Budget Gaming System $1000-1500

[Chayne]

This is my first build i have $1500 to spend i don't know alot of whats going on while browsing Newegg. I play Vanguard and am hoping to play Warhammer. The only thing i know for sure at this point is that im getting a G15 Keyboard and a G9 Mouse other then that not sure i also have to get a monitor. Any help would be great Thank you very much.

 

[WR2]

Here is what the guys over @ ExtremeTech website suggest for a system in your price range: Best Bang for the Buck PC
You can use those suggestions as a starting point.

 

[WR2]

Some prices have changed to your benefit.
You can get a better 8800GTS (G92) graphics card MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC $225 plus $30 rebate and free game.
Swap out the E8500 CPU for the E8400 3Ghz Wolfdale dual core @ $190

 

[royalcrown]

I have the same burner, buy ear plugs ! It works though.

 

[geotech]

Drop that hard drive for the 640Gb Western Digital for $110.
q6600 for the cpu.
4GB of ram would be a great benefit.

 

[Chayne]

This is what i have so far
Case:Cooler Master Stacker 830 - $259.00 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119122
PSU:?
Motherboard:?
CPU: Intel E8400 - $199.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
RAM: OCZ 4gig - $98.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269
GFX: BFG 8800GTX - $379.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119122
Sound: X-Fi Xtreme Gamer- $90.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006
HD1: WD 500gig - 89.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
HD2: WD 500gig - 89.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
DVD: Liteon Dvd-RW - 32.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072&Tpk=LH-20A1L-06
DVD2: Liteon Dvd-RW - 32.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072&Tpk=LH-20A1L-06
Keyboard: G15 - $73.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126179
Mouse: G5 - $49.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104076
Monitor:?
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit - 189.00 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116493
7 120mm Fans:?

Trying to find a decent LCD monitors with built in speakers but having hard time finding one and as far as PSU not sure what Watts i would need was looking at modular but again not sure on Watts and not sure whats a good Motherboard. With the 7 120mm fans in that case would i need a better fan on the CPU and GFX card other then stock i won't be Overclocking at all.

 

[WR2]

Something seems to have happened to the $1500 budget?
$1588 and still no Motherboard, PSU and monitor.
This is looking more like a $2100 build. Is that OK with you?
$70 worth of case fans or $30 for 3 (5 total) case fans and $40 for a good CPU cooler?

Motherboard: Abit IP35 Pro $150 after rebate
PSU: PC & Cooling 750Watt $120 after rebate
Monitor: Samsung 220WM 22" w/ built in speakers $240 after rebate
Case Fans: 3 Scythe 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fans @$9 = $27
CPU Cooler: Zerotherm Nirvana NV120 120mm $40 after rebate

Total: before rebates arrive: $2265 & taxes and shipping Total rebates: $180

 

[Chayne]

I have 1700 Now but i think ima have to downgrade some things but not sure what. My room tends to be on the warm side so im not sure what would be better going with a good CPU cooler or the Case fans. With that CPU cooler my only worry is weather it will fit in the case with everything else or not also since im not going over 4gig of Ram im not sure the bonuses if any i would get form using 64 bit windows over 32 bit

 

[Chayne]

sorry dbl post

 

[WR2]

This option should run about $1500 with tax and shipping after rebates.
CoolerMaster Centurion 590 case $65 2 extra case fans Scythe 120mm "Slipstream" $18 (2 in front, 1 on top and 1 in back on the 590 case)
Corsair 450VX PSU $70 after $10 rebate
Asus P5K SE Motherboard $93
C2D E8400 3Ghz Wolfdale CPU $200 (use stock Intel HSF for non-overclocking build)
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) CL4 $90 after $25 rebate
Evga 8800GTS KO (G92) 512MB $225 after $30 rebate
Audio: Use motherboard 7.1 sound option. Possible future upgrade if you're not satisfied.
HD1: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB $90 (you can always add a 2nd HD in the future
DVD1: LITE-ON DVD+RW SATA Burner LightScribe-w/Retail software $33 (instead of 2nd DVD use HD as 2nd DVD source with ISO images)
Logitech G15 Keyboard $74
Logitech G5 USB Laser Mouse $50
Samsung 220WM 22" w/ built in speakers $240 after $30 rebate
Vista Home Premium SP1 64bit $110

$1443 (and $1358 after rebate)

I know you wanted a monitor with speakers - but I havent seen one yet that was barely more than acceptable quality.
I think you'd be a lot happier with a seperate 2.1 speaker system Logitech X-230 2.1 Speaker System $39
Or a good set of headphones eDimensional AudioFX Pro 5+1 USB Circumaural Force Feedback Gaming Headset $60

 

[Chayne]

Thank You For all your help WR2

 

[crites]

Why wouldn't you go with 1066MHz (PC2-8500) memory?

 

[crites]

Or the INTEL core 2 quad q6600 per Tom's Hardware medium range system?

 

[WR2]

@crites; I think he picked the right CPU for his overall goals. Even the Q6700 @ 2.66Ghz would not have been a better choice.
When Chayne fires up his new system there's a good chance he'll be GPU bound @ 1680x1050 resolution making the AVG FPS look similiar.
But this chart also hints that @ 16x10 resolution his MIN (minimum) FPS should be higher with E8400 than with Q6600.
The small performance advantage of PC2 8500 vs PC2 6400 tends to be neutralized when games become GPU or CPU bound.
The higher FSB of the E8400 (333Mhz) vs Q6600 (266Mhz) is also an advantage in many situations.
Also the way motherboards manage memory means that RAM isnt always operating at its top rated speed.

 

[WR2]

I just noticed that the E8400 and Q6600 were tested with different motherboards X38 vs P35
So I added a 3Ghz E6850 & E6750 that were tested on P35 do you could compare Dual vs Quad on the same series of MB.