850ish Gaming PC

[skinnyq]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ~A month give or take.

BUDGET RANGE: US$750-850

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, watching movies, surfing the internet
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: None actually, dunno if 850 is enough for 955 BE, also dunno if 720 X3 Is too weak?

OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe, would like to have the possibility.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

 

[aevm]

I'd suggest the x3 720. That leaves more money to spend on graphics, and you need that for 1920x1200.

Start with this combo for $209:
X3 720 + Biostar 70GX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190738

Or, if you prefer, $219 for the same CPu with a GA-MA790X-UD4P.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190734

Personally, I trust Gigabyte boards more than Biostar. However, that Biostar gets great reviews and it even manages to enable the 4th core of the X3 720 some times. It may be worth trying.

Add an Antec 300 and a Corsair 750TX, a WD 640GB Caviar Black $75, a SH-S223Q burner $27. Total about $260 for those.

That leaves about $370 for RAM and GPU. There's a HD 4890 for $205 here.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830

You will most likely want a second one later, for that high resolution, that's why I suggested a 750W PSU.

RAM: $48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Actually, seeing that you still have $100 left, you could get the Phenom II 955. I'm not saying you should, not just for gaming. It will only make a difference when playing FSX or GTA 4 or compressing videos and so on. Future games might benefit from a quad, but I don't expect much soon. Anyway, if you do get the quad, it will last longer, so it may be worth it after all. You decide. If you do get it, use this combo to save $30:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.190735

 

[aevm]

Forgot the part about overclocking. Add a Scythe Mugen 2 to the list.

 

[skinnyq]

thanks, aevm.
😀
Think I'll go for it.