Budget Gaming Build Advice

[boltz man]

Hello fine denizens of TH. It's come time for me to once again assemble a budget gaming rig and I've come here to seek your sage advice. I've done my research, but come up short when it comes to a few small details.

I'm running a 19" WS at 1440x900.

HDisk: Seagate 7200.11 320 (newegg)
CPU: E7200 (newegg)

Motherboard: MSI P35 Neo2-FR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813130098R OR BIOSTAR TForce TP43D2A7 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138122

I've checked CPU support lists for both and they work with the E7200

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148076

VGA: Newegg is running a combo deal with an HIS 4850 and the above ram for $40 off regular price (putting the 4850 at $160)

OR 9800 GTX w/ COD4 for $240 (seeing as how I would purchase COD4 for $50 this would put the card at $190)

My concerns are as follows:

Regarding the motherboards/cpu/ram, I'm attracted to the MSI board from numerous good reviews and the nice cooling, as well as the solid P35 chip. The Biostar P43 also sounds solid, and is tempting for the newer chipset, PCIe 2.0, and FSB support. My concerns are for the future. Now, I don't see myself wanting to run SLI or CF (and neither board supports these), but the possibility for CPU and RAM upgrades/overclocks is plausible. Seeing as how both motherboards are relatively cheap, If one doesn't work out in the future, it's not a big loss. But, say I wanted to run the E7200 at 9.5*400FSB (or 3.8Ghz - apparently reachable with air) would either of these boards stand out?

Also, and I know card performance is highly contested right now and no one has the best answer, should I be concerned about the high running temperature of the 4850? The 9800 GTX seems to have more OC overhead, but the 4850 is cheaper and still blazing fast. I know I really can't go wrong with either, but I'm just trying to watch my ass.

Thanks for any advice. This "buyer's" market can be confusing with all the options. I just want the best bargains.

Edit: I just spotted the Neo3-F P43 board - should I consider this as an alternative to both? Is it worth the $40 over the p35 board?

Fixed CF.

 

[pcgamer12]

If your gonna get CoD4 anyways, get the 9800GTX. Don't bother with CF/SLI because single card GPU are better. You don't want to worry about scaling and whatnot. You should get a Gigabyte or Asus motherboard, perhaps P35 or P45.

 

[shadowthor]

+1 for the P45 chipset. Either the P5Q Deluxe or P5Q Pro.

 

[iluvgillgill]

i see the gigabyte P43-DS3L is not bad as well for the price. but the coolig on the mobo could be abit weak. but both is reputatable brands anyway.

 

[aevm]

I'd get the P5Q Pro and the HIS 4850.

 

[iluvgillgill]

the 9800GTX is priced at $199 not $240 if you just buy the card itself rather then the package.

 

[shadowthor]

did the price drop for the 9800GTX already happen or is it next week?

 

[dirtmountain]

Price dropped already for some labels (EVGA, XFX) I'd still go with the 4850 since as the drivers mature it'll just get better. Another vote for the P43/45 (even if it's new release) and the PCIe 2.0

 

[iluvgillgill]

i would get the 9800GTX really as the driver is already matured. there is still some people complain that they didnt get the driver that they hope for for the 3870 even 6months down the line. get something you see is working dont hope for something that it never guarrantee to happen. you can have a peep in the graphics section and you will see what i mean.