~$1000 Budget Build

[mailliw]

So I am looking at building a new computer soon and wanted to make sure all the parts are compatible. My budget is about $1500. At the time I am still playing older games because of my current computer, but I will be playing a lot of newer FPS games and want this to handle future FPS games.

***EDIT BUDGET BUMPED UP TO $1500!!!!***

Check my next post for new build.

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019 $8.49
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 $6.99
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

 

[MykC]

+1, Why ME changes. My recommened changes are:

Your CPU/Mobo/RAM/PSU combo is $480 after MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165025 Phenom II 720BE CPU $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138130 Biostar 790GX Motherboard $110 - $45COMBO - $10MIR (xfire)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 G.Skill PI Black DDR2 800 $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022 OCZ 550W $80 - $20MIR

$310 after MIR. The difference is $170. The CPUs are consider equal for most gaming right now (720BE has an good advantage is RTS and Simulation games), the 720BE has a brighter future given the extra core and the platform its on (the LGA775 is not getting a new CPUs). With that said, the changes I made remove the posibility to SLI or Xfire. However with the extra $170 you can upgrade to a GTX285 and still save $60. Or stick with what you have and save the money and buy a bigger sinle GPU replacement down the road.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125255 1GB GTX 285 $340 - $30MI

All things considered for the money, this system could provide you with a significantly better gaming experience regardless of the genre.

 

[mailliw]

Ok so my budget has been bumped up to $1500 (WOOT!). My build is looking similar and still need to know if everything is good.

Here it is:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
MOBO: EVGA 132-YW-E178-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI FTW
RAM: OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
Opt Drive: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner
GPU: ***x2*** EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Extras
Keyboard: Logitech G11
Mouse: Logitech G5
CPU Fan: XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
Therm Comp: ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound

I also liked this case and was wondering if anyone knows how well it compares to the HAF at all
XCLIO Blackhawk Advanced Black Finish 0.8 mm SECC / ABS Plastic ATX Full Tower Extreme Cooling Computer Case

After rebates , shipping, taxes, and combos it comes out to $1430. I want to stay under budget a little because I am getting a 24 inch monitor soon.

 

[Why_Me]

Ok so my budget has been bumped up to $1500 (WOOT!). My build is looking similar and still need to know if everything is good.

Here it is:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
MOBO: EVGA 132-YW-E178-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI FTW
RAM: OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
Opt Drive: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner
GPU: ***x2*** EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Extras
Keyboard: Logitech G11
Mouse: Logitech G5
CPU Fan: XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
Therm Comp: ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound

I also liked this case and was wondering if anyone knows how well it compares to the HAF at all
XCLIO Blackhawk Advanced Black Finish 0.8 mm SECC / ABS Plastic ATX Full Tower Extreme Cooling Computer Case

After rebates , shipping, taxes, and combos it comes out to $1430. I want to stay under budget a little because I am getting a 24 inch monitor soon.

I can see at least three obvious changes that I would make to that build; mobo, cpu, and memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128386 $209.99
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R-SLI LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-920 $265.99 Free Ground Shipping
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $99.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

 

[xthekidx]

I can see at least three obvious changes that I would make to that build; mobo, cpu, and memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128386 $209.99
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R-SLI LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-920 $265.99 Free Ground Shipping
Intel Core i7 Processor i7-920 2.66GHz 8MB LGA1366 CPU, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $99.99 Free Shipping*
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

+1

Make sure you get something to cool that OEM CPU though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029&Tpk=s1283v

I would get this GPU, its overclocked and the cheapest GTX 260 core 216 with the 55nm process, its an awesome deal:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127409

 

[xthekidx]

Why are so many x58 boards manufactured with the x16 PCIE slots so close together? So lame...you don't get very good cooling. P6T Deluxe is best one for that since there are two spaces between those slots instead of just one. but that is out of the price range I think for this build.

 

[mailliw]

I tried to use i7 but I couldnt get it in my price range. With your changes the total came out to $1600, thats too far over budget for me because I might have to buy an OS now too.

 

[Why_Me]

I tried to use i7 but I couldnt get it in my price range. With your changes the total came out to $1600, thats too far over budget for me because I might have to buy an OS now too.

You have in your build.....

mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188027 $199.99

cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041 $274.99

memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298 $69.99

vid card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434 $209.99

case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160 $159.99

psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009 $129.99

Total: $1,044.94

ok, now check this out

mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128386 $209.99

cpu
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=I7-920 $265.99

memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247 $99.99

psu
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-750w-tx-series-80-plus-certified-power-supply-corsair-tx-cmpsu/q/loc/101/206178325.html $100.24

vid card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143155 $179.99

case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 $79.99

Total: $835.95

Now if a guy wanted a new case (usually they get sent back because the holes weren't tapped, loose wire, etc...but they are new), I would look at these cases here.

http://cmstore.coolermaster-usa.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=full+tower+refurbished&osCsid=f2e7f204b27417d13711b79c1c81b339&x=0&y=0 <=== Cooler Master full tower's

http://cmstore.coolermaster-usa.com/product_info.php?products_id=109 <===CM 690

btw, a decent 750w psu like that Corsair will push those 260's in SLI and leave you some left over.

 

[mailliw]

The total for the i7 build is $936 and the Q9550 buil has about $140 off in combos and rebates.

I would like to get the i7 but its cutting the budget really close.

The i7 build came out to $1370 (without case) after taxes, shipping, and rebates and I used the EVGA GPU because of the free COD5 (would be buying it anyway)

The Q9550 came out to $1236 (w/o case & with the EVGAs)

Grrrr this is a hard decision for me, if I do end up going with the i7 I might have to only get one 260 for now and order the other when I get the new monitor. Goign to have to think about this for a little.

BTW do you think the prices of 260s will drop much when the GTX 275s come out?

 

[Why_Me]

The total for the i7 build is $936 and the Q9550 buil has about $140 off in combos and rebates.

I would like to get the i7 but its cutting the budget really close.

The i7 build came out to $1370 (without case) after taxes, shipping, and rebates and I used the EVGA GPU because of the free COD5 (would be buying it anyway)

The Q9550 came out to $1236 (w/o case & with the EVGAs)

Grrrr this is a hard decision for me, if I do end up going with the i7 I might have to only get one 260 for now and order the other when I get the new monitor. Goign to have to think about this for a little.

BTW do you think the prices of 260s will drop much when the GTX 275s come out?

It's a no brainer. Let's see...two vid cards now and a line of cpu's that are about to be killed off vs an i7 rig now, and a second vid card later.

 

[mailliw]

Sounds good. I changed the MOBO because of the tight fit with the SLi on the Giga, and changed the RAM to compensate for the MOBO price change.

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
MOBO: ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM: OCZ 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Opt Drive: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner
GPU: EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card


Extras
Keyboard: Logitech G11
Mouse: Logitech G5
CPU Fan: XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
Therm Comp: ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound

Came out to $1350 after everything
Might just wait to get the G5 & G11 and then just get the other GTX 260.

 

[Why_Me]

Sounds good. I changed the MOBO because of the tight fit with the SLi on the Giga, and changed the RAM to compensate for the MOBO price change.

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
MOBO: ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM: OCZ 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Opt Drive: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner
GPU: EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card


Extras
Keyboard: Logitech G11
Mouse: Logitech G5
CPU Fan: XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
Therm Comp: ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound

Came out to $1350 after everything
Might just wait to get the G5 & G11 and then just get the other GTX 260.

Not bad, but that ram change is only saving you $3 before rebate, and your going to kick yourself for not getting the 1600 RAM...whether it be the G.Skill for $100 or the OCZ for $110.

1600 (PC3 12800) Take a look at these down here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

 

[mailliw]

didn't notice you suggested the 1600. Ill be going with the G.Skill but are there any problems with them not fitting because of the heat sinks being so tall?

 

[Why_Me]

didn't notice you suggested the 1600. Ill be going with the G.Skill but are there any problems with them not fitting because of the heat sinks being so tall?

If it doesn't, RMA it for that OCZ I linked up above. LOL...naw, I'm just messin with ya. I have faith it's going to fit. And when you pop that side door to your case to show everyone your build, the first thing they are going to comment on is that cool looking RAM.

 

[mailliw]

Thanks for all the help Why_Me, I got everything in the shopping cart @ $1400 with $40 in rebates. Hope to order it soon!

Final build


CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
MOBO: ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM: G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Opt Drive: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner
GPU: EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card


Extras
Keyboard: Logitech G11
Mouse: Logitech G5
CPU Fan: XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
Therm Comp: ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound