New Computer Build-Gaming-$800-$1000

[2009ice]

My roommate and I are going in together on a new gaming machine. We have a budget of around $800-$1000 but we could go a little higher if their is an item that merits it. I am seeking advice on what you think would be a the best build for this budget. I will also be asking questions about buying parts and eventually questions on putting the thing together.

So to the point. We will be using about a 20-25 inch HD monitor. So we are wanting to do HDMI output if this is possible. Don't include any peripherals in the build. We have great speakers and keyboards and such. The machine doesn't need to be pretty or light up or anything. Just pure function. Thanks in advance for your help!

I was also wondering about your advice on getting parts on eBay or used parts in general.

 

[jbakerlent]

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790X ATX AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220285

XFX HD-487A-ZHFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=f3%20500gb

Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

See what you think of those parts. Also does the $800-1000 include the monitor or is that separate?

 

[2009ice]

The budget does not include the monitor. I have a nice HD Samsung 22" that I am thinking about using. I play XBOX on a Phillips 42" tv. How would using this as a monitor work. I assume such an extreme size tax the GPU too much?

 

[2009ice]

Oh, I am also very interested in overclocking the CPU and GPU so if that affects your advice.......

 

[2009ice]

I have that coming out to $761. I could throw another couple hundred bucks at the system.

Also I am not sure about the reviews for that Mobo. People say it is not compatible with the CPU.

 

[Why_Me]

Try the new i5.

http://www.frostytech.com/permalink.cfm?NewsID=78234 <--- Intel Core i5 750 oc to (from 2.6GHz) to 4.2GHz

http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-750-core-i7-860-870-processor-review-test/

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $54.95 Free Shipping*
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10009795 $71.99 ($46.99 after MIR) Free Shipping
OCZ OCZ550FTY 550W Active Power Supply Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I5-750BOX Combo Price: $314.99 $15 off with P55 combo purchase w/code OMGi5COMBO $299.99 Free Shipping
Part#:MB-P55M-D2 | GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 Socket 1156/ Intel P55/ DDR3/ CrossFireX/ A&GbE/ MATX Motherboard
Part#:I5-750BOX | Intel Core i5 Processor i5-750 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1156 CPU, Retail

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4950633&CatId=4749 $19.99
Cooler Master RR-910-HTX3-GP Hyper TX3 CPU Cooler - 92mm, LGA 1156, 775, AMD 754, 939, 940, AM2, AM3

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=FAN-MX2 $4.49
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.256474 Combo Discount: -$20.00 Combo Price: $269.98 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM - Retail
Dual Channel Intel Core i5 & Core i7 CPU for P55 motherboard
SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100269VXLE Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

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

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010832 $31.99 Free Shipping
SAMSUNG SH-S223B 22X SATA DVD Burner Black Drive Bulk

Total: $828.37 before shipping, taxes, and mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236059 $189.99 ($169.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Card)
ASUS VH236H Black 23" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 20000 :1 (ASCR) Built in Speakers - Retail
Full HD 1080P

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677 $109.99 Free Shipping*
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM | Includes free Windows 7 upgrade coupon

 

[IzzyCraft]

From recent test i5 would make a much better general cpu that's more or less hands down, gaming vs 955 is about the same so i'd suggest tiring the i5 platform but hands down i5 if you plan on oc.

 

[bige420]

For sure go with the new i5's if you plan on overclocking (which you really should). The i5 at 2.66ghz performs better or very close to the Phenom II 965, which is 3.4ghz, and its cheaper. i5 750 currently $210 at newegg, while the P2 is $245.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Yup, the pendulum for builds in this budget range has swung from AMD to Intel with the release of the new i5 chips. AMD will have to slash prices again to remain competitive. An i5 build is a no-brainer in the $800 - $1000 price range. I would tweak up Why_Me's build to make it crossfire ready, though.

Intel Core i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128400

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.246586 $364.98 (CPU + motherboard combo)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279

SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100269VXLE Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102848

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.256476 $274.98 (RAM + GPU combo)

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $54.95

Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026&Tpk=antec%20ea750 $94.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=samsung%20f3%20500gb $49.99

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187 $30.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677 $109.99

Total - $980.87

 

[2009ice]

I like this build, but the GPU looks like it is unreliable, is their a descent substitute.

 

[Why_Me]

I like this build, but the GPU looks like it is unreliable, is their a descent substitute.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475 $239.99 ($224.99 after $15.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The Sapphire Vapor-X GPU's are great. What makes you think they're unreliable?

 

[2009ice]

The Sapphire Vapor-X GPU's are great. What makes you think they're unreliable?

I just looked at the newegg reviews and they were marginal at best. Do you use the card?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Not in my personal machine, just in builds. The EVGA GTX 275 that Why_Me linked above is also a good choice.