1000-1300 gaming pc

[amdnivram]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: any time this month BUDGET RANGE: 1000-1300

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, multitasking, movies and music,
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: I need everything
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type for the monitor i would prefer a 20 inch lcd

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680 x 1050
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: im still not 100% sure but im leaning towards the sapphire 1gb HD 4850

I have a build in mind, but im not sure if there will be any compatibility issues. This will be my first time building a pc, and i need it to play some fps games, starcraft 2 and world of warcraft. Everything maxed is prefered.







Acer B203Wbdmr Black 20

Acer B203Wbdmr Black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with Height & Pivot Adjustments Built in Speakers
Item #:N82E16824009143
Return Policy: Monitor Replacement Only Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$159.99
$149.99
1

Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black USB Ergonomics Keyboard and Mouse

Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 Black Keyboard and Mouse
Item #:N82E16823109156
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$21.99
1

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L
Item #:N82E16827151188
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$27.99
1

Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System

Logitech S-220 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System
Item #:N82E16836121014
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$23.99
1

Sunbeam CR-CCTF92-4 92mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2

Sunbeam CR-CCTF92-4 92mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler W/TX-2
Item #:N82E16835207006
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$29.99
1

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

ASUS M4A78T-E ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131366
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate
$139.99
$129.99
1

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Antec Three Hundred Black Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811129042
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$69.95
$59.95
1

SAPPHIRE 100258-1GHDMI Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4850 100258-1GHDMI Video Card
Item #:N82E16814102837
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$134.99
$124.99
1

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P16004GK

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820227297
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$75.99
1

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817139005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$60.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$159.99
$99.99
1

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819103674
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$255.00
$245.00
1

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive
Item #: N82E16822136319
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders
Item #: N82E16832116488
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$174.98
$149.98
Grand Total: $1,139.84
Tax: $105.44
Shipping: $17.54
Grand Total: $1,262.82



so im open to any suggestions. I went down from 8gb ram to 4, and got a better processor in return. I wouldnt mind spending less =) im still not sure if less ram and a better processor will be better.

 

[Outlander_04]

if this is for gaming then dont buy vista . Download and use Windows 7 for free till march next year.

There are better monitors than that for the price . Acer sell a 22inch widescreen for less and its perfectly acceptable for gaming .

I also think you have the cpu/GPU balance out of square . Gaming needs a powerful gfx card , and a 4850 is starting to struggle at that resolution
I would buy an X3 720 be + AM3 mb combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205337 and then spend more on gfx
You will probably save enough to buy a 4890 + a far bigger monitor . Maybe even 24 inch is in your price range .

Also have a look at the memory article regarding Phenom . The performance of low latency 1333MHz ram was the same as more expensive 1600MHz ram . Buy wisely

IMO that gets you a far better gaming experience at the cost of some cpu power you will almost never use .

PS Only download windows 7 direct from microsoft . From torrents its probably going to make you a cog in a botnet

 

[amdnivram]

With the X3 720 be + AM3 mb combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.205337 what other components would you recommend, can you list any parts that you would replace.? This will be my first time building my own pc and my knowledge is really limited on parts. I was also wondering why i should get windows 7 instead of vista since i'll have to buy it or another os later anyway. Oh and why would the triple core be better?

 

[Outlander_04]

The triple core is exactly the same cpu as the 955 but one of the cores has been disabled . Its also clocked slower . In real world terms you do lose 7% or so of processing speed , but potentialy nothing in gaming .
Have a look at http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/phenom2_955/8.htm . The 955 is faster in their tests using a single GTX 260 gfx card , BUT if they had built a system using the 720 be and spent money they had saved on a better gfx card then the results would be different .

Your first build has a nice 4850 . They are good . I have one , but games are getting more detailed and gfx demand is rising so already you cant play some new games on highest settings with a 4850 .Search on newegg for the best priced 4890 IMO .

The rest of your set up is good choices
Some people will have different preferred brands but you have done a fair bit of research I think

For RAM you look for lowest voltage and lowest timings . These units
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231200
from gskill are 1.5- 1.6 volt and 7-7-7-18 timings for only $65 for a 4 gig kit
The timing is about how many cycles it takes to find data so high MHz is offset by higher timings . According the tomshardware article they got no performance gain by going to 1600MHz ram because it usually has much higher timings .
The ocz you have is actually pretty good but it has to have a fair bit of extra voltage to be stable . This is a coin toss , but the Gskill is cheaper .

Windows 7 is faster , and it seems like bad idea to buy vista when its just about to be replaced

 

[amdnivram]

The triple core is exactly the same cpu as the 955 but one of the cores has been disabled . Its also clocked slower . In real world terms you do lose 7% or so of processing speed , but potentialy nothing in gaming .
Have a look at http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/phenom2_955/8.htm . The 955 is faster in their tests using a single GTX 260 gfx card , BUT if they had built a system using the 720 be and spent money they had saved on a better gfx card then the results would be different .

Your first build has a nice 4850 . They are good . I have one , but games are getting more detailed and gfx demand is rising so already you cant play some new games on highest settings with a 4850 .Search on newegg for the best priced 4890 IMO .

The rest of your set up is good choices
Some people will have different preferred brands but you have done a fair bit of research I think

For RAM you look for lowest voltage and lowest timings . These units
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231200
from gskill are 1.5- 1.6 volt and 7-7-7-18 timings for only $65 for a 4 gig kit
The timing is about how many cycles it takes to find data so high MHz is offset by higher timings . According the tomshardware article they got no performance gain by going to 1600MHz ram because it usually has much higher timings .
The ocz you have is actually pretty good but it has to have a fair bit of extra voltage to be stable . This is a coin toss , but the Gskill is cheaper .

Windows 7 is faster , and it seems like bad idea to buy vista when its just about to be replaced

Yeah i was thinking that it would be a bad idea, but doesnt it come with a coupon for a free windows 7 upgrade? or should i just buy windows 7 when it comes out? and if i do this wont it be like 300+? How much ram would you suggest? Would i have to manually set my ram since i dont know how.as for the triple core, would i need to upgrade within the next 6 months to a quad, and if not what graphics card and etc should i get to keep this rig running strong. Some reviews on the mobo that you linked state that it doesnt have an updated bios and thus it cant support some processors.

 

[amdnivram]

to add onto that if i go to the triple route, should i get

The ASUS EAH4890/HTDI/1GD5 Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121308

instead of the 4850?

 

[amdnivram]

Ok well im either choosing a barebone or this set up. Now i cant decide on whether i should get the 2 4870 1gb or just one or the sapphire radeon hd 1gb 2890. I also dont know if i would need a cooler to replace the stock one, along with deciding on either buying 64 vista home premuim with a coupon for a free windows 7, or just get windows 7 beta, and buy it later. How much will windows 7 be if i upgrade from beta? i dont windows is doing that and if they arent will it be 300+?


1
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM Item #: N82E16822136319Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$5.00 Instant

$74.99$69.99 1
Acer X193W+BD Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail Item #: N82E16824009127Return Policy: Monitor Replacement Only Return Policy -$20.00 Instant

$139.99$119.99 1
XFX HD-487A-ZHFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail Item #: N82E16814150394Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$299.98($149.99each) 1
Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM Item #: N82E16836121014Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$23.99 1
Microsoft CA9-00001 Black PS/2 Standard Basic Keyboard and Mouse - OEM Item #: N82E16823109132Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$16.99 1
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail Item #: N82E16820231193Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy -$15.00 Instant

$79.99$64.99 1
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM Item #: N82E16832116677Return Policy: Software Return Policy

$109.99 1

* Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811129021Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
* Antec TruePower New TP-650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ... - Retail Item #: N82E16817371021Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$70.00 Instant
-$25.00 Combo

$279.94$184.94 1

* AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail Item #: N82E16819103674Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
* ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail Item #: N82E16813131366Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate13-131-366
$394.99$354.99 Subtotal: $1,245.85 Tax: $115.24Shipping: $43.77 Redeem Gift Certificates

Claim Code:
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Gift Certificates: $0.00 Apply Promo Code(s):


Promo Code: $0.00 No Interest for 12 Months on orders over $999 with your Newegg Preferred Account. Plus $20 off $100 today.
Subject to credit approval. Grand Total: $1,241.00

i can also replace the 1 4870 for 1 4890 1gb and it'll cost about 1,295.00. I'm wondering if i need to

 

[amdnivram]

I have all the components picked out, i just need some looking over, i'm not sure if everything is compatible. I am missing a dvd burner, only because newegg.com is out atm. I am looking to play wow and crysis. If anyone has suggestions to get the cost down to 1000 shipped then thank you lol since i can order it now or wait 2 weeks to get the rest of the money. I'm also wondering if i need to get a cooler or if the stock one will do, i wont be overclocking anything and im really looking to see if everything is compatible, and im wondering if windows 7 will be better, yet im worried that here might be compatibility issues since its a beta.



1

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136319
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant



$74.99
$69.99

1

Acer X193W+BD Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

Acer X193W+BD Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Item #: N82E16824009127
Return Policy: Monitor Replacement Only Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant



$139.99
$119.99

1

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102801
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate14-102-801


$159.99
$149.99

1

Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM

Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM
Item #: N82E16836121014
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy




$23.99

1

Microsoft CA9-00001 Black PS/2 Standard Basic Keyboard and Mouse - OEM

Microsoft CA9-00001 Black PS/2 Standard Basic Keyboard and Mouse - OEM
Item #: N82E16823109132
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy




$16.99

1

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231193
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy

-$15.00 Instant



$79.99
$64.99

1

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116677
Return Policy: Software Return Policy




$109.99

1

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Antec TruePower New TP-650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ... - Retail

*

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129021
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

*

Antec TruePower New TP-650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817371021
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$70.00 Instant
-$25.00 Combo



$279.94
$184.94

1

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

*

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103674
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

*

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131366
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate13-131-366


$394.99
$354.99

Subtotal: $1,095.86
What's this?Tax: $101.37

Shipping: $43.77

Redeem Gift Certificates
Claim Code:
Security Code:


Gift Certificates: $0.00
Apply Promo Code(s):


Subject to credit approval.
Grand Total: $1,241.00



that is my final set up as long as everything is compatible.

 

[amdnivram]

i need some help checking compatibility, and i was wondering if i would need to buy any cables since the dvd drive is oem and im not sure about the other items.