Gaming Rig under 1,000USD

[methodofrhythm]

Mac user moving over to PC (first time build).

-I will be using this primarily as a gaming box and secondarily for watching movies.
-My budget is ~1,000USD.
-I have a Samsung Monitor 22" (1680x1050)
-The website I have been using for parts is Newegg.com
-I have no real preference on part brands other than Intel processor and NVIDIA graphics card.
-I would like to overclock the processor to save myself a few bucks.
-I would primarily like to have a quiet case.

This is the build I came up with, suggestions and comments are GREATLY appreciated.

CASE:
Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-US-BA-WOPSU Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-US-BA-WOPSU Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811166004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166004
$79.99

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500
Item #: N82E16819115036
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036
$187.99

HDD:
2x (RAID 0) Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Item #: N82E16822136161
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136161
$105.98

MEMORY:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNQ
Item #: N82E16820231190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190
$75.99

VIDEO CARD:
EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Item #: N82E16814130339
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339
$154.99

MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128369
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128369
$139.99

CPU COOLING:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835186134
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
$36.99

PSU:
PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817341011
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011
$109.99

Thanks again for any help,
MoR

 

[theAnimal]

Looks pretty good.

Change the HDD to WD Caviar Black 640GB, skip the RAID 0. Performance will be nearly the same, storage capacity is nearly 3x and it costs less.

Change the RAM to DDR2 800 or 1066 from G.Skill rated at 1.8V. DDR3 provides no noticeable performance benefit.

Change the video card to GTX260 216.

Change the mobo to GA-EP45-UD3R. No Crossfire possible with Nvidia card.

Change the PSU to Silencer 500W. No Crossfire upgrade possible so this is plenty of power.

 

[aford10]

The sunbeam transformer is the loudest case I've ever had. If you want a quiet case, that isn't the case for you. This is my favorite, with the antec 900 a close 2nd
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&Tpk=haf

+1 to the rest of animal's suggestions

 

[LittleBaByJESUS]

If your overclocking then E8400 will do... no point with E8500.

a E8400 will get to 4Ghz easily on air (i use a OCZ Vendetta 2 and its excellent.)

I would recommend a 1GB HD4870 for video card.

I have a P5Q Pro and i really like it.... its a good overclocker, has crossfire upgradability and costs less.

those are my thoughts.

 

[methodofrhythm]

Okay so here is a revised listing:

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036
$188

CPU FAN:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
$37

MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359
$120

PSU:
Silencer 500 EPS12V
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3876197&CatId=1079
$70

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
$80

MEMORY:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
$65

VIDEO CARD:
EVGA 896-P3-1257-A1 GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130444
$260

CASE:
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
$170


TOTAL: $979 (still under budget which is great)


-How "up to date" is this video card? Will I be able to run SLI down the road or is that not possible?
-I was unable to find DDR2 RAM at 1066 rated at 1.8V from G. Skill, did I make an oversight?
-Will 500W be enough to overclock this particular CPU?

Thank you so much so far guys, its be a great deal of help,
MoR

EDIT: typo and forgot the total

 

[aford10]

Ok...
1. your board doesn't support SLI. You may want to look at 4850 or 4870

2. your probably better off w/ DDR2 800, specially if you want the 1.8v and low cas

3. Your psu should be enough for this build even w/ the 4870

 

[methodofrhythm]

-I decided to go with a GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 for the motherboard so I do have the option to run SLI down the road.
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

-Is there a reason I would want 800 over 1006 RAM? I remember reading somewhere that 800 OCs very well but that was a while ago and maybe tech has changed since then?

-Has anyone had any experience with running SLI with the EVGA 896-P3-1257-A1 GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB?
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130444

Thanks for the help, I just need to figure out this RAM situation, the video card and I should be ready to rock.

MoR

 

[shortstuff_mt]

-I decided to go with a GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 for the motherboard so I do have the option to run SLI down the road.
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

-Is there a reason I would want 800 over 1006 RAM? I remember reading somewhere that 800 OCs very well but that was a while ago and maybe tech has changed since then?

-Has anyone had any experience with running SLI with the EVGA 896-P3-1257-A1 GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB?
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130444

Thanks for the help, I just need to figure out this RAM situation, the video card and I should be ready to rock.

MoR

The GA-EP45-UD3P does not support SLI. The only boards that support SLI are Nvidia boards except the new X58 chipset. The Nvidia chipset motherboards are certainly not known for stability. I'm not sure why you're hung up on Nvidia GPU's. The GA-EP45-UD3P does support crossfire (ATI GPU's). That's why multiple people above have suggested getting an ATI GPU. I highly suggest considering a 4870 1GB GPU so you have the option of adding another card later in crossfire.

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801 $224.99 - $10 MIR

If you really can't shake your Nvidia bias and want the option of SLI you should look at the 750i or 780i chipset motherboards.

DDR2 800 RAM that runs at 1.8v will be more compatible and lessen the possibility of RAM problems. DDR2 1066 RAM is just overclocked DDR2 800 RAM most of the time anyway. DDR2 800 RAM will allow you to overclock to 3.8GHz without even overclocking the RAM (9.5 * 400 = 3.8GHz). This RAM runs tight timings at 1.8v and also has a lot of overclocking headroom if needed:

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 $54.99

 

[Helloworld_98]

4870 is around GTX280 and power and costs less than the 260 so would be better to go for a 4870

And get Kingston HyperX or OCZ Reaper ram

 

[methodofrhythm]

The GA-EP45-UD3P does not support SLI. The only boards that support SLI are Nvidia boards except the new X58 chipset. The Nvidia chipset motherboards are certainly not known for stability. I'm not sure why you're hung up on Nvidia GPU's. The GA-EP45-UD3P does support crossfire (ATI GPU's). That's why multiple people above have suggested getting an ATI GPU. I highly suggest considering a 4870 1GB GPU so you have the option of adding another card later in crossfire.

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801 $224.99 - $10 MIR

If you really can't shake your Nvidia bias and want the option of SLI you should look at the 750i or 780i chipset motherboards.

DDR2 800 RAM that runs at 1.8v will be more compatible and lessen the possibility of RAM problems. DDR2 1066 RAM is just overclocked DDR2 800 RAM most of the time anyway. DDR2 800 RAM will allow you to overclock to 3.8GHz without even overclocking the RAM (9.5 * 400 = 3.8GHz). This RAM runs tight timings at 1.8v and also has a lot of overclocking headroom if needed:

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 $54.99

I'm not really stuck on NVIDIA its just what I know. Like I said in the first post, I'm a mac user and I'm quite new to this PC configuring, but now I see what you're saying about going with the ATI chipset with the GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard.

I will go with the 800 RAM and just overclock it, if I even need to after OC the 8500.

Thanks again for all the help, its making the PC transition much easier than I hoped.
MoR

 

[theAnimal]

Another option is to get the 4850x2 for $225, which performs around GTX285 level.

 

[methodofrhythm]

Another option is to get the 4850x2 for $225, which performs around GTX285 level.

Right now I have the 4870 priced at $225, where are you finding the better card at the same price?

4850x2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809
4870: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

I mean you are getting twice the card for only $60 more at newegg but twice the card for the same price is even better 😉

 

[fruees]

Just what I was going to say!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102813
$225 after rebate and better that the 4870, far better than the gtx 260

It's faster that the 4870 and will give you some truly beastly performance on your monitor. I have the Samsung 2253BW which must be v similar to your monitor, with a 4870x2 and that is overkill. The 4850x2 would be beastly.

^+1 for choosing ATI with your mobo. The only place where Nvidia makes sense at the mo is on an i7 rig because you can sli. Even though you probably won't xfire on your rig, it's good to know you could if you wanted to

You should also consider overclocking your CPU. While you don't necessarily need to, the reason that makes Dual cores so good is that you can overclock them ridiculously high without much difficulty. The arctic Freezer will be fine, but spend an extra $20 if you want a really big overclock

 

[methodofrhythm]

Just what I was going to say!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102813
$225 after rebate and better that the 4870, far better than the gtx 260

It's faster that the 4870 and will give you some truly beastly performance on your monitor. I have the Samsung 2253BW which must be v similar to your monitor, with a 4870x2 and that is overkill. The 4850x2 would be beastly.

^+1 for choosing ATI with your mobo. The only place where Nvidia makes sense at the mo is on an i7 rig because you can sli. Even though you probably won't xfire on your rig, it's good to know you could if you wanted to

You should also consider overclocking your CPU. While you don't necessarily need to, the reason that makes Dual cores so good is that you can overclock them ridiculously high without much difficulty. The arctic Freezer will be fine, but spend an extra $20 if you want a really big overclock

The 4850x2 requires me to upgrade my PSU (currently at 500W, needs 650W) so that puts me at budget which is fine. You said to spend $20 more on a better CPU cooler for some extreme OCing. What do you suggest, as there isn't some ridiculously far out better fan out there (to my limited knowledge), are you suggesting a liquid system?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $39.99

The Xigmatek is quite a bit better than the Freezer 7 Pro.

 

[fruees]

1. Yeah, you're right you will have to upgrade that PSU : )

2. No man, I meant instead of spending $37 of the Arctic freezer 7, get a Noctua NH-U12P 120mm for $60 which is comparable to low end water cooling