Best gaming computer under $1k

[coppg]

I got some great advise from this community on building a pc in this price range. Please review and let me know if you have any suggestions. I already have two 20" monitors.

cpu and mobo - $303.99
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core
GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165047

GPU - $189.99
SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

case and power - $179.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.176939

cpu cooler - $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Thermal paste - $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

memory - $40.99
G.SKILL HK 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231219

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

OS - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

DVD - $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

Total - $965

 

[Proximon]

Nothing wrong with that build. Since you have two monitors I'll guess that you are a multi-tasker and so the quad is the best choice.

You'll have lot's of head room on that PSU when you want to go crossfire, if you do.

 

[Guest]

looks perfect. you probably don't need an 850 watt psu but as mentioned above it will leave some headroom for upgrades later.

 

[4745454b]

The PSU is way to much, probably even if you want to CF later.

Someone in a different thread posted an i7 build for ~$800, $900 because you need the OS. You might want to spec one of those out to see if the Phenom build is worth it.

Edit: Here is the link, might want to review.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=262954&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

 

[Proximon]

It's true that technically something around 700W is enough for CF 4870s, providing the amperage on the 12V rail is adequate.

Given the combo deal, you are paying about 10-20 bucks for a whole lot of security, knowing that any reasonable future build will be covered, and you won't have to buy another PSU for 5-6 years.

You will also have trouble finding any PSU, of any wattage, that is higher quality for under $150.

 

[coppg]

Thanks for the advice.

Do you think I should consider changing to i7 system? Would there be much difference in performance or reliability?

 

[4745454b]

Performance in games will be similar, anything that is CPU intensive will be a lot faster on the i7. Its also sitting on Intels newest socket, so upgrading it should be easier then messing with AM2+. (about to be replaced by AM3.)

 

[Proximon]

There would be a nice boost in CPU performance. You would also have the X58 chipset that allows for both SLI or crossfire.

I don't know about that build specifically. I wouldn't use an MSI board.

For about $100 more than your current build, you could do it well.