$1000 Gaming Computer! First Build!

If you want mainly a gaming PC, then i7 would not be a very good choice...
Yes i7 is the best desktop CPU out there...but in gaming, it doesnt offer significant performance advantage over the other CPUs...
So you can easily save some money going with X4 955 as the overall platform cost(CPU + Mobo + RAM) would be reduced...
Do you want the OS included in that budget??

No, I don't need an OS (forgot to mention that).

I'm actually surprised to hear that the i7 isn't the best for gaming. I have been reading around and sources usually come to a conclusion that it's the better one of the 2 because of its utility?

As for being hardpressed, I heard it was doable, so that's why I posted those specific parts. I'm trying to stay away from AMD if I can, but if I can only use AMD because of the price, then that is fine. I just want to know if I can build a great gaming computer (essentially top notch) for that price.

Thanks for your fast input guys!

EDIT: Dint refresh before posting. Check the above build...It has a far more powerful graphics card and better case with the money saved on the i7 CPU, mobo, RAM...

Well you can get an i7 in that budget of yours...
And about i7 not the best for gaming -> It is w.r.t the price premium it commands vs the performance increase it gives...

Here is an i7 config...
i7 + HD 4890
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.231066

Mobo + RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.233164

CASE - Antec 300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042

PSU - More than enough for crossfire/ SLI...
PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341011

WD Black 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319

DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151188

Total - $1027 Not including shipping and rebates...

EDIT: forgot to refresh the page also. So far, the build above given by batuchka is probably what I am going to go with, unless there are parts that I can possibly upgrade. Thanks guys for the great input!

batuchka, that seems like a great build. Any more opinions or possible upgrades I can make to the build that batuchka just gave me?

It seems like the combo for the Cooler Master is already gone.... is there another combo like that? Perhaps something as good, or even better for that price? This goes with all the other parts as well. (If i can get an upgrade without a big price jump, i would like it.)

Oh, thanks!

That setup with the WD black 640gb comes out to be around $1010, which is in definite range. Are there any other thing's that I am missing? Or is this probably the best I can get with that kind of money.

That was in interesting article haha. I'm thinking of switching out of the GPU because the Radeon 4870 x2 you suggested isn't WoW friendly. Any other great gpus out there? (just give me some top ones maybe with mobo combo around the same price as the radeon + mobo combo and i'll do the research)

Photobucket is blocked at work, so I can never see Batuchka's builds here . Oh well. Most of them have looked pretty good, and none have made me want to rip his eyes out . I've been trying not to nit-pick people's builds half to death. Not knowing what's in his build though, but based on other comments:
Get a single 4870 (or 4890) now. If it isn't enough, add another one for Crossfire later, possibly after you've accumulated more cash. A 750W Corsair or Antec PSU will be able to handle a pair of them easily enough.
Oh, and just to add to the clarity, an i7 IS the best-performing CPU now, for anything, but [particularly for circumstances where time <> money, like gaming,] the performance difference is not worth the often considerable price premium. If I were building the highest bang/buck system I could for myself right now, I'd probably also choose AMD.

Hmm too used to configuring via shopping cart and taking a screenshot Point taken and shall try in future hehe I usually save them and share over several forums and/or over the email before i clear them carts

EDIT: forgot ram
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBPI - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231200

+case,psu
COOLER MASTER RS-700-AMBA-D3 700W ATX12V V2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817171037

COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119196


Currently, this is what I am looking at:

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103674

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100251SR Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102768

Mobo: BIOSTAR TForce TA790GX A3+ AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138141

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319

LG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136167


This comes out to around $1,000. Any possible improvements that can be made (mainly GPU)?

Just to restate what has already been said, the i7 is the BEST cpu and platform on the market right now for gaming or anything else. I think what people mean to say is that you can get a good AMD build that will fit most needs for under $1000, so it is not worth spending over $1000 on an i7 system. The ultimate question you have to answer is what you will be using your computer for, how long do you want it to be before you have to replace it, and is a little extra money worth a little extra performance?
You are on the cusp of where i7 makes sense in your budget, but probably not in your uses unless you really want to future proof your build. If you mainly play WoW, a decent $600 - $700 build would be more than enough. You really don't need more than a 4870 to run WoW even at high resolutions. And you for sure don't need crossfire or sli right now unless you want 2 lower powered cards like 2 4850s. If you really want the best bang for your buck it is here
http://www.compusa.com/application [...] CatId=3478
Immediate upgrades are obvious...ram, adding another 4850 for crossfire. You will still be way under budget, have an i7 system, your graphics will outperform a gtx285, and have a good future upgrade path by replacing the MB for extreme overclocking.

We are looking at several years before the i7 is mainstreamed. You may want to upgrade the graphics at some point, but right now 2x4850 will play anything on the current market or in development @ 19x12 without a problem. And it will do it with most of them maxed out on settings. Crysis might be the exception, but it is for almost any card. As I said, that system is the best bang for the buck you can get...it would cost about $500 more to build it from newegg.

yes, I'm talking about the computer I linked to. I was responding to your previous post when you said you wanted a computer that would last...I was pointing out that i7 is currently the most "future proof" platform you can buy, so if that is your criteria the computer I linked to is the best choice for you.

Anyone?? Hoping to purchase before 6PM tonight

Any good suggestions for that shortstuff?

OK GUYS! I will be buying very, very soon. One last confirmation if it looks good! Thanks for all your input guys!

EDIT:
SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102809
(these are sold out, other viable options maybe?)

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151188

Western Digital RE3 WD1002FBYS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136313

ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236049

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBPI - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231200

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
&
BIOSTAR TForce TA790GX A3+ AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.230082

Antec TruePower New TP-750 Blue 750W 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
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.216237


TOTAL: $1323.87 with tax+shipping.

What do you guys think!!!