cheaper options for similar performance?

[smitty24]

I'm going to build a system soon and am looking for suggestions. It's going to be used mainly for gaming, internet and a small amount of photoshop. This build is a little over my planned budget. I was hoping to keep it between $800 and $1000. Or at least my Wife was! Is there any suggestions you guys can make to save me a little money (and heartache from the Boss) while still keeping good gaming performance and somewhat future proofing? I really like to try and keep a system for around 3 years or so, and it seems a quad core is my best bet along with a good graphics card. I've never really oc'd, so it may be an option at some point, but I'd rather not have to oc straight out of the box. Thanks for any suggestions!

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:RC-690-KKN1-GP
Item #:N82E16811119137
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
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Save Cancel $89.99 -$15.00 Instant $74.99

Update EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:123-YW-E175-A1
Item #:N82E16813188026
Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
In Stock
Mail-in Rebate

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Save Cancel $169.99 $169.99

Update EVGA 896-P3-1265-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #:896-P3-1265-AR
Item #:N82E16814130398
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Save Cancel $304.99 -$5.00 Instant $299.99

Update COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650-ACAA-A1 650W ATX Form Factor 12V V2.3 / SSI Standard EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Model #:RS-650-ACAA-A1
Item #:N82E16817171023
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In Stock
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Save Cancel $139.99 -$40.00 Instant $99.99

Update Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Model #:BX80562Q6600
Item #:N82E16819115017
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Save Cancel $189.99 $189.99

Update OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK - Retail
Model #:OCZ2P10664GK
Item #:N82E16820227298
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Save Cancel $129.99 -$42.00 Instant $87.99

Update Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD6400AAKS
Item #:N82E16822136218
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Save Cancel $74.99 $74.99

Update ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail
Model #RW-2014L1T
Item #:N82E16827135156
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Save Cancel $39.99 -$4.00 Instant $35.99

Update Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
Model #:66I-01939
Item #:N82E16832116488
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Save Cancel $99.99 $99.99

Update Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Model #:ARCTIC SILVER 5
Item #:N82E16835100007
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Save Cancel $5.99 $5.99
Subtotal: $1,139.90

 

[Onus]

I would make these changes:

Unless you're planning to SLI later, switch to a P45 board; $105.
Get a 1GB HD4870 for around $270.
Corsair 650TX for $90
Get DDR2-800 that runs on the JEDEC standard 1.8V for $47 (Mushkin 5-4-4-12)

I don't see an aftermarket cooler, so you can remove the AS5.

That's taken about $155 off your cost.

 

[ingumc]

Here are some suggestions that might help your budget a bit:

1) Is there a reason why you're getting a 750i based motherboard? If you're planning on using SLI, I guess you don't have a choice but if you're only using a single nVidia card you could check these out:

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299
$104.99 after $15 MIR

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344
$106.99 after $20 MIR

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358
$114.99 after $20 MIR

2) Video card

EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130370
$224.99 after $40 MIR

3) A great alternative for the power supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
$79.99 after $20 MIR

4) If your main use is for gaming, you might be better off with a dual-core processor

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
$169.99

5) You won't get much of a performance improvement with DDR2 1066, so this is a good alternative (DDR2 800 with CAS 4 at 1.9V)

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209
$69.99

6) This is an alternative to the DVD drive you selected

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173
$27.99

Comparing these components you stand to save about $200

 

[smitty24]

Thanks! I was playing around with my options for SLI and realized it just wasn't going to happen, but forgot to change to a different mobo. Good catch! I like these choices. As far as processors, it's my understanding I would most likely see better performance from a dual core now versus a quad core, but in an effort to try and prolong the usable life of this rig I was thinking quad core for the future. Then again, I suppose by the time games require a quad core the rest of the system will probably be out of date anyway, and the quad I would have would be too slow.

 

[dirtmountain]

jtt nailed it on this one, great suggestions, actual upgrades and money savings.ingumc has some good calls too, but i like the HD4870 more.

 

[smitty24]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've redone my list and I'm right at $999.91 out of a $1000 budget! Not too shabby. Hopefully I can sell it to the wife and gt myself an early Xmas present. Now what can I spend that extra $.09 on?


SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151173
$27.99

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$74.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136218
$74.99

SAPPHIRE 100243-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102795
$294.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139005
$99.99

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996587 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820146731
$64.99

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131299
$119.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115017
$189.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116488
Return Policy: Software Return Policy $99.99

Subtotal: $1,047.91 plus $27.00 shipping, minus $75 mail in rebates equals $999.91!

 

[Onus]

Very nice.