First build advice $1,000-1,200 inc monitor Gameing PC

[Linither]

Hi guys, I'm planning on building a computer in 2-3 weeks, I'll be ordering from Newegg unless someone finds any great deals elsewhere

As stated I'm ok with spending as much as 1200 USD though I'd be just as happy spending less for similar performance.

I have a Keyboard (PS/2) and mouse (USB) as well as a 250 GB seagate drive.
I will be using this primarily for gaming, however when i go back to college ( I'm taking a year off) I'll also be looking to then install a TV tuner card and rec TV.

I have no brand pref at all, i just care about performance.

I will probably overclock a little, but only on stock air, I'd just as soon use a single GPU set up so that in the future a can SLI/X-fire
(I think i read somewhere that 4850X2 etc don't x-fire as well as single gpu solutions)

I'm coming from a 17" 1200p monitor that i feel is too short, so I'm not sure 1080p would be right for me, but it seems impossible to find a monitor w/ 16:10 HD under 24 inches, and those are all expensive. If I went 1680 X 1050 would i still in the future be able to play B-ray ( if i added B-ray player) at reduced quality or would everything get distorted up?

For OS i'de like to use Win7

 

[Linither]

Here are 2 systems I've put together from new egg to get started

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM $24.99

NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $69.99 (-20 MIR)


ASUS MK241H Black 24" 2ms $269.99 (-20 MIR)
(slightly concerned over the low contrast ratio)

MSI N260GTX-T2D896-OCv4 GeForce GTX 260 896MB $175 (-20 MIR)

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W $120 (-10 MIR)
(is this enough to run 2x GTX260?)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail $58.99

[AMD Phenom II X3 720 HDZ720WFGIBOX

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P] $218

Shipping (on case) $28.2
Grand Total: $966.15

 

[Tech-Boy]

For a monitor I have the Acer 21.5in H213H 1080p lcd. It is a great monitor and only costed me $180. Highly recommend it!

 

[Linither]

Or same build but, I7 variant
MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 $190 (-20)
I7 920 +OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 $344 (-20)
+free OCZ ATV 8GB flash drive

Shipping: $27.59  
Grand Total: $1,245.51 (before MIR)

 

[Linither]

Hmm i was looking at the asus VH222H wish is very similar, the thing that throws me off is I'm coming from a 17" 1920X1200 that seems "short" i feal as if i don't have as much vertical space as i would like, but in gaming and day to day I tried VERY hard to find 1600X1200 or 1920X 1200 monitors in the 22" rang but they couldn't be had
is acer a good company, for some reason i get the feeling they're a cheaper brand, but maybe thats just cause we use their cheapo line on the comps at my work

 

[Linither]

Do you think the extended lifetime of the i7 ( better overclock, HT etc) is worth the premium that you pay in price?

 

[batuchka]

Just remove OS/hardware u have on hand and if u dun fancy multi GPUs switch those out for GTX275/HD4980 and u good to go ^^

 

[Linither]

hmm, that seems like it will work, w/ a GTX 275, whats the reason for switching from the asus to the acer, is acer known to be better at all?

 

[batuchka]

Err no reason but the real owners feedback and price point makes that Acer a good buy for me considering its a 24" too hehe

 

[Linither]

NM, acer has way higher contrast, will the 700w power supply handle 2 275's in the event i decide to SLI in the future? also is the mobo sli certified i looked and i'm not seeing it on Newegg, otherwise i suppose i should go 4890's for crosfire

 

[batuchka]

Nope 790GX are CF and if multi GPU is your intention i'd hit HD4770CF asap : check out the becnhes for 1920 x 1080

 

[Linither]

I like the 4770's i really do, but I want to have the crossfire as an easy upgrade in the future

 

[batuchka]

Hmm if i understand you correctly u want a single GPU *now* and CF later? In that case the HD4890 then?

 

[Linither]

exactly, but the PSU isn't certified even for the 4870 let alone the 4890 so i'de probably take the corsair 750 for a bit more

 

[batuchka]

Well if you do intend to CF then ya no harm splashing a bit on PSU hehe

 

[Linither]

Hmm, if i was willing to go down in res I've heard you can get the 22-inch UltraSharp™ 2209WA for $212 if you just call up their business line, its an IPS panel w/ 5ms response time, would let me go w/ a 512mb 4870/4770 also (decisions decisions lol)

 

[batuchka]

HMmm $212 for a 22" sounds kindda steep to me if u dun mind me saying but on 1650 X 1050 a single HD4770 is doable Maybe find 22" deals on Egg?

 

[ke7diz]

the i7 s have better computing power but a amd 720be or 955be would be cheaper over all
so if you plan later doing video/ photo editing or somthing cpu intinsive the i7 would be better, but if you are manly concerned about gaming go amd

also in your price range thinl about th2 amd p2 955 it is about 100 more that the 720 but has 4 cores vs 3 so if you can afored it i would go 955 .
that being said i own a 720