Alternatives to Toms $1200 System Builder Marathon?

Matthew

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Dec 31, 2008
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Hi all, happy 2009.

Ive read all Toms new System Builder Marathons and am building a system for around $1200 to play on my new 24" Screen

Im particularly interested at building a system to keep me going through 2009 and playing games at 1900x1200 with very high settings. In particular Mafia 2, Empire Total War and Left 4 Dead.

Im leaning more towards a duo core with money left over for better gpu's. Although those q9550s and i7 920s do sound amazing keeping in mind i want this to be decent throughout 2009 xD

So I was wondering if you had any Alternatives to toms reccomendations?

thx matthew :)
 
At 1200, if you need everything in the case, you are probably looking at crossfire. Just grab a 4870 1GB and a P45 board, and when it's all said and done you'll likely fit in a Q9550. Later you can add a second 4870 if it's needed.

Cooler Master 690
Gigabyte UD3P
Q9550
4GB G.skill RAM
PC P&C 750 red
WD 640
DVD burner
Sapphire 4870 1GB
Xigmatek + bracket
Vista 64 OEM

Comes to around 1200 bucks shipped from newegg, before rebates.