan: Scythe Ultra Kaze 120mm Fan 2000rpm - $22 [$22] *
PSU: Corsair HX-650 - $159 [$159]
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB WD1001FALS - $118 [$116]
SSD: 2 x OCZ Agility 60GB - $578 [$584]
Total: $3067 @ PCCG [$2877 @ StaticICE]

Note: The Ultra Kaze fan should be mounted on the Vernomous X heatsink so it pushes air through the fins. If the build has an SSD, it's best to install your OS, applications and games to it for added performance. Documents and media are best kept on the larger HDD.

Tip: When shopping for components, visit any brick and mortar stores you have in mind first. Ordering some parts online, then realising that the local store is out of stock for the rest of the build, will only cause frustration, wastage of time, and money.

You may have noticed that some builds are between $50-$100 more than the reference budget. This is because of the variance between the PCCG and StaticICE price, in addition to the optional after market heatsink and fan (if overclocking). It's possible to remain on a strict budget if you shop around, or remove components you don't require.

Well there you have it, system builds for Q1 2010! If you have any questions, or want a computer custom designed to your requirements, feel free to ask on the forum!