1200$ Gaming PC

[djaevle]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next two weeks.

BUDGET RANGE: $1200

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing, watching movies.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure; going to pick up this monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049

Parts:

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

PNY VCGGTX285XPB GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F

It's been a few years since I put together a box; I love gaming, but not a hard-core FPS gamer (more Bioshock and casual L4D in the evenings). Looking to put together something that will last for the next two years.

Does the OS matter much? I'm comfortable with Win XP, and not particularly interested in jumping to Vista (Win7, tho, looks good) unless it means I'm not taking advantage of the hardware I'm thinking of getting.

Thanks for any input!

 

[raybob95]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next two weeks.

BUDGET RANGE: $1200

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing, watching movies.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure; going to pick up this monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049

Parts:

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

PNY VCGGTX285XPB GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F

It's been a few years since I put together a box; I love gaming, but not a hard-core FPS gamer (more Bioshock and casual L4D in the evenings). Looking to put together something that will last for the next two years.

Does the OS matter much? I'm comfortable with Win XP, and not particularly interested in jumping to Vista (Win7, tho, looks good) unless it means I'm not taking advantage of the hardware I'm thinking of getting.

Thanks for any input!

That monitor is 1920x1080.

All looks pretty good, just a few things.

1) I would actually recommend an LG optical drive over Samsung, just more reliable, and same price.
2) Go for an Antec 900.
3) With 6 GB RAM, you'll want Vista x64. You can't use over 3.5 with a 32 bit OS, and XP x64 has very very little driver and application support.
4) I would recommend this GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130443 because it's WAY WAY cheaper, and almost as good. It would run every game fine, and would give you an extra $150 to upgrade other parts.

 

[djaevle]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll swap in the LG drive and reluctantly go with Vista x64.

I think I bypassed the Antec 900 because all those blue lights looked distracting...

For the GPU - the one you suggested isn't offered by Newegg yet, and at $229, it's only $80 less then the $300 GeForce GTX 285 1GB (when added to my cart, a -$49.99 savings shows up).

Still, $80, is still $80....

 

[aevm]

If you're absolutely sure you will never want a second video card, the Corsair 650W is good enough (and saves you some cash compared to the 750W). If not, get the Corsair 850W.

Nice build, in general.

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll swap in the LG drive and reluctantly go with Vista x64.

I think I bypassed the Antec 900 because all those blue lights looked distracting...

For the GPU - the one you suggested isn't offered by Newegg yet, and at $229, it's only $80 less then the $300 GeForce GTX 285 1GB (when added to my cart, a -$49.99 savings shows up).

Still, $80, is still $80....

Like aevm said above in his post, a 650w Corsair is plenty enough to push a gtx 285....those 285's eat up less power and doesn't produce much heat. And since your not doing SLI...I would def. stick with the 285...it's great card.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2009/01/16/nvidia-zotac-geforce-gtx-285-1gb/1 <--- gtx 285 benchmarks vs other cards.

 

[djaevle]

Hey guys!

I decided against the ASUS monitor.

I was thinking of picking up two Dell UltraSharp 2209WA 22-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitors for the new computer.

Will the GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express I bought handle two 22-inch monitors running at 1680x1050?


Thanks!

 

[foolycooly]

Sure, I would think so...maybe not running a dual monitor game like Supreme Commander at full res full settings on both screens (maybe even that...I'm not sure exactly).

Dell monitors are very expensive (although of great quality). Are you getting a deal on them? Or are you ok with spending the extra cash?

 

[djaevle]

Right now, I can get *two* of them for $500 (including taxes and shipping); that's $250 a piece two 22-inch e-IPS monitors....too good a deal to pass up if my video card can handle it.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=320-7825&cs=04&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=27722&lid=628335

 

[MykC]

A highly recommend these combos cause they kick ass and save you lots of money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.173430 Gigabyte GTX 285 with Gigabyte UD4P motherboard. You save $50.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.174581 A very attractuve CASE/PSU combo for $220 after MIR, $30 more than your PSU/Case combo. It will handle the 285s in SLI no problem (if you change your mind), if not... just get a 550W or 600W PSU or the 650TX suggest above.

 

[aevm]

Hey guys!

I decided against the ASUS monitor.

I was thinking of picking up two Dell UltraSharp 2209WA 22-inch Widescreen Flat Panel Monitors for the new computer.

Will the GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express I bought handle two 22-inch monitors running at 1680x1050?


Thanks!

My 8800GTX handles two monitors at 1680x1050 all the time. Usually one plays a DVD and the other is in FireFox or other 2D apps. The GTX 285 is twice as fast so I think it would do very well too. The one thing I never managed is to play a 3D game on one monitor and a movie on the other at the same time, but apparently even that is doable, just not with PowerDVD.