Gaming PC Help, 800-1000$

[crux47]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Few weeks

BUDGET RANGE: US 800-1000$

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, other general non-important stuff.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Headphones.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Full tower case, willing to use more money to get HAF. Preferably not a rainbow looking motherboard.

OVERCLOCKING: Later on, once I learn.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Just that I prefer HAF 932 case, don't want to change the CASE/PSU Combo I list. I think I will be using Windows 7, unless told otherwise. This is my first build.

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I'm not very knowledgeable on what is needed and what is unnecessary for gaming. Such as using DDR2 or DDR3 Ram, difference a 2/3/4 Core CPU will make, a 4870 vs 4890 at my resolution. So any advice you all can hit me with is really appreciated. I don't want to expend too much money on something I won't get anything out of, or spend too little on something that will give me a noticeable improvement.

Also, is using Windows 7 a good choice for gaming? Or would I be better off buying some version of Vista?


CPU/Motherboard Combo: 195$
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor
ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

GPU: 150$
XFX HD-487A-ZHFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported

RAM: 71$
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit

PSU/Case Combo: 220$
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified

CPU Cooler: 40$
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler

HDD: 75$
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"

Drive: 25$
SAMSUNG Black 22X

Misc: ~20$
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
Arctic Silver ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) Thermal material Remover & Surface Purifier
D&S Cables 3T8-B Black Type 8" Cable Tie


TOTAL: 796$ + 38$ Shipping + 66$ Tax (Live in CA) = 900$



Any advice on where I can drop the price without hurting performance too much, or where I can pay a little more to get a lot more power would help. As I said, I don't know if a few of these things are inadequate or unnecessary.

Thanks to those that help!

 

[mlcloud]

4890 may mean the difference between maxed out settings Crysis or not, but the 4870 would still be plenty adequate at that resolution... maxing out everything EXCEPT maybe Crysis xD. Check out the benchmarks, find out what you like.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-4890,2262-7.html

And yes, you better overclock that CPU xD. And the 4890 if you get it, just to see if its a 1ghz potential or not.

And I'd grab the 640gb Western Digital Caviar Black for a few bucks more, just because the platters should theoretically be denser. And it's only 5 bucks for 140GBs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=WD%20caviar%20black%20640gb

Otherwise, very smartly budgeted build. Consider another hard drive in the future, but for the time being, nice build.

BTW, I'm pretty sure the 650TX comes with a bunch of cable ties... my 750tx came with a ton.
Edit: Yup, it does. Not sure how many you need, but it does come with some, and mine came with a bunch so I'm expecting the same...

 

[hunter315]

You dont need triple channel ram, and it tends to end up priced a bit higher as its specifically for i7 systems.

SAPPHIRE 100269OCSR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - OC edition - Retail $190 after $10 MIR

OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G16004GK - Retail $46 after $20 MIR

comes up to $236 after MIR's which gives you a stronger graphics card and more appropriate ram

 

[mlcloud]

Ah, good catch hunter315. +1

 

[crux47]

Good call on the RAM and HDD. Updated original post. Thanks!

The most intense game I play is CoD4 so I don't think I need to push it too much with a 4890 yet. There any problems with XFX Radeon cards? My current card is an Nvidia XFX 7900gs that runs idle at 75c and it regularly goes near 90c when playing stuff. Had the same card for a few years with no problems so I trust them.

 

[mlcloud]

XFX is very well regarded due to their double lifetime warranty. No problems there, imo. And as long as you're not looking to max out Crysis or some other badly-ported/coded game, you'll be *very* satisfied with the 4870... especially from a 7900 gs.

Although that feeling of satisfaction won't be quite like mine, since I went from a 7600 gs to a 4890 .

Edit: And that is a SPANKIN' cheap 4870 1GB. Wow. I think my friend needs to buy one of those... Amazin' how prices go down.