$750 Gaming/Everyday Use

buildernub

Distinguished
Jul 22, 2009
2
0
18,510
I have been upgrading my wife's ancient computer for years. I have decided finally to move on and stick it in the attic. While I have done a lot of interchanging parts, I have never actually built a computer. I am quite excited!

I will hopefully be ordering the parts within the week.

It is unlikely I can get away with spending more than $750 or so.

Computer will be used primarily for MMOs, though it will also be our primary internet surfer, and our photo/music storage box. I play a lot of WOW now, but would like to move to something newer. (Warhammer was a bit too much for my current setup.)

I will be buying my monitor here locally, likely a 20" widescreen. Do not require mouse, keyboard, speakers, or optical drives.

I prefer to buy from newegg.

Thinking AMD cpu, ATI gpu, and midtower case.

May overclock, a bit skittish of frying stuff though. May Crossfire sometime in the future.

I guess 1920x1080 resolution.

Have selected some parts, would greatly appreciate some advice on what would or wouldn't work together or suggestions for something else I should use.

SAPPHIRE 100259L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810

Rosewill Wind Ryder RZLS142A-P YE Dual 120mm Cooling Fans and Mesh Design Front Panel Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147113

ECS BLACK SERIES A790GXM-AD3 AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135236

Rosewill RP550V2-D-SL 550W ATX12V v2.01 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182030

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

Total is right at $700 before shipping.
 
Your build is looking pretty good, but there are a few things that should change. The only major problem I see is the Rosewill PSU. Rosewill is not a quality PSU manufacturer and a cheap PSU runs a good chance of blowing up and taking other hardware with it.

I've taken some of your components and come up with a build that comes in right at your $750 budget. This build also has a motherboard and PSU that are ready to add another GPU in crossfire later if needed without having to upgrade any other components at the same time.

Rosewill Wind Ryder RZLS142A-P YE Dual 120mm Cooling Fans and Mesh Design Front Panel Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147113 $39.99

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205337 $204.99- $15.00 MIR (CPU + motherboard combo)

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P16004GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227297 $75.99

PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009 $109.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074&Tpk=wd3200aaks

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.205082.22-136-074 $154.98 (HD + OS combo)

SAPPHIRE 100259L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810 $134.99 - $10.00 MIR

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187 $26.99

Total - $747.92 - $25.00 MIR's