New Gaming System for around $3000

[jackcoke]

I have never built a system before. My knowledge of computers is quite limited but I figure the only way you learn anything is by just jumping in and giving it a try. This message board provides so much information that I am having a hard time just figuring out where to begin.

Pretty much all I do is gaming on the computer. I play Oblivion, Lord of the Rings Online and some first person shooter games. I would like a good monitor. I do not know anything about overclocking but am willing to give it a try. My wife uses the computer for work. She mainly uses Microsoft products such as office and Outlook. I do not need a keyboard or a mouse. I want something that is going to give me great graphics and doesnt lock up or hesitate like my computer does now. I appreciate any help that you could give on what to get before I screw something up.

Thanks everyone.

 

[wgdz]

hm... with the money you have alloted for a high end system and the fact that intel's new architecture is coming out in Q1 of 2009 you might want to wait, as if you build it now, these hardware will not be compatible to the upcoming architecture.

otherwise i am sure there are plenty of threads on high end pc component picks.

 

[wgdz]

here is a very good gaming monitor: 37" and 1 to 1 ratio!

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=15394&t=919435&highlight=37%26quot%3B

 

[modtech]

With that kind of budget get a separate computer for the wife or you'll seriously regret it.

 

[radium69]

if you want a pc that will last you for now you won't have to spend $3000,- , i suggest saving up money for the new architecture.

However,
Good deals can be found these times, and building a PC isn't going to cost you an arm like it used to.

I'll recommend a standard gaming pc 'with good graphics for a good budget'

Antec Case: check out: 'Antec 300' 'Antec 900' <- Or the thermaltake armor series.
$150,-

Mobo:
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$140,-


Hardisk:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$99,-

Optical drive:
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-08 - Retail,
$20,-

Ram:
OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
2x2gb for windows vista, @ $73,-

Power supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W
SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

$100,-

CPU:
Dualcore: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 $170,- Fast gaming processor, less future proof but can be overclocked to 4,0ghz with not too much hassle. (gaming)
Quadcore: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 $190,- Media encoding (lot of multitasking) and future gaming.

CPU Cooler:
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283
$30,-
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail $7,-
total cpu cooler : $37,-

Graphics card:
VisionTek 900250 Radeon HD 4870 X2
$550

Monitor:
Acer P243WAid Black-Silver 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support - Retail 1920x1200
$360,-


TOTAL:
$1700 for a E8400 with 4 gig ram + monitor & ATI RADEON 4870X2

Further questions just ask...

 

[wgdz]

hm... for cpu cooler I would definitely choose XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 above the two mentioned. A bit more expensive, but does perform better in cooling.

Ram go for 4gb as they are cheap like dirt

The cases mentioned are good, Antec P182 is nice as well. There are other cases that are priced way higher i.e. some Lian Li cases etc way overpriced in my opinion but very nice cases.

If you plan on crossfire in the future you might want to look into X instead of P series for mobo. Though I would recommend the P series as they are very nice already just X series perform better in crossfire mode.

Screen I would still recommend the one I posted above, the Westinghouse LVM-37W3SE 37" 1080p HDTV Ready LCD TV $599.99 currently and with coupon it could be lowered. This is if you got the cash, people listed this unit as the sweet unit for gaming Large LCD especially for it's 1 to 1 ratio.

 

[rodney_ws]

With that kind of budget get a separate computer for the wife or you'll seriously regret it.

+1. Just clip $500 off of that for a basic computer... and if there isn't a wife, it's ALWAYS handy to have a 2nd system around. I can't count how many times I've used my backup system to revive my primary... just being able to get to Google is a life-saver.

 

[emp]

Commenting on radium's suggestion, I think if OP wants great performance he's going to need more than a single HD 4870, maybe an X2. I can tell you this because I'm almost fanatical about having extremely fluid games with no stuttering or hiccups, this means an avg rate of 60fps with drops to a minimum of 40fps, not 30fps average with drops to a minimum of 10-15 fps.

Also get 4GB of ram instead of 2, memory is so cheap nowadays and it never hurts to have more, especially if you're getting Vista 64. I support most of his suggestions, however I'd have you spend a little more for a more powerful system that will give you enough performance to run games on a resolution that big.

PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

VisionTek 900250 Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129114

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 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=N82E16820227284

Other than those few changes, it looks good.

 

[jackcoke]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I still want a build around $3000. If you had three grand to spend what system would you build. That is what I am looking for.

 

[radium69]

3 grand is over rated. But you'll be looking at dual videocards, and expensive motherboard, but expensive doesn't always mean good.

As for my experience, I think it's good to build a pc with 1500 us budget... that way you get the maximum performance while still being able to afford a good pc.

EDIT: I edited the list with an 4870X2, this should be able to fit your needs jackcoke, if you go further then this you'll get minimum performance increase with maximum budget increase

 

[dirtmountain]

+1 +1 to Modtech and Rodney for getting a dedicated computer for your wife, it absolutely will pay off big time in the long run.

 

[emp]

Of course, this is what I would get if I had a $3000 budget and wanted to spend it all:

(Two of these) VisionTek 900250 Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129114

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

DFI LANPARTY DK X38-T2R LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136045

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

SAMSUNG 245T-BLACK Black 24" 6ms (GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 1500:1 (1000:1) - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001246

Antec Twelve Hundred Black ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

Antec TruePower Quattro TPQ-1000 1000W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371012

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm 2-ball UFO Bearing / Transparent CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835887011

Comes at about $3000 before shipping and rebates if you pick the Case and PSU on a combo deal, which makes it a steal.

 

[jackcoke]

She actually has a laptop but insists on using my computer because my current monitor is bigger. She is a pain. Anyways. Thanks radium69. I am going to go over your list. Thanks for the help.

 

[wgdz]

ditto to radium69 expensive != good, but if you want the max performance definitely go for the ATI 4870 X2 or get two G280 in SLI.

CPU you could get the
Intel Q9450 $319.99
Intel Q9550 $324.99

Power supply you could opt for the
CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX $259.99
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W $169.99

Hard Drive you could opt for:
WD VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB $289.99

You could waste more cash on even better cases though I do not have a good suggestion as I only look at great cases at a reasonable price.

 

[zenmaster]

Two HDDs are mandatory for a build in that price range.
You need the second for some type of backup.

Don't forget a Media Reader.
Quite Useful for working with Digital Cameras.

 

[nocteratus]

How about the OS??

you should use Vista 64 with the setup radium69 listed...

4870X2 has 2Gb + 4Gb ram = 6Gb, so you won't have the full potential of your memory with a 32bits OS.

And with $3K for the PC I'll get a SSD for the OS main drive.

 

[sepayne21]

if you want a pc that will last you for now you won't have to spend $3000,- , i suggest saving up money for the new architecture.

However,
Good deals can be found these times, and building a PC isn't going to cost you an arm like it used to.

I'll recommend a standard gaming pc 'with good graphics for a good budget'

Antec Case: check out: 'Antec 300' 'Antec 900' <- Or the thermaltake armor series.
$150,-

Mobo:
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$140,-


Hardisk:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$99,-

Optical drive:
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-08 - Retail,
$20,-

Ram:
Mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527 - Retail
$46,- Or 2x2gb for windows vista, @ $90,-

Power supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W
SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

$100,-

CPU:
Dualcore: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 $170,- Fast gaming processor, less future proof but can be overclocked to 4,0ghz with not too much hassle. (gaming)
Quadcore: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 $190,- Media encoding (lot of multitasking) and future gaming.

CPU Cooler:
XIGMATEK HDT-D1264 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
$23,-
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail $7,-
total cpu cooler : $30,-

Graphics card:
Visiontek ATI Radeon 4870 $260,-

Monitor:
Acer P243WAid Black-Silver 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support - Retail 1920x1200
$360,-


TOTAL:
$1376 for a E8400 with 2 gig ram + monitor

Further questions just ask...

Since his budget is quite outrageous, I'd say definately get a quad core and go for a 45nm one for the higher overclock. Also, get a 4870x2, and DO NOT BUY A P45 chipset; BUY AN X48 CHIPSET to make sure you get pci-e x16 2.0 for both lanes. That's looking at another $500-$600 bucks and he's still $1000 under budget

 

[blackulaa]

Ack, so which is it? A P45 or X48 for a single 4870 x2?

Stealing some ideas from here for my system.

 

[Silverion77]

P45 for a single card. X48 only gives another FULL slot Check ur thread black

 

[the_one111]

Vista definitly owns for the OS..

and really even a 4870x2 is overkill, i think you should get a 4870 normal and give me a 1000 dollars.

make sure you get a 600W+ PSU for that 4870x2 though, they are power hogs.

 

[emp]

Consider either P45 or X38 only, X48 carries a $100-150 premium and are basically only higher binned X38 chips, so you'd be basically wasting $100 for nothing.

 

[nishiki]

[cpp]With that kind of budget get a separate computer for the wife or you'll seriously regret it. [/cpp]

[cpp]She actually has a laptop but insists on using my computer because my current monitor is bigger. She is a pain. Anyways. Thanks radium69. I am going to go over your list. Thanks for the help.[/cpp]

Give her your current computer (with the bigger monitor), it's that simple don't you think if you have room (desk) for a 2nd computer. As for spending 3k on the computer...like other, i think it's overkill. I'd suggest to get the nicest 24 inch monitor you can find, an ati 4870 videocard a nice quad core like the core 2 quad Q9550 for a total of around 1500-2000$ with tax... and upgrade the videocard in the next 18-24 month if needed with the remaining $$$

Cpu: 325$ Intel Q9550
mb: 250$ x38 or x48
mem: 120$ 4gb pc6400
video: 300$ ati 4870
case and power: 250$ something like the corsair 750tx or pc power&cooling 750w and the case of your choice.
Monitor: 500$ (i don't know...look around or maybe other have good idea)
hdd: 640gb western digital or seagate 90$
dvdrw: 25$
total 1860$ without tax.


add a keyboard and mouse and speaker or headphone if u give your pc to the wife.

The price gived are approx...since i do it from memory.... so its maybe a little more or a little less. Hope that help.

 

[nishiki]

I forgot to add a good cooler like the sigmatek s1283 if u want to overclock.