Building Gaming PC - Need advice

[Kentakka]

Alright, I'm gonna be ordering new parts around Friday or next Monday and looking for advice. A few friends pointed me towards this site because they use it often and said the people here are extremely helpful and friendly.

My budget is $1900 US dollars(that includes shipping).

My old pc has had it and just can't handle much gaming anymore.

I'm looking for pretty much the whole setup. I currently have a Thermaltake mid-tower case but I could probably use a new case. I think the only thing I don't really need is a new DVD-rom. I'm using a new dual-layer DVDRW and I don't really need a blue-ray one so that's pretty much the only thing I don't need...that and maybe don't need a keyboard/mouse. Using the G15 gaming keyboard(the version2, but would like the Version 1) or I'll just wait and get the G19 when it comes out.

Pretty much the list below is what I need:

Case
Motherboard
CPU
Heatsink
Video Card(s)
RAM
Hard Drive
Monitor
Power Supply

I've been getting advice from a few friends that helped me out, but I'm always looking for more advice to see what the fine people here could come up with.

The only thing I've found that I like is the Cooler Master HAF full tower( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160 )

I'm open to other suggestions for a tower, but do keep in mind my $1900 budget.

Btw, my main game is World of Warcraft, but I am a huge CoD fan and would like to play the new World at War game.

So any advice is greatly appreciated.

Currently, I do have a wish list setup at Newegg from advice from a few people, and I'll go ahead and list that in case anyone wants to give feedback, criticism, or even make adjustments. I'm not sure if I want to go Crossfire or SLI cause I am honestly out of the loop on what's in these days. I do have experience building pcs as I've built 3 of em, but they've all been Intel, and not AMD. I don't know if there's much difference between the two, but I'm fine with either one.

The current wish list I have setup is below:

Case: Cooler Master HAF
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

Mobo: Asus P5Q
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

GFX: Sapphire 4870 1GB 256-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102815
Two of these added - linked?

PSU: Corsair 1000W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0Ghz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

RAM: Mushkin 4GB 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146785
Out of Stock currently

HD: WD 500GB SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Monitor: Samsung 22" LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001268
Out of Stock - Not available anymore? Not sure

Heatsink: Zalman 110m
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019

Anyway, that's my current wish list. Come up with your own, modify my current one, or whatever you feel like doing. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Would like to order what I need on Friday or next Monday if at all possible. Thanks in advice for any replies.

 

[aevm]

I would change the P5Q Pro to GA-EP45-UD3P. Same price, same features, better reviews.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358&Tpk=GA-Ep45-UD3P


Good PSU choice, but this one is $180 less, it's also top quality, and will still do nicely.
PC Power & Cooling 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011&Tpk=S75CF

Use the savings to upgrade from E8400 to Q9550. It won't make a noticeable difference in games, unless you play FSX or GTA4 or you run other things in the background while playing. It will last longer and will do other things much better than an E8400.

This RAM is cheaper and more likely to work without problems.

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

 

[aevm]

I like the CoolerMaster HAF 932, good choice. Good GPUs too. There's also a HD 4870 X2 equivalent to those two together, but with the HD 4870 1GB cards you get better cooling and 4 DVI outputs instead of just 2.

You should get a 24" monitor for that setup. I'll try to find some ideas for that later.

Don't buy the Wd500aaks. Buy the wd6400aaks instead. It's A LOT faster. As in, 40% higher average read rate or close.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218&Tpk=wd6400aaks

You don't need that Zalman cooler, or any aftermarket cooler at all, unless you're into overclocking. Besides, for that money there are better choices, like this one:

XIGMATEK dark knight - s1283
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233024&Tpk=Xigmatek Dark

 

[aevm]

Some ideas for the LCD:
Acer P243WAid Black-Silver 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI $330
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009125

It's Newegg's best selling 24" monitor. Not the best, but best bang for the buck,

I like this one too:
LG W2452T-TF Black 24" 2ms(GTG) $370
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005113

This one is in a different class altogether.
SAMSUNG 245T-BLACK Black 24" 6ms (GTG) $660
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001246
It's a lot more expensive, actually less good for gaming because it has a slower response time, but it has better colors and viewing angles. It's a better type of panel and aimed more toward movies and photo/video work than gaming.

 

[runmymouth]

A lot of people have said that support for SLI and Crossfire still sucks so good choice on seperate video cards, if you have an issue you can remove one for a game or disable one.

 

[coleman]

aevm gives sound advice, i second all of his suggestions. Dont forget you will need a 64bit os.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You can get an i7 build with that budget if that interests you.

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160 $149.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=850TX $139.99 - $20.00 MIR

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202 $294.99

GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128362 $298.99

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231230 $144.99

EVGA 01G-P3-1280-AR GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130365 $324.99 - $20.00 MIR

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 $79.99

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153 $25.99

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

Acer P244Wbii Glossy Black 24" 2ms (GTG) HDMI 16:9 Full 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 20000:1 ACM - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009154 $259.99

Total before shipping - $1,819.90 - $40 MIR's

 

[xthekidx]

I think you are getting more for your money going the i7 route. The i7 920 and Q9550 are very close in price, and the i7 is far better. Combo that i7 920 and Mobo for $25 off (almost all x58 mobos have combos at newegg right now.) You can also get the cheaper Asus P6T mobo and save $55 more there with the combo. You could upgrade to gtx 285 and still be within budget with shipping.

Use this promo code with the 850w corsair PSU, save $10: EMCABCHAF

With those changes I made to save money, you get $90 less, which you could use to get the 285 for like $30 more. That will give you a better gaming rig for less $$$.
GTX 285 at tigerdirect for $350
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4394456&Sku=P450-0285&SRCCODE=TOMSHW_LBVGA1&cm_mmc_o=-KeCjCaBFltzypczywCjCIno09i%20qRmCjCVSDiCinoD

 

[Kentakka]

Good PSU choice, but this one is $180 less, it's also top quality, and will still do nicely.
PC Power & Cooling 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011&Tpk=S75CF

It's been awhile since I've done much pc research myself. I know very little about linking video cards like most hardcore gamers do these days. Is 750W enough to power 2 of those cards plus everything else in the system? I don't mind downgrading to 750W...just wanna make sure i'll have enough wattage to power everything without running into any problems.

Also, I did forget to mention one thing. I don't plan on overclocking. I know nothing about it and would probably screw something up if I tried, heh.

I mention no overclocking because you said maybe switch to that other heatsink. You linked the other one. Is it really necessary or is the CPU I listed come with a good enough heatsink fan? Just wanna make sure as well the cpu doesn't overheat.

With my budget, wanna build the best I can without having any possible heat issues or any other problems I may run into.

 

[aevm]

No overclocking = no need for a special cooler. The cooler delivered by Intel is tested and guaranteed to work well at the normal CPU clocks. You trust them to make a complicated CPU, trust them to make a decent heatsink too. It's in their interest that CPUs don't fry, after all.




750W is plenty for that system, with your original two HD 4870 cards (recommended 650W, in fact, but it's good indeed to have more than the minimum recommended).




For a single GTX 280, like in shortstuff_mt's build, the 750W PSU would also be plenty.




For two GTX 280 cards (assuming you want two cards of that kind), nVidia recommends 1000W to 1200W. You can find the list here:
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

The Antec Signature 850W is on that list, but I'm not recommending that one because it's horribly expensive. Mind you, it's very high quality, and more powerful than many PSUs that claim 1000W. The Corsair 1000HX is there too.
The 850TX is not there. I think it would do, but I prefer not to push a PSU too much. The Silencer 750W would definitely be a bad idea for a setup with GTX 280 SLI.

 

[xthekidx]

Also, I did forget to mention one thing. I don't plan on overclocking. I know nothing about it and would probably screw something up if I tried, heh.

I mention no overclocking because you said maybe switch to that other heatsink. You linked the other one. Is it really necessary or is the CPU I listed come with a good enough heatsink fan? Just wanna make sure as well the cpu doesn't overheat.

With my budget, wanna build the best I can without having any possible heat issues or any other problems I may run into.

The best you can build with your budget is going the i7 route, so that is what I suggest you do.

Even if you don't plan on overclocking now, doing 3-4 hours of research online will educate you enough to figure it out if you decide you want to do it later, so getting a heatsink now will save you a lot of time and effort later because you will not have to remove the mobo to install it if you do it before your mobo is in the case.

BUT even if you never overclock, I think you should get an aftermarket CPU heatsink/cooler because it will make your chip last longer, some of the stock heatsinks that come with these chips don't cool all that well, and heat kills cpu's over time.

 

[runmymouth]

Core I7 is not ready for prime time. If he wants a gaming machine he is better off with a Q9550 or a E8500. Don't get me wrong I7 is better than Quad at most things, just not at gaming. Gaming is largely optimized for single core CPU's, meaning buying an I7 will not help much. I also went with a Q9650 instead of I7 in my new build. I would not count on the new pins for the I7 to last very long so you will be upgrading the mobo again in 2-3 years if you just want to upgrade a few parts. No need to pay extra for something you really aren't going to be using.

 

[xthekidx]

Intel is working on 32-nm chips that will run on socket LGA 1366, (westmere, 6 cores, 12 threads) so it will have an upgrade path, how long that upgrade path will go is uncertain. But LGA 1366 is not going to end with the i7 920/940/965.