New system build: $1000-1300

[sensorydeprivation]

Hey all,

I'm currently looking into building a new desktop. I want it primarily for gaming of course and have been researching and reading around. I'm leaning towards these components here, though I haven't decided on a PSU/CD Drive/Motherboard/Heatsink. I have about $1000 to $1300 to spend as I mentioned and I'm trying to include the monitor in that. Any help would be greatly appreciated in deciding new parts or suggesting better ones than what I have here!

Monitor: 219.99
Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009094

Case: 84.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Video Card: 259.99
EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130337

Memory: 79.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

CPU: 209.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Hard Drive: 79.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

 

[jpdykes]

Hi, Couple of comments:

- The spec's look good.
- Try for a 45nm quad if you can, they run cooler and slightly faster. Note that if you are solely gaming you may decide that you would prefer a high clocked dual core.
- Go for Corsair of PC Power and Cooling Silencer 610 for PSU
- If you aren't overclokcing you need not worry about a heatsink for the processor. If you want to overclock try MX-2 thermal paste and a Xigmatek cooler.
- Don't buy a graphics card at the moment. Wait for the dust to settle on the new cards. The 4000 series from ATi is due in the next week. NVidia have just released and there is a price war beginning. Advice: wait!!
(Anyway you can get a 9800GTX for $200 with the price slash that happened this week!)
- Motherboards try P45 or X48 (if overclocking). Gigabyte make good boards. Intel chipsets will let you crossfire (2 ATi cards), NVidia chipsets will let you SLI (2 NVidia GPU's). Probably go with Intel as you can still run one NVidia card on their boards and if you aren't SLI'ing immediately by the time you get round to it there will be new cards out performing 2 older ones.

Hope that is useful.
Jeremy

 

[Why_Me]

Hey all,

I'm currently looking into building a new desktop. I want it primarily for gaming of course and have been researching and reading around. I'm leaning towards these components here, though I haven't decided on a PSU/CD Drive/Motherboard/Heatsink. I have about $1000 to $1300 to spend as I mentioned and I'm trying to include the monitor in that. Any help would be greatly appreciated in deciding new parts or suggesting better ones than what I have here!

Monitor: 219.99
Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009094

Case: 84.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Video Card: 259.99
EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130337

Memory: 79.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

CPU: 209.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Hard Drive: 79.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Nice build That case you chose ROCKS!

I would change a few things on it though...not much though. I would get aftermarket cooling incase you ever decide to overclock later down the road to get more out of your cpu. Better to put it on before you build your rig, then later on down the road when you have to tear everything apart. And if you do that, you can get the OEM version of that cpu wich is $10 cheaper. And we can knock off some serious money on that 8800gts...which is a great card btw.

That mobo is the one of the new P45 boards...a nice upgrade from the older P35 boards. No bios flashing, driver updates...etc... this board is ready to plug and play. Not only that but it has a really great northbride cooling system so you don'th have to worry about your mobo heating up when your gaming. These P45 boards are much better overclockers compared to the P35 boards also. They are a nice step up all the way around. That cpu heatsink does a really great job, it's easy to install, and that MX-2 thermal compound is rated #1 right now. We saved you money on the vid card...which is overclocked btw, and saved you money on the cpu, and after all the rebates that aftermarket heatsink is FREE.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 $84.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010 $84.99 (59.99 after $25.00 Mail-In Rebate)
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB, CE, CSA, UL, FCC - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018 $199.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325 $206.99 ($176.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate)
MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130180 $119.99
MSI P45 Neo3-FR LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122 $79.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263 $23.99
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073 $79.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233001 $24.99 ($14.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate)
XIGMATEK HDT-S963 92mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019 $6.99
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020&Tpk=mx-2 $6.99
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009094 $219.99
Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 - Retail

Total
$1,139.88
$1,074.88 w/mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204 $94.99
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

Total w/OS
$1,234.87
$1,169.87 w/mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339 $199.99
EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

 

[pcgamer12]

Even if you do not OC. Get good thermal grease from Arctic Cooling with the stock intel HSF. I'd definitely get a Corsair/Antec/PCP&C PSU and a 9800GTX.

P45 or P35. Same thing, they both OC great. Get GA-P35-DS3L or GA-P45-DS3L. Get AS-5 and ACF7P if you plan to OC. Get Samsung SyncMaster 2253BW if you plan to do any gaming. Set it to 36% brightness and 75% contrast for a beautiful picture, then set response time to mode 2 for fastest response time. It's 2ms, with 8000:1 Dynamic Contrast.

 

[shadowduck]

Look at AMD 4850 over 8800GT. 4850 beats 8800GT in about every game tested, and can beat the 260 in some games. A steal at 199.

 

[jednx01]

Just food for thought.... On newegg the 9800 gtx is now $200, AND it performs better than the 8800 gts.... Also, the new gtx 260 is $400, but thats more than you were planning. anyway just something to consider

 

[shadowduck]

For the 4850 beats the 9800GTX in almost every test run, uses less power and is a single slot design. No-brainer I think.

 

[sensorydeprivation]

Thanks for the great and quick feedback on everything! All the advice has been really helpful. A few things I just wanted opinions on though, mentioned in this thread-

Note that if you are solely gaming you may decide that you would prefer a high clocked dual core.

I've heard this a few places... My primary use would be gaming, are there any processors that someone could recommend that would be a price/value equivalent to the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018) I'm looking at? Is it even a large enough increase in performance?

Also, hearing about the 9800 GTX price reduction and new AMD 4850 cards, I was thinking one of these would be a better choice. Doesn't seem to be much info about the 4850, but some are saying it is looking to be a bit better than the 9800 GTX. I've never overclocked but I am probably going to try it for the first time on this new system after more research. Which would be best?

Again thanks to everyone here. Why_Me, thanks for the advice on all the parts, I am definitely taking note on those components you recommend!

 

[Why_Me]

Thanks for the great and quick feedback on everything! All the advice has been really helpful. A few things I just wanted opinions on though, mentioned in this thread-

Note that if you are solely gaming you may decide that you would prefer a high clocked dual core.

I've heard this a few places... My primary use would be gaming, are there any processors that someone could recommend that would be a price/value equivalent to the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018) I'm looking at? Is it even a large enough increase in performance?

Also, hearing about the 9800 GTX price reduction and new AMD 4850 cards, I was thinking one of these would be a better choice. Doesn't seem to be much info about the 4850, but some are saying it is looking to be a bit better than the 9800 GTX. I've never overclocked but I am probably going to try it for the first time on this new system after more research. Which would be best?

Again thanks to everyone here. Why_Me, thanks for the advice on all the parts, I am definitely taking note on those components you recommend!

Either one of those cpu's will out perform a quad when it comes to gaming. The E7200 is a steal. It clocks up to 3.8GHz...read the reviews. But the easy way to bump that cpu is to just move the FSB up to 9.5 x 333 = 3.16GHz. It's the easiest overclock you will ever do. And with that clock, you won't have to up the voltage on it one bit. That means no heat, and that ram you chose will clock just fine for that. It's a steal at $129.99. Read the reviews on newegg on that E7200.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 $189.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052 $129.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

 

[sensorydeprivation]

Again, fast and awesome reply! Looking at those two processors, dual core definitely seems like it would suit me best. I'm leaning towards the more expensive E8400 though just because I have never overclocked and might wait before attempting it. Both seem to have great potential, though.

I am thinking my last choice is definitely between the AMD 4850 newly release and the Nvidia 9800 GTX freshly price slashed. Around the net people are saying the ATI card is supposed to be a stronger option but none of it is really founded. Any advice on this would be GREATLY appreciated

Also: if I were to theoretically SLi or Crossfire either of those cards, would it be held back by the processor choice at all?

 

[Why_Me]

Again, fast and awesome reply! Looking at those two processors, dual core definitely seems like it would suit me best. I'm leaning towards the more expensive E8400 though just because I have never overclocked and might wait before attempting it. Both seem to have great potential, though.

I am thinking my last choice is definitely between the AMD 4850 newly release and the Nvidia 9800 GTX freshly price slashed. Around the net people are saying the ATI card is supposed to be a stronger option but none of it is really founded. Any advice on this would be GREATLY appreciated

Also: if I were to theoretically SLi or Crossfire either of those cards, would it be held back by the processor choice at all?

The E8400's natural overclock is 3.6Ghz. All you do is move up your FSB to (8 x 400 = 3.6GHz).

 

[jpdykes]

Why_me if you are going to use that as a stock system you roll out every time for any build please can you change the PSU for Corsiar or PC Power and Cooling Silencer. It's a great build probably just let down by the PSU. We always comment that it is a good system but change the PSU!

I also agree with Shadowduck on 9800GTX or 4850 (or 4870 when released) for graphics cards. However given the massive crash in 9800GTX prices this week the plan is surely to wait and see what happens to GPU prices especially when the 4870 releases on or around the 2nd July. (I hate waiting for computer bits but this time it seems to be worth it!)

 

[Why_Me]

Why_me if you are going to use that as a stock system you roll out every time for any build please can you change the PSU for Corsiar or PC Power and Cooling Silencer. It's a great build probably just let down by the PSU. We always comment that it is a good system but change the PSU!

I also agree with Shadowduck on 9800GTX or 4850 (or 4870 when released) for graphics cards. However given the massive crash in 9800GTX prices this week the plan is surely to wait and see what happens to GPU prices especially when the 4870 releases on or around the 2nd July. (I hate waiting for computer bits but this time it seems to be worth it!)

What's wrong with that psu?