Sub $1000 computer suggestions

[khunter0211]

Ok I have been looking over the forum for several weeks taking in the suggestions and ideas from others regarding new builds. I will be using the computer mostly for gaming (COD4, crysis, newer first person shooter games, sports games, etc) other then going on the internet nothing else really.
I have a $1000 budget. I would like something that I can own for several years without upgrading. OC is an option but i have not done it before but very interested in it.
Can I get some suggestions or ideas?

thanks
Keith

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Well, if you're looking for someone to put a build together for you here you go:

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 $26.99

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=N82E16819115037 $164.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358 $136.99 -$20.00 MIR

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX TX 750W Power Supply Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750tx $119.99 -$20.00 MIR

mushkin 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=N82E16820146731 $66.99 -$20.00 MIR

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801 $309.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 $74.99

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-nine-hundred-steel-atx-mid-tower-computer-case-900-antec-nine/q/loc/101/202997579.html $99.24


Total $1,000.17 -$60.00 MIR's = $940.17 after MIR's

That PSU is overkill, but a great deal with the MIR and extra 15% off with a promo code. The 750W and P45 chipset also allow the option of crossfire in the future.

I had to guess on some parts since you didn't list what resolution you will be gaming at.

You will also want a 64-bit OS to use all 4GB of RAM.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99

Edit: The RAM went down by $1. Now I'm only .17 over budget before MIR's- .

 

[aevm]

That's a VERY beautiful build.

If you hate the blue lights of the Antec 900 or want to save $20, get the RC-690 case. Both cases are excellent for gaming/overclocking. It's purely a matter of taste.
http://www.buy.com/prod/cooler-master-690-without-power-supply/q/loc/101/206177908.html

I guess you'll need a CPU cooler too to experiment with overclocking, but that can wait if your budget can't be stretched. The "E8400 retail" does have a cooler, it's just not designed for serious overclocking.

 

[aevm]

Looking through the GA-EP45-UD3P reviews at newegg, it looks like you can fit some pretty large CPU coolers there. That's good news if you're going to overclock, because the best coolers are all large.

The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for example is very good. I found a reviewer who used it with that motherboard.

 

[Priv]

Thumbs up for shortstuff_mt, that's a really good build.

 

[khunter0211]

thanks for the fast response that is what im looking for. Nice.

Questions i have a 80gb IDE HD already with vista 32-bit installed on it. Should I try and transfer with a ghost program to the new sata drive and get the 64-Bit vista or stick with the old HD and get less RAM because the 32 wont handle 4GB?

Last one: Newegg sales this Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM, what is the difference in this and the OEM Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit retail verison. In the clause below on the newegg website it has a disclaimer about system builders do i need to worry abou that?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I definitely wouldn't use your old drive as the system drive. I would get the $100 version of 64-bit Vista linked above and do a fresh install of it onto the new drive.

You can add your old drive in later to copy data, but the new drives are much faster. The only real use for the old drive in a new build would be for data storage that isn't accessed very often.

 

[aevm]

Yeah, do a fresh install. If you don't you risk lots of headaches later because you'll have the wrong drivers installed and the wrong entries in the registry and in config files.

The OEM Windows is much cheaper. The main difference is that you can only use it with this PC. For example if you change the motherboard you may have to call Microsoft and explain to the Indian guy what you did so he gives you a new serial number. Most of us here get the OEM.

 

[khunter0211]

Thanks for the help I added some artic silver 5 and the ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler to the order.
They are out of the GPU until the 11/04/08 so I will wait till then to make the order, although it looks like some of the items are on sale only until 10/31. I may purchase part know and part later, although this would mess with my shipping fees.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I suggested the Sapphire card because the cooler looks awesome. This Powercolor cooler looks pretty nice too - and it's cheaper.

POWERCOLOR AX4870 1GBD5-PPH Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131120 $299 - $10 MIR

 

[khunter0211]

what is the difference in these two video cards?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102795

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

their is a price difference and one is available now and one is on back order?

thanks

 

[shortstuff_mt]

It looks like the cooler is the only difference. They both run at 750MHz core clock speed and 900MHz memory speed.

 

[seasropp]

What if one were interested in a quad core? In addition to gaming performance, I'd like better multi-tasking ability when using PS CS3. Would I lose much performance if I OC the q6600 in the above build? Would that mobo still be a good fit for the q6600?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

What if one were interested in a quad core? In addition to gaming performance, I'd like better multi-tasking ability when using PS CS3. Would I lose much performance if I OC the q6600 in the above build? Would that mobo still be a good fit for the q6600?

@ seasropp: Maybe you should try starting your own thread instead of hijacking this one. Anyway, yes that motherboard would also work fine with the Q6600. The Q6600 is still a nice CPU and is a great option if your needs require a cheap quad core.

 

[rkimball2000]

This is the best and most thoughtful build I've seen recently for under $1k. My only concern is the noise level with all the fans and the potential for having to replace all of the fans and figure out which one is making noise at which time.

Thanks for posting this build! Awesome. I've book marked it and will probably refer to it quite a bit.

R

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The fans on the Antec 900 are adjustable (high, med, low). They're very quiet when the fan speed is turned down. The case cools so well, I would just turn all the fans to low (I like a quiet PC).

 

[Zorg]

You should definitely get the Xigmatek S1283 cooler that aevm mentioned, especially if you plan to OC, which I'm sure you will. Don't forget the Backplate, it is a must have.

Here are the links to both.

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket (Backplate)

 

[Zyntak09]

Get the E8500. It is in a combo deal with that motherboard right now, that saves you $25. That negates the price difference between the E8400 and E8500. You get a better cpu for free. Sweet!