~$1000 Out the Door Total Gaming System

[racries]

Based on all the posts I've read, I've come up with the following ~$1000 out the door system.

Case: Antec Three Hundred $50
MB: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 $136
Proc: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz $165
GPU: ASUS EAH4850 512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB $160 (Crossfire one day...)
RAM: G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) x 2 = 8 GB $100
PS: PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W $125
HD: WD 640GB 7200 RPM SATA $75
Opti: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe $25
Monitor: Acer X193W+BD Black 19" $140
OS: Vista 64 for system builders $100
Wireless card: EDIMAX EW-7128G (must have wireless) $20
Arctic silver $6

Problem is... I'm sitting at $1130 delivered. Where do I cut down to ~$1000, or where should I change for a better bang for the buck?

This is primarily a gaming computer.

 

[Outlander_04]

you dont need 8 gig of RAM . 2 is enough if theres a budget .

ditch the e8400 for an e7200 . Overclocked it matches the e8400 and maybe later you can replace it

The power supply is over kill as well . A 550 watt would be fine .

 

[3lvis]

I would scale back your memory to 1 set of 2x2GB Gskill Pi black, odds are that you wont use more the 4 gb for most programs.

Consider switching to an Asus P5Q Pro motherboard...then picking up the Newegg combo with the Intel E8400 @ $274.98.

Get the 22" Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD for $169.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009145

lose the artic silver and use the stuff that comes with the stock cooler.

Corsair 750watt PSU for $119.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006



LOL then go give blood to get the rest of the money!

 

[geofelt]

Rethink crossfire.

SLI/crossfire has been a poor upgrade path in the past. It should be used only by
those who will not currently be satisfied by the fastest available single vga card
which is currently the 4870X2. The 4870, GTX260, or 9800GX2
offer very good performance for the money now. Even the 4850 is good.
To get SLI. you have to spend more up front for a SLI capable mobo,a
more powerful SLI capable PSU, and better case cooling. Upgrading a single card later with a
second equal card does not get you 2x increase, it is more like 1.3x to 1.8x depending on the game.
At that time, you will still be paying top dollar for a card that is closer to
being obsolete.
It would be better to sell the old card and use the proceeds
towards a better new generation single card.

You can then use a simpler mobo such as gigabyte ep45-ds3l for $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345

4gb of corsair ram for $25 a/r:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

PC P&C silencer610 for $60 a/r:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

---good luck---

 

[dieseldre2k]

1) 8GB of RAM is overkill when ur on a budget. get 4gigs
2) go with the asus p5q pro + e8400 combo that 3lvis suggested.
3) keep ur monitor (no reason to get 3lvis's 22" if its the same resolution)
4) switch PSU to PC Power & Cooling 610W (thats more than enough to crossfire 4850's, altho if u ask me, ur better off with a single strong card since P45 chipset runs second PCIe at 8x instead of 16x) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

that should save u a little over $100

 

[racries]

Updated with suggestions...

Case: Antec Three Hundred $50
MB: ASUS 5Q PRO + Proc: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Combo $260 a/r
GPU: ASUS EAH4850 512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB $160 (Crossfire one day...)
RAM: 4gb of corsair ram $25 a/r:
PS: PC Power & Cooling 610W $60 a/r
HD: WD 640GB 7200 RPM SATA $75
Opti: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe $25
Monitor: Acer X193W+BD Black 19" $140
OS: Vista 64 for system builders $100
Wireless card: EDIMAX EW-7128G (must have wireless) $20
standard processor goo $0

Now totals me $975 + $25 shipping = $1000

Even Better... $940 after all rebates!

Thank you guys so much for your help! I didn't even have to donate any blood!

 

[3lvis]

1) 3) keep ur monitor (no reason to get 3lvis's 22" if its the same resolution)

The 19" racries is looking at is 1440 x 900 while the 22" I suggested is 1680 x 1050. On the surface the 22" looks to be only 3 more inches diagonally. What that translates into is approximately 88sq inches more surface area or 36% more viewing area and 36% more pixels.

The price difference is a meager $30. In cost per dollar you get a 36% increase in surface area/resolution for 21% increase in price.

The reason we buy GPU's is for the eye candy....without a decent monitor there's no eye candy.

 

[M3d]

You want a gaming system right? Then go with at least a 22". It would be a sin to use a 4850 on a 19" when you can get a 22" for about the same price.

 

[A-mollers]

You will be very happy with a 22" monitor

 

[shortstuff_mt]

While I agree that the OP should get a 22" monitor, I thought I'd point out the fact that the 19" monitor linked in the original post has a resolution of 1680x1050 just like the 22" monitor. Some people should click on the links before making a comment like "The 19" racries is looking at is 1440 x 900 while the 22" I suggested is 1680 x 1050."

 

[kubes]

My personaly feeling about it is if your going to get a 22" inch instead of the 19" get something that is really true eye candy.

Asus 22" 1900x1000 1080p: $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236053

Either go big or go home in this situation. Stay with the 19 inch or grab something with HD and 19x10. 16x10 is ok, but my feelings for $20 bucks more its work every cent to get 19x10.

 

[geofelt]

Go give blood, and find a way to get a 24" monitor.
A good monitor is perhaps the only "future proof" PC purchase that you can make today. You will be looking at it for a long time.
Check craig's list if you have to. Soyo has had some good reviews and is cheap at office max for $250:
http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=21649600&cm_mmc=GBase-_-Technology-_-Monitors-_-LCD_Monitors&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=21649600