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$1000 budget Gaming Build

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - $1000 budget Gaming Build

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My AMD64 3000+ and 6600GT are just not cutting it anymore, so I am looking to build a new pc. I am keeping Monitor, speakers, DVD burner, harddrive, mouse and keyboard from my last build. This is what i have found so far.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail @ $169.99

Any reason to go to a E8500, or will this be able to Overclock just as well?

Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($99.99 after $50.00 Mail-In
Rebate

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB, CE, CSA, UL, FCC - Retail @ $44.99 after $35.00 rebate

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail @ $26.99 after $10.00 Rebate

XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail $6.99

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail @ $84.99 after $20.00 Rebate

VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $284.99

So the things im missing in this build are VIDEO CARD and MOTHERBOARD. I just havn't decided what to get that would fix my budget. I'm looking at 4870s, just not sure which one to get (will a 600W be enough power for one of these and eventually maybe 2?)

Also looking at the ASUS P45 for a motherboard, but im not sure which version to get. Any help would be greatly appreciated. So far my PC is 406.95 AFTER rebate and 511.95 BEFORE.

That leaves you guys with a decent amount of money to work with. I don't have a hole in my pocket, so if I can get this pc down below $1000 i would be happy.

*edit* going to go with the Antec 182, as i really need this case pretty silent and I don't want all the LEDs

*edit* added the visiontek 4870. At the moment, it looks like the best bang for the buck. I will NOT be CROSSFIRING

Message edited by bbock727 on 08-19-2008 at 04:32:46 AM

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the ninehundred is only quiet if you use quiet fans.

but the S1283 from xigatek wont fit in a sonata i think.

stay with the E8400.

they overclock just as well and the .16ghz for 50$ premium isnt really worth it.

if you want silent computing for your powersupply get the pc power and cooling silencer 610 continous power supply.

thats a extremely quiet one.

yes get the 4870.

and yes the 600W range can power 2. but it might be pushing it to the limits.

as far as motherboards,m if you're going to crossfire 4870's you'll need to get a x38 or x48 chipset. because the P45 only has the 2 pciE v2 slots running at 8x while the x38/x48 has both of them running at 16x.

Reply to Physicz

physicz can you give me links to the motherboard your talking about?

Also, I do not need SILENT computing, but i need it quiet.

Reply to bbock727

for the power supply, i just built a gaming rig a couple of days ago with the OCZ gamexstream 600w.

great psu, and it is the quietest psu i have ever seen, only 5 dollars more. but with 2 vid cards, maybe the OCZ 700w.

i went with the nvidia 9800gt graphics card, and it works great. instead of 2 cards, you might want the 9800gtx.
its only 170-200 dollars with incredible performance.

and remember the tax and shipping when trying to keep in your budget, because it adds up.

Reply to newbuild1323

Ok, i made a few edits, I really need help on the motherboard b/c i dont know which to get for this build. I will overclock, I may crossfire. Let me know your thoughts..

Also, let me know if you like my ram.

I plan on buying this tomorrow, so please reply to my thread and give me your thoughts on my build. Anything goes!

Reply to bbock727

RC-690 from coolermaster - SLI certified, meaning i think dont quote me :S that itsgot enough room for the biggest nvidia cards in sli.... in any case it will fit the S1283 snugly

Reply to V3NOM

What monitor do you intend to use?

Look at this comparison at Tweaktown:
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/ [...] index.html

The difference between crossfire on a P45 and x48 are minor at the resolution of a 22" monitor. If the price difference is not important to you, then go x48.

Reply to Proximon

Right now the E8500 is only $20 more than the E8400 on newegg, for that price difference get the E8500.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115036
If there's a chance that you'll want to go with crossfire in the future it's a good investment to get a power supply that will handle it now.
Corsair 750w has 4 6+2 pin PCI power connectors $100 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115036
PC Power and Cooling 750w has 2 6+2 pin and 2 6 pin pcie power connectors $110 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703009
Nice choice of RAM
Again for a chance of crossfire in the future the X48 motherboard
Gigabyte board $225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128336
Asus board $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131317

If using HD4870s there's a bigger gap between performance of the P45 and X48

Message edited by dirtmountain on 08-18-2008 at 11:57:34 AM

Reply to dirtmountain

Taken from the Legion HW review...
http://www.legionhardware.com/docu [...] id=761&p=2

http://www.legionhardware.com/Benc [...] Crysis.png

I haven't found any proof for the claim about 4870s, but I'm still looking

Reply to Proximon

i think im sticking without crossfire actually. i got sli on my last rig and never used it. I probably wouldnt add another 4870 for over a year or so, so it prob be better to replace the card at that point.

please plan this rig as if i wasnt doing crossfire. Thanks

Reply to bbock727

btw my monitor is native 1280 x 1024 so i prob wont need to sli anyway

Reply to bbock727

A single 4870 is more than enough.

For overclocking and stability you can't really beat a P45 board.

ASUS P5Q Pro would suffice.

A P43 or P35 chipset will work as well.

Reply to Proximon

Anyone else have any last minute critiques? I'm gonna pull the trigger on this build tomorrow. Let me know if you would change anything. I will not be crossfiring.... My main issue is what motherboard to get. I will be overclocking.

Reply to bbock727

Have a look at the P5Q -E on newegg. I just re-read everything and I think it's just what you would like. It may have a few PCI-E slots you never use, but it's a very nice overclocker.

If you are very experienced in OC, check out the DFI P45s as well, or go to something like the Biostar IP35 to save some cash.

Reply to Proximon

Im not a very experienced OC so i probably wont be able to get it over 3.6ghz.

Whats the difference between the P5Q-E and the P5Q-PRO?

Reply to bbock727

Specs show absolutely no difference, perhaps different bios options?

Reply to mark $

BIOS
Cooling
Number of ports... 2 Ethernet, one eSATA, etc.

It's a nice upgrade for 10$.

Reply to Proximon

also is there any good 1066 memory for the same price? I dont want to limit my OC b/c of my ram speed

Reply to bbock727

I decided im going with some Gskill 1066 ram.

Still looking for last minute ideas on a motherboard.

Reply to bbock727

any last minute ideas?

Reply to bbock727

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