What Build is best?

Hi,

This is my first post on this forum.
I am looking into building a computer for less than $1000, including screen. This is what I have come up with so far what would you recommend.

Build 1

Case: NZXT Tempest
Motherboard: 750i EVGA
CPU: E7300
Cooler: Thermaltake Max Orb
Video Card: GTX 260 core 216
Memory Ram Corsair 4GB 2x2gb 240 pin ddr2 800
Power: OCZ GameXStream 700W
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 500GB 7200 RPM
DVD burner: LG Black 22X Lightscribe
Screen: Samsung 2433BW Black 24in 5ms 1920x1200

Cost= $1074

Build 2

Case: NZXT Tempest
Motherboard: P45 Motherboard
CPU: E7300
Cooler: Thermaltake Max Orb
Video Card: Ati 1Gb 4870
Memory Ram: Corsair 4GB 2x2gb 240 pin ddr2 800
Power: OCZ GameXStream 700W
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar 500GB 7200 RPM
DVD burner LG Black 22X Lightscribe
Screen: Samsung 2433BW Black 24in 5ms 1920x1200

Cost = $1078

Note: Plan to overclock the system

The reason I am asking for advice is because this is my first build, and I just wanted to make sure this is good hardware. And if someone wants to recommend a better option for a custom computer that is under a $1000 that would be great. I originally hope to get everything for under $900, but as you can see for this kind of hardware that is not going to happen. However I am willing to spend a maximum of $1100 if necessary. Just so you know these prices are based on newegg's site, and I counted the rebate in.

Main games I play:
Crysis
Crysis Warhead
FSX
Supreme Commander
Forged Alliance
Call of Duty
Grid
Far Cry 2

Don't Care to much about aa, but would like max settings and highest resulotion.


I would really appreciate any advice or recommendations.
Thanks for all your help!

Which P45 board are you getting?
There's two combo I'd go for the CPU/Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.138372
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.138376

The Corsair 750TX is a great choice if you're planning to SLI or CF in the future (if not the 700W GameXStream will suffice).

If you can, get the Antec 900 Case as it's onsale right now for only $60 bucks at Newegg (assuming it doesn't go out of stock).

With your choice of RAM, I'd go for the Core 216, since there's a combo deal and it offers the equivalent performance as the 4870 1GB.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.141707

I'd pitch in a couple extra bucks for the WD 640GB instead.

Thanks for all your all quick reply's!

I will look into the combo deals johnyeah.
Also thanks for the input about the psu I will be looking into getting a bigger one.

I plan in the future to go sli/crossfire, and I know that the 750i, and the p45 are not the best for that, but since I am on a tight budget I am going to get one of those. If necessary I can upgrade the motherboard when I go sli/crossfire.

Thanks again

To be honest, with your current build, don't bother going SLI or CF. Just get a single decent graphics card now and get a better one in the future (by the time you have the $$ saved for a new card, the next generation will be out). You can then sell your old card and proceed to a new one, which is what I do.

That way you can also save a bit on the PSU and I wouldn't recommend the 750i.

The Antec 900 is a relatively common choice for a lot of people, especially at its current price. I think it's out of stock though.