1000 dollar system from ibuypower

[aggietex]

I'm searching through systems on newegg.com and I need tips of what I should get / avoid.

DDR2 - 800? / DDR3???
Intel C2D E8500 / phenom / quad ???

Usage of the PC: medium gaming rig on a monitor no bigger than 21" (lower end resolutions). The games I play are cheeky and aren't anything fanatical like cyrsis or COD4. Help a brotha out plz!

 

[joysofpi]

Don't do DDR3, you wouldn't notice a difference especially for what you're using it for, and its expensive

 

[bdollar]

+1 to no ddr3. ddr2 800 is plenty especially on 1k build. at that resolution you can easily get plenty of graphics power in the 1k range. assume you don't want to build yourself. typical set up for around 1k would be:

p5q p45 mobo $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131295

hd4850 gpu -$190 (not sure what brand is best)

wd 640 gb hdd - $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218&Tpk=WD6400AAKS

4 gb (2x2) ddr2 800 ram at 1.8v (mushkin is good) - $88 ($68 after mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

C2D E8500 cpu - dual core cpu is plenty for your use, price for quadcore on 1k build is going to mean much lower clock speed. -$190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036&Tpk=e8500

liteon dvd rom/burner/whatever $30-$40

case - antec 300 - $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

PSU - Corsair 550w - $90 ($65 after mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
very important to get good brand psu, don't skimp here


not sure what i forgot but that comes to around $873 (828 if you do the $45 worth of mail in rebates) leave room if you need keyboard and mouse and any stuff like for cooling if plan on overclocking.

 

[V3NOM]

ddr3 completely not needed until nehalem

 

[Proximon]

Well, there is some gain in memory intensive programs with DDR3, on some high end motherboards. Not worth the cost, normally.

bdollar gave you a pretty good list to start.

 

[V3NOM]

well unless you're running a system over 2000 MHz FSB ddr3 is 100% unneccessary and is slower than ddr2 due to increased latency.

 

[aggietex]

Awesome tips! Very much obliged all.

Any idea where I should go on the graphics card?
Nvidia 9600? 8500? 8800 (cheap version) its never made sense to me which one is the best because there's GT/X/S versions of everything nowadays.

 

[pous]

Visiontek HD4850 on Newegg, $184.99 with a lifetime warranty.

Once you get it you'll have to change the fan speed in order for it to cool properly, but it's an easy fix and well worth it.

 

[iluvgillgill]

Get the HD4870 over the 4850.

 

[pous]

Depends on budget, but you're right gill.

 

[ahslan]

any brand for the 4850 will do...i personally got the Gigabyte one and I love it...but still a great recommendation from Pous...Visiontek is pretty respectable...