$1100-ish Gaming Build

[mbox15]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next week

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (mostly WoW, Starcraft 2 later on), surfing the net

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.ca, directcanada.com, ncix.com (Canadian sites)

PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, from reading *Guide to Choosing Parts*

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe (never done it before) SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (let's say probably)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: First time building a PC


***all prices are CAD

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
$89.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Dual Core Processor LGA775 3.0GHZ Wolfdale 1333FSB 6MB Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
$202.99

Gigabyte GA-EP45T-UD3P ATX LGA775 P45 DDR3 2PCI-E 2PCI CrossFireX SATA2 RAID Sound GBLAN Motherboard
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11830BD1076&vpn=GA-EP45T-UD3P&manufacture=GIGABYTE
$176.26

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=tx750
$109.99

XFX Radeon HD 4890 XT 1GB 875MHZ 1GB 3.9GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI HDTV Video Card
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15180BD7992&vpn=HD489AZDEC&manufacture=XFX
$324.98

OCZ Reaper Hpc Edition PC2-8500 DDR2 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel EPP Memory Kit
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13220BD8253&vpn=OCZ2RPR10664GK&manufacture=OCZ
$54.29

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64BIT DVD OEM
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15800SW5866&vpn=66I-01939&manufacture=MICROSOFT
$145.96


Total so far: $1104.46 (Anything I'm missing?)


Just few questions:
- I think I'm set on dual-core because I'm really only going to be playing games. I have a mac that I do all my work and have all my media on, so gaming/surfing is all this PC's purpose. However, how does my choice of CPU impact the build's "future-proofing"? I haven't really gamed on a PC for years, and I've used a mac the last few years for work..so I'm a little out of touch.
- I chose a 750W PSU because in the future I might add another 4890, this is sufficient right?

Any input and comments would be greatly appreciated. As I said above I haven't really used a PC in years, so this list is what I've come up with from reading around the past couple days. Thanks very much!

 

[Kill@dor]

For a Core 2 Duo, that rig is a little over priced. You can get all new parts with a core i7 for that price.... Think about it...$202 for Core 2 Duo...$269 for a Core i7 920...Get a better board and RAM...Windows 7 for now and get another OS later...just back up your systems files....

 

[xthekidx]

The choices you made are pretty good, except you chose a DDR3 MB and DDR2 memory, so exchange the MB with the DDR2 version (without the T in EP45T. Its the GA-EP45-UD3P). DDR2-1066 ram isn't necessary on the LGA 775 platform unless you are going for a really high overclock, which you would need an aftermarket cooler for. So you can go with DDR2 800 and you wouldn't lose any performance.

The Phenom II X3 is also a good option, and will be more future resistant than the E8400. In gaming benchmarks, its just about equal to the E8400 in single threaded games, but in multithreaded games its ahead of the E8400, and its much cheaper. in video editing and 3D rendering it also shows better than the E8400. I would go for the Phenom II X3 720BE and pair it with the GA-MA790X-UD4P motherboard, and keep the rest of your build the same, if it were me building this rig on that budget.

 

[xthekidx]

For a Core 2 Duo, that rig is a little over priced. You can get all new parts with a core i7 for that price.... Think about it...$202 for Core 2 Duo...$269 for a Core i7 920...Get a better board and RAM...Windows 7 for now and get another OS later...just back up your systems files....

Canadian dollars.

 

[jay2tall]

^
Yeah it would be about $280CA more for the i7 and ASUS P6T mobo. The cost of memory is about the same if you get 3GB of DDR3 1600.

In my opinion it is well worth the extra for the i7, even if you have to drop to an ATI 4870 to do it. Your CPU will usually see 2-3 video cards if you are an avid gamer. I know my last PC went through 3 videocards before I upgraded to the i7. It's worth investing in.

 

[mbox15]

^
Yeah it would be about $280CA more for the i7 and ASUS P6T mobo. The cost of memory is about the same if you get 3GB of DDR3 1600.

In my opinion it is well worth the extra for the i7, even if you have to drop to an ATI 4870 to do it. Your CPU will usually see 2-3 video cards if you are an avid gamer. I know my last PC went through 3 videocards before I upgraded to the i7. It's worth investing in.

Yes with the i7 920 and a P6T/6GB combo deal, total comes to $1277.93, which isn't too bad for me. This doesn't include OS though, although I liked the Windows 7 suggestion and I've heard WoW runs fine on it. I like the i7 suggestion, and with that the updated list comes to:



COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
$89.99

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.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
$349.99

OCZ 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3X1333LV6GK - Retail
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.192569
$402.98 (RAM + MB combo)

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=tx750
$109.99

XFX Radeon HD 4890 XT 1GB 875MHZ 1GB 3.9GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI HDTV Video Card
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=15180BD7992&vpn=HD489AZDEC&manufacture=XFX
$324.98

Total $1277.93 (CAD)



So how about this build? Is everything fine, like RAM speed, etc.?
Oh and PSU is okay for adding a second card in the future? I don't think anyone touched on that.
Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

 

[Kill@dor]

Core i7 920 $349 CA dollars!!! Man that's f***** up...

 

[xthekidx]

Get the P6T SE, its cheaper and has pretty much all the same features, you just lose a couple sata ports: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131386&Tpk=p6t%20se

Then get this memory instead: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247

 

[Kill@dor]

His combo...RAM and Mobo are $402...your is $459!!!

 

[xthekidx]

His combo...RAM and Mobo are $402...your is $459!!!

Do your math again. I get $380.

 

[mbox15]

Yeah the P6T SE seems to make more sense for me (since no SLI, and I didn't choose an Nvidia card anyway).

So that's about $20 off, and the total comes to $1254.93.

Any other refinements you guys suggest?

 

[radiowars]

His combo...RAM and Mobo are $402...your is $459!!!

His is 380$. Wtf?

 

[radiowars]

Yeah the P6T SE seems to make more sense for me (since no SLI, and I didn't choose an Nvidia card anyway).

So that's about $20 off, and the total comes to $1254.93.

Any other refinements you guys suggest?

It has SLI. It has Tri-SLI (but one is @ 4x so, it won't help). That's a good price. Stick with the i7 if you can make your budget fit, it will be worth it.
Everything else looks fine, and Xthekidx's suggestions are good.
That's a pretty good build for 1250$ make sure there aren't any combo deals that could save you 25$!

 

[mbox15]

Yeah unfortunately no combo deals with the P6T SE that I can find...oh well.

Also, if I'm NOT overclocking the CPU, the stock cooler is sufficient, correct?

 

[xthekidx]

Yeah stock cooling should be sufficient, but the i7 is really asking for it...it would be a shame not to overclock it. If you get the D0 stepping those things go to 4.4ghz on air cooling.

 

[mbox15]

I will probably overclock it in the future, just not right when I first build it.

Anyway thanks for all the input guys, I really appreciate it. I think I'm set...I'll probably order everything either tonight or tomorrow morning. I may resurrect this thread to post an update or something when I start putting everything together...it should be fun.

Thanks again!

 

[vorless]

I've heard WoW runs fine on it.

Fine is an understatement.

 

[Kill@dor]

He edited the post and changed it radio...LOL...see it says it in the box... ^_^

 

[radiowars]

He edited the post and changed it radio...LOL...see it says it in the box... ^_^

Yeah, I accidentally put he's instead of his. Just a typo... that's what editors are for.