$1200 Gaming PC

[Bert R]

Ok... I would like you guys to help me decide on components to build a system. As the title suggests, I would like it to be around $1200, but if you think it will be very beneficial, I am willing to stretch up to $1400. I know the Tom's Hardware staff recently did one of these for $1300, but it was for micro-atx, and I would prefer the regular size. Also, this is my first build, and though I know good components from bad ones, any tips that you have learned would be greatly appreciated.

I am trying to follow the guidelines as best as possible, so bear with me:

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Whenever BUDGET RANGE: $1200-$1400

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Watching TV and Movies, General Use (Internet, Word, etc.)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, anything that is not the computer itself

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I know the usuals (newegg, pricegrabber, etc.) but am open to suggestions

PARTS PREFERENCES: Completely open... AMD, Intel, Nvidia, ATI... have at it

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050, 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: It would be nice if it was quiet, but I am not particularly picky, I have obviously never OC'd before, but will be open to trying, the case does not have to have a window or anything as long as it does the job, feel free to include your favorite monitor but don't factor it into the price

THANK YOU FOR ALL HELP IN ADVANCE!!! It is greatly appreciated. I have already learned a ton just from reading other forums, so thank you all! (Oh and no AMD vs Intel wars, please. Face it, they both make quality products.)

Have fun! 😀

 

[Proximon]

Primarily gaming? You can go a lot of different ways at this price point.

You can easily build an i7 system with SLI GTX 260s... and since that's all the GPU power you really can use, That's probably the best path.

You could spend less and get a slower AMD CPU with a couple 4890s probably... It's a close call. You don't need either the i7 OR the crossfire 4890s to have a very fast rig today, see?

Your best deal, $ per FPS, is the GTX 260 today, best supported on an X58 (i7) chipset.

If the AMD AM3 socket had a decent SLI chipset, it would easy, but it doesn't.

So, my vote is for the i7 today.

 

[gkay09]

^ Proximon is correct...you can build an i7 ...

CPU + Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190225

RAM + Graphics
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.187036

Hdd
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093

BD Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136133

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Total - $1258 with $40 Mail-In-Rebates

If you want to add one more GTX 275 in SLI, then change the BD Drive to a DVD Burner, which saves about $75 and you can get another GTX275 in SLI within $1400...

 

[Why_Me]

i7 with dual gtx 260's in SLI

Would someone please link a decent "TV tuner". I have no idea what's a good one to add to this build.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 $74.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011 $109.99 ($89.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-EX58U4P $219.99 | -$20 w/promo code = $199.99 | $184.99. after rebate Free Ground Shipping
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P Core i7/ Intel X58/ DDR3/ CorssFireX & 3-Way SLI/ A&GbE/ ATX Motherboard
Use Code: MEMORIAL20 to get an extra $20 off

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-920 $264.99 Free Ground Shipping
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $41.99 Free Shipping*
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $4.99
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133270 $177.99 ($157.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133270 $177.99 ($157.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $94.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 $69.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Month end special, ends 5/31

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 $23.99 Free Shipping*
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

Total: $1,241.89 | $1,166.89 w/mail in rebates

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc <--- Save yourself some money on an o/s and dl the 64 bit version of Windows 7

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374 <--- more pics, specs, and customer reviews of that Gigabyte UD4P mobo

 

[gkay09]

Late
😉
Nice idea of GTX 260 SLI...
I could have got that in my build suggestions if I wouldn't have suggested BD Drive, 1 TB HDD, Mobo from newegg...

 

[Why_Me]

Ok... I would like you guys to help me decide on components to build a system. As the title suggests, I would like it to be around $1200, but if you think it will be very beneficial, I am willing to stretch up to $1400. I know the Tom's Hardware staff recently did one of these for $1300, but it was for micro-atx, and I would prefer the regular size. Also, this is my first build, and though I know good components from bad ones, any tips that you have learned would be greatly appreciated.

I am trying to follow the guidelines as best as possible, so bear with me:

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Whenever BUDGET RANGE: $1200-$1400

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Watching TV and Movies, General Use (Internet, Word, etc.)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, anything that is not the computer itself

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I know the usuals (newegg, pricegrabber, etc.) but am open to suggestions

PARTS PREFERENCES: Completely open... AMD, Intel, Nvidia, ATI... have at it

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050, 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: It would be nice if it was quiet, but I am not particularly picky, I have obviously never OC'd before, but will be open to trying, the case does not have to have a window or anything as long as it does the job, feel free to include your favorite monitor but don't factor it into the price

THANK YOU FOR ALL HELP IN ADVANCE!!! It is greatly appreciated. I have already learned a ton just from reading other forums, so thank you all! (Oh and no AMD vs Intel wars, please. Face it, they both make quality products.)

Have fun! 😀

Did you want a "Blu-Ray drive" and a TV tuner in your build? I'm guess yes on the TV tuner, but not sure if you wanted a blu ray or not.

 

[gkay09]

And some good LCD with inbuilt DTV tuners...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005120

If you dont want the inbuilt tuner, then here are frw monitors which are very good...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001314
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020%201301919996&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16824236051%2CN82E16824236052%2CN82E16824009157%2CN82E16824236053%2CN82E16824236033

 

[gkay09]

Did you want a "Blu-Ray drive" and a TV tuner in your build? I'm guess yes on the TV tuner, but not sure if you wanted a blu ray or not.

😛 Just a added value...And I dint mean to say you missed it... :lol:

 

[Why_Me]

Late
😉
Nice idea of GTX 260 SLI...
I could have got that in my build suggestions if I wouldn't have suggested BD Drive, 1 TB HDD, Mobo from newegg...

LOL...you got me this time ! btw nice build you posted

 

[gkay09]

LOL...you got me this time ! btw nice build you posted

Well I had just let loose on some components seeing his $1400 limit...
Your build has better value as 2 GTX 260 is more than suffice for 1080p resolution with the highest settings... 😉

 

[gkay09]

You could change from PNY to Gigabyte...comes clocked at 650MHz rather than 576... and just $7 more and has
Free 2.4GHz wireless USB laser mouse w/ purchase, ends 6/30 and has rebates too...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125267&Tpk=gigabyte%20gtx%20260

 

[smithereen]

Phenom II Build:

Phenom II 940 & Asus M4A79 790FX - $335
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190729

Xigmatek Dark Knight - $42
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

Tuniq TX-Q - $5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003

4GB Kingston DDR2-1066 - $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104098

2X Sapphire HD4870 1GB - $190 X2 $380
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

Antec 900 - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Sony DVD drive - $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

WD Caviar 1TB - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317

PC Power and Cooling 750W - $120 -$30 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

Total - $1150 -$30

If you want to spend your budget, swap out for these components

*as listed above, except:
Phenom II 955, 4GB Corsair DDR3-1600 - $292
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.192694

Asus M4A79T 790FX - $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131363

Total - $1250 -$30 MIR

The other obvious choice would be a Why_Me's Core i7 build. Enjoy whatever you choose.

 

[Proximon]

The TV tuner that everyone seems to use:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116015

I really don't know what's best though.

 

[Bert R]

Wow! Thanks to everyone for all the help!

Just to clarify:

You do not need to include a TV Tuner in your build, I just listed watching TV because I didn't know how GPU-intensive it would be. (I will get one later though)

You also do not need to include Blu Ray at this point because, while it takes advantage of the resolution, I have a library of DVDs that will serve me much better at the moment.

Again, thanks for all the help! Does anyone know of a good article on SLI (As in: How to do it)? I know some people in my town who can help me out with it, but it seems like something I could pretty easily do on my own.

 

[Why_Me]

Wow! Thanks to everyone for all the help!

Just to clarify:

You do not need to include a TV Tuner in your build, I just listed watching TV because I didn't know how GPU-intensive it would be. (I will get one later though)

You also do not need to include Blu Ray at this point because, while it takes advantage of the resolution, I have a library of DVDs that will serve me much better at the moment.

Again, thanks for all the help! Does anyone know of a good article on SLI (As in: How to do it)? I know some people in my town who can help me out with it, but it seems like something I could pretty easily do on my own.

http://www.slizone.com/page/slizone_faq.html

http://forums.slizone.com/