Gaming under $900

[somethingmetal]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: The coming summer months

BUDGET RANGE: Under $900 unless there are too many good parts I just can't ignore. Pretty much set on that limit though.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming. (max settings on recent games at a reasonable resolution, ie: no more than 1600x1200, I've been used to the lowest setting for every game on my laptop and 7 year old desktop) As long as everything else isn't terrible, I don't mind.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, unless price and service are matched/surpassed with others.

PARTS PREFERENCES: none really, as long as they're good, reliable parts.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: aesthetically, it could be a vomit-colored brick, as long as quality and reliability are second to none for the price.

I've looked around and put together a wishlist of parts, but still value any and all input

wish list: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=15391727

 

[Cpt Deadboots]

If you're going with AMD, you should probably stick with ATI for graphics as well. I'd upgrade to a Gigabyte 790 FX motherboard and grab 2 XFX 4850s (you could go for the cheaper 4770, but I'd personally rather have the 4850s). That processor should be great.

I believe you'll need DDR3 for the AM3 mobo, so get a 2x2GB kit made by G. Skill.

As far as a case and PSU: Cooler Master and Antec make excellent cases - and Corsair's 650 TX PSU is excellent value at $70 AR.

 

[batuchka]

There u go:

$586.40 less MIR and plus shipping since u dun need that 2nd HD4770 hehe Good to go for mid settings-high 1650 x 1050 for your gamer profile me thinks ^^

 

[not moose]

Cooler Master RC-690 - $74.99
Corsair 650w - $99.99
AMD Phenom II X3 - $139.00
GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P - $109.99
XFX Radeon 4770(2) - $219.98
G.SKILL DDR2 800 4gb - $49.99
Western Digital Caviar Black 640gb - $74.99
SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R - $24.99
Acer X223Wbd Black 22" $159.99

Current total: $793.92
After rebates: $763.92

With this build if you know you plan on overclocking you can add a cpu cooler and upgrade to 1066 ram. I didn't include OS because if I'm not mistaken Windows 7 is free. Even if you don't want Windows 7 there is still wiggle room for Vista. In addition alot of items on the list are free shipping, saving you even more.

If you don't prefer crossfire and want to drop the price a bit you can take a single 4850 and then drop the 650w to a Corsair 550vx

 

[wormy]

CPU
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
$167.99

MOBO
GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS5 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128332
$199.99

RAM
G.SKILL HK 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=N82E16820231219
$49.99

HDD
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
$74.99

PS
SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-650HT 650W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151028
$139.99

VGA
SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801
$189.99

Case
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
$49.99

DVD
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
$24.99

Total:$897.92

 

[not moose]

Why would he want to go with a Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, when he can get a AMD Phenom II X3 for $30 less, with better performance?