Gaming pc budget of $1200

Ok So I'm currently a network student doing a 4 month co-op term, making pretty good cash and I haven't updated my computer in 4 years lol. I was just wondering if anyone could help build me a new computer which could get the best for my money which is $1200.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:

Looking to order it within 1-2 days max.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:

Its going to be a gaming computer, but it should be able play the new Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 2 on max details without any fps lag, as well as any other high graphics demanding game coming out in the future. Plus being able to run multiple VM wares without lag would be a additional bonus.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:

Don't need a Monitor, Keyboard & Mouse and CD Drive and Speakers.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS:

I'd prefer http://www.tigerdirect.ca/ but if you can't http://www.newegg.ca/ is fine.

PARTS PREFERENCES:

I've had both Intel/AMD base computers in the past and I liked them, so it doesn't matter which you pick.

OVERCLOCKING:

Yes if possible, as for SLI/CROSSFIRE whatever is honestly the better deal.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

The case doesn't have to be flashy, just be able to fit everything in it.

Thanks for your help!!

edit: I've been looking at prebuild PC's @ http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] ?CatId=114
if you think any of those are built well enough tell me, thanks.

wait a tiny bit more when core i5s/dx11 come out so all the other stuff will lower in price then buy i7 when it reaches 250 dollars canadian

anyone here

I'm at work atm but I ussually run at a 1680 x 1050 resolution (I think) Its a 20" new LG LCD monitor.

thanks for the help though, i didn't think that i5 was out yet lol.

had another question, is there a noticeable difference between 1600mhz ram and 2000mhz? to the point where its worth the money upgrade?

I was looking through these

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] CatId=4331

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] =O261-8120

There is just so much info out there with all the reviews and all the websites doing different configs it gets kind of confusing!!! I'm lost as usual. Someone with a brain will be here shortly to get this lined out.

Tiger direct is a great place to order from!! I only buy from newegg coz on some things it is cheaper....but I have to have everything shipped.

yeah i'm pretty sure i'm going to go with the i5. they just posted one up on tigerdirect today (the place i'm going to order from)

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] CatId=4731

I've been debating and why_me's choices seem very good. But I'd like to spend a bit more on my pc I think since I hate upgrading every year or so. I was wondering what you guys thought of this



I know I'm missing a motherboard/fan.
Not sure on which ones I want yet.

And I was unsure of the videocard i picked out.

Kinda hard to see....sorry

nice looks good, i'm going to see if i can find those items on tigerdirect to see what the difference is, btw do you think that the powersupply give enough amps?

Draalin, the build you suggested is actually a step down from the why_me build. The GTS250 is nothing more than a rebranded 9800GTX+, and the GTX275 is far superior. Also, stick with the PSU suggested by jack, Corsair makes some of the best PSU's and it will last you a long time. Additionally, you picked out a triple channel memory kit, when the i-5 only supports dual channel, you will be limited to 4GB or 8GB of RAM with the i-5.

That statement isn't true any more starting today. There were two new i7 chips released along with the i5 chip today. All three new chips use the LGA 1156 P55 chipset and only support dual channel RAM.

SO they run ddr-3 in dual channel mode......no wonder I was confused...which doesn't take much! LOL Alright now Who's on first??

i'm getting more and more confused lol.

Ok....I understand....I think. DDR-3 is actually DDR which stands for dual data rate which means it can feed the processor on the rise AND the fall of the processor cycle unlike sdr which can only feed the processor on either the rise or the fall of the processor cycle bot sure which one though. and the -3 means it can run in multiples of 3....right?????? but it doesn't have to right??? Alright where my hammer....this square peg ain't fittin in that round hole!!

The "3" doesn't have anything to do with multiples of 3.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR3_SDRAM

Looks good to me....I guess your going to use the stock cooler till more choices are out....not a bad idea, I used the stock one for a month or two till they had some new ones out that worked good with the 1366 socket!

LOL, I just figured out what your CDN$ was....OMG LOL...it never hit me till that last post. God I'm a duffus!!

Stick with what you've got, it'll work great!! You have DDR-3 dual channel for the I-5 and thats what it calls for!! stay with it.

Sorry I caused the confussion.....I should have kept my mouth shut. Sorry again Transmaniacon....After reading the link shart_stuff posted above I now see what it means....besides giving me an icecream headache trying to understand it...it did open my eyes that I am truely an idiot!! LOL

Man, I would stick with what ya got goin here....it will SCREAM!!!

oh yeah i had one more question, getting the 8gb of ram is fine with the i5 right? Since I'll be running alot of vm wares once school starts back up. I'll need the memory.

edit: are all of the fans that say "i7" fine to use on a i5?

I've looked around and like the 1366 before it....for a while they will be kind of hard to find till they get them out...then READ the reviews on them first and get a good one. I read and read and read....and the TRUE 120 Extreme I got is really a good cooler!!

I would stick with what you have, wait until FrostyTech reviews some LGA1156 CPU Coolers, and then OC that i5, from what I have read thus far, its got great OCing potential.

nice, you found that pretty quick thanks