Gaming Comp for $1250

[sugarless1]

Hey guys, this is my first attempt to build a computer. I'm not a hardcore gamer but would like a descent one, I'm mainly waiting for SC2 and Diablo3.

***The prices I'm quoting are in CAD and total approx. $1250 USD in the end.

Intel Core i7 920 - $354.95
OCZ DDR3 PC3-12800, 1600 MHz, Gold XTC 2gbx3 8-8-8-24 - $149.99
Asus P5Q3 Deluxe - $271.95
WD Caviar Green 1TB, 7200RPM, 32MB - $114.95
Sapphire ATi HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 - $239.95
Pioneer DVR-216D - $31.99
Antec Nine Hundred - $139.95
OCZ StealthXStream 700W - $89.95
TOTAL: $1574.81 CAD = $1247.78 USD

I'm planning on getting a 24" to go with my 22" soon. I can save about $200+ to go towards the monitor if I get a Q6600, DDR2 Ram and a slightly lower MoBo, but would it be worth it?

Thanks for viewing all.

ANY information is helpful as I'm still learning.

 

[WR2]

The motherboard, RAM and CPU are a mismatch - the Core i7 920 is a 1366 socket CPU. Thats a tri-channel RAM kit.
Asus P5Q3 Deluxe P45 socket 775 vs Asus P6T X58 socket 1366

WD Caviar Green is the lowest performing (but best power saving) HDD is the Caviar series. Green, Blue, Black.

A 22" monitor and a HD 4870 is an excellent combo. You can skip getting the 24" to keep the better overall system parts.

The OCZ StealthXStream 700W is more than you need for a single HD 4870 but probably not enough if you're planning on running 2 top end video cards.

 

[xthekidx]

I would skip the i7 on a $1250 CAD gaming build. Better to go PII 940 or Core 2 so you can put more into the GPU for a better gaming experience.

I would do this:

Mobo (free shipping for the whole order):
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=30418&vpn=P5Q%20Pro&manufacture=ASUS

CPU:
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=30576&vpn=BX80569Q9550&manufacture=Intel

Ram:
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=23482&vpn=OCZ2G8004GK&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology

and then base the rest of the system off of that.

edit: I just noticed you meant $1250 USD. How much do you want to spend in $CAD?

 

[sugarless1]

edit: I just noticed you meant $1250 USD. How much do you want to spend in $CAD?

Ideally $1500 CAD including taxes and shipping. Right now I'm at $1650 CAD with this build;


Intel i7 920 2.66 GHz: $287.75 USD / $364.95 CAD
Asus P6T LGA 1366 X58: $240.44 USD / $304.95 CAD
OCZ DDR3 PC10666 1333MHz (3x2048): $98.53 USD / $124.96 CAD
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB, 7200 RPM, 32MB: $138.99 USD / $109.59 USD
Sapphire ATi HD4870 1024: $189.19 USD / $239.95 CAD
Pioneer DVR-216D: $25.22 USD / $31.99 CAD
Antec Nine Hundred: $110.35 USD / $139.95 CAD
OCZ ModXStreme Pro 700W: $89.09 USD / $112.99 CAD

TOTAL (after taxes): $1299.69 USD / $1648.36 CAD


Right now I'm seeing near identical prices for Q9550 and i7 920 processor (tigerdirect.ca, pcvonline.ca and canadacomputers.com). These are Canadian retailers with locations very close to me so I won't pay shipping.

I'm wondering if this is too much computer for me? The games that I like to play aren't to graphic intensive (WoW, EA sports games and waiting on SC2/D3). I'm still considering getting something like a Q6600 and lower ram, mobo and power supply.

I don't mind paying what I quoted above + a little more (if justified), but I don't want to pay $1300 USD when something like a $1050 USD computer is completely adequate.

 

[xthekidx]

For gaming, the i7 isn't significantly better than Phenom II or Core2 builds, definitely not $250ish dollars worth more. You would do fine with PII 940 or Core 2 E8400 build and then put more into the GPU. That would actually give you better gaming performance at a potentially lower price. I don't think you should get an i7, its really only justified IMO if you have a lot of money or you need it for photoshop, video editing or something like that.

 

[xthekidx]

I'd do this if I were you:
P5Q Pro mobo (linked above)
E8400 OC'd to 3.6 (very easy to do)
Scythe Mugen 2 CPU cooler
4gb DDR2 800 Ram (look for 1.8-1.9v, latencies 5-5-5-15 or lower, preferably 4-4-4-12)
WD6401AALS HDD
Antec 900, CM 690, Thermaltake V9, CM Storm sniper, CM Haf 932 (take you pick)
Corsair 750tx or PC Power&Cooling 750w
Saphire HD 4870x2
Any Sata DVD combo drive (LG, Samsung and Pioneer are the brands I would pick from)
Vista Home Premium 64 bit

Or if you were open to and AMD build, they can usually get you a bit more for your money performancewise...
Phenom II x4 940 BE (roughly equivalent to a Q9400)
or
Phenom II x3 720 BE (roughly equivalent to an E8400)
with Gigabyte MA790X-UD4P Motherboard: http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=36856&vpn=GA-MA790X-UD4P&manufacture=Gigabyte

 

[WR2]

I'm wondering if this is too much computer for me? The games that I like to play aren't to graphic intensive (WoW, EA sports games and waiting on SC2/D3). I'm still considering getting something like a Q6600 and lower ram, mobo and power supply.

You're right - WOW, Starcraft 2 / Diablo 3 and most Sports Sims don't require a lot of graphics horsepower. Certainly a 4870 X2 is over-the-top.
Even a HD 4850 on a 24" 1920x1200 monitor would be more than enough for those games.
I like the E8400 build (with or without OC'ing) above with PSU stepped down a notch, maybe to Corsair 550VX and a 4850. You'd have the future option to add another 4850 in case you want to run any of the more graphically intense FPS games.

The Phenom II x3 720 BE & 790 motherboard would be an equally good option IMO.

 

[nickhoff]

199$ for an i7 920 at microcenter for today only in store pickup

 

[xthekidx]

You're right - WOW, Starcraft 2 / Diablo 3 and most Sports Sims don't require a lot of graphics horsepower. Certainly a 4870 X2 is over-the-top.
Even a HD 4850 on a 24" 1920x1200 monitor would be more than enough for those games.
I like the E8400 build (with or without OC'ing) above with PSU stepped down a notch, maybe to Corsair 550VX and a 4850. You'd have the future option to add another 4850 in case you want to run any of the more graphically intense FPS games.

The Phenom II x3 720 BE & 790 motherboard would be an equally good option IMO.

Yes indeed a 4870x2 isn't necessary. I was just going for best gaming build for that price, but a 4850 does sound about right for your needs, if you kept the PSU at a 650tx you would have the option of xfire if you needed a graphics upgrade later on.

 

[WR2]

A Corsair 550VX would be enough for two 4850s: Sapphire Recommended System Requirements for 4850

CrossFireX™ Certified PSUs for HD 4850

For some strange reason the 650TX costs more than 750TX on the NewEgg.ca website.

 

[xthekidx]

A Corsair 550VX would be enough for two 4850s: Sapphire Recommended System Requirements for 4850

CrossFireX™ Certified PSUs for HD 4850

For some strange reason the 650TX costs more than 750TX on the NewEgg.ca website.

Yeah it would be ok, I would want a tad more headroom though...just personal preference I guess. If AMD says its good though then no worries.

Odd that the 650tx is more...lol. Crazy Canadians