Around 1200$ gaming PC

[Darke]

Hey everyone.
I've finally decided to upgrade my old PC into a proper gaming platform, though I have only 1200 bucks and a somewhat limited knowledge when it comes to hardware, to do so . That's where you come in- I'd love to hear some suggestions and tips from you guys .
As far as peripherals go, I've already got a keyboard, a mouse and an excellent monitor (Samsung T200), but I'm still looking for a nice pair of speakers.
Given that, and after much pondering, I've came up with this partial spec (thought it's pretty much all open to change):

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00GHz Processor

GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L

SAPPHIRE TOXIC HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E

Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB SATA2 16MB

2XG.Skill DDR2 2048MB 1000Mhz CL 5

PC POWER & COOLING Silencer 500 EPS12V

ARCTIC-COOLING FREEZER 7 PRO CPU COOLER FOR INTEL S775

The spec does not include a DVD reader/recorder, a case or speakers, simply because I have no idea what to buy.
In addition, I may have overdid it with the Silencer- I heard it was excellent, but I'm not sure if the PC needs that much power.
Anyways, as I said before, I'd love to hear some feedback from you guys- Just keep in mind that I'm not planning on OCing, and that I own a pretty small widescreen monitor.

Thanks in advance .

 

[aevm]

Looks good.

Add Vista Home Premium 64-bit OEM.

DVD: SH-S223F

Case: Antec 300

Speakers: no idea, depends on budget and how much you care. Logitech makes good stuff. for example.

You don't need to buy the Freezer if you get the retail E8400 (i.e. the version that comes with a cooler).

That setup needs at least a 450W PSU. The Silencer 500W is an excellent choice.

 

[mattyboyywonder]

logitech x-540 is rated as the best bang for your buck in the speaker world and it is amazing. You can grab a refurbished set on ebay for 50 bucks

 

[Darke]

Thanks for the feedback.
I think I pretty much nailed it:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00GHz Processor

GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L

SAPPHIRE TOXIC HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E

Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB SATA2 16MB

2XG.Skill DDR2 2048MB 1000Mhz CL 5

ARCTIC-COOLING FREEZER 7 PRO CPU COOLER FOR INTEL S775

CoolerMaster CM 690

LG GSA-GH22N X22 SATA

Logitech X-240 2.1 (I just don't have the room for the X-540 )

As it turns out, I won't be able to get my hands on that Silencer, or any other PC Power & Cooling product, for that matter... I was hoping you guys had another idea for a good power source.
Other then that, what do you think about the spec? Will it be able to run new, heavy-duty games on high-maximum settings? (on my 20 inch monitor, that is). Anything I should upgrade?

Thanks again.

 

[mattyboyywonder]

Now you said a $1200 system... i built a system last week using the e8400 duo and it cost me $1250. nd i had to include a $200 monitor, microsoft word $80, vista $100 and a keyboard. my build had a 4870 1gb which is a vast step up from the 4850 you have picked up. change ur motherboard to either ud3r or ud3p which are much better quailty. i think there is a fair bit of reworking you can do... your def not near $1200 bucks that for sure.

 

[mattyboyywonder]

nd ur harddrive go for the wd 640gb 32mb version it is far superior.

 

[Guest]

nd ur harddrive go for the wd 640gb 32mb version it is far superior.

that's what i was thinking. i didn't get a hard drive but i spent under $1100 and got a q6600, 4 gigs ram and 4850 1 gig and a 22' monitor.

plus the antec 900, xigmatec cooler and cosair 650tx psu.

 

[theAnimal]

As it turns out, I won't be able to get my hands on that Silencer, or any other PC Power & Cooling product, for that matter... I was hoping you guys had another idea for a good power source.
Other then that, what do you think about the spec? Will it be able to run new, heavy-duty games on high-maximum settings? (on my 20 inch monitor, that is). Anything I should upgrade?

Thanks again.

Good PSUs would be Antec Earthwatts 430, Seasonic S12II 430, Corsair VX450.

The rest looks good.

 

[aevm]

Thanks for the feedback.
I think I pretty much nailed it:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00GHz Processor

GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L

SAPPHIRE TOXIC HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E

Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB SATA2 16MB

2XG.Skill DDR2 2048MB 1000Mhz CL 5

ARCTIC-COOLING FREEZER 7 PRO CPU COOLER FOR INTEL S775

CoolerMaster CM 690

LG GSA-GH22N X22 SATA

Logitech X-240 2.1 (I just don't have the room for the X-540 )

As it turns out, I won't be able to get my hands on that Silencer, or any other PC Power & Cooling product, for that matter... I was hoping you guys had another idea for a good power source.
Other then that, what do you think about the spec? Will it be able to run new, heavy-duty games on high-maximum settings? (on my 20 inch monitor, that is). Anything I should upgrade?

Thanks again.

Are you ordering the parts online? Give us a URL, we'll find you a decent PSU. If you're in the USA just order the PSU from www.newegg.com.

Can you find a cooler called HDT-S1283? That one would let you overclock higher than the Freezer 7.