Suggestions for Finishing Quad Core Rig $780 left

[fred02171]

I'm looking to build a quad core system that can hold its own gaming at 1900X1200. Phenom 2 or i7, doesn't matter. But I want at least 6gig of RAM.


Already purchased from previous sales at new egg and microcenter:

(2) Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail


I have $780 left in the budget to complete the build. (I am not counting keyboard, mouse, OS and monitor)

 

[Proximon]

Gigabyte X58 motherboard and OCZ RAM combo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.182119

i7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

4870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

DVD burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

 

[xthekidx]

For gaming, I would do this:
PII 940
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471
GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387
G Skill DDR2 HK (gaming won't really see any boost over 4gb, but if you want you can double up on this kit...I'd just do one to start though)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231219&Tpk=g%20skill%20hk
DVD Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
Cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
Thermal interface:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020
GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121294R
If you don't want to try your luck with an open box GPU...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768

If you want a good gaming experience at 19x12 res, you need to go with either a GTX 285 or better IMO.

 

[fred02171]

I appreciate the input from both of you guys. Thanks. I wanted to see what the options were.


I really wanted an I7. But I at this particular budget the 940 may be a better choice. I would have to cut back too much on the video card with the i7.

I forgot mention I do have a dvd burner. If I drop the ram to 4gb temporarily and go with the stock cooler. I can almost fit the 4870X2 and only be $20 over budget.

I should have pulled the trigger a week ago with all the combo deals on the 940.

The phenom 2 955 should be out this month, do you think it is worth waiting for?

 

[Helloworld_98]

well it will let you upgrade to ddr3 when you want and supposedly it can hit 4ghz with ease but expense may put it way over your budget.

Also you might want to try getting a GTX 275 and overclocking it instead to save you a bit of cash.

 

[Proximon]

Yep, the AMD build looks to be a better choice for you.

I should add that my idea was to go with the single card up front and then add another when you could.