New Gaming PC ~$1000 - First Time Builder

[Revolation]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 4 Days

BUDGET RANGE: US~$1000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Surfing the Internet, Watching Movies/Videos, School

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Not many preferences really, just good reliable brands and parts I guess.

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe (if needed)

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (if needed)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Looking at a 22" 1680x1050 at the moment.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like a new computer that would last a while and can play current games at high fps and detail, and future games are decent-high fps and detail.




CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160

Motherboard: ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

Video Card: XFX HD-487A-ZHFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339 - Retail $68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail $90 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Processor: AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor - Retail $102
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Monitor: ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 5000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail $150 after MIR

Keyboard: Logitech 967740-0403 Black 104 Normal Keys 8 Function Keys USB Standard Internet 350 USB Keyboard - OEM $15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126012

Mouse: Logitech MX518 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical 1800 dpi Gaming-Grade Mouse - Retail $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104178

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM $110

Microphone: (I know this probably doesn't matter, doesn't hurt either though since it adds to my total) Logitech 980186-0403 Silver USB Connector USB Desktop Microphone $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836111601

So, my current total with everything included here is $1,055. This is probably as high as I would want my total to be, unless there's a good upgrade that increases the price slightly. Thanks for helping me.

 

[gkay09]

Its a good build...
But there are few things that you can rework on...

1. CASE - Do you really need a Full Tower ? I feel that you can save by going with Mid tower cases and save money and invest in more powerful CPU...
HAF 922
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197
CM Storm Scout
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196

Good combos with a very good 600W modular PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.250627
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.250626

That PSU is more than suffice to run the above setup...And both the above cases are solid options...
But if you are planning for crossfire(mostly not needed as newer more powerful cards are coming this October, that would offer very good performance for roughly the same price range), then stick with the 650W PSU or you can get a 700W modular PSU combo with those cases...

So with the money saved here, invest in more powerful CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

Mobo - I would suggest this mobo over that one...because the crossfire runs better on this board than that one...
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402

 

[Revolation]

I'm not sure if I want to crossfire yet, at least not in the foreseeable future. But, I will definitely keep that motherboard, and also those cases/PSU in mind.

Yeah, I wasn't 100% on the case and if I needed to spend that much. The other cases you chose look great and I would be willing to get either. But, could I save $70 from the HAF 932 and get

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $70 ?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

If this case was a good choice, I would be able to upgrade my CPU and my Video Card with these.

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150359

My total with these changes would be $1,058. This would only be $3 more than my previous total for quite large upgrades to the GPU and CPU. So what does everyone think? Thanks again!

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I like your idea of going with the Antec 300 Illusion and upgrading the CPU and GPU. The Illusion will have plenty of space and airflow for your system.

 

[gkay09]

@Revolation those are very good changes and that Antec 300 is a very good case...

Here is a nice combo of that case with a high quality PSU...
300 Illusion + Antec EA650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.246572

And if you can, wait till September 9th before you make your purchase - Reason - Newer CPUs are expected to launch both from intel and AMD, that would certainly push the prices down...

 

[Outlander_04]

I'd throw the mouse back as well . A $40 mouse stops you getting a 23.6 inch wide screen monitor
ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 5ms HDMI Full 1080P $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

You tend to have monitors a long time , but a mouse is pretty much disposable [ and easy to upgrade ]