Trying to build first gaming computer

[veggiez]

Hi, I'm trying to building a good gaming computer and but don't really know what to get at all! So please help!

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next month

BUDGET RANGE: $800-$1000

SYSTEM
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming-Movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitors

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: any

PARTS PREFERENCES: Something that will run Left 4 Dead ( and all new recent games) Smoothly and without problems

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I don't really know much on building a gaming pc or a pc period ( which is why I'm posting here)

 

[smithereen]

Here are a couple builds.

Phenom II 720 & ASUS AM3 790GX $260 $15 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.190879
+20+3
4GB OCZ Platinum DDR3-1600 $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227447

750W PCPAC PSU $110 -$20 MIR, $10 more if you don't want the ugly red one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341011

Antec 900 $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

WD Caviar Black 1TB - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136284

Sony Opteric - $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827118032

HIS HD4890 - $220, $20 MIR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161276

or if you want the good warrenty and HAWX:
XFX HD4890 $270, $20 MIR, HAWX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150360

Dark Knight - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233029

OR Core Contact Freezer - $30 -$10 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835207004

Total ~ $950 before rebates

Better overall system, with 4GB DDR3, a triple-core Deneb black edition processor, and an HD4890. The PH2 720 will perform better than the Core 2 in games, and much better in multithreaded applications. The HD4890 is better than the GTX260. If you want to spend more of your budget, you could upgrade to a Phenom II 955, an HD4850X2, or Crossfire 4870s.

nVidia build:

as above, but

Phenom II 720 and ASUS 980a, $290
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.198677

4GB DDR2-1066 $60, $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227298

eVGA GTX 275, $265, $20 MIR, Cryostasis, Call of Duty, World at War
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130478

$60 more than HD4890 build, more expensive motherboard of similar quality, more expensive graphicas card of superior quality.

 

[Proximon]

Smithereen has a good build there. I've gone in a slightly different direction, building a solid platform to expand on.

AMD X4 940
This has a nice price, but it's not a DDR3 compatible CPU, sadly. It's a step up in speed from the X3 720 though.

ASUS M4A78-E AM2+/AM3 AMD 790GX
Good crossfire board. Will probably be in combo with this CPU shortly. Newegg has the wrong board listed at the moment, and I alerted them.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
You want 1066, lowish price, CAS 5, and lowish voltage. Oh, and a low profile. No raised RAM heatsinks on AMD boards as the RAM is close to the CPU and cooler.

Scythe Shuriken CPU cooler
This top-down cooler should fit the board well, and do a decent job. I'm trying to research large coolers with these AMD boards now... there are issues.
Thermal paste

Cooler Master HAF A good case that will last a long time. Excellent cooling and ease of use. Nice features.

PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W
Not the red one, which would save you 10 bucks

Saphire 4870 1GB
You can add a second if you need it later.

Wd 640GB Caviar Black
Fast. Lot's of room for a gamer.
HP retail DVD burner


$981 before rebates, combos, and shipping

 

[smithereen]

You could drop in the 940 into the 980a board, you'd be around $1000. The AM3 equivalent is over $50 more, though.

 

[veggiez]

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[smithereen]

What are you going with?

 

[veggiez]

The first build you posted.