New Gaming Build, $1,000 Budget

[tmerriman]

Hello,

Long time lurker, 2nd time builder here.

My current PC is around 2 years old and runs pretty well, but id like to push more than 30 FPS out of new games while still on high, so i am building a new rig with a budget of around $1,000. I will be buying all of my parts from newegg as i have always had good experiences with them.

Some of my concerns: Is my PSU gonna have enough juice if i decide to add a 2nd 8800gt. Is this the version of the 8800gt i should get, or is there another card. Please check my RAM to ensure it is correct. The rest of the hardware i think will go nicely toether, however if there are any suggestions on how to improve performance without adding too much to the cost please chime in. Thanks!

Tom

Case: NZXT Alpha Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Open Window - Retail

Mobo: ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Graphics Card: XFX PVT88PYSF4 GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

PSU: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - OEM

 

[Cpt Deadboots]

That PSU will be fine, but I would personally get a Corsair 550VX/650TX, depending on your budget.

I really like how your build looks otherwise. You might consider a Cooler Master case instead of that NZXT; I love my Centurion 5 series.

 

[Andrius]

That PSU will be fine, but I would personally get a Corsair 550VX/650TX, depending on your budget.

I really like how your build looks otherwise. You might consider a Cooler Master case instead of that NZXT; I love my Centurion 5 series.

Good advice on the PSU and the case.

@tmerriman
Make sure you read the (lower rated)reviews for your motherboard on newegg.com (there are some issues with it).
You could also save some money buy getting a E7200 CPU if you plan to overclock (it has the same reach) and get a better cooler (like the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283) for the price difference to overclock to around ~4.0GHz.

 

[tmerriman]

@tmerriman
Make sure you read the (lower rated)reviews for your motherboard on newegg.com (there are some issues with it).
You could also save some money buy getting a E7200 CPU if you plan to overclock (it has the same reach) and get a better cooler (like the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283) for the price difference to overclock to around ~4.0GHz.

I skimmed the reviews and it seemed like other than some driver issues and socket placement issues with quad cores they werent a big deal. I liked what the board offered in terms of upgrade ability in the future (SLI and quad core if i want to go that route) at the price point. If you have a suggestion toward a better board please make it.

I do not plan to overclock at all, keep em coming please!

 

[uguv]

That RAM should be fine for you, especially since you don't plan on overclocking.

For video I'd go for an 8800GTS (G92) 512MB card. It's faster than the 8800GT and has better cooling. This one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325) is only $10 more than the 8800GT you selected after rebates.

The PSU should be able to handle 2 8800's but I'd also probably go with the Corsair 650TX for this build. The OCZ one would probably be fine though.

For DVD, I'd go with a SATA model over that IDE one you've listed. If you need the burner/dvd software make sure to get a retail version instead of OEM as well.

 

[tmerriman]

Switched the DVD drive and the Power supplies, good comments.

Don't particularly wanna mess with rebates (pretty lazy), but thanks for the heads up on it.

Any suggestions on the motherboard?

 

[vinha916]

i have the same board and memory. i dont like that memory . if you can get OCz reaper. Good luck if you stay the same.

 

[uguv]

Switched the DVD drive and the Power supplies, good comments.

Don't particularly wanna mess with rebates (pretty lazy), but thanks for the heads up on it.

Any suggestions on the motherboard?

I hear you on the rebates. By the time I get around to them they've often expired. Wonder how much I've cost myself over the years... What kind of games are you looking at running and what resolution do you use? The 8800GT may well work fine for you.

I can't give much input on the motherboard. I've always gone for one good card and an Intel chipset over SLI/NVidia so I don't have experience with any 750i/780i boards.

 

[Shadow703793]

Case: NZXT Alpha Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Open Window - Retail

Mobo: ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Graphics Card: XFX PVT88PYSF4 GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

PSU: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail

HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - OEM

Looks good. .

Few questions which might help cut down costs:
1. What games and at what resolution/settings on what OS?
2. Do you wish to try and OC?
3. Do you plan on going SLI later?

SLI would not be really a good deal unless you play games at high res above 1600.

 

[Andrius]

I skimmed the reviews and it seemed like other than some driver issues and socket placement issues with quad cores they werent a big deal. I liked what the board offered in terms of upgrade ability in the future (SLI and quad core if i want to go that route) at the price point. If you have a suggestion toward a better board please make it.

I do not plan to overclock at all, keep em coming please!

I meant the video corruption issues. Not really sure about this board but it seems every 750i board is plagued by them. Aside from that I agree with Shadow703793. SLI will only matter above 1600x1200/1680x1050.

 

[Shadow703793]

^I thought the corruption issue was fixed now

 

[Andrius]

^No idea. I don't follow NVIDIA's chipsets issue fixes. I've noticed the reviews when checking it out on a previous build.

 

[tmerriman]

I will not be going SLI immediately, but i want to leave that option open. I will also not be OCing.

I will be running at 1650x1080. I will be playing AoC.

My current rig is a x2 4400, 2gigs ram, 8600GTS. I run between 25-45 FPS on high currently.

With that in mind a mobo suggestion other than the asus would be appreciated. I will be buying tomorrow.

 

[Andrius]

Wow this is nasty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYHuzJSpORw
I hope there's a fix out by now.

 

[ozcot]

i have the same board and memory. i dont like that memory . if you can get OCz reaper. Good luck if you stay the same.

What is wrong with that memory?? In my build I was planing on using that same memory due to the high ratings on newegg...

 

[Andrius]

Okey no fix for the video corruption yet.
http://nvidia.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nvidia.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=2190&p_created=1209435626

@ozcot
Nothing is wrong with the G.Skill RAM. It's just a "less reputable" brand and some people like OCZ.
(I don't, I'm a Corsair, Geil, Kingston(great value/cheaper RAM), Mushkin fanboy)

 

[Shadow703793]

^Add Crucial Ballastix to the RAM mix.

 

[tmerriman]

So what is the verdict on the mobo, you guys have me scared now!

 

[Andrius]

I'd say wait for Monday/Tuesday since the fix should be released by then and recheck the threads to see if it works. If it works go for it. If it doesn't get a P5K-E or GA-EP35-DS3R and be happy.

 

[Shadow703793]

^Agreed.