APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next two weeks.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Speakers, Mouse, Keyboard, OS
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg (or other trusted/cheap sites)
PARTS PREFERENCES: Single Video Card for simplicity? Quad core cpu? Not sure if I should get an i7 or core 2 quad or amd quadcore?
Just want to have parts/combinations that can be upgraded or maybe in the future be able to drop in a new cpu or another video card.
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe a little bit
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: In the future.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure... Maybe 1920x1080? I'm looking at prob a 21" monitor?
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'm looking to build a new and reliable gaming rig for approx $1000. I will need almost everything!
Case: Looking for a small mid tower, Cooler Master or Antec is preferred. Maybe Cooler Master Centurion or Antex 900? Not sure which is bigger/lighter and provides quiet and great cooling.
Monitor: 21"
Hard Drive: 500GB-1TB, 7200rpm, high quality.. Is a 10000 rpm HD worth the money? how big is the performance difference?
PSU: Must be able to handle a second video card being added in the future.
RAM: DDR3?
Graphics: Something around a 4890? Nvidia or ati??
Mobo/CPU Combo: Don't know to much about what goes with what.. I'll be doing mostly gaming on this comp and running Windows 7 RC.
Sorry I have such vague specifications but lately computer technology has gotten hard to keep up with.. Pretty much just looking for a good and reliable/stable gaming rig that can handle decent games at max graphics (don't need to run crysis at max lol)..
Phenom is the best value for money right now and why_me's build makes a lot of sense .
The one change I would make is to use this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.209473 cpu and mb combo instead
The mb is full ATX , and has better chipsets that allow more stable over clocking . The 750 south bridge chip is particularly important for OC'ing Phenom
As a bonus its also $35 cheaper .
Try this this build. I know it's a little more expensive, but you should see a little bit more power, it should OC further, and you'll have a board that will last you longer because it is an AM3 board. It is more expensive, but I feel it would be worth it to take this path and then hold off on the monitor for a paycheck or two depending on your situation.